Cerbos vs CyberArk: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cerbos and CyberArk comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 22, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cerbos
Fine-grained, contextual, and continuous authorization for enterprise software and AI systems.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Provides fine-grained, contextual authorization for enterprise software and AI.
- • Offers a complete platform with policy definition, enforcement, and centralized management.
CyberArk
Secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls.
Best for you if:
- • Secures all identities (human, machine, AI) with intelligent privilege controls.
- • Unifies identity security across hybrid, SaaS, and multi-cloud environments.
| At a Glance |  Cerbos |  CyberArk |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Identity & Access | Identity & Access |
Rating | —/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Cerbos | CyberArk |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | — | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Identity & AccessCompliance | Identity & AccessSecurity Monitoring |
How Cerbos and CyberArk Compare
Cerbos
Fine-grained, contextual, and continuous authorization for enterprise software and AI systems.
Free tier available
CyberArk
Secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls.
Paid
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Cerbos has a free tier. CyberArk is paid only.
Go with: Cerbos
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has been rated yet.
Go with: Cerbos
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cerbos
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cerbos is freemium. CyberArk is paid. Cerbos lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are identity & access tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Cerbos
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
CyberArk
The Bottom Line
Cerbos is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cerbos or CyberArk better?
Cerbos scores high/100 in our evaluation. Cerbos is freemium and CyberArk is paid.
What are Cerbos and CyberArk used for?
Cerbos: Fine-grained, contextual, and continuous authorization for enterprise software and AI systems.. CyberArk: Secure every identity across human, machine, and AI with intelligent privilege controls..
What does Cerbos cost vs CyberArk?
Cerbos is freemium (free tier + paid plans). CyberArk is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.