Best cfn-nag Alternatives in 2026
The top cfn-nag alternatives are KICS, Snyk IaC and Checkov: 15 infrastructure as code security software our editors would look at instead of cfn-nag, in our ranking order.
cfn-nag: A focused, free scanner for common CloudFormation security risks. Where it falls short: analyzes CloudFormation only, not terraform or kubernetes.
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Best forBroad, free IaC security coverage
A broad, free IaC scanner for security, compliance, secrets, and misconfigurations.
- Secrets detection
- IDE integration
- Kubernetes analysis
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit KICS -
Best forManaged IaC security for established teams
A broad IaC security layer for teams that need scanning, governance, and drift management.
- IDE integration
- Kubernetes analysis
- CloudFormation analysis
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Snyk IaC -
Best forOpen-source multi-framework scanning
A free, multi-framework IaC scanner with custom policies, graph analysis, and CI/CD support.
- Secrets detection
- IDE integration
- Kubernetes analysis
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Checkov -
Best forLow-cost, feature-rich IaC security
Feature-rich IaC security with a free plan and $9 monthly entry tier.
- IDE integration
- Kubernetes analysis
- CloudFormation analysis
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Safeguard -
Best forTerraform-focused engineering teams
A Terraform-focused scanner with attack-path analysis, GitHub workflows, and tiered scan limits.
- Secrets detection
- IDE integration
- CloudFormation analysis
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit audytx -
Best forEnterprise multi-cloud IaC programs
Broad multi-cloud IaC coverage with policy controls, workflow checks, and compliance reporting.
- IDE integration
- Kubernetes analysis
- CloudFormation analysis
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit TigerGate -
Best forFull-stack cloud and IaC security
Aikido brings IaC, code, cloud and runtime security into one platform.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Aikido -
Best forTeams needing AI-assisted IaC workflows
AI-assisted IaC analysis with policy controls, secrets detection, and developer workflow integrations.
- Secrets detection
- IDE integration
- Kubernetes analysis
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit DryRun -
Best forPolicy-driven Terraform and CloudFormation fixes
A policy-driven IaC security platform with free scans and pull-request remediation.
- IDE integration
- CloudFormation analysis
- Terraform analysis
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Gomboc -
Best forTeams wanting managed managed PR-based IaC controls
A managed PR-based IaC security tool with strong AWS-focused analysis.
- CloudFormation analysis
- Terraform analysis
- Pull request scanning
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit KloudSec -
Best forOpen-source Terraform policy enforcement
A focused Terraform policy checker for teams that want Cloud Custodian controls in pull requests.
- Terraform analysis
- Custom policies
- Pull request scanning
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit c7n-left -
Best forTeams writing Rego IaC policies
A free, flexible Rego CLI for Terraform and Kubernetes policy checks.
- Kubernetes analysis
- Terraform analysis
- Custom policies
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Conftest -
Best forAWS-native CloudFormation governance
A mature, AWS-only foundation for governed CloudFormation deployments.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forOpen-source Kubernetes validation
A focused Kubernetes validator with audits, admission control, custom checks, and remediation.
- Kubernetes analysis
- Custom policies
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Fairwinds -
Best forPaid multi-cloud infrastructure assessments
A broad multi-cloud scanner with paid assessments starting at $500 one-time.
- Secrets detection
- IDE integration
- Kubernetes analysis
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Winfunc
cfn-nag Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to cfn-nag?
KICS: #1 in our Infrastructure as Code Security Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.0 out of 10. A broad, free IaC scanner for security, compliance, secrets, and misconfigurations.
Is there a free alternative to cfn-nag?
Yes. KICS, Snyk IaC, Checkov, Safeguard IaC Security and audytx have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
cfn-nag vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Terraform analysis | Kubernetes analysis | CloudFormation analysis | Custom policies | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | cfn-nag | Yes | None | No | No | Yes | Yes | 5.7 |
| 1 | KICS | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 2 | Snyk IaC | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 3 | Checkov | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 4 | Safeguard IaC Security | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 |
| 5 | audytx | Yes | — | Yes | No | Yes | — | 7.3 |
| 6 | TigerGate IaC Security | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.1 |
| 7 | Aikido Security | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 6.9 |
| 8 | DryRun Security IaC Security | — | — | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | 6.9 |
| 9 | Gomboc AI Code Security Platform | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | 6.8 |
| 10 | KloudSec IaC Security | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | 6.6 |
| 11 | c7n-left | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | Yes | 6.3 |
| 12 | Conftest | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | 6.2 |
| 13 | AWS CloudFormation | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | 6.1 |
| 14 | Fairwinds Polaris | Yes | None | — | Yes | — | Yes | 6.1 |
| 15 | Winfunc Infrastructure Scanner | No | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 6.1 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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