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Head-to-head · IaC Security Scanners

Kubescape vs Fairwinds Polaris

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Kubescape #6 in IaC Security Scanners 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Kubescape
Fairwinds Polaris #7 in IaC Security Scanners 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Polaris

Kubescape leads on 0 checks, Fairwinds Polaris on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKubescape · 8.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresFairwinds Polaris · 2 of 5

Kubescape scores higher on our rubric for iac security scanners: 8.1 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Fairwinds Polaris offers custom policies; Kubescape doesn't publish it.

Kubescape is the better fit for teams securing Kubernetes beyond configuration scanning. Fairwinds Polaris is the better fit for kubernetes policy auditing and admission control.

  • Kubescape fits best

    Teams securing Kubernetes beyond configuration scanning

  • Fairwinds Polaris fits best

    Kubernetes policy auditing and admission control

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Kubescape 8.1/10 Visit ↗ Fairwinds Polaris 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 7.9
Ranking #6 in IaC Security Scanners #7 in IaC Security Scanners
Best for Teams securing Kubernetes beyond configuration scanning Kubernetes policy auditing and admission control
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux, macOS, Windows
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Kubescape 1/5 · Fairwinds Polaris 2/5
Custom policies Not published ✓ (best)
CI/PR integration Not published Not published
Fix suggestions Not published Not published
Drift detection Not published Not published
Open-source option ✓ ✓
Specs
IaC frameworks Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Scans Kubernetes configurations, YAML files, Helm charts, clusters, and images
  • Adds eBPF runtime threat detection and continuous cluster monitoring
  • Generates SBOMs and supports Validating Admission Policy enforcement
  • Free open-source plan with dashboard, admission controller, and CLI modes
  • 30+ built-in policies plus custom JSON Schema checks
  • CI thresholds and automatic remediation for supported YAML resources
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment puts operation and upkeep on the team
  • Kubernetes-specific scope may not suit broader infrastructure scanning needs
  • Support channels are community and documentation
  • Focused on Kubernetes resources rather than Terraform-based IaC
  • Self-hosted deployment requires teams to operate the software
  • Support is limited to community resources and documentation
Our verdict

Kubescape is an open-source Kubernetes security platform from ARMO for engineers, DevOps teams, and cluster operators. It covers scanning across development and live environments, including Kubernetes configurations, YAML files, Helm…

Read the review →

Fairwinds Polaris is an open-source policy engine for teams managing Kubernetes resources. It validates configuration, security, efficiency, and reliability settings across Kubernetes environments, serving small, mid-market, and enterprise…

Read the review →
  1. KubescapeIaC Security Scanners 8.1Free plan
  2. Fairwinds PolarisIaC Security Scanners 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Kubescape — where it wins

    • Scans Kubernetes configurations, YAML files, Helm charts, clusters, and images
    • Adds eBPF runtime threat detection and continuous cluster monitoring
    • Generates SBOMs and supports Validating Admission Policy enforcement

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment puts operation and upkeep on the team
    • Kubernetes-specific scope may not suit broader infrastructure scanning needs
    • Support channels are community and documentation

  • Fairwinds Polaris — where it wins

    • Free open-source plan with dashboard, admission controller, and CLI modes
    • 30+ built-in policies plus custom JSON Schema checks
    • CI thresholds and automatic remediation for supported YAML resources

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on Kubernetes resources rather than Terraform-based IaC
    • Self-hosted deployment requires teams to operate the software
    • Support is limited to community resources and documentation
  • Kubescape8.1/10 · Free plan

    A self-hosted scanner that extends Kubernetes checks into runtime monitoring and policy enforcement.

    Visit KubescapeFull verdict →
  • Fairwinds Polaris7.9/10 · Free plan

    Focused Kubernetes auditing and admission control with flexible policy enforcement.

    Visit PolarisFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IaC security scanners comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update