Terrascan vs Checkov: Which Should You Choose 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated May 6, 2026 · Methodology
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:
- 0
- • Scans Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for security and compliance violations.
- • Includes 500+ out-of-the-box policies and supports custom policies via OPA/Rego.
Checkov
Infrastructure as code security
Best for you if:
- 0
- • Free open-source infrastructure-as-code security scanner by Bridgecrew (Prisma Cloud)
- • 1000+ built-in policies for Terraform, CloudFormation, Kubernetes, and Dockerfile
| At a Glance |  Terrascan |  Checkov |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Infrastructure as Code | Infrastructure as Code |
Rating | — | — |
| Feature | Terrascan | Checkov |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Infrastructure as CodeVulnerability Scanning | Infrastructure as CodeVulnerability Scanning |
How Terrascan and Checkov Compare
Terrascan
Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk.
Free
Checkov
Infrastructure as code security
Free
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 user reviews yet.
Go with: Terrascan
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Terrascan
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 infrastructure as code tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Terrascan
- 0
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Checkov
The Bottom Line
Terrascan is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terrascan or Checkov better?
Terrascan is rated high 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.