Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) -- Wiz Alternatives

Best CNAPP Alternatives to Wiz in 2026

Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs) provide unified security across the full cloud application lifecycle, combining cloud security posture management (CSPM), cloud workload protection (CWPP), container security, infrastructure-as-code scanning, and often cloud identity management (CIEM) into a single platform. These comprehensive solutions aim to replace the collection of point tools that organizations previously needed for cloud security, offering a single pane of glass across code, infrastructure, and runtime.

Our Recommendations

1

Prisma Cloud

Module-based enterprise pricing / Credits system

The broadest CNAPP platform covering code-to-cloud security with Bridgecrew IaC scanning, runtime protection, and WAAS. Best for large enterprises already in the Palo Alto ecosystem that need the most comprehensive feature coverage regardless of complexity.

2

Aqua Security

Free (Trivy OSS) / Enterprise custom pricing

The strongest CNAPP for container-native and Kubernetes-heavy environments, with industry-leading container image scanning, runtime drift prevention, and open-source tools (Trivy, Tracee). Best for DevSecOps teams building containerized applications.

3

Sysdig

Custom enterprise pricing / Free (Falco OSS)

The best CNAPP for runtime security, powered by the CNCF-graduated Falco engine with deep system call visibility. Best for organizations where real-time threat detection and cloud detection and response (CDR) are top priorities.

Detailed Tool Profiles

Prisma Cloud

CNAPP Platform
4.2

Comprehensive CNAPP from Palo Alto Networks securing applications from code to cloud

Pricing

Module-based enterprise pricing / Credits system

Best For

Large enterprises already using Palo Alto Networks products that want a comprehensive code-to-cloud CNAPP platform

Key Features
Code-to-cloud application lifecycle securityCloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP)Cloud Identity and Entitlement Management (CIEM)+4 more
Pros
  • +Most comprehensive feature breadth covering code-to-cloud security
  • +Agent-based runtime protection provides real-time threat detection
  • +Strong IaC scanning through acquired Bridgecrew/Checkov technology
Cons
  • Complex platform with steep learning curve and module sprawl
  • Credit-based pricing model can be confusing and expensive at scale
  • Agent deployment required for runtime protection adds operational overhead
Cloud

Aqua Security

CNAPP Platform
4.3

Cloud-native security platform specializing in container, Kubernetes, and serverless protection

Pricing

Free (Trivy OSS) / Enterprise custom pricing

Best For

Organizations running container-heavy and Kubernetes-native environments that need the deepest container security and runtime protection

Key Features
Container image scanning and vulnerability managementKubernetes admission control and policy enforcementRuntime protection with drift preventionSoftware supply chain security+4 more
Pros
  • +Industry-leading container and Kubernetes security depth
  • +Open-source Trivy scanner is the most widely adopted cloud-native scanner
  • +Strong runtime protection with drift prevention and behavioral monitoring
Cons
  • CSPM capabilities less mature than dedicated CSPM platforms like Wiz
  • Agent-based runtime protection adds deployment and management complexity
  • Platform can feel fragmented between open-source and commercial components
CloudSelf-Hosted

Sysdig

CNAPP Platform
4.3

Cloud and container security platform built on open-source Falco for runtime threat detection

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing / Free (Falco OSS)

Best For

Organizations that need strong runtime security and real-time threat detection alongside cloud posture management, especially in Kubernetes environments

Key Features
Runtime security powered by Falco engineCloud detection and response (CDR)Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)Vulnerability management and prioritization+4 more
Pros
  • +Best-in-class runtime security built on the widely-adopted Falco engine
  • +Deep system call visibility for real-time threat detection
  • +Strong cloud detection and response (CDR) capabilities
Cons
  • Agent deployment required for runtime features adds operational complexity
  • CSPM capabilities less comprehensive than dedicated CSPM leaders like Wiz
  • Node-based pricing can become expensive in large Kubernetes environments
CloudSelf-Hosted

Wiz Alternatives Feature Comparison

Compare all 3 Wiz alternatives side-by-side across pricing, deployment, and key capabilities.

Feature
Prisma Cloud
4.2/5
Aqua Security
4.3/5
Sysdig
4.3/5
Pricing ModelCredit-based (per module and resource)Workload-based (per protected workload)Node-based (per protected node)
Open Source------
Cloud-Hosted+++
Self-Hosted--++
Best ForLarge enterprises already using Palo Alto Networks products that want a comprehensive code-to-cloud CNAPP platformOrganizations running container-heavy and Kubernetes-native environments that need the deepest container security and runtime protectionOrganizations that need strong runtime security and real-time threat detection alongside cloud posture management, especially in Kubernetes environments
Key Features
  • Code-to-cloud application lifecycle security
  • Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
  • Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP)
  • Cloud Identity and Entitlement Management (CIEM)
  • Container image scanning and vulnerability management
  • Kubernetes admission control and policy enforcement
  • Runtime protection with drift prevention
  • Software supply chain security
  • Runtime security powered by Falco engine
  • Cloud detection and response (CDR)
  • Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
  • Vulnerability management and prioritization
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Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) FAQ

What is a CNAPP and why does it matter?

A Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) unifies multiple cloud security capabilities — CSPM, CWPP, container security, IaC scanning, and often CIEM and DSPM — into a single platform. Before CNAPPs, organizations needed 5-10 separate point tools to cover cloud security, creating visibility gaps, alert fatigue, and management complexity. CNAPPs matter because they provide correlated risk analysis across all layers of the cloud stack, enabling security teams to understand which combinations of issues create real attack paths rather than treating each finding in isolation.

How does Wiz compare to Prisma Cloud as a CNAPP?

Wiz provides a fully agentless CNAPP with best-in-class CSPM, CIEM, and DSPM, powered by its Security Graph for attack path visualization. Prisma Cloud offers the broadest feature set including agent-based runtime protection, WAAS, and Bridgecrew IaC scanning. Wiz wins on UX, time-to-value, and risk visualization. Prisma Cloud wins on feature breadth and runtime protection. Choose Wiz for the best agentless experience; choose Prisma Cloud for the most comprehensive code-to-cloud coverage with runtime capabilities.

Do I need agent-based runtime protection if I already have Wiz?

Wiz's agentless approach provides excellent visibility into vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and risk posture, but it cannot detect or block active runtime threats. If your threat model includes adversaries who have already breached cloud workloads, you need agent-based runtime protection from tools like Sysdig, Aqua Security, or Prisma Cloud to detect behavioral anomalies, block exploits, and respond to active incidents. Many organizations deploy Wiz for posture management alongside a runtime tool for real-time detection.

Which CNAPP is best for Kubernetes environments?

For Kubernetes-specific depth, Aqua Security leads with the best container image scanning (Trivy), admission control policies, runtime drift prevention, and eBPF-based detection (Tracee). Sysdig is the strongest for runtime security in Kubernetes with Falco-powered system call monitoring. Prisma Cloud offers the broadest K8s coverage from code to runtime. Wiz provides excellent Kubernetes posture scanning and misconfiguration detection without agents but lacks runtime protection. Choose based on whether your priority is posture (Wiz), runtime (Sysdig/Aqua), or breadth (Prisma Cloud).

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