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Cybersecurity · head to head

Sysdig vs Arnica

Sysdig logo

Sysdig

Cybersecurity

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arnica logo

Arnica

Cybersecurity

AI-native application security platform detecting and fixing vulnerabilities across the SDLC

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Arnica 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; Arnica per-identity pricing ($25-$50/person/year) requires tracking active developers
  • They diverge on capability: Sysdig covers Real-time threat detection and response, Arnica covers AI SAST.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Sysdig and Arnica actually diverge.

Attributes where Sysdig and Arnica differ
AttributeSysdigArnica
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelCustom pricing based on number of hosts, events processed, or time series dataPer-identity subscription with annual discount
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsKubernetes, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, Cloud-nativeWeb, GitHub, IDE
Founded2013Unknown

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
  • Cloud Security Posture Management
  • Container and Kubernetes security
  • Infrastructure as Code security
  • Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management

Only in Arnica

  • AI SAST
  • Software Composition Analysis
  • Secrets detection
  • IaC scanning
  • Container scanning
  • SBOM generation
  • Agentic rules
  • Pipelineless integration

What people use each for

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

Sysdig

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

Arnica

  • Detecting AI-generated vulnerabilities in Copilot and Cursor suggestionsnot Sysdig
  • Finding hardcoded secrets before they reach productionnot Sysdig
  • Mapping container vulnerabilities back to source codenot Sysdig
  • Generating SBOM for supply chain compliance requirementsnot Sysdig
  • Scanning infrastructure-as-code for misconfiguration risksnot 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

Arnica

  • Per-identity pricing ($25-$50/person/year) requires tracking active developers
  • Overage identity tracking via 90-day PR activity can be unpredictable
  • Free plan limited to weekly updates, requiring upgrade for real-time scanning
  • Advanced add-ons (Image Scanning, AI SAST, Agentic Rules Enforcer) pricing not published
  • On-premises deployment limited to Enterprise tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Sysdig

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Sysdig review.

Arnica

Free
  • FreeFree
    • No credit card required
    • 14-day trial available
    • Weekly risk identification updates
  • Core Business$360/year
    • Monthly billing option at $30/identity/month
    • Annual billing at $25/identity/month (17% discount)
    • Real-time risk scanning and notifications
  • Core Enterprise$720/year
    • Monthly billing option at $60/identity/month
    • Annual billing at $50/identity/month (17% discount)
    • All Core Business features

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 Arnica if

  • You need ai sast.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, GitHub, IDE.
  • You also want software composition analysis.
Arnica review

Questions people ask

Is Sysdig or Arnica better?
Neither clearly leads. Sysdig starts at On request and Arnica at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Sysdig or Arnica?
Arnica has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Sysdig and Free for Arnica.
Does Sysdig or Arnica run on more platforms?
Sysdig runs on Kubernetes, Docker, AWS, GCP, Azure, Cloud-native. Arnica runs on Web, GitHub, IDE.
Can I use Arnica for free?
Yes. Arnica 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 Arnica is typically brought in for.
What can Sysdig do that Arnica cannot?
Sysdig covers Real-time threat detection and response, Runtime intelligence, AI-powered security agents, Vulnerability management. Arnica covers AI SAST, Software Composition Analysis, Secrets detection, IaC scanning.

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
Arnica: How are identities defined in Arnica pricing?

Identities are any users and other contributing entities that contributed code and/or had PR activity during the last 90 days. This ensures billing matches active developers.

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
Arnica: What is the annual discount?

Annual prepayment offers approximately 17% savings versus monthly billing. Core Business annual is $300/identity versus $360 for monthly.

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
Arnica: Can I cancel or downgrade Arnica anytime?

Yes. Subscriptions can be cancelled or downgraded at any time. Overage identities receive automatic protection with true-up invoicing.

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
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