drydock vs Docker Bench for Security: 2026 Comparison
drydock is a free container security tool. Docker Bench for Security is a free container security tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best container security fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of available product data, here is our conclusion:
DevOps teams running Docker in CI/CD pipelines need Drydock because it audits container images against CIS benchmarks before they hit production, catching misconfigurations that scanners miss. The tool ships with customizable profiles and JSON output, so you can integrate it directly into your build process without manual remediation work. Skip this if your organization requires a graphical dashboard or runtime monitoring; Drydock is audit-focused and doesn't track container behavior after deployment.
Teams running Docker in dev and staging environments need Docker Bench for Security to catch basic misconfigurations before they reach production; it audits against the actual CIS Docker Benchmark standard rather than vendor-specific rules, giving you policy alignment without licensing costs. The 9,600-plus GitHub stars reflect real adoption among engineers who treat it as a pre-deployment gate, and it requires zero agent installation. Skip this if you're looking for runtime threat detection or need continuous compliance monitoring across a fleet; Docker Bench is a point-in-time scanner that won't flag a privilege escalation happening inside a running container.
