Libraries.io vs Grype: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Libraries.io and Grype 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:
Libraries.io
Monitor and search open source packages for security and maintenance insights.
Best for you if:
- • You need vulnerability scanning features specifically
- • Monitors over 10 million open source packages across 32 package managers.
- • Provides free access to basic package metadata, license, and dependency insights.
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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
| At a Glance |  Libraries.io |  Grype |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Vulnerability Scanning | CI/CD |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Libraries.io | Grype |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Vulnerability ScanningSecurity Monitoring | CI/CDContainer Orchestration |
How Libraries.io and Grype Compare
Libraries.io
Monitor and search open source packages for security and maintenance insights.
Free tier available
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Free · 84/100 score
Libraries.io is a vulnerability scanning tool. Grype is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Grype is free. Libraries.io is freemium.
Go with: Grype
Want the highest-rated option?
Grype scores 84/100. Libraries.io is unrated.
Go with: Grype
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Grype
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Libraries.io is freemium. Grype is free. Go with Grype if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Libraries.io is a vulnerability scanning tool. Grype is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Grype
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Libraries.io
- Better fit for vulnerability scanning
The Bottom Line
Grype (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Libraries.io or Grype better?
Grype scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Libraries.io is freemium and Grype is free.
What are Libraries.io and Grype used for?
Libraries.io: Monitor and search open source packages for security and maintenance insights.. Grype: Vulnerability scanner for container images.
What does Libraries.io cost vs Grype?
Libraries.io is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Grype is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.