Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is a fully managed service that allows users to run Kubernetes workloads with reduced stress of managing control planes, nodes, and other tasks. GKE offers two operation modes: autopilot and standard. Autopilot provides a hands-off approach for organizations less familiar with Kubernetes, while the standard mode offers more customization options. The pricing for both modes is based on a flat fee of $0.10 per hour after the free tier plan is exhausted. The free tier provides users with $74.40 in monthly credits to test and run clusters. Committed use discounts offer up to 70% discounts on three-year plans, while Spot VMs provide significant savings but come with the risk of interruption. To choose the best pricing plan for an organization, it's essential to assess their specific needs using the Google Cloud pricing calculator.