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Cybersecurity · head to head

Chainguard vs JFrog Artifactory

Chainguard logo

Chainguard

Cybersecurity

Secure-by-default open source software with hardened container images and libraries

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
JFrog Artifactory logo

JFrog Artifactory

Developer Tools

The Universal Binary Repository

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Chainguard containers Catalog at 19,000 USD/year expensive for teams under 10 people; JFrog Artifactory pro tier limited-time pricing at $50/month (regular rate $150/month); overages charged per GB at tiered rates
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chainguard and JFrog Artifactory actually diverge.

Attributes where Chainguard and JFrog Artifactory differ
AttributeChainguardJFrog Artifactory
Pricing modelLicensing by artifact type and team sizeusage-based
PlatformsCloud, Container, VMWeb
CategoryCybersecurityDeveloper Tools

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Chainguard

  • Hardened container images
  • CVE remediation SLA
  • SLSA L2/L3 builds
  • Sigstore signatures
  • SBOM generation
  • Language libraries
  • VM images
  • Artifact scanning

Only in JFrog Artifactory

Nothing recorded that Chainguard does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Chainguard

  • Deploying hardened container images with minimal attack surfacenot JFrog Artifactory
  • Meeting supply chain security requirements for regulated industriesnot JFrog Artifactory
  • Reducing CVE exposure with contractual remediation guaranteesnot JFrog Artifactory
  • Building secure language packages with automatic backportsnot JFrog Artifactory
  • Verifying artifact provenance with Sigstore signaturesnot JFrog Artifactory

JFrog Artifactory

  • Governing AI models and agents in single source of truthnot Chainguard
  • Syncing artifacts across federated repositories in multiple sitesnot Chainguard
  • Blocking risky and non-compliant open-source packages proactivelynot Chainguard
  • Automating source code vulnerability remediation in real-timenot Chainguard
  • Collecting compliance evidence throughout software lifecyclenot Chainguard

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Chainguard

  • Containers Catalog at 19,000 USD/year expensive for teams under 10 people
  • Per-image pricing for containers requires custom quotes with no transparency
  • Free tier limited to 5 container images for testing
  • Libraries pricing by ecosystem and developer count lacks transparent per-developer cost
  • VM image catalog pricing opacity makes cost estimation difficult

JFrog Artifactory

  • Pro tier limited-time pricing at $50/month (regular rate $150/month); overages charged per GB at tiered rates
  • Enterprise+ plan requires custom quote; specific pricing not published
  • Consumption-based model adds unpredictability to monthly costs for variable storage needs

Pricing, plan by plan

Chainguard

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Five container images to test and deploy
  • Containers Per-Image$undefined/custom
    • Licensed by quantity and type
    • Base images, application images, AI/ML images, FIPS variants
    • Custom pricing per image
  • Containers Catalog$19000/year
    • For 10-person engineering teams
    • 2,000+ container images
    • Contractual CVE remediation SLAs
  • Libraries Licensing$undefined/custom
    • Licensed by ecosystem (Python, Java, JavaScript)
    • Licensed by developer count
    • Unlimited pulls with no metering

JFrog Artifactory

Free
  • Pro$50/month
    • Limited-time offer pricing (regularly $150/month)
    • 25 GB storage included monthly
    • Tiered overage pricing: $1.25 per GB at 25-1,204 GB usage
  • Enterprise X$950/month
    • 125 GB storage included
    • High availability and artifact federation
    • SSO and advanced security scanning included

Which should you pick?

Choose Chainguard if

  • You need hardened container images.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Container, VM.
  • You also want cve remediation sla.
Chainguard review

Choose JFrog Artifactory if

  • You want to start without paying.
JFrog Artifactory review

Questions people ask

Is Chainguard or JFrog Artifactory better?
Neither clearly leads. Chainguard starts at Free and JFrog Artifactory at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chainguard or JFrog Artifactory?
Chainguard starts at Free and JFrog Artifactory at Free.
Does Chainguard or JFrog Artifactory run on more platforms?
Chainguard runs on Cloud, Container, VM. JFrog Artifactory runs on Web.
Can I use Chainguard for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Chainguard best used for?
Chainguard is most often used for deploying hardened container images with minimal attack surface, meeting supply chain security requirements for regulated industries, reducing cve exposure with contractual remediation guarantees, building secure language packages with automatic backports. Of those, deploying hardened container images with minimal attack surface and meeting supply chain security requirements for regulated industries are not what JFrog Artifactory is typically brought in for.
What can Chainguard do that JFrog Artifactory cannot?
Chainguard covers Hardened container images, CVE remediation SLA, SLSA L2/L3 builds, Sigstore signatures.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Chainguard: How much is the Chainguard Containers Catalog?

The Containers Catalog is 19,000 USD per year for 10-person engineering teams, providing access to 2,000+ hardened container images.

Source
JFrog Artifactory: How much does JFrog Artifactory cost?

JFrog Artifactory Pro is currently $50 per month (limited-time rate; regular $150/month) with 25 GB included and $1.25 per GB for overages. Enterprise X starts at $950 per month with 125 GB included. Enterprise+ plans use custom pricing available through sales.

Source
Chainguard: What SLAs does Chainguard offer?

Chainguard provides contractual CVE remediation SLAs: 7 days for critical vulnerabilities, 14 days for high/medium/low severity, all with priority support.

Source
JFrog Artifactory: What are JFrog's data storage limits?

JFrog Artifactory charges based on consumption: Pro includes 25 GB monthly with tiered overage costs ($1.25/GB at 25-1,204 GB, $1.00/GB at 1,204-2,024 GB, $0.75/GB above 2,024 GB). Enterprise X includes 125 GB with similar tiered overages for additional storage.

Source
Chainguard: Can I try Chainguard before purchasing?

Yes. The free tier includes five container images for testing and deployment, allowing hands-on evaluation.

Source
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