# Chainguard VMs vs Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Chainguard VMs](https://cybersectools.com/tools/chainguard-vms) is a commercial [container security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/container-security) solution by [Chainguard](https://cybersectools.com/companies/chainguard). [Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA](https://cybersectools.com/tools/kubespot-aws-aws-eks-setup-for-pci-dss-soc2-hipaa) is a free [container security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/container-security) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Chainguard VMs](https://cybersectools.com/tools/chainguard-vms) Best for: Teams eliminating CVEs at the base image level The trade-off is that Chainguard VMs solve a specific problem: vulnerable base images. They do not provide runtime threat detection, Kubernetes admission control, or vulnerability scanning of your application code and dependencies. They are best used as a foundation layer alongside a runtime security solution like Sysdig or a scanner like Snyk Container. If your current scanner report is dominated by OS-level CVEs in your base image, Chainguard VMs will eliminate most of that noise at the source. From [Best Container Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-container-security-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Container Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-container-security-solutions) picks Sysdig Container and Kubernetes Security, Aqua Security Lifecycle Container Security, Snyk Container and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Chainguard VMs | Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Free | | Category | Container Security | Container Security | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Hybrid | On-Premises | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | GitHub stars | – | 115 | | Last commit | – | Dec 2025 | | Company | Chainguard | – | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Chainguard VMs | Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA | |---|---|---| | AWS | Yes | Yes | | Azure | Yes | – | | Linux | Yes | – | | Supply Chain Security | Yes | – | | Cloud Native | Yes | – | | Kubernetes | – | Yes | | Infrastructure as Code | – | Yes | ### Core features **Chainguard VMs** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA** No features listed. ### Integrations **Chainguard VMs** 5 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA** No integrations listed. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Chainguard VMs](https://cybersectools.com/tools/chainguard-vms) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options. - [Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA](https://cybersectools.com/tools/kubespot-aws-aws-eks-setup-for-pci-dss-soc2-hipaa) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you need a free product and you want an open-source product. ## Chainguard VMs vs Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA FAQ Common questions when comparing Chainguard VMs vs Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA for container security. ### What is the difference between Chainguard VMs and Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA? **Chainguard VMs**: Minimal, zero-CVE virtual machine images for container hosts and applications, built by Chainguard. **Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA**: A Terraform module that provides a compliance-focused AWS EKS setup with security hardening for PCI-DSS, SOC2, and HIPAA requirements. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Chainguard VMs and Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA? **Chainguard VMs** is made by Chainguard. **Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA** is open-source with 115 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Chainguard VMs a good alternative to Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA? Often, yes. Chainguard VMs and Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA are both Container Security products, and both cover AWS. Key differences: Chainguard VMs is Commercial while Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA is Free, Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Chainguard VMs vs Plexicus Container Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/chainguard-vms-vs-plexicus-container-security) - [Chainguard VMs vs Chainguard](https://cybersectools.com/compare/chainguard-vs-chainguard-vms) - [Chainguard VMs vs Nirmata Control Hub](https://cybersectools.com/compare/chainguard-vms-vs-nirmata-control-hub) - [Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA vs Plexicus Container Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/kubespot-aws-aws-eks-setup-for-pci-dss-soc2-hipaa-vs-plexicus-container-security) - [Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA vs Chainguard](https://cybersectools.com/compare/chainguard-vs-kubespot-aws-aws-eks-setup-for-pci-dss-soc2-hipaa) - [Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA vs Nirmata Control Hub](https://cybersectools.com/compare/kubespot-aws-aws-eks-setup-for-pci-dss-soc2-hipaa-vs-nirmata-control-hub) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Chainguard VMs alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/chainguard-vms) - [See all Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/kubespot-aws-aws-eks-setup-for-pci-dss-soc2-hipaa) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/chainguard-vms-vs-kubespot-aws-aws-eks-setup-for-pci-dss-soc2-hipaa For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/chainguard-vms.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Chainguard VMs and Kubespot (AWS) AWS EKS Setup for PCI-DSS, SOC2, HIPAA: 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