k6 is a developer-centric, free and open-source load testing tool built for making performance testing a productive and enjoyable experience. Using k6, you"ll be able to catch performance regression and problems earlier, allowing you to build resilient systems and robust applications.
Publisher’s description
What is k6?
k6 is an open-source languages & sdk program for Windows from Grafana Labs. It is written in Go.
Installation and requirements
Official installers exist for 64-bit as MSI. Installation asks for administrator rights. The installer supports unattended (silent) installation. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.2.0, released on August 10, 2026. 57 versions are listed since September 29, 2025, each with links to its own installer files. That is about 12 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (grafana/k6) has 32,007 stars. Similar programs include Go Programming Language, LLVM and CMake.
Project description on GitHub: “A modern load testing tool, using Go and JavaScript”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Frequent updates (about 12 a year)
- Large user base
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: k6 is an open-source languages & sdk tool for 64-bit PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is k6 safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
02DC187B69B5E11EB2D9BF7C2CACBC0F00BF93EA3A675DB7AFAB4D53FC81172A· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the grafana/k6 repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- Code review10
- No dangerous workflows10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- Security policy10
- Published packages10
- Pinned dependencies9
- Static code analysis9
- Restricted token permissions8
- Branch protection5
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Fuzzing0
- Signed releases0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 57 versions ›57 versions over 5 years · about 12 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2.0Latest | August 10, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
| 2.1.0 | July 1, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
| 2.0.0 | May 11, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
| 2.0.0-rc1 | April 28, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
| 1.8.2 | October 12, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
| 1.8.1 | August 12, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
| 1.8.0 | June 8, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
| 1.7.1 | March 30, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSI |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id GrafanaLabs.k6 -emsiexec /i k6-v2.2.0-windows-amd64.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {7F4CCBE8-F869-4129-8EEC-E79B221F6BC6} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Grafana Labs
- Category
- Languages & SDKs
- Licence
- AGPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/grafana/k6
- Written in
- Go
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- MSI
- Version
- 2.2.0
- Released
- August 10, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- September 19, 2025
- Versions listed
- 57
- Updates / year
- 12.5
- GitHub stars
- 32,007
- GitHub forks
- 1,694
- Website
- github.com
- winget ID
- GrafanaLabs.k6
- MSI product code
- {7F4CCBE8-F869-4129-8EEC-E79B221F6BC6}
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to k6
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Frequently asked questions
Is k6 free?
Yes. k6 is open-source software under the AGPL-3.0 licence.
Is k6 safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install k6 with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can k6 be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does k6 run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of k6?
The versions page lists all 57 versions with links to their official installer files, back to September 29, 2025.
What are alternatives to k6?
Go Programming Language, LLVM, CMake, Deno and Yarn. The alternatives page compares them.
