Grype vs Aqua Security: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Grype and Aqua Security 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 need something completely free
- • 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
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need container orchestration features specifically
- • Aqua Security is a cloud-native security platform protecting containerized applications
- • It secures the full container lifecycle from build to runtime with vulnerability scanning
| At a Glance |  Grype |  Aqua Security |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Container Orchestration |
Rating | 84/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Grype | Aqua Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDContainer Orchestration | Container OrchestrationVulnerability Scanning |
How Grype and Aqua Security Compare
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Free · 84/100 score
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Paid · 86/100 score
Grype is a ci/cd tool. Aqua Security is in container orchestration.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Grype is free. Aqua Security is paid.
Go with: Grype
Want the highest-rated option?
Grype: 84/100. Aqua Security: 86/100.
Go with: Aqua Security
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Aqua Security
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Grype is free. Aqua Security is paid. Go with Grype if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Grype is a ci/cd tool. Aqua Security is in container orchestration. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Aqua Security scores higher: 86/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Aqua Security
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 84
- Our pick for this comparison
Grype
- Completely free
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Aqua Security (86/100) is our pick. That said, Grype is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grype or Aqua Security better?
Aqua Security scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Grype is free and Aqua Security is paid.
What are Grype and Aqua Security used for?
Grype: Vulnerability scanner for container images. Aqua Security: Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes.
What does Grype cost vs Aqua Security?
Grype is completely free. Aqua Security is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.