Juliet vs Tetragon
Tetragon is an open-source eBPF-based runtime detection and enforcement tool from Isovalent (now Cisco). It is the closest open-source parallel to Juliet's runtime sensor. Juliet extends beyond runtime: posture, attack paths, admission, compliance, image scanning, all correlated into one graph. For pure runtime, Tetragon is a strong choice. For a unified Kubernetes security platform, Juliet bundles runtime alongside the rest.
What each product does
Juliet. Full Kubernetes security platform. eBPF runtime detection and enforcement sit alongside KSPM, attack paths, admission, compliance, and image scanning. Managed SaaS with a free tier.
Tetragon. Open-source eBPF-based runtime detection and enforcement. Deep kernel visibility, programmable filters, process lineage. Part of the Cilium family.
Feature comparison
| Capability | Juliet | Tetragon |
|---|---|---|
| eBPF runtime detection | Yes | Yes (deep) |
| Runtime enforcement (kill/block) | Yes (Enterprise) | Yes |
| Kubernetes posture (KSPM) | Yes | No |
| Attack path analysis | Yes | No |
| Container vulnerability scanning | Yes | No |
| Admission control | Yes | No |
| Compliance frameworks | Yes | No |
| Multi-cluster dashboard | Yes | Requires a custom pipeline |
| Process lineage tracing | Yes | Deep (signature feature) |
| Open source | No | Yes (Apache 2.0) |
| Commercial support | Yes (Juliet) | Yes (Cisco / Isovalent) |
When to choose each
Choose Juliet when…
- You need posture, admission, runtime, and compliance in one tool.
- You want graph correlation between runtime alerts and cluster state.
- You do not have engineers to build a custom runtime pipeline.
- You need turnkey compliance evidence (SOC 2, CIS Kubernetes, NSA/CISA).
Choose Tetragon when…
- You want deep, programmable eBPF with first-class process lineage.
- You are comfortable wiring up your own alert routing, deduplication, and storage.
- You are already invested in the Cilium ecosystem.
- Open-source with a clear commercial sponsor (Cisco / Isovalent) matters to your procurement.
Juliet vs Tetragon FAQ
Does Juliet compete with Cilium?
No. Cilium is a CNI. Juliet does not replace networking. Cilium plus Tetragon covers networking and runtime observability. Juliet covers posture, admission, runtime detection and enforcement, and compliance. Many clusters run Cilium and Juliet side by side.
Can I run Tetragon and Juliet together?
Yes. Both are eBPF-based, and modern kernels multiplex eBPF programs cleanly. There is some overlap in runtime event coverage, but the specific rulesets and outputs differ enough to make running both viable in security-depth environments.
Is Tetragon a full CNAPP?
No. Tetragon is a runtime detection and enforcement tool. A CNAPP also includes posture, image scanning, admission, and compliance, none of which are Tetragon's scope.
How does process lineage compare in Juliet and Tetragon?
Tetragon's process lineage is a first-class feature. Every event carries the full exec chain back to the container's init. Juliet has similar capability in its runtime pipeline but leans into end-to-end graph correlation (process to pod to cluster to compliance) rather than maximum lineage depth.
Try Juliet on your clusters
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