Best Kubernetes Security Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Kubescape is ranked #1 of 22 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Sysdig Secure and KSPM Pro. The best-ranked option with a free plan is KSPM Pro. The lowest first paid tier on this page is KSPM Pro at $100/mo.
Kubernetes security software covers several areas of cluster and workload protection, so compare the functions that matter to your environment. Compared on admission control, identity security, image scanning, posture management, and runtime protection, these entries let you examine distinct security capabilities. Deployment model and managed Kubernetes support offer additional context about operation, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame cost. Kubescape, Sysdig Secure, and KSPM Pro are among the named options. Consider the listed protections and deployment details together when assessing which approach fits the way you run Kubernetes.
22 Kubernetes security software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Kubescape No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Deployment model: self_hostedImage scanning: Yes
- 2 Sysdig Secure No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5 Deployment model: hybridImage scanning: Yes
- 3 KSPM Pro No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5$100/mo Deployment model: saasPosture management: Yes
- 4 AccuKnox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3 Deployment model: hybrid
- 5 Trivy Operator No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3Free Deployment model: self_hostedImage scanning: YesPosture management: Yes
- 6 Aqua Security No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Deployment model: hybridImage scanning: Yes
- 7 ARMO Platform No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Deployment model: hybrid
- 8 Falco No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0Free Deployment model: self_hosted
- 9 Nirmata Control Hub No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8$1,250/mo Deployment model: hybridImage scanning: YesPosture management: Yes
- 10 JFrog Runtime No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4 Deployment model: hybridImage scanning: Yes
- 11 Kyverno No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Deployment model: self_hosted
- 12 Calico Enterprise No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3 Deployment model: hybrid
- 13 KubeLinter No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free
- 14 Fairwinds Polaris No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0
- 15 Monokle No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.0Free Posture management: Yes
- 16 Kubewarden No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.9
- 17 bifrost security No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7 Deployment model: hybrid
- 18 KubeArmor No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7 Deployment model: self_hosted
- 19 Tracee No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.7 Deployment model: self_hosted
- 20 Tetragon No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Deployment model: self_hosted
- 21 Open Policy Agent Gatekeeper No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.0 Deployment model: self_hosted
- 22 Red Hat OpenShift Pipelines No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.3
Compare all 22 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment model | Image scanning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kubescape | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 2 | Sysdig Secure | 7.5 | No | — | — | — | hybrid | Yes |
| 3 | KSPM Pro | 7.5 | Free plan | $100/mo | Yes | 100 /mo | saas | — |
| 4 | AccuKnox | 7.3 | No | — | Yes | — | hybrid | — |
| 5 | Trivy Operator | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 6 | Aqua Security | 7.2 | No | — | No | — | hybrid | Yes |
| 7 | ARMO Platform | 7.2 | No | — | No | — | hybrid | — |
| 8 | Falco | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | self_hosted | — |
| 9 | Nirmata Control Hub | 6.8 | No | $1,250/mo | No | — | hybrid | Yes |
| 10 | JFrog Runtime | 6.4 | No | — | No | — | hybrid | Yes |
| 11 | Kyverno | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | — | — | self_hosted | — |
| 12 | Calico Enterprise | 6.3 | No | — | No | — | hybrid | — |
| 13 | KubeLinter | 6.2 | Free plan | Free | — | — | — | — |
| 14 | Fairwinds Polaris | 6.0 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 15 | Monokle | 6.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 16 | Kubewarden | 5.9 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 17 | bifrost security | 5.7 | No | — | No | — | hybrid | — |
| 18 | KubeArmor | 5.7 | No | — | — | — | self_hosted | — |
| 19 | Tracee | 5.7 | No | — | Yes | — | self_hosted | — |
| 20 | Tetragon | 5.4 | No | — | Yes | — | self_hosted | — |
| 21 | Open Policy Agent Gatekeeper | 5.0 | No | — | Yes | — | self_hosted | — |
| 22 | Red Hat OpenShift Pipelines | 4.3 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which Kubernetes security software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Kubescape is ranked #1 of 22 with a score of 7.8. Sysdig Secure is second and KSPM Pro third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 22 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, KSPM Pro has the lowest first paid tier we found: $100/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.