Cloud security has consolidated around Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs) that combine multiple capabilities into unified solutions. We evaluated the leading platforms across threat detection, posture management, workload protection, and operational ease.

Evaluation Criteria

Platforms were assessed on:

  • Coverage: Breadth of cloud providers and services supported
  • Detection: Efficacy of threat and misconfiguration detection
  • Integration: API quality, SIEM/SOAR integration, CI/CD tooling
  • Usability: Dashboard clarity, alert quality, time-to-value
  • Support: Documentation, customer service, community

1. Wiz

Score: 95/100

Wiz continues to lead with its agentless approach and attack path visualization. Key strengths:

  • Fastest time-to-value with agentless deployment
  • Superior attack path analysis connecting vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and identities
  • Excellent risk prioritization reducing alert noise
  • Strong multi-cloud support (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI, Alibaba)

Best for: Organizations prioritizing speed and visibility across multi-cloud environments

2. Palo Alto Prisma Cloud

Score: 92/100

Prisma Cloud offers the most comprehensive feature set, now enhanced by recent acquisitions:

  • Broadest capability coverage (CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, DSPM, IaC, code security)
  • Strong runtime protection with agent-based workload security
  • Integrated application security from code to cloud
  • Enterprise scalability and support

Best for: Large enterprises wanting a single platform for all cloud security needs

3. CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security

Score: 90/100

CrowdStrike brings its endpoint expertise to cloud workloads:

  • Industry-leading threat detection powered by Falcon sensor technology
  • Single agent for endpoint and cloud workload protection
  • Strong managed threat hunting (OverWatch)
  • Excellent integration with SIEM and SOAR platforms

Best for: Organizations wanting unified endpoint and cloud workload protection

4. Microsoft Defender for Cloud

Score: 88/100

Microsoft’s integrated solution excels in Azure environments:

  • Deep Azure integration with automatic resource discovery
  • Strong multi-cloud support via Azure Arc
  • Competitive pricing, especially for existing Microsoft customers
  • Copilot AI integration for investigation assistance

Best for: Microsoft-centric organizations and those with significant Azure deployments

5. Orca Security

Score: 87/100

Orca pioneered agentless cloud security with SideScanning technology:

  • Comprehensive agentless scanning including container internals
  • Strong compliance reporting across multiple frameworks
  • Effective attack path visualization
  • Good developer experience for shift-left use cases

Best for: Organizations wanting comprehensive agentless coverage without deployment complexity

6. Lacework

Score: 85/100

Lacework differentiates with behavioral analysis and polygraph technology:

  • Unsupervised machine learning for anomaly detection
  • Strong Kubernetes security capabilities
  • Effective composite alerts reducing noise
  • Good developer workflow integration

Best for: Organizations prioritizing behavioral detection and anomaly analysis

7. SentinelOne Singularity Cloud

Score: 84/100

SentinelOne extends its autonomous endpoint approach to cloud:

  • Unified agent for endpoint and cloud workloads
  • Strong autonomous response capabilities
  • Effective Storyline attack visualization
  • Competitive pricing

Best for: SentinelOne endpoint customers expanding to cloud protection

8. Sysdig

Score: 82/100

Sysdig leads in container and Kubernetes security:

  • Deepest Kubernetes visibility via Falco and open standards
  • Strong runtime protection for containers
  • Effective image scanning with risk prioritization
  • Active open source community

Best for: Container-native organizations and Kubernetes-heavy deployments

9. Aqua Security

Score: 80/100

Aqua provides comprehensive cloud-native security:

  • Strong container lifecycle security from build to runtime
  • Effective supply chain security capabilities
  • Good serverless function protection
  • Open source contributions (Trivy, CloudSploit)

Best for: Organizations focused on container and serverless workloads

10. Tenable Cloud Security

Score: 78/100

Tenable brings vulnerability management expertise to cloud:

  • Strong vulnerability prioritization with VPR scores
  • Good CSPM capabilities
  • Effective identity security (CIEM)
  • Integration with broader Tenable platform

Best for: Tenable customers wanting integrated cloud security

Key trends shaping the CNAPP market:

  1. AI-powered prioritization: Vendors incorporating LLMs for investigation and remediation guidance
  2. DSPM integration: Data security posture management becoming table stakes
  3. Developer experience: Shift-left capabilities and IDE integration improving
  4. Consolidation: Expect continued M&A as larger vendors acquire specialists