Side by side
kube-score vs Kubescape
Both stand on iac security scanners. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
kube-score offers configurable static checks for Kubernetes resources, with browser, local, and CI/CD workflows. For stronger results, include all applications deployed to the same namespace in the analysis.
Visit kube-score
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2
Choose Kubescape if you want a free, self-hosted Kubernetes security platform with configuration, image, compliance, and runtime coverage. Consider the ARMO Platform if you need its documented scan-upload and custom-artifact provider, with pricing dependent on resource usage.
Visit KubescapeThe facts
| kube-score | Kubescape | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | ARMO Platform Startup: $30 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 5 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | kube-score.com | kubescape.io |
| On iac security scanners | #5 of 16 | #1 of 16 |
kube-score: what it does well
- MIT-licensed and free
- Browser demo processes input without server transfer
- Supports human-readable, JSON, CI, and SARIF output
- Can run in CI/CD
What to know first
- Building from source requires Go 1.21 or later
- Results are best with all namespace applications included
Kubescape: what it does well
- Free, self-hosted CLI and operator under Apache License 2.0.
- Scans manifests, Helm charts, and live clusters for misconfigurations.
- Operator scans deployed images and monitors runtime activity.
- Supports CIS, NSA-CISA, MITRE ATT&CK, and SOC 2 frameworks.
- CLI supports offline and air-gapped operation.
What to know first
- Self-hosted deployment requires teams to run the CLI and operator.
- ARMO Platform pricing depends on vCPUs and other cloud resources.
- In-cluster scan results are ephemeral and regularly updated.
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