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Cloud · head to head

Wiz vs Zipkin

Wiz logo

Wiz

Cloud

Cloud and AI security platform unifying code, cloud, and runtime protection.

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zipkin logo

Zipkin

Cloud

Distributed tracing system for microservice latency

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zipkin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Wiz no public pricing; licensing requires a custom quote based on workloads and sensors.; Zipkin less active development and smaller community momentum than Jaeger
  • They diverge on capability: Wiz covers Cloud security posture management, Zipkin covers Trace collection and search.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Wiz and Zipkin actually diverge.

Attributes where Wiz and Zipkin differ
AttributeWizZipkin
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
Platformsweb, apiLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cloud).

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 Wiz

  • Cloud security posture management
  • Code security (Wiz Code)
  • Runtime threat detection (Wiz Defend)
  • AI security agents
  • AI workload protection
  • Attack path analysis

Only in Zipkin

  • Trace collection and search
  • Dependency diagram
  • Simple deployment
  • Pluggable storage

What people use each for

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

Wiz

  • Identifying cloud misconfigurations across multi-cloud environmentsnot Zipkin
  • Securing code from IDE through CI/CD deploymentnot Zipkin
  • Detecting and responding to active threats at runtimenot Zipkin
  • Governing AI workloads and models in the cloudnot Zipkin
  • Prioritizing risk with cross-environment attack path analysisnot Zipkin

Zipkin

  • Adding distributed tracing quickly without standing up heavy infrastructurenot Wiz
  • Java and Spring Boot estates, where instrumentation support is long-establishednot Wiz
  • Small deployments where Jaeger is more than the problem requiresnot Wiz

Where each one falls short

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

Wiz

  • No public pricing; licensing requires a custom quote based on workloads and sensors.
  • Modular licensing across Cloud, Code, Defend, and Sensor products can complicate cost planning.
  • Full runtime protection value depends on deploying Wiz Sensor agents, adding operational overhead.
  • Primarily aimed at mid-to-large enterprises despite the smaller Wiz Go bundle.

Zipkin

  • Less active development and smaller community momentum than Jaeger
  • Fewer features: sampling, storage options and UI are all more limited
  • The interface is dated and slower to work with on large trace volumes
  • Tracing alone still leaves metrics and logs in separate tools during an incident

Pricing, plan by plan

Wiz

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Wiz review.

Zipkin

Free
  • ZipkinFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Wiz if

  • You need cloud security posture management.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want code security (wiz code).
Wiz review

Choose Zipkin if

  • You need trace collection and search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want dependency diagram.
Zipkin review

Questions people ask

Is Wiz or Zipkin better?
Neither clearly leads. Wiz starts at On request and Zipkin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Wiz or Zipkin?
Zipkin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Wiz and Free for Zipkin.
Does Wiz or Zipkin run on more platforms?
Wiz runs on web, api. Zipkin runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Zipkin for free?
Yes. Zipkin has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wiz starts at On request.
What is Wiz best used for?
Wiz is most often used for identifying cloud misconfigurations across multi-cloud environments, securing code from ide through ci/cd deployment, detecting and responding to active threats at runtime, governing ai workloads and models in the cloud. Of those, identifying cloud misconfigurations across multi-cloud environments and securing code from ide through ci/cd deployment are not what Zipkin is typically brought in for.
What can Wiz do that Zipkin cannot?
Wiz covers Cloud security posture management, Code security (Wiz Code), Runtime threat detection (Wiz Defend), AI security agents. Zipkin covers Trace collection and search, Dependency diagram, Simple deployment, Pluggable storage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Wiz: How much does Wiz cost?

Wiz does not publish standard pricing. The platform uses modular licensing based on workloads, active developers, log ingestion, or sensors. All pricing requires requesting a custom quote directly from the company.

Source
Zipkin: Is Zipkin free?

Yes, open source with no licence fee.

Wiz: Does Wiz offer a free trial?

No free trial information is mentioned on Wiz's pricing page. Pricing is determined by custom quote based on organizational needs.

Source
Zipkin: Zipkin or Jaeger?

Jaeger has more momentum, more features and CNCF backing. Zipkin is lighter and quicker to stand up, and remains well supported in the Java and Spring ecosystem.

Wiz: What products does Wiz offer?

Wiz provides five modular licensing options: Wiz Cloud, Wiz Code, Wiz Defend, Wiz Sensor, and Wiz Go Bundle for SMBs, allowing organizations to scale based on specific security requirements.

Source
Zipkin: Does Zipkin work with OpenTelemetry?

Yes. OpenTelemetry can export to Zipkin, which is now the usual way to instrument for it.

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