Lacework vs Aqua Security

Aqua Security and Lacework are both cnapp platform solutions. Aqua Security cloud-native security platform specializing in container, Kubernetes, and serverless protection, while Lacework data-driven cloud security platform using behavioral analytics for automated threat detection. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.

Updated Feb 2026

Summary

Choose Aqua Security if container and Kubernetes security depth is your priority and organizations running container-heavy and Kubernetes-native environments that need the deepest container security and runtime protection. Choose Lacework if polygraph behavioral analytics reduces alert fatigue significantly matters most and organizations that want behavioral analytics-driven threat detection to reduce alert fatigue and automate cloud security monitoring.

Choose Lacework if:

  • You value container and Kubernetes security depth
  • You value open-source Trivy scanner is the most widely adopted cloud-native scanner
  • You value strong runtime protection with drift prevention and behavioral monitoring
  • You want to avoid behavioral model requires warm-up period to establish accurate baselines
  • You want to avoid smaller company with less ecosystem momentum than Wiz

Choose Aqua Security if:

  • You value polygraph behavioral analytics reduces alert fatigue significantly
  • You value automated baseline learning requires minimal manual tuning
  • You value strong anomaly detection catches novel threats that rules miss
  • You want to avoid cSPM capabilities less mature than dedicated CSPM platforms like Wiz
  • You want to avoid agent-based runtime protection adds deployment and management complexity

Feature Comparison

FeatureLaceworkAqua Security
PricingFree (Trivy OSS) / Enterprise custom pricingCustom enterprise pricing
Pricing ModelWorkload-based (per protected workload)Resource-based (per cloud resource)
Open SourceNoNo
DeploymentCloud, Self-HostedCloud
Best ForOrganizations running container-heavy and Kubernetes-native environments that need the deepest container security and runtime protectionOrganizations that want behavioral analytics-driven threat detection to reduce alert fatigue and automate cloud security monitoring
Runtime protection with drift preventionSupportedNot available
Software supply chain securitySupportedNot available
Serverless function securitySupportedNot available

Sources

Related

Full Cloud Security & CNAPP guideLacework AlternativesAqua Security AlternativesLacework OverviewAqua Security Overview