Trivy vs Clair: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Trivy and Clair 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:
Trivy
Security scanner for containers
Best for you if:
- • Trivy is an open-source security scanner for containers and code
- • It finds vulnerabilities in images, filesystems, and IaC
Clair
Static vulnerability analysis for containers
Best for you if:
- • Clair is an open-source vulnerability scanner for container images
- • It analyzes container layers and reports known security vulnerabilities from multiple databases
| At a Glance |  Trivy |  Clair |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Free |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Trivy or Clair?
Choose Trivy if
Security scanner for containers
- Free and open source
- Fast scanning
- Easy to use
Choose Clair if
Static vulnerability analysis for containers
- Container vulnerability scanning
- Open source
- Quay.io integration
| Feature | Trivy | Clair |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 12 reviews | ★4.4/5 86 reviews |
| Categories | SecurityDevOps | SecurityVulnerability Scanning |
In-Depth Analysis
Trivy
Security scanner for containers
Strengths
- +Free and open source
- +Fast scanning
- +Easy to use
Weaknesses
- -Basic reporting
- -No managed option
Key features
Clair
Static vulnerability analysis for containers
Strengths
- +Container vulnerability scanning
- +Open source
- +Quay.io integration
- +Good accuracy
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Setup complexity
- -Learning curve
- -UI basic
- -Documentation improving
- -Less known
Key features
Pricing: Trivy vs Clair
| Plan | Trivy | Clair |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Open Source |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Trivy pricing and Clair pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Trivy
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Trivy
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Trivy
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 user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Trivy
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Clair
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (86 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Trivy is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trivy or Clair better?
Trivy is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Trivy and Clair used for?
Trivy: Security scanner for containers. Clair: Static vulnerability analysis for containers.
What does Trivy cost vs Clair?
Trivy is completely free. Clair is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.