Clair

Name: Clair
Brand: Clair
Rating: 4.4 (86 reviews)

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Static vulnerability analysis for containers

Security Vulnerability Scanning Developer Tools

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4.4(86 across the web)

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Reviews onCapterraSourceForge

86 reviews tracked

The 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?

Editorial review

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.

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourcequay.io ↗

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)

Capterra19 reviews

4.5/5

SourceForge67 reviews

4.3/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Vulnerability scanningContainer imagesAPI-drivenMultiple sourcesOpen sourceRed Hat

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 16, 2026

Open Source

Free

Apache 2.0 License

Container vulnerability scanning
Multi-distro support
49+ languages
OCI & Docker support

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Is Clair worth the price?

95/100

Clair's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is a completely free, open-source solution for container vulnerability scanning.

This makes it an incredibly cost-effective option for any organization. It's best for teams looking for robust, no-cost security scanning with the option for commercial support through Red Hat Quay.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Requires self-hosting and infrastructure management.

Commercial support is a separate, undefined cost.

Integration effort with existing CI/CD pipelines.

No direct vendor support for the open-source version.

How Clair Compares to Competitors

Compared to commercial solutions like Snyk, which can start at hundreds of dollars per developer per month, or Aqua Security, Clair's $0 price point is unmatched. While these competitors offer more comprehensive platforms with dedicated support, Clair provides core vulnerability scanning functionality at no direct software cost, making it a strong alternative for budget-conscious teams.

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4.4/5

Across 86 verified user reviews on SourceForge, Capterra

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Best Clair Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

NucleiFreemium

Automate custom vulnerability detection and map internet-exposed assets at scale.

ScoutSuiteFree

Open-source multi-cloud security auditing tool for posture assessment.

tfsecFree

Security scanner for your Terraform code.

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Clair vs NucleiHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Clair vs ScoutSuiteHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Clair vs tfsecHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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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

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