Grype vs Anchore: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Grype and Anchore 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:
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • Grype is an open-source vulnerability scanner for container images and filesystems
- • It scans for known vulnerabilities using multiple databases with fast results
Anchore
Container security scanning and compliance
Best for you if:
- • Anchore is a container security platform that scans images for vulnerabilities and policy violations
- • It integrates into CI/CD pipelines to prevent insecure containers from reaching production
| At a Glance |  Grype |  Anchore |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | CI/CD |
Rating | 84/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Grype | Anchore |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDContainer Orchestration | CI/CDVulnerability Scanning |
How Grype and Anchore Compare
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Free · 84/100 score
Anchore
Container security scanning and compliance
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Grype is free. Anchore is freemium.
Go with: Grype
Want the highest-rated option?
Grype: 84/100. Anchore: 82/100.
Go with: Grype
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Grype
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Grype is free. Anchore is freemium. Go with Grype if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are ci/cd tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Grype scores higher: 84/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Grype
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 82
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Anchore
The Bottom Line
Grype (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grype or Anchore better?
Grype scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Grype is free and Anchore is freemium.
What are Grype and Anchore used for?
Grype: Vulnerability scanner for container images. Anchore: Container security scanning and compliance.
What does Grype cost vs Anchore?
Grype is completely free. Anchore is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.