Juliet vs Trivy
Trivy is an open-source CLI vulnerability scanner. It reads a container image (or filesystem) and lists CVEs. It is fast, easy, and widely embedded in CI. Juliet is a runtime Kubernetes security platform. It also scans, but scanning is the smaller part of what it does. The value on top is graph-based prioritization (which CVEs are actually reachable from the internet?), admission, runtime, and compliance. Many teams use both: Trivy in CI, Juliet in the cluster.
What each product does
Juliet. Kubernetes-first runtime security platform. Graph-based attack paths, posture, admission, runtime, compliance. SBOM-driven vulnerability scanning with reachability-based prioritization.
Trivy. Open-source vulnerability scanner from Aqua Security (Apache 2.0, not a CNCF project). Scans images, filesystems, git repos, IaC. Fast, widely embedded in CI pipelines. Trivy was hit by a high-profile supply chain compromise in March 2026; the project has recovered.
Feature comparison
| Capability | Juliet | Trivy |
|---|---|---|
| Container image CVE scanning | Yes | Yes |
| SBOM generation | Yes (Syft) | Yes |
| Graph-based CVE prioritization | Yes | No |
| Continuous cluster scanning | Yes | Requires trivy-operator |
| Kubernetes posture (KSPM) | Yes | Partial (misconfiguration scan) |
| Attack path analysis | Yes | No |
| Admission control | Yes | No |
| Runtime detection | Yes | No |
| Compliance frameworks | Yes | Partial (CIS, PSS) |
| CI / CLI integration | API-based | Native (Trivy's strength) |
| Open source | No | Yes (Apache 2.0) |
When to choose each
Choose Juliet when…
- You need to know which CVEs are actually exploitable in your running cluster, not just which ones are present.
- You need admission, runtime, and compliance alongside scanning.
- You want a managed dashboard across many clusters and tenants.
- You need SOC 2 compliance evidence alongside CIS and NSA/CISA hardening reports.
Choose Trivy when…
- You are scanning in CI/CD and want a lightweight, fast, scriptable CLI.
- You only need vulnerability scanning, not the broader KSPM or runtime bundle.
- You want a free, open-source tool with no licensing.
- You are building your own scanning pipeline and need a composable component.
Juliet vs Trivy FAQ
Does Juliet use Trivy internally?
Was Trivy affected by the 2026 supply chain compromise?
Yes. The Trivy project was hit by a multi-stage supply chain attack in March 2026. We covered it in detail: The Trivy Compromise: What Kubernetes Security Teams Need to Know. The open-source project recovered. Teams running affected versions needed to rotate credentials and rescan artifacts.
Can I use Trivy in CI and Juliet at runtime?
Yes, and it is a common pattern. CI scanning with Trivy catches known CVEs before merge. Juliet re-scans what is running in production, re-prioritizes with graph context, and adds posture, admission, and runtime. The tools do not conflict.
Does Trivy do admission control?
Not directly. You can script Trivy into a pipeline gate, but there is no in-cluster admission webhook in the core project. trivy-operator adds some cluster features, but admission is not its focus.
Try Juliet on your clusters
Free tier, 5-minute Helm install, no credit card. See attack paths, compliance, and vulnerabilities in under 15 minutes.