Trivy vs Checkmarx: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Trivy and Checkmarx 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:
Trivy
Security scanner for containers
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Trivy is an open-source security scanner for containers and code
- • It finds vulnerabilities in images, filesystems, and IaC
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Best for you if:
- • You need code review features specifically
- • Checkmarx is an enterprise application security testing platform for finding vulnerabilities in code
- • It provides SAST, SCA, and DAST scanning integrated into CI/CD pipelines
| At a Glance |  Trivy |  Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Code Review |
Rating | 85/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | Trivy | Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDInfrastructure as Code | Code ReviewTesting & QA |
How Trivy and Checkmarx Compare
Trivy
Security scanner for containers
Free · 85/100 score
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Paid · 78/100 score
Trivy is a ci/cd tool. Checkmarx is in code review.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Trivy is free. Checkmarx is paid.
Go with: Trivy
Want the highest-rated option?
Trivy: 85/100. Checkmarx: 78/100.
Go with: Trivy
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Trivy
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Trivy is free. Checkmarx is paid. Go with Trivy if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Trivy is a ci/cd tool. Checkmarx is in code review. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Trivy scores higher: 85/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
Trivy
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 78
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Checkmarx
- Better fit for code review
The Bottom Line
Trivy (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trivy or Checkmarx better?
Trivy scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Trivy is free and Checkmarx is paid.
What are Trivy and Checkmarx used for?
Trivy: Security scanner for containers. Checkmarx: Application security testing platform.
What does Trivy cost vs Checkmarx?
Trivy is completely free. Checkmarx is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.