Wiz vs Orca Security -- Cloud Security & CNAPP Compared

Wiz vs Orca Security

Orca Security is the closest competitor to Wiz, sharing the same agentless cloud security philosophy. Both platforms scan cloud environments without deploying agents and provide full-stack visibility. Orca's SideScanning technology reads block storage directly, while Wiz connects via cloud APIs. Wiz generally leads in UI polish, Security Graph visualization, and ecosystem momentum, while Orca offers deeper vulnerability scanning and malware detection capabilities at the workload level.

The Verdict

Choose Orca Security if deep vulnerability management and malware detection are your top priorities and you value block-storage-level scanning depth. Choose Wiz if you want the best risk visualization through Security Graph, the strongest ecosystem of integrations, and the most intuitive platform experience for cloud security teams.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureOrca SecurityWiz
Scanning ApproachSideScanning (block storage)API-based cloud connector
CSPMComprehensive multi-cloud CSPMComprehensive multi-cloud CSPM
Vulnerability DetectionDeep OS and app-level CVE scanningStrong CVE scanning with context
Risk VisualizationRisk dashboard with scoringSecurity Graph with attack paths
Malware DetectionBuilt-in malware scanningLimited malware detection
DSPMSensitive data discoveryAdvanced DSPM with classification
CIEMIdentity risk analysisFull CIEM with least-privilege recommendations
IaC ScanningBasic IaC scanningComprehensive IaC scanning with CI/CD integration

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Orca Security when:

  • +You need deeper vulnerability scanning with OS-level and application-level CVE detection
  • +Malware detection on cloud workloads is a critical requirement
  • +You want block-storage-level scanning that captures more workload detail than API-based approaches
  • +Your team values detailed vulnerability management alongside cloud posture
  • +You prefer Orca's risk scoring model over Wiz's Security Graph approach

Choose Wiz when:

  • +You want the most intuitive UI with visual attack path mapping via Security Graph
  • +Broad ecosystem integrations and third-party partnerships are important
  • +You need the strongest DSPM (data security posture management) capabilities
  • +Rapid deployment with API-based scanning and fastest time-to-value matters most
  • +Your organization values the largest cloud security community and knowledge base

Pros & Cons Comparison

Orca Security

Pros

  • +SideScanning provides deep workload visibility without agents
  • +Strong vulnerability detection including OS and application-level CVEs
  • +Unified platform covering CSPM, CWPP, and CIEM capabilities
  • +Effective risk prioritization with context-aware scoring
  • +Good multi-cloud support across AWS, Azure, and GCP

Cons

  • Agentless approach cannot provide real-time runtime protection
  • Scanning cadence means newly deployed workloads may have a detection gap
  • Enterprise pricing can be expensive for large cloud estates
  • Fewer integrations and ecosystem partnerships than Wiz
  • UI and reporting can feel cluttered for very large environments

Wiz

Pros

  • +Agentless deployment scans entire cloud estate in minutes
  • +Security Graph surfaces toxic risk combinations that actually matter
  • +Unified platform covers CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, DSPM, and IaC scanning
  • +Intuitive UI with strong visualization of attack paths
  • +Rapid time-to-value with API-based cloud connector setup

Cons

  • Premium enterprise pricing puts it out of reach for smaller organizations
  • Agentless approach lacks real-time runtime protection capabilities
  • Limited on-premises and hybrid cloud coverage
  • Deep customization and policy authoring can require professional services
  • Vendor lock-in risk given proprietary platform architecture

Wiz vs Orca Security FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Wiz and Orca Security.

What is the main difference between Wiz and Orca Security?

Orca Security is the closest competitor to Wiz, sharing the same agentless cloud security philosophy. Both platforms scan cloud environments without deploying agents and provide full-stack visibility. Orca's SideScanning technology reads block storage directly, while Wiz connects via cloud APIs. Wiz generally leads in UI polish, Security Graph visualization, and ecosystem momentum, while Orca offers deeper vulnerability scanning and malware detection capabilities at the workload level.

Is Orca Security better than Wiz?

Choose Orca Security if deep vulnerability management and malware detection are your top priorities and you value block-storage-level scanning depth. Choose Wiz if you want the best risk visualization through Security Graph, the strongest ecosystem of integrations, and the most intuitive platform experience for cloud security teams.

How much does Orca Security cost compared to Wiz?

Orca Security pricing: Custom enterprise pricing. Wiz pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / Usage-based by cloud resources. Orca Security's pricing model is asset-based (per cloud asset), while Wiz uses resource-based (per cloud workload) pricing.

Can I migrate from Wiz to Orca Security?

Yes, you can migrate from Wiz to Orca Security. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.

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