Quay vs Anchore: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Quay 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:
Quay
Container registry by Red Hat
Best for you if:
- • Quay is a container registry for storing and distributing container images
- • It provides security scanning, geo-replication, and access controls
Anchore
Container security scanning and compliance
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • 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 |  Quay |  Anchore |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | CI/CD |
Rating | 74/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Quay | Anchore |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 74 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDContainer Orchestration | CI/CDVulnerability Scanning |
How Quay and Anchore Compare
Quay
Container registry by Red Hat
Free tier available · 74/100 score
Anchore
Container security scanning and compliance
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Quay
Want the highest-rated option?
Quay: 74/100. 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?
Both are ci/cd tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Anchore scores higher: 82/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Anchore
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 74
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Quay
The Bottom Line
Anchore (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quay or Anchore better?
Anchore scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Quay and Anchore used for?
Quay: Container registry by Red Hat. Anchore: Container security scanning and compliance.
What does Quay cost vs Anchore?
Quay is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Anchore is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.