Side by side
Fairwinds Polaris vs KubeLinter
Both stand on kubernetes security software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose Polaris if your Kubernetes team wants a free, open source way to validate resource configuration across dashboard, admission, and CI/CD workflows. Its built-in policies cover security, reliability, resource settings, and images, with some automated remediation. Teams seeking multi-cluster history and integrations with Slack, Datadog, and Jira are directed to Fairwinds Insights.
Visit Fairwinds PolarisKubeLinter offers configurable static checks for Kubernetes manifests, with output that can be used in automated workflows. Readers should account for the project's warning that its commands and configuration formats may change.
Visit KubeLinterThe facts
| Fairwinds Polaris | KubeLinter | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | fairwinds.com | github.com |
| On kubernetes security software | #6 of 27 | #10 of 27 |
Fairwinds Polaris: what it does well
- Includes more than 30 built-in configuration policies.
- Teams can define custom policies with JSON Schema.
- Runs as a dashboard, admission controller, or command-line tool.
- Can audit local files or connect to a live cluster.
- Automatically remediates some supported configuration issues.
What to know first
- The validating webhook requires a valid TLS certificate.
- Automatic remediation applies only to supported issues.
- Multi-cluster history and integrations are pointed to Fairwinds Insights.
KubeLinter: what it does well
- Analyzes Kubernetes YAML, Helm and Kustomize files
- Custom checks can reflect organizational policies
- Failure output includes remediation suggestions
- Supports SARIF and JSON output
- Apache License 2.0; no paid tiers listed
What to know first
- Command usage, flags and configuration formats may change
- Keyless cosign signatures are not production ready
Alternatives to Fairwinds Polaris Alternatives to KubeLinter The whole list