Harbor vs Anchore: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Harbor 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:
Harbor
Open-source container registry
Best for you if:
- • You need container orchestration features specifically
- • Harbor is an open-source container registry with security and compliance features
- • It provides vulnerability scanning, access control, and image signing for containers
Anchore
Container security scanning and compliance
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • 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 |  Harbor |  Anchore |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Container Orchestration | CI/CD |
Rating | 76/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Harbor | Anchore |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 76 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Container OrchestrationVulnerability Scanning | CI/CDVulnerability Scanning |
How Harbor and Anchore Compare
Harbor
Open-source container registry
Free tier available · 76/100 score
Anchore
Container security scanning and compliance
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Harbor is a container orchestration tool. Anchore is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Harbor
Want the highest-rated option?
Harbor: 76/100. Anchore: 82/100.
Go with: Anchore
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Anchore
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Harbor is a container orchestration tool. Anchore is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Anchore scores higher: 82/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
Anchore
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 76
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Harbor
- Better fit for container orchestration
The Bottom Line
Anchore (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harbor or Anchore better?
Anchore scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Harbor and Anchore used for?
Harbor: Open-source container registry. Anchore: Container security scanning and compliance.
What does Harbor cost vs Anchore?
Harbor is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Anchore is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.