Our take
What our shortlists say about the one we picked.
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Best for: Companies running mostly on Azure
Defender for Cloud earns a spot because it puts posture, compliance tracking, attack paths and workload protection for Azure, AWS and Google Cloud in one place, and Secure Score gives you an ordered list of fixes. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise estates. The protection plans are separate for servers, containers, databases, storage and APIs, so decide which ones you need before you compare it with the rest.
From Best Cloud Security Solutions for Business, Fall 2026
Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze.
CNAPP providing security from code to cloud for cloud native and AI apps
CNAPP providing CSPM and workload protection across multicloud environments.
Side-by-side comparison
Feature
Aqua Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP)
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Pricing model
Commercial
Commercial
Category
Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform
Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform
Deployment and fit
Deployment type
Cloud
Cloud
Company size fit
SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
Mid-Market, Enterprise
Company
Company
Aqua Security Software Ltd.
Microsoft
Use cases and capabilities
Runtime Security
Yes
No
Software Supply Chain
Yes
No
Kubernetes
Yes
No
Azure
No
Yes
Cloud Native
No
Yes
Misconfiguration
No
Yes
Workload Security
No
Yes
Microsoft
No
Yes
Vulnerability
No
Yes
Attack Paths
No
Yes
DevSecOps
No
Yes
Kubernetes Security
No
Yes
Zero Trust Architecture
No
Yes
Core features
10 features listed
10 features listed
Integrations
34 integrations listed
34 integrations listed
Need help choosing?
See more solutions in this category, or build a security stack from your picks.
Which one fits you
Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.
Aqua Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) fits if you are a small business.
Aqua Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) vs Microsoft Defender for Cloud FAQ
Common questions when comparing Aqua Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) vs Microsoft Defender for Cloud for cloud-native application protection platform.
Aqua Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP): CNAPP providing security from code to cloud for cloud native and AI apps. Built by Aqua Security Software Ltd.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud: CNAPP providing CSPM and workload protection across multicloud environments. Built by Microsoft.
The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.
Aqua Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) is made by Aqua Security Software Ltd. Microsoft Defender for Cloud is made by Microsoft. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.
Often, yes. Aqua Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) and Microsoft Defender for Cloud are both Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.
