Head-to-head · Container Image Scanning Tools
Qualys Container Security vs Checkmarx Container Security
Qualys Container Security leads on 2 checks, Checkmarx Container Security on 3, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreQualys Container Security · 7.7/10
- Free planonly Qualys Container Security
- Most featuresCheckmarx Container Security · 4 of 5
Qualys Container Security scores higher on our rubric for container image scanning tools: 7.7 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.
Qualys Container Security offers free plan; Checkmarx Container Security doesn't. Checkmarx Container Security offers ci pipeline scanning; Qualys Container Security doesn't publish it. Checkmarx Container Security offers kubernetes admission; Qualys Container Security doesn't publish it. Qualys Container Security offers sbom generation; Checkmarx Container Security doesn't publish it. Checkmarx Container Security offers fix recommendations; Qualys Container Security doesn't publish it.
Qualys Container Security is the better fit for enterprises needing end-to-end container governance. Checkmarx Container Security is the better fit for large organizations needing policy-driven scanning.
- Qualys Container Security fits best
Enterprises needing end-to-end container governance
- Checkmarx Container Security fits best
Large organizations needing policy-driven scanning
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Side by side
| Feature | Qualys Container Security 7.7/10 Visit ↗ | Checkmarx Container Security 7.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| Ranking | #3 in Container Image Scanning Tools | #4 in Container Image Scanning Tools |
| Best for | Enterprises needing end-to-end container governance | Large organizations needing policy-driven scanning |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Linux | Web |
| Support | Phone, Docs · 24/7 | Docs |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA | SOC 2 |
| Integrations | 8 integrations | 14 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Qualys Container Security 2/5 · Checkmarx Container Security 4/5 | ||
| Registry scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| CI pipeline scanning | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Kubernetes admission | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| SBOM generation | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Fix recommendations | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Qualys Container Security is a container security service for organizations managing images, registries, hosts, and running workloads across development, deployment, and production. It discovers and inventories container assets, scans… Read the review → |
Checkmarx Container Security is a container-scanning capability within the Checkmarx One application security platform. It is designed for mid-market and enterprise teams that need to inspect Dockerfiles, image layers and packages across… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Qualys Container Security — where it wins
- Covers discovery, vulnerability scanning, runtime monitoring, and Kubernetes controls
- Registry scans detect vulnerabilities, malware, and exposed secrets
- Hybrid deployment with CI/CD, registry, and REST API integrations
Where it doesn't
- Vulnerability scanning requires a paid subscription
- Pricing is contact-sales and varies by selected apps and assets
- Broader governance scope may exceed image-only scanning needs
Checkmarx Container Security — where it wins
- Scans Dockerfiles, image layers and packages from public or private registries
- Connects with major registries and CI/CD systems through CLI and integrations
- Adds triage, base-image guidance and Kubernetes admission-control policies
Where it doesn't
- Pricing uses custom quotes rather than a self-serve purchase flow
- There is no free plan or self-serve free trial
- The listed support channel is documentation
- Qualys Container Security7.7/10 · Free plan · pricing on request
End-to-end container governance spanning discovery, scanning, Kubernetes, and runtime.
Visit QualysFull verdict → - Checkmarx Container Security7.4/10 · Pricing on request
Policy-driven container scanning with registry, CI/CD and Kubernetes controls for larger teams.
Visit CheckmarxFull verdict →
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All container image scanning tools comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update