Aqua Security vs Prisma Cloud (Cortex Cloud): 2026 CNAPP comparison
Cloud Security Compare editors · Matchups reviewed September 2026 · Editorial assessment
The short version
Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud (formerly Prisma Cloud) scores higher overall, 4.0 to 3.7, and wins 6 of seven criteria: agentless coverage, runtime protection, risk prioritization, code-to-cloud security, AI workload security and ecosystem and integrations. Aqua does not score higher on any of the seven criteria. They tie on pricing transparency. Aqua fits where its designation applies: best for container pipelines and disconnected estates; choose Cortex Cloud if you want wide integration coverage and a larger platform around the CNAPP.
Aqua Security
3.7/ 5
Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud (formerly Prisma Cloud)
4.0/ 5
Aqua Security wins 0 criteria, Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud (formerly Prisma Cloud) wins 6, 1 tied.
Who wins Aqua vs Cortex Cloud?
Cortex Cloud is ahead by 0.36 points on exact totals. Aqua's wins cover 0% of our weights; Cortex Cloud's cover 90%; tied criteria cover 10%. The largest single gap is on ecosystem and integrations, where Cortex Cloud leads by 0.7.
Where each design starts, on our reading: Aqua, container pipeline and runtime enforcement; Cortex Cloud, runtime agent and posture (Prisma Cloud merged with Cortex CDR).
How do Aqua and Cortex Cloud compare on each criterion?
| Criterion | Weight | Aqua | Cortex Cloud | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agentless coverage and time to value | 18% | 3.4 | 3.8 | Cortex Cloud +0.4 |
| Runtime protection depth | 16% | 4.5 | 4.6 | Cortex Cloud +0.1 |
| Risk prioritization and attack paths | 18% | 3.9 | 4.4 | Cortex Cloud +0.5 |
| Code-to-cloud and AppSec | 14% | 4.2 | 4.5 | Cortex Cloud +0.3 |
| AI workload security | 12% | 3.7 | 4.2 | Cortex Cloud +0.5 |
| Ecosystem and integrations | 12% | 3.8 | 4.5 | Cortex Cloud +0.7 |
| Pricing transparency | 10% | 1.5 | 1.5 | Tie |
Agentless coverage and time to value
Weight 18%
Aqua: Offers agentless posture visibility, but the platform's depth comes from kernel-layer enforcement.
Cortex Cloud: Posture, vulnerability and attack-surface modules work from cloud APIs, but the pages we reviewed lead with a runtime agent and do not name agentless workload scanning.
Runtime protection depth
Weight 16%
Aqua: Kernel-layer enforcement blocks attacks without killing the container and preserves memory evidence.
Cortex Cloud: Formed by merging Prisma Cloud with Cortex CDR; a performance-optimized agent stops attacks as they execute.
Risk prioritization and attack paths
Weight 18%
Aqua: Ranks vulnerabilities by reachability, EPSS scores and evidence of active exploitation.
Cortex Cloud: SmartScore and SmartGrouping rank findings by real exposure, with attack path analysis across identities and data.
Code-to-cloud and AppSec
Weight 14%
Aqua: Scans images and repositories for vulnerabilities, secrets and misconfigurations and blocks noncompliant artifacts in the pipeline; Aqua maintains Trivy.
Cortex Cloud: Application security is one of the platform's four pillars, aimed at stopping risk before it reaches production.
AI workload security
Weight 12%
Aqua: GenAI application security from code to runtime and detection of unsanctioned AI usage.
Cortex Cloud: AI-SPM maps models, datasets and agents, flags model poisoning and supply chain risk, and classifies data used for RAG.
Ecosystem and integrations
Weight 12%
Aqua: Trivy's open-source reach, FedRAMP High authorization and support for disconnected environments.
Cortex Cloud: Sits in the Palo Alto Networks Cortex portfolio next to its security operations products, and Prisma Cloud customers move onto it.
Pricing transparency
Weight 10%
Aqua: No public price list found.
Cortex Cloud: No public price list; Palo Alto Networks includes CNAPP at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers.
Scores are 0 to 5. The marker leans toward the stronger vendor; a gap of 1.5 or more pins it to the end. How to read these bars
How do Aqua and Cortex Cloud price?
| Pricing fact | Aqua | Cortex Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Published pricing | Not published. Contact sales. | Not published. CNAPP included at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers. |
| Billing basis | Not published. Contact sales. | Not published. CNAPP included at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers. |
| Pricing transparency score | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Source: Aqua platform · Reviewed Sep 2026
Source: Cortex Cloud launch press release · Reviewed Sep 2026
What are the key differences?
| Fact | Aqua Security | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud (formerly Prisma Cloud) |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Agentless posture plus kernel-layer runtime enforcement; public cloud, private cloud and disconnected environments | Cloud API posture modules plus a performance-optimized runtime agent |
| Runtime sensor | Kernel-layer enforcement that blocks attacks without killing the container | Cortex Cloud Runtime Security agent; CDR from the Cortex CDR merger |
| Clouds named | Public cloud, private cloud and disconnected (air-gapped) environments | Multi-cloud (the pages we reviewed do not list clouds by name) |
| Code security | Image and repository scanning for vulnerabilities, secrets and misconfigurations; pipeline gating | Application security module aimed at stopping risk before production |
| AI security | GenAI application security from code to runtime; unsanctioned AI usage detection | AI-SPM: models, datasets and agents; model poisoning and supply chain risk; RAG data classification |
| Ownership | Aqua Security | Palo Alto Networks. Prisma Cloud merged with Cortex CDR to form Cortex Cloud (announced 13 February 2025) |
| Public pricing | Not published. Contact sales. | Not published. CNAPP included at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers. |
| Open-source project | Trivy (maintained by Aqua Security, Apache-2.0) | None named |
Aqua Security sources: Aqua platform · Trivy · Reviewed Sep 2026
Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud (formerly Prisma Cloud) sources: Cortex Cloud launch press release · Cortex Cloud · Cloud posture security · AI-SPM · Reviewed Sep 2026
When should you choose Aqua?
- Its designation in our matrix is "Best for container pipelines and disconnected estates".
- Read the full reasons behind every score on the comparison matrix.
When should you choose Cortex Cloud?
- You want wide integration coverage and a larger platform around the CNAPP. Cortex Cloud scores 4.5 against 3.8: Sits in the Palo Alto Networks Cortex portfolio next to its security operations products, and Prisma Cloud customers move onto it.
- You want findings ranked into attack paths so the team fixes the few that matter. Cortex Cloud scores 4.4 against 3.9: SmartScore and SmartGrouping rank findings by real exposure, with attack path analysis across identities and data.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aqua or Cortex Cloud better?
Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud (formerly Prisma Cloud) scores higher overall, 4.0 to 3.7, and wins 6 of seven criteria: agentless coverage, runtime protection, risk prioritization, code-to-cloud security, AI workload security and ecosystem and integrations. Aqua does not score higher on any of the seven criteria. This is an editorial assessment of public vendor material, not a test result.
Where is Aqua stronger than Cortex Cloud?
Nowhere on our seven criteria: Cortex Cloud scores the same or higher on every one.
Do Aqua and Cortex Cloud publish prices?
Aqua: Not published. Contact sales. Cortex Cloud: Not published. CNAPP included at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers.