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Cybersecurity · head to head

Sysdig vs Aikido

Sysdig logo

Sysdig

Cybersecurity

Cloud-native runtime security platform with real-time detection and response

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aikido logo

Aikido

Cybersecurity

Unified security platform automating vulnerability detection and fixing across development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Aikido has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Sysdig custom pricing requires sales contact, difficult to compare costs; Aikido free plan includes fair-usage limits on repos and container images
  • They diverge on capability: Sysdig covers Real-time threat detection and response, Aikido covers Static Application Security Testing (SAST).

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sysdig and Aikido actually diverge.

Attributes where Sysdig and Aikido differ
AttributeSysdigAikido
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelCustom pricing based on number of hosts, events processed, or time series dataSubscription with free tier
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsKubernetes, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, Cloud-nativeWeb, CI/CD, IDE
Founded20132022

Identical on both: 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 Sysdig

  • Real-time threat detection and response
  • Runtime intelligence
  • AI-powered security agents
  • Vulnerability management
  • Container and Kubernetes security
  • Infrastructure as Code security
  • Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management

Only in Aikido

  • Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
  • Software Composition Analysis (SCA)
  • AutoFix
  • Secrets detection
  • AI-powered penetration testing
  • Device protection
  • False positive reduction

Both cover

  • Cloud Security Posture Management

What people use each for

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

Sysdig

  • Real-time threat detection in Kubernetes clustersnot Aikido
  • Container workload vulnerability prioritizationnot Aikido
  • Cloud security posture compliance monitoringnot Aikido
  • Infrastructure entitlement and permission analysisnot Aikido
  • AI workload security and threat remediationnot Aikido

Aikido

  • Developer-friendly security integrated into PR workflowsnot Sysdig
  • Automated vulnerability remediation with context-aware alertsnot Sysdig
  • Consolidation of fragmented security tools across development lifecyclenot Sysdig
  • Cloud infrastructure security posture monitoringnot Sysdig
  • Supply chain attack prevention and malware detectionnot Sysdig

Where each one falls short

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

Sysdig

  • Custom pricing requires sales contact, difficult to compare costs
  • No published pricing tiers or calculator available
  • Primarily focused on cloud-native environments
  • Requires integration with existing SIEM or monitoring tools for full visibility
  • Steep learning curve for runtime security concepts

Aikido

  • Free plan includes fair-usage limits on repos and container images
  • Pricing increases significantly with user and repository scale
  • Advanced features like penetration testing and VM scanning limited to higher tiers
  • Device protection limited to Development environments only
  • Requires multiple plan tiers for full platform coverage

Pricing, plan by plan

Sysdig

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Sysdig review.

Aikido

Free
  • DeveloperFree
    • Up to 2 users
    • Dependency scanning (SCA)
    • SAST and AI SAST
  • Pro$600/month
    • Up to 10 users
    • All Basic features
    • On-premise scanning
  • Advanced$600/month
    • Up to 10 users
    • All Pro features
    • Broker for internal apps
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Custom pricing for tailored modules
    • Dedicated account management
    • Custom SLAs

Which should you pick?

Choose Sysdig if

  • You need real-time threat detection and response.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, Cloud-native.
  • You also want runtime intelligence.
Sysdig review

Choose Aikido if

  • You need static application security testing (sast).
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CI/CD, IDE.
  • You also want software composition analysis (sca).
Aikido review

Questions people ask

Is Sysdig or Aikido better?
Neither clearly leads. Sysdig starts at On request and Aikido at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sysdig or Aikido?
Aikido has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Sysdig and Free for Aikido.
Does Sysdig or Aikido run on more platforms?
Sysdig runs on Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, Cloud-native. Aikido runs on Web, CI/CD, IDE.
Can I use Aikido for free?
Yes. Aikido has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sysdig starts at On request.
What is Sysdig best used for?
Sysdig is most often used for real-time threat detection in kubernetes clusters, container workload vulnerability prioritization, cloud security posture compliance monitoring, infrastructure entitlement and permission analysis. Of those, real-time threat detection in kubernetes clusters and container workload vulnerability prioritization are not what Aikido is typically brought in for.
What can Sysdig do that Aikido cannot?
Sysdig covers Real-time threat detection and response, Runtime intelligence, AI-powered security agents, Vulnerability management. Aikido covers Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Software Composition Analysis (SCA), AutoFix, Secrets detection. Both handle Cloud Security Posture Management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Sysdig: How does Sysdig achieve real-time threat detection?

Sysdig uses runtime intelligence with kernel-level system visibility, capturing live system calls to detect threats at machine speed, typically within 2 seconds.

Source
Aikido: What is included in Aikido's free Developer plan?

The free Developer plan includes up to 2 users with SAST, SCA, secrets detection, cloud scanning, and license risk detection. Fair-usage limits apply: 10 repos, 2 container images, 1 domain, and 1 cloud account.

Source
Sysdig: What is runtime intelligence and how does it differ from configuration-based security?

Runtime intelligence reveals what is actually executing in cloud environments through kernel-level visibility, rather than relying on theoretical risks from configuration analysis alone.

Source
Aikido: What is AutoFix and how does it work?

AutoFix is Aikido's automated vulnerability remediation feature that identifies vulnerabilities and suggests or applies specific code fixes automatically, reducing manual remediation effort.

Source
Sysdig: What cloud platforms does Sysdig support?

Sysdig supports AWS, GCP, Azure, and IBM Cloud with multiple regional data centers across US, EU, and other regions.

Source
Aikido: How many false positives does Aikido reduce?

Aikido reduces false positives by 99%, using AI-powered context awareness to filter noise and focus on vulnerabilities that present real business risk.

Source
Sysdig: Does Sysdig integrate with existing security tools?

Yes, Sysdig integrates with existing SIEM and monitoring tools to provide unified security visibility across cloud infrastructure.

Source
Aikido: What integrations does Aikido support?

Aikido integrates with Jira, Linear, Slack, Teams, GitHub, GitLab, and other popular development tools to fit into existing workflows.

Source
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