Softwr

Networking · head to head

Traefik vs Trivy

Traefik logo

Traefik

Networking

Modern cloud-native edge router and API gateway

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Trivy logo

Trivy

Cybersecurity

Open-source vulnerability and misconfiguration scanner

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Traefik no transparent pricing displayed for Traefik Hub API Gateway or API Management products; Trivy reports what public advisory databases know, so coverage varies by ecosystem and unfixed CVEs create noise
  • They diverge on capability: Traefik covers API Gateway, Trivy covers Multi-target scanning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Traefik and Trivy actually diverge.

Attributes where Traefik and Trivy differ
AttributeTraefikTrivy
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsKubernetes, Docker, CloudLinux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes
CategoryNetworkingCybersecurity
Founded2015Unknown

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 Traefik

  • API Gateway
  • Load Balancing
  • SSL/TLS Termination
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • Consul
  • etcd
  • Linux support

Only in Trivy

  • Multi-target scanning
  • Vulnerability detection
  • Misconfiguration checks
  • Secret detection

What people use each for

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

Traefik

  • API gateway for microservices architecturenot Trivy
  • Kubernetes ingress controllernot Trivy
  • Container and VM traffic routingnot Trivy
  • Cloud-native application managementnot Trivy

Trivy

  • Failing a pull request when a container image introduces a known CVEnot Traefik
  • Scanning Terraform and Kubernetes manifests for misconfiguration before applynot Traefik
  • Catching committed secrets as part of an existing CI stepnot Traefik

Where each one falls short

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

Traefik

  • No transparent pricing displayed for Traefik Hub API Gateway or API Management products
  • No subscription period specified for paid tiers
  • Traefik Hub products require contacting sales for pricing

Trivy

  • Reports what public advisory databases know, so coverage varies by ecosystem and unfixed CVEs create noise
  • No built-in triage or exception workflow, so suppressing accepted risk is managed in config files
  • Findings are point-in-time from CI, with no continuous runtime monitoring unless you add the commercial platform

Pricing, plan by plan

Traefik

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Traefik review.

Trivy

Free
  • TrivyFree
    • Full scanner
    • Unlimited scans
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Traefik if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
  • You also want load balancing.
Traefik review

Choose Trivy if

  • You need multi-target scanning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want vulnerability detection.
Trivy review

Questions people ask

Is Traefik or Trivy better?
Neither clearly leads. Traefik starts at Free and Trivy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Traefik or Trivy?
Traefik starts at Free and Trivy at Free.
Does Traefik or Trivy run on more platforms?
Traefik runs on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud. Trivy runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes.
Can I use Traefik for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Traefik best used for?
Traefik is most often used for api gateway for microservices architecture, kubernetes ingress controller, container and vm traffic routing, cloud-native application management. Of those, api gateway for microservices architecture and kubernetes ingress controller are not what Trivy is typically brought in for.
What can Traefik do that Trivy cannot?
Traefik covers API Gateway, Load Balancing, SSL/TLS Termination, Kubernetes. Trivy covers Multi-target scanning, Vulnerability detection, Misconfiguration checks, Secret detection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Traefik: Is Traefik Proxy free to use?

Yes, Traefik Proxy is completely free and open source. You can download and use it at no cost.

Source
Trivy: Is Trivy free?

Yes, open source from Aqua Security with no licence fee. Aqua sells a commercial platform around it.

Traefik: What pricing model does Traefik use for its paid products?

Traefik Hub products (API Gateway and API Management) use quote-based pricing. Specific rates are not published on the pricing page; you must contact sales to request pricing.

Source
Trivy: What can Trivy scan?

Container images, filesystems, Git repositories, Kubernetes clusters and infrastructure-as-code, for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, secrets and licences.

Trivy: Does Trivy need a server?

No. It is a single binary, which is a large part of why it became a default in CI.

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