Top 10 CNAPP Platforms in 2026
Comprehensive comparison of the best Cloud Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP). Discover which unified cloud security solution offers the best CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and KSPM capabilities for your organization.
What is CNAPP?
Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) is a unified security solution that consolidates multiple cloud security capabilities into a single platform. Instead of managing separate tools for cloud security posture management, workload protection, and identity management, CNAPP provides an integrated approach to secure cloud-native applications throughout their lifecycle.
Why Unified Cloud Security Matters
- Single Pane of Glass: Eliminate context switching between multiple security tools
- Better Risk Correlation: Connect vulnerabilities across code, infrastructure, and runtime
- Reduced Tool Sprawl: Lower costs and complexity by consolidating vendors
- Faster Response: Unified workflows accelerate threat detection and remediation
Cloud Security Posture Management
Cloud Workload Protection Platform
Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management
Kubernetes Security Posture Management
The Top 10 CNAPP Platforms
TigerGate
RecommendedUnified Code-to-Cloud Security Platform
TigerGate delivers comprehensive CNAPP capabilities with runtime-native compliance monitoring via eBPF. Combines CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, KSPM with code security (SAST/SCA/secrets) and continuous compliance automation (SOC2, ISO27001, PCI-DSS).
- Unified code-to-cloud platform
- Runtime eBPF monitoring
- Compliance automation
- Affordable pricing
- Multi-cloud support
- Developer-friendly
- Newer platform
- Smaller market presence
Wiz
Agentless Cloud Security Leader
Wiz pioneered agentless cloud security with their security graph approach. Offers comprehensive CNAPP capabilities with deep cloud visibility, vulnerability management, and risk prioritization across AWS, Azure, and GCP.
- Agentless deployment
- Security graph technology
- Excellent cloud visibility
- Strong risk prioritization
- Fast time-to-value
- Very expensive
- No code security
- No runtime monitoring
- Enterprise-focused only
Prisma Cloud (Palo Alto)
Enterprise CNAPP Suite
Comprehensive CNAPP platform from Palo Alto Networks. Offers full lifecycle security from code to cloud with strong integration into Palo Alto's broader security ecosystem. Best for existing Palo Alto customers.
- Comprehensive coverage
- Strong runtime protection
- Code-to-cloud security
- Palo Alto integration
- Extensive compliance
- Complex platform
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
- Heavy on resources
Orca Security
SideScanning Technology
Orca uses patented SideScanning technology for agentless workload scanning. Provides deep visibility into cloud workloads without requiring agents. Strong vulnerability and configuration management.
- Agentless SideScanning
- No performance impact
- Easy deployment
- Deep workload visibility
- Good vulnerability detection
- No runtime protection
- Expensive
- No code security
- Limited for dynamic workloads
Lacework
Polygraph for Cloud
Lacework uses machine learning and behavioral anomaly detection (Polygraph) to identify threats and misconfigurations. Strong focus on automated threat detection and investigation.
- Advanced ML/AI detection
- Behavioral anomaly detection
- Low false positives
- Good investigation tools
- Multi-cloud support
- Complex setup
- Expensive
- Learning curve
- No code security
CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security
Cloud-Extended EDR
CrowdStrike extends their industry-leading EDR platform to cloud security. Offers CNAPP capabilities with unified endpoint and cloud security. Best for existing CrowdStrike customers.
- Unified with Falcon EDR
- Strong runtime protection
- Container security
- CrowdStrike integration
- Good threat intelligence
- Better for CrowdStrike users
- Expensive
- Complex pricing
- No code security
Aqua Security
Cloud Native Security Pioneer
Originally focused on container security, Aqua has expanded to full CNAPP. Strong Kubernetes and container security capabilities with supply chain security. Best for container-heavy workloads.
- Excellent container security
- Strong K8s support
- Supply chain security
- Runtime protection
- More affordable tier
- Container-focused
- Less mature CSPM
- Complex deployment
- Steep learning curve
Sysdig
eBPF-Native Cloud Security
Sysdig leverages eBPF for runtime security and forensics. Strong container security with deep runtime visibility. Offers Falco (open source) for Kubernetes threat detection.
- eBPF runtime security
- Open source Falco
- Container expertise
- Good forensics
- K8s native
- Container-focused
- No code security
- Complex for non-K8s
- Expensive for full platform
Tenable Cloud Security
Vulnerability Management Extended
Tenable extends their vulnerability management expertise to cloud security. Offers CNAPP capabilities with strong vulnerability detection and prioritization. Best for existing Tenable customers.
- Strong vulnerability detection
- Tenable integration
- Good risk prioritization
- Mature compliance
- Multi-cloud support
- No runtime protection
- No code security
- Expensive
- Better for Tenable users
Trend Micro Cloud One
Enterprise Cloud Security Suite
Comprehensive cloud security platform from Trend Micro. Offers full CNAPP capabilities with strong file storage security and container image scanning. Best for existing Trend Micro customers.
- Comprehensive coverage
- File storage security
- Container scanning
- Trend Micro integration
- Global support
- Complex platform
- Expensive
- No code security
- Steep learning curve
Capability Comparison
| Platform | CSPM | CWPP | CIEM | KSPM | Runtime | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TigerGate | ||||||
| Wiz | ||||||
| Prisma Cloud (Palo Alto) | ||||||
| Orca Security | ||||||
| Lacework | ||||||
| CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security | ||||||
| Aqua Security | ||||||
| Sysdig | ||||||
| Tenable Cloud Security | ||||||
| Trend Micro Cloud One |
Summary: Which CNAPP Should You Choose?
By Organization Size
- Startups/SMBs: TigerGate, Aqua Security
- Mid-market: TigerGate, Sysdig, Lacework
- Large Enterprise: Wiz, Prisma Cloud, Orca Security
- Global Enterprise: Prisma Cloud, CrowdStrike, Trend Micro
By Primary Need
- Code-to-cloud security: TigerGate, Prisma Cloud
- Agentless scanning: Wiz, Orca Security
- Container/K8s focus: Aqua Security, Sysdig
- Runtime protection: TigerGate, Sysdig, Lacework
- Budget-conscious: TigerGate, Aqua Security
Key Selection Criteria
Must-Have Capabilities
- All four core CNAPP pillars (CSPM/CWPP/CIEM/KSPM)
- Multi-cloud support (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Compliance automation (SOC2, ISO27001, PCI-DSS)
- Risk prioritization and correlation
Nice-to-Have Features
- Code security (SAST/SCA/secrets scanning)
- Runtime protection and threat detection
- Auto-remediation capabilities
- Developer-friendly workflows
Try TigerGate CNAPP Free
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