A technique for differentiation controllers and reconcilers for software operators in a distributed computing environment is described herein. In one example of the present disclosure, a system can include a node of a distributed computing environment that includes a container configured to execute a controller associated with a software operator. The controller can determine a reconciler that is associated with the container, detect an event that is associated with the reconciler, and invoke the reconciler via a selected communication protocol. The system can include the reconciler configured to process the event in response to being invoked by the controller and to provide a response associated with the event to the controller via the selected communication protocol.