Clair vs Nuclei: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Clair and Nuclei 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 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Clair
Static vulnerability analysis for containers
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need container orchestration features specifically
- • Clair is an open-source vulnerability scanner for container images
- • It analyzes container layers and reports known security vulnerabilities from multiple databases
Nuclei
Automate custom vulnerability detection and map internet-exposed assets at scale.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need automation features specifically
- • Automates custom vulnerability detection using security templates.
- • Maps internet-exposed assets and monitors cloud environments (AWS, GCP, Azure, Cloudflare).
| At a Glance |  Clair |  Nuclei |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Container Orchestration | Automation |
Rating | 80/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Clair | Nuclei |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Container OrchestrationVulnerability Scanning | AutomationInfrastructure as Code |
How Clair and Nuclei Compare
Clair
Static vulnerability analysis for containers
Free · 80/100 score
Nuclei
Automate custom vulnerability detection and map internet-exposed assets at scale.
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Clair is a container orchestration tool. Nuclei is in automation.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Clair is free. Nuclei is freemium.
Go with: Clair
Want the highest-rated option?
Clair: 80/100. Nuclei: 84/100.
Go with: Nuclei
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Nuclei
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Clair is free. Nuclei is freemium. Go with Clair if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Clair is a container orchestration tool. Nuclei is in automation. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Nuclei scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Nuclei
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Clair
- Completely free
- Better fit for container orchestration
The Bottom Line
Nuclei (84/100) is our pick. That said, Clair is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clair or Nuclei better?
Nuclei scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Clair is free and Nuclei is freemium.
What are Clair and Nuclei used for?
Clair: Static vulnerability analysis for containers. Nuclei: Automate custom vulnerability detection and map internet-exposed assets at scale..
What does Clair cost vs Nuclei?
Clair is completely free. Nuclei is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.