Do you actually need Kubernetes?
Start with what your application needs and who will look after it.
Check the requirements first
How many services are you running? How does traffic vary? What happens if a deployment fails? Write down those answers before choosing a container platform.
Compare the simpler options
A managed application service may handle deployment, scaling and logging without a cluster to maintain. Compare it against your requirements, including network access, background jobs and data storage.
Count the maintenance work
Kubernetes needs upgrades, access controls, networking and monitoring. Someone also needs to investigate incidents. Include that engineering time in the cost comparison.
Choose something your team can run
Document how to deploy, restore a backup and roll back a release. Review the setup when your requirements change. A familiar system with good monitoring is often easier to support than a more complicated one.