Best CSPM for AWS, Azure & GCP
Multi-cloud environments need CSPM tools that work across AWS, Azure, and GCP without gaps. Here's how the major options compare for organizations running workloads across multiple cloud providers.
Why Multi-Cloud CSPM Is Different
Unified Visibility
Running separate tools per cloud creates blind spots and alert fatigue. A multi-cloud CSPM provides a single view of misconfigurations, compliance status, and security posture across all environments.
Consistent Policy Enforcement
Security policies should apply uniformly. Multi-cloud CSPM lets you define policies once and enforce them across AWS, Azure, and GCP rather than maintaining separate rulesets.
Coverage Depth Varies
Not all CSPM tools cover all clouds equally. Some have deep AWS support but shallow GCP coverage. Understanding these gaps is critical for multi-cloud environments.
Multi-Cloud CSPM Comparison
| Tool | AWS | Azure | GCP | Architecture | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orca Security | Deep | Deep | Deep | Agentless (SideScanning block storage analysis) | Teams prioritizing deep workload visibility without agent deployment overhead |
| Wiz | Deep | Deep | Deep | Agentless (API + snapshot scanning) | Large enterprises with multi-cloud environments seeking rapid deployment |
| Prowler | Deep | Strong | Strong | Open source CLI tool (Python) | Cost-conscious teams wanting transparency and no vendor lock-in |
| AWS Security Hub | Deep | None | None | AWS-native service | AWS-only environments seeking native integration |
| Microsoft Defender for Cloud | Strong | Deep | Strong | Agentless with multi-cloud connectors | Azure-primary organizations with AWS/GCP footprint |
Tool Profiles
Orca Security
Strengths
SideScanning analyzes block storage snapshots to catch risks API-only tools miss. Zero performance impact on production. Reachability analysis identifies actually exploitable vulnerabilities.
Considerations
Automatic scans limited to every 24 hours, which can delay alert updates.
Wiz
Strengths
Security graph correlates misconfigurations into prioritized attack paths. Minutes to deploy with full visibility. 1,400+ detection rules and 100+ compliance frameworks built-in.
Considerations
Enterprise pricing scales quickly with workload count. API limitations (10,000 event cap) can be tedious for very large deployments.
Prowler
Strengths
Fully transparent checks - every check and remediation is published openly. Hundreds of controls across CIS, NIST, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOC2, and more. Significant cost savings vs. commercial alternatives.
Considerations
Open-source version requires self-managed infrastructure for continuous scanning.
AWS Security Hub
Strengths
Native integration with GuardDuty, Inspector, Config. Single-click enablement across regions. Cost-effective pay-per-use model for smaller environments.
Considerations
AWS only - no multi-cloud support. No graph-based attack path analysis or drift detection via IaC comparison.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Strengths
Free foundational CSPM across all three clouds. 150+ new AWS/GCP recommendations added in 2025. Tight Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Considerations
Azure-first design means AWS/GCP coverage lags native Azure capabilities. Advanced features (attack paths, code-to-cloud) require paid tier.
Skip the Tool Evaluation
Don't want to buy, deploy, and operate CSPM tools yourself? Our managed CSPM service handles it for you - we run the tools, triage the findings, and fix the misconfigurations.
Common Questions
Can one CSPM tool cover all three major clouds?
Yes, but coverage depth varies significantly. Wiz and Orca provide the most consistent coverage across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Native tools like Security Hub (AWS) and Defender for Cloud (Azure) are strongest in their home cloud but weaker elsewhere. Prowler is excellent for AWS but Azure/GCP coverage is still maturing. Evaluate based on your primary cloud and acceptable coverage gaps in secondary clouds.
What about cloud-native tools vs third-party?
Cloud-native tools (Security Hub, Defender for Cloud) are limited in scope, configuration options, and overall experience. They create silos in multi-cloud environments and lack the depth of dedicated CSPM platforms. Third-party tools (Wiz, Orca, Prowler) provide unified visibility, richer policy controls, and better workflows across all clouds.
Should I buy CSPM tools or use a managed service?
It depends on your team's capacity. CSPM tools generate findings, but someone still needs to triage alerts, prioritize risks, and fix misconfigurations. If your team has dedicated cloud security engineers, buying tools directly makes sense. If security is one of many responsibilities, a managed CSPM service handles the operational burden while you focus on remediation decisions.