Quay vs Aqua Security: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Quay and Aqua Security 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:
- • You want to try before committing
- • 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
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • You need container orchestration features specifically
- • Aqua Security is a cloud-native security platform protecting containerized applications
- • It secures the full container lifecycle from build to runtime with vulnerability scanning
| At a Glance |  Quay |  Aqua Security |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Container Orchestration |
Rating | 74/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Quay | Aqua Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 74 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDContainer Orchestration | Container OrchestrationVulnerability Scanning |
How Quay and Aqua Security Compare
Quay
Container registry by Red Hat
Free tier available · 74/100 score
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Paid · 86/100 score
Quay is a ci/cd tool. Aqua Security is in container orchestration.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Quay has a free tier. Aqua Security is paid only.
Go with: Quay
Want the highest-rated option?
Quay: 74/100. Aqua Security: 86/100.
Go with: Aqua Security
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Aqua Security
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Quay is freemium. Aqua Security is paid. Quay lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Quay is a ci/cd tool. Aqua Security is in container orchestration. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Aqua Security scores higher: 86/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Aqua Security
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 74
- Our pick for this comparison
Quay
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Aqua Security (86/100) is our pick. Quay has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quay or Aqua Security better?
Aqua Security scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Quay is freemium and Aqua Security is paid.
What are Quay and Aqua Security used for?
Quay: Container registry by Red Hat. Aqua Security: Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes.
What does Quay cost vs Aqua Security?
Quay is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Aqua Security is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.