Static vulnerability analysis for containers
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86 reviews trackedThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free, no paid tier
Biggest pro
Container vulnerability scanning
Biggest con
Setup complexity
TL;DR - Clair
- Clair is an open-source vulnerability scanner for container images
- It analyzes container layers and reports known security vulnerabilities from multiple databases
- Completely free and open-source
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups
4.4/5 across review platforms
What is Clair?
Clair scans container images for vulnerabilities before you deploy them. Feed it an image, get back a list of known CVEs in the packages it contains-security visibility into what you're running.
Integration into registries enables automatic scanning. The vulnerability database updates continuously. API access enables custom workflows.
Container security starts with knowing what vulnerabilities exist. Clair provides that visibility for organizations running containerized workloads.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Container vulnerability scanning
- Open source
- Quay.io integration
- Good accuracy
- Active development
Cons
- Setup complexity
- Learning curve
- UI basic
- Documentation improving
- Less known
Ratings Across the Web
4.4(86 reviews)
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Vulnerability scanningContainer imagesAPI-drivenMultiple sourcesOpen sourceRed Hat
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Jul 6, 2026
Open Source
Free
Apache 2.0 License
- Container vulnerability scanning
- Multi-distro support
- 49+ languages
- OCI & Docker support
Reviews
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4.4/5
Across 86 verified user reviews on SourceForge, Capterra
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Clair FAQ
How does Clair help secure containerized applications?
Clair scans container images for known vulnerabilities before deployment, providing security visibility into the packages within. It identifies Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) present in your containerized workloads.
Which teams benefit most from using Clair?
Clair is best suited for development and operations teams that manage containerized applications and require early vulnerability detection. It helps organizations running containerized workloads maintain security visibility.
Does Clair integrate with container registries for automated scanning?
Yes, Clair offers integration into registries, enabling automatic scanning of container images. This allows for continuous security checks as images are pushed or updated.
How is Clair priced?
Clair is free to use, as it is an open-source solution. There is no paid plan required to access its container vulnerability scanning capabilities.
What kind of trade-offs should users consider when adopting Clair?
Users should be aware of Clair's setup complexity and learning curve, which may require more effort to get started. Its user interface is also basic, and while documentation is improving, it might not be as comprehensive as some commercial tools.
How does Clair compare to a tool like Nuclei?
Clair specializes in static vulnerability analysis for container images, identifying CVEs in packages before deployment. Nuclei, on the other hand, focuses on broader vulnerability scanning, often used for web application and network security testing.
Can Clair be used for custom security workflows?
Yes, Clair provides API access, which allows for the creation of custom security workflows. This enables users to integrate its scanning capabilities into their existing CI/CD pipelines or other security processes.
Source: quay.io