Harbor vs Quay: Which is Better 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.
Bottom line: Harbor wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick. Pick Quay if you need cloud & infrastructure.
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 open source registry
- • You want vulnerability scanning
Quay
Enterprise container registry with built-in security scanning
Best for you if:
- • You want container registry
- • You want red Hat backed
| At a Glance | Harbor | Quay |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.6/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Harbor or Quay?
Choose Harbor if
Open-source container registry
- You want open source registry
- You want vulnerability scanning
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
Choose Quay if
Enterprise container registry with built-in security scanning
- You want container registry
- You want red Hat backed
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
| Feature | Harbor | Quay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 14 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Developer ToolsSecurity | Cloud & InfrastructureSecurity |
In-Depth Analysis
Harbor
Open-source container registry
Harbor's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- +Open source registry
- +Vulnerability scanning
- +Image signing
- +Self-hostable
- +CNCF project
Weaknesses
- -Complex setup
- -Resource intensive
- -Learning curve
- -Maintenance overhead
- -UI could improve
Key features
Quay
Enterprise container registry with built-in security scanning
Quay's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free Developer tier offering unlimited public repos and security scanning.
Watch out
No clear overage pricing for private repos beyond Micro tier.
Strengths
- +Container registry
- +Red Hat backed
- +Good security scanning
- +Enterprise features
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Complex setup
- -Learning curve
- -Enterprise focus
- -Documentation gaps
- -Pricing unclear
Key features
Pricing: Harbor vs Quay
| Plan | Harbor | Quay |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Developer |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $6 month Micro |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Harbor pricing and Quay pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Harbor
Want the highest-rated option?
Harbor is rated 4.6/5. Quay has no ratings yet.
Go with: Harbor
Value user reviews?
Harbor: 14 reviews (4.6/5). Quay: no ratings 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 developer tools tool. Quay is in cloud & infrastructure. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Harbor is rated 4.6/5; Quay has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Harbor
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Quay
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
Harbor wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harbor or Quay better?
Harbor is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Harbor and Quay used for?
Harbor: Open-source container registry. Quay: Enterprise container registry with built-in security scanning.
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.