Harbor vs Quay: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Harbor and Quay 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 want the higher-rated option (7.6/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • 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
Quay
Container registry by Red Hat
Best for you if:
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Quay is a container registry for storing and distributing container images
- • It provides security scanning, geo-replication, and access controls
| At a Glance |  Harbor |  Quay |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Container Orchestration | CI/CD |
Rating | 76/100 | 74/100 |
| Feature | Harbor | Quay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 76 | 74 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Container OrchestrationVulnerability Scanning | CI/CDContainer Orchestration |
How Harbor and Quay Compare
Harbor
Open-source container registry
Free tier available · 76/100 score
Quay
Container registry by Red Hat
Free tier available · 74/100 score
Harbor is a container orchestration tool. Quay 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. Quay: 74/100.
Go with: Harbor
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Harbor
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. Quay is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Harbor scores higher: 76/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Harbor
- Higher score: 76/100 vs 74
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Quay
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Harbor (76/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harbor or Quay better?
Harbor scores 76/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Harbor and Quay used for?
Harbor: Open-source container registry. Quay: Container registry by Red Hat.
What does Harbor cost vs Quay?
Harbor is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Quay is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.