Polaris vs Grype: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Polaris 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:
Polaris
An open-source policy engine for Kubernetes to ensure configuration best practices.
Best for you if:
- • You need container orchestration features specifically
- • Open-source policy engine for Kubernetes.
- • Enforces configuration best practices for security and efficiency.
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 |  Polaris |  Grype |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Container Orchestration | CI/CD |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Polaris | 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 | Container OrchestrationInfrastructure as Code | CI/CDContainer Orchestration |
How Polaris and Grype Compare
Polaris
An open-source policy engine for Kubernetes to ensure configuration best practices.
Free tier available
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Free · 84/100 score
Polaris is a container orchestration tool. Grype is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Grype is free. Polaris is freemium.
Go with: Grype
Want the highest-rated option?
Grype scores 84/100. Polaris 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?
Polaris is freemium. Grype is free. Go with Grype if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Polaris is a container orchestration 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
Polaris
- Better fit for container orchestration
The Bottom Line
Grype (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polaris or Grype better?
Grype scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Polaris is freemium and Grype is free.
What are Polaris and Grype used for?
Polaris: An open-source policy engine for Kubernetes to ensure configuration best practices.. Grype: Vulnerability scanner for container images.
What does Polaris cost vs Grype?
Polaris is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Grype is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.