Cybersecurity · head to head
Grype vs Kaspersky Total Security
Grype
Cybersecurity
Vulnerability scanner for container images and filesystems
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Kaspersky Total Security
Cybersecurity
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Grype depends on public vulnerability databases, so coverage and false positives vary by ecosystem; Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- They diverge on capability: Grype covers Image and filesystem scanning, Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Grype and Kaspersky Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | Grype | Kaspersky Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Open source, no licence fee | Unknown |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 1997 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).
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 Grype
- Image and filesystem scanning
- SBOM-driven
- Wide ecosystem coverage
- Pipeline friendly
Only in Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Grype
- Re-scanning stored SBOMs as new CVEs are published, without rebuilding imagesnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Failing CI when a build introduces a known vulnerabilitynot Kaspersky Total Security
- Auditing what is actually installed inside a third-party imagenot Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot Grype
- Internet Securitynot Grype
- Parental Controlnot Grype
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Grype
- Depends on public vulnerability databases, so coverage and false positives vary by ecosystem
- No triage, exception tracking or reporting UI — that is Anchore’s commercial product
- Overlaps heavily with Trivy, and most teams pick one rather than running both
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
Pricing, plan by plan
Grype
Free- GrypeFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
Which should you pick?
Choose Grype if
- You need image and filesystem scanning.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker.
- You also want sbom-driven.
Choose Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is Grype or Kaspersky Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. Grype starts at Free and Kaspersky Total Security at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Grype or Kaspersky Total Security?
- Grype starts at Free and Kaspersky Total Security at Free.
- Does Grype or Kaspersky Total Security run on more platforms?
- Grype runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker. Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Grype for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Grype best used for?
- Grype is most often used for re-scanning stored sboms as new cves are published, without rebuilding images, failing ci when a build introduces a known vulnerability, auditing what is actually installed inside a third-party image. Of those, re-scanning stored sboms as new cves are published, without rebuilding images and failing ci when a build introduces a known vulnerability are not what Kaspersky Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can Grype do that Kaspersky Total Security cannot?
- Grype covers Image and filesystem scanning, SBOM-driven, Wide ecosystem coverage, Pipeline friendly. Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Grype: Is Grype free?
Yes, open source from Anchore. Anchore Enterprise is the paid platform around it.
Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceGrype: What is the difference between Grype and Syft?
Syft generates the software bill of materials; Grype matches that inventory against vulnerability data. They are designed to be used together.
Kaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
SourceGrype: Grype or Trivy?
They cover similar ground. Trivy is broader out of the box, including misconfiguration and secret scanning; Grype pairs more cleanly with an SBOM-first workflow.
Kaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
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