Tool profile
SUSE NeuVector: cost, fit and limits
SUSE NeuVector, sold as SUSE Security, is a fully open source container security platform from SUSE, whose main establishment is in Germany, that applies zero trust network rules, vulnerability scanning and runtime protection to containers from build through production.
What to know first
SUSE NeuVector is a Kubernetes-native platform covering the container lifecycle, from CI scanning to a Layer 7 container firewall at runtime. The code is open source on GitHub, and SUSE sells support subscriptions that its page routes through View subscriptions and How to Buy links. Third-party listings show node-based tiers, but no price appears on SUSE's own pages that were read.
SUSE NeuVector at a glance
| Maker | SUSE, Germany |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Quote only |
| API access | Yes |
| Category | Best AI Container Security Software in 2026, rank 9 of 10 |
| Website | suse.com |
Who SUSE NeuVector is best for
Rancher and OpenShift clusters
SUSE's page says it integrates with Rancher and Red Hat OpenShift and runs on AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, so a mixed-platform estate can run one policy engine.
Teams that want to inspect the code
Described as fully open source with code on GitHub, NeuVector lets a security team read the rules and test the product on a lab cluster before any purchase.
Buyers with network segmentation goals
The container firewall isolates containers and pods at Layer 7 and controls egress, which suits a team replacing broad network policies with per-workload rules.
SUSE NeuVector plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | $0 | The NeuVector code is fully open source with source on GitHub, deployable with kubectl, Helm charts or an OpenShift Operator and managed with a REST API. |
| Supported subscription | Not shown on SUSE pages | SUSE routes buyers to View subscriptions and How to Buy links. The pages read name no tiers or amounts for supported use. |
| Marketplace usage | Not shown on SUSE pages | Cloud marketplace listings on AWS and Azure are announced by SUSE, with node-based tiers according to third-party listings; check the listing for current rates. |
Checked November 2026.
What SUSE NeuVector does
- Container firewall
- Layer 7 network rules isolate containers and pods, with egress controls and threat detection, and policy can move through Discover, Monitor and Protect modes as confidence grows.
- Policy as code
- Security policy can be managed through Kubernetes CRDs, so rules live in Git, follow the same review path as other manifests and can be rolled back with a normal revert.
- Scanning and compliance
- Scanning covers images, hosts and orchestration platforms in CI and at runtime, with Docker Bench and Kubernetes CIS Benchmark audits plus enhanced reports for PCI DSS, HIPAA and GDPR, and risk scores.
- Access and alerts
- Role-based access control works with LDAP, Active Directory, SAML, OpenID and Okta, and alerts leave through SYSLOG and webhooks, so existing identity and logging systems can be reused without custom work.
How SUSE NeuVector handles your data
NeuVector runs inside your own cluster as open source software, so scan results and policies stay where you deploy it unless you send alerts out through SYSLOG or webhooks. The SUSE privacy notice names SUSE Software Solutions Germany GmbH in Nuremberg, Germany as the main contact and says the group's main establishment and primary controller is in Germany. The product page links to a Certified Partner Products page but lists no certifications, and it mentions only AI-driven anomaly detection. Hosting regions of any managed offering and AI data use: the vendor's policy was not checked for this.
Where SUSE NeuVector falls short in practice
- Little AI. The page mentions only AI-driven anomaly detection. There is no described assistant, agent or fix generator, so triage depends on analysts reading the console and applying their own judgment.
- Price needs a quote or listing. No amounts appear on SUSE's pages read, and third-party prices disagree between listings and dates, so budgeting requires a SUSE or reseller quote for your node count, term and support level.
- Your team runs it. The self-hosted design gives control but also means upgrades, sizing and rule tuning fall to your platform team unless you buy a support subscription from SUSE or a reseller.
Works with
Alternatives to SUSE NeuVector
SUSE NeuVector: common questions
Is SUSE NeuVector really open source?
SUSE's page describes SUSE Security as fully open source with code available on GitHub, and the docs page links to the source repository. The pages read did not state a license, so check the repository for the license terms and which features need a support subscription.
What does a NeuVector subscription cost?
SUSE's pages show View subscriptions and How to Buy links but no prices. Third-party listings show per-node tiers, and they disagree with each other, so treat those as indicative. Ask SUSE or a reseller for a quote at your node count, with the term and support level stated.
How does NeuVector protect running containers?
The product page describes real-time detection and blocking of network, packet and application attacks, plus isolation of containers and pods at Layer 7. Docs describe moving from Discover to Monitor and Protect modes, so you can watch behavior before enforcement.
Does NeuVector work with Rancher and OpenShift?
SUSE's page says it integrates with Rancher, Red Hat OpenShift and other container management platforms and runs on AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. The docs mention an OpenShift Operator and Rancher registry mirroring. Verify the version pairing for your cluster.
Where is SUSE headquartered?
The SUSE privacy notice names SUSE Software Solutions Germany GmbH in Nuremberg as the main contact and says the group's main establishment and primary controller is in Germany. A footer link also refers to a SUSE S.A. tax strategy, so the legal structure is wider than one entity.