Terrascan vs Checkov: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Terrascan and Checkov 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.
Bottom line: Terrascan wins this matchup. Puppet is our overall Infrastructure as Code pick. Harness is our free Infrastructure as Code pick. Pick Checkov if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Terrascan
Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk.
Best for you if:
- • You want infrastructure as Code security scanner
- • You want policy as code approach
Checkov
Infrastructure as code security
Best for you if:
- • You want iaC security scanning
- • You want many frameworks
| At a Glance | Terrascan | Checkov |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Terrascan or Checkov?
Choose Terrascan if
Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk.
- You want infrastructure as Code security scanner
- You want policy as code approach
Choose Checkov if
Infrastructure as code security
- You want iaC security scanning
- You want many frameworks
| Feature | Terrascan | Checkov |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | SecurityDevOps | SecurityDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Terrascan
Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk.
Terrascan offers a highly generous Open Source tier at $0, providing extensive features like 500+ built-in rules and CIS benchmarks.
Strengths
- +Infrastructure as Code security scanner
- +Policy as code approach
- +Multi-IaC support (Terraform, K8s, etc.)
- +Open-source and free
- +CI/CD integration ready
Weaknesses
- -Configuration required
- -False positives possible
- -Policy writing needed
- -Learning curve for rules
- -May slow CI pipelines
Key features
Checkov
Infrastructure as code security
Checkov's pricing is very generous, offering a robust open-source tier for free.
Strengths
- +IaC security scanning
- +Many frameworks
- +Open source
- +Policy as code
- +CI/CD integration
Weaknesses
- -False positives
- -Learning curve
- -Output verbose
- -Custom policies complex
- -Documentation gaps
Key features
Pricing: Terrascan vs Checkov
| Plan | Terrascan | Checkov |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | 0 Open Source |
| Tier 2 | N/A | Contact sales Prisma Cloud |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Terrascan pricing and Checkov pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Terrascan
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?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
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
Terrascan
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Checkov
- Choose if you want infrastructure as code security
The Bottom Line
Terrascan wins this matchup. Puppet is our overall Infrastructure as Code pick. Harness is our free Infrastructure as Code pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terrascan or Checkov better?
Terrascan is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Terrascan and Checkov used for?
Terrascan: Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk.. Checkov: Infrastructure as code security.
What does Terrascan cost vs Checkov?
Terrascan is completely free. Checkov is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.