Dive vs Grype: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Dive and Grype 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:
Dive
Explore Docker image layers and optimize their size for efficiency.
Best for you if:
- • You need debugging features specifically
- • Analyzes Docker/OCI image layers and their contents.
- • Identifies wasted space and provides an image efficiency score.
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Grype is an open-source vulnerability scanner for container images and filesystems
- • It scans for known vulnerabilities using multiple databases with fast results
| At a Glance |  Dive |  Grype |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Debugging | CI/CD |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Dive | Grype |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | DebuggingTerminal Tools | CI/CDContainer Orchestration |
How Dive and Grype Compare
Dive
Explore Docker image layers and optimize their size for efficiency.
Free
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Free · 84/100 score
Dive is a debugging tool. Grype is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Dive
Want the highest-rated option?
Grype scores 84/100. Dive is unrated.
Go with: Grype
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Grype
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Dive is a debugging tool. Grype is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Grype
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Dive
- Better fit for debugging
The Bottom Line
Grype (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dive or Grype better?
Grype scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Dive and Grype used for?
Dive: Explore Docker image layers and optimize their size for efficiency.. Grype: Vulnerability scanner for container images.
What does Dive cost vs Grype?
Dive is completely free. Grype is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.