K9s vs Trivy
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both K9s and Trivy are credible development IT tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
K9s - Terminal UI to manage Kubernetes clusters.
Trivy - Open-source vulnerability and config scanner.
K9s vs Trivy: side by side
| Dimension | K9s | Trivy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Open source | Open source |
| Best for | Developers, Sre Teams | Developers, DevOps Teams |
| Platforms | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows, API |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
K9s key facts
- Vendor
- Fernand Galiana
- Pricing
- Open source - Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Linux, Mac, Windows
- Best for
- Developers, Sre Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Open Source
Trivy key facts
- Vendor
- Aqua Security
- Pricing
- Open source - Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Linux, Mac, Windows, API
- Best for
- Developers, DevOps Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.6 / 5
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Burlington, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is K9s better than Trivy?
Neither is universally better - K9s edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is K9s or Trivy cheaper?
K9s is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free. K9s starts at free; Trivy starts at free.
Can K9s replace Trivy?
Yes for most teams - both are development IT tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.
Side-by-side software breakdowns and pricing changes - in your inbox monthly.