Aqua Security vs Polaris: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Aqua Security and Polaris side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You want container security leader
Polaris
An open-source policy engine for Kubernetes to ensure configuration best practices.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Aqua Security | Polaris |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $10,188/year Team plan | Free plan |
Category | Security DevOps | Cloud & Infrastructure Security |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 57 reviews | 4.3/5 Trustpilot 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 · G2 3.5 311 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Aqua Security or Polaris?
Choose Aqua Security if
- You want container security leader
- You want kubernetes native
- You work in security, not cloud & infrastructure
Choose Polaris if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want open-source and free to use
- You want automates policy enforcement, reducing manual effort
- You work in cloud & infrastructure, not security
In-Depth Analysis
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Aqua Security's pricing is fair, offering a free Developer tier for non-production use.
Strengths
- Pro: Container security leader
- Pro: Kubernetes native
- Pro: Runtime protection
- Pro: Compliance features
- Pro: Good scanning
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Enterprise focus
- Con: Resource overhead
Key features
Polaris
An open-source policy engine for Kubernetes to ensure configuration best practices.
Polaris offers a very generous free tier, providing essential Kubernetes policy and best practice tools at no cost, making it highly accessible for small teams.
Strengths
- Pro: Open-source and free to use
- Pro: Automates policy enforcement, reducing manual effort
- Pro: Improves Kubernetes cluster security and stability
- Pro: Flexible with custom policy creation
- Pro: Comes with a comprehensive set of built-in policies
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires familiarity with Kubernetes configurations and JSON for custom policies
- Con: Primarily focused on Kubernetes, not a general-purpose policy engine
Key features
Plans and prices: Aqua Security vs Polaris
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Aqua Security |
| aquasec.com/pricing read Oct 2, 2026 |
| Polaris |
| fairwinds.com/pricing read Oct 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Aqua Security pricing and Polaris pricing.
Key Takeaways
Aqua Security
- Choose if you want cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Polaris
- Choose if you want an open-source policy engine for Kubernetes to ensure configuration best practices
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.2/5 from 57 reviews for Aqua Security, 4.3/5 from 311 reviews for Polaris).
- Aqua Security starts at $10,188/year; Polaris has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Aqua Security and Polaris compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.2/5 from 57 reviews for Aqua Security, 4.3/5 from 311 reviews for Polaris). Aqua Security starts at $10,188/year; Polaris has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Aqua Security and Polaris used for?
Aqua Security: Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes. Polaris: An open-source policy engine for Kubernetes to ensure configuration best practices.
What does Aqua Security cost vs Polaris?
Aqua Security's cheapest paid plan is Team at $10,188/year. Polaris has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between Aqua Security and Polaris?
Aqua Security's main strength: container security leader. Polaris's main strength: open-source and free to use.