Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) offers two modes: Standard, where users manage their infrastructure, and Autopilot, where Google handles node management. While both modes provide flexibility and ease of use, they come with varying cost implications related to resource management. In Standard mode, costs arise from overprovisioned resources and underutilized nodes, whereas in Autopilot, costs are driven by overestimated pod requests. The guide provides strategies for optimizing costs in both modes, emphasizing the importance of right-sizing workloads, effective autoscaling, and using the right compute strategy. Additionally, it highlights automation tools like DevZero, which dynamically optimize resource usage and costs in real time, helping teams achieve significant savings by adjusting resource allocations and improving node utilization without manual intervention.