Refuse vs Grype: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Refuse 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Refuse
Block vulnerable package installs across your dev and CI/CD
Best for you if:
- • Blocks vulnerable package installations across 21 ecosystems.
- • Offers both hosted and self-hosted deployment options.
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • 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 |  Refuse |  Grype |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Refuse or Grype?
Choose Refuse if
Block vulnerable package installs across your dev and CI/CD
- Significantly enhances software supply chain security by preventing vulnerable package installations.
- Supports a broad range of package managers and development environments.
- Offers flexible deployment options including a free self-hosted solution and a generous free hosted tier.
Choose Grype if
Vulnerability scanner for container images
- Open source vulnerability scanner
- Container scanning
- Fast
- You want a fully free tool (Refuse requires payment)
| Feature | Refuse | Grype |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | SecurityDeveloper Tools | SecurityTesting & QA |
In-Depth Analysis
Refuse
Block vulnerable package installs across your dev and CI/CD
Strengths
- +Significantly enhances software supply chain security by preventing vulnerable package installations.
- +Supports a broad range of package managers and development environments.
- +Offers flexible deployment options including a free self-hosted solution and a generous free hosted tier.
- +Provides specific safe version suggestions when blocking vulnerable packages.
- +Easy to install and integrate into existing workflows (shell, CI/CD, agents).
Weaknesses
- -Requires an additional step in the package installation workflow, which might introduce a slight overhead.
- -The hosted Pro tier with higher scan limits is planned for future release.
Key features
Grype
Vulnerability scanner for container images
Strengths
- +Open source vulnerability scanner
- +Container scanning
- +Fast
- +CI/CD integration
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -CLI only
- -Learning curve
- -Database updates needed
- -False positives possible
- -Enterprise features limited
Key features
Pricing: Refuse vs Grype
| Plan | Refuse | Grype |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0/ forever OSS / Self-host | Free Open Source |
| Tier 2 | $0/ forever Hosted Free | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $5/ month Hosted Pro | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Refuse pricing and Grype pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Grype is free. Refuse is freemium.
Go with: Grype
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Refuse is freemium. Grype is free. Go with Grype if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Grype
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Refuse
- Choose if you want block vulnerable package installs across your dev and CI/CD
The Bottom Line
Grype is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Refuse or Grype better?
Grype is rated in our evaluation. Refuse is freemium and Grype is free.
What are Refuse and Grype used for?
Refuse: Block vulnerable package installs across your dev and CI/CD. Grype: Vulnerability scanner for container images.
What does Refuse cost vs Grype?
Refuse is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Grype is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.