# Aqua Trivy vs Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Aqua Trivy](https://cybersectools.com/tools/aqua-trivy) is a free [vulnerability assessment](https://cybersectools.com/categories/vulnerability-assessment) solution by [Aqua Security Software Ltd](https://cybersectools.com/companies/aqua-security-software-ltd). [Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM](https://cybersectools.com/tools/start-leftr-security-product-centric-vm) is a commercial [vulnerability assessment](https://cybersectools.com/categories/vulnerability-assessment) solution by [Start Left® Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/start-leftr-security). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Aqua Trivy | Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Commercial |
| Category | Vulnerability Assessment | Vulnerability Assessment |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | Cloud |
| Company size fit | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Aqua Security Software Ltd. | Start Left® Security |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Aqua Trivy | Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Native | Yes | – |
| Open Source | Yes | – |
| SBOM | Yes | Yes |
| Kubernetes | Yes | – |
| Vulnerability Prioritization | – | Yes |
| SCA | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Aqua Trivy**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

### Integrations

**Aqua Trivy**

9 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM**

5 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Aqua Trivy](https://cybersectools.com/tools/aqua-trivy) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup and you need a free product.
- [Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM](https://cybersectools.com/tools/start-leftr-security-product-centric-vm) fits if you want a cloud product.

## Aqua Trivy vs Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM FAQ

Common questions when comparing Aqua Trivy vs Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM for vulnerability assessment.

### What is the difference between Aqua Trivy and Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM?

**Aqua Trivy**: Open source vulnerability & IaC scanner for containers & cloud native apps, built by Aqua Security Software Ltd.

**Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM**: Risk-based, product-centric VM platform with PIRATE® risk model, built by Start Left® Security.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Aqua Trivy and Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM?

**Aqua Trivy** is made by Aqua Security Software Ltd. **Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM** is made by Start Left® Security. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Aqua Trivy a good alternative to Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM?

Often, yes. Aqua Trivy and Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM are both Vulnerability Assessment products, and both cover SBOM. Key differences: Aqua Trivy is Free while Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM is Commercial. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Aqua Trivy vs Orca Cloud Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-trivy-vs-orca-cloud-vulnerability-management)
- [Aqua Trivy vs Sysdig Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-trivy-vs-sysdig-vulnerability-management)
- [Aqua Trivy vs Labrador Server Care](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-trivy-vs-labrador-server-care)
- [Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM vs Orca Cloud Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/orca-cloud-vulnerability-management-vs-start-leftr-security-product-centric-vm)
- [Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM vs Sysdig Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/start-leftr-security-product-centric-vm-vs-sysdig-vulnerability-management)
- [Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM vs Labrador Server Care](https://cybersectools.com/compare/labrador-server-care-vs-start-leftr-security-product-centric-vm)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Aqua Trivy alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/aqua-trivy)
- [See all Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/start-leftr-security-product-centric-vm)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-trivy-vs-start-leftr-security-product-centric-vm

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/aqua-trivy.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Aqua Trivy and Start Left® Security - Product-Centric VM: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md
