Grype vs Syft: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Grype and Syft side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Best for you if:
- • You want open source vulnerability scanner
Syft
Generate Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) from container images and filesystems.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive SBOM generation for diverse software components
| At a Glance | Grype | Syft |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Security Testing & QA | Security DevOps |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Grype or Syft?
Choose Grype if
- You want open source vulnerability scanner
- You want container scanning
Choose Syft if
- You want comprehensive SBOM generation for diverse software components
- You want broad support for packaging ecosystems and image formats
In-Depth Analysis
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Grype's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source vulnerability scanner
- Pro: Container scanning
- Pro: Fast
- Pro: CI/CD integration
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: CLI only
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Database updates needed
- Con: False positives possible
- Con: Enterprise features limited
Key features
Syft
Generate Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) from container images and filesystems.
Syft's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully-featured open-source solution for free.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive SBOM generation for diverse software components
- Pro: Broad support for packaging ecosystems and image formats
- Pro: Seamless integration with vulnerability scanning tools like Grype
- Pro: Multiple output formats and SBOM conversion capabilities
- Pro: Enhances software supply chain security with signed attestations
Weaknesses
- Con: Primarily a CLI tool, which might require command-line familiarity
- Con: Requires integration with other tools (like Grype) for full vulnerability detection
Key features
Plans and prices: Grype vs Syft
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Grype |
| github.com/anchore/grype read Sep 28, 2026 |
| Syft |
| github.com/anchore/syft read Oct 17, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Grype pricing and Syft pricing.
Key Takeaways
Grype
- Choose if you want vulnerability scanner for container images
Syft
- Choose if you want generate Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) from container images and filesystems
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Grype and Syft compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Both have a free plan.
What are Grype and Syft used for?
Grype: Vulnerability scanner for container images. Syft: Generate Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) from container images and filesystems.
What does Grype cost vs Syft?
Grype is free. Syft is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 17, 2026.
What's the main difference between Grype and Syft?
Grype's main strength: open source vulnerability scanner. Syft's main strength: comprehensive SBOM generation for diverse software components.