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.
KnocknocSponsored
Hi Citrix. Hide VPNs. Hide Windows on a LAN. Knocknoc solves this. Just in time identity linked allow-listing. DIY, on-premise or SaaS. Prevent attacks fast.
VisitCNAPP for securing cloud native apps from code to runtime across multi-cloud
CNAPP providing CSPM and workload protection across multicloud environments.
Side-by-side comparison
Feature
Aqua Security Aqua Cloud Native App 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
Hybrid
Cloud
Company size fit
Mid-Market, Enterprise
Mid-Market, Enterprise
Company
Company
Aqua Security Software Ltd.
Microsoft
Use cases and capabilities
Runtime Security
Yes
No
Supply Chain Security
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
24 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 Security Aqua Cloud Native App Protection Platform (CNAPP) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud fits if you want a cloud product.
Aqua Security Aqua Cloud Native App Protection Platform (CNAPP) vs Microsoft Defender for Cloud FAQ
Common questions when comparing Aqua Security Aqua Cloud Native App Protection Platform (CNAPP) vs Microsoft Defender for Cloud for cloud-native application protection platform.
Aqua Security Aqua Cloud Native App Protection Platform (CNAPP): CNAPP for securing cloud native apps from code to runtime across multi-cloud. 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 Security Aqua Cloud Native App 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 Security Aqua Cloud Native App 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.
