What is a container platform?
Container platforms are comprehensive solutions that orchestrate the entire lifecycle of containerized applications—from development through deployment to production management. Unlike basic containerization tools, these platforms provide unified environments for building, deploying, scaling, and monitoring containers across different infrastructure.
These platforms bridge the gap between development and operations teams by automating deployment workflows and enabling continuous integration. For organizations adopting cloud-native architectures, container platforms eliminate the complexity of managing individual containers at scale.
But first, what is the difference between a container and a container platform?
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Containers vs. container platforms
Containers are lightweight, portable software packages that include everything needed to run an application: code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and configurations. They ensure consistent execution across different computing environments.
Container platforms extend this concept by managing the complete container lifecycle. While containers solve application portability, platforms solve operational complexity at scale.
Think of containers as individual shipping containers, while container platforms are the entire logistics system—ports, cranes, trucks, and management software—that moves containers efficiently around the world.
The more widely companies use containers, the more likely they are to call security their top challenge with containers.
Types of container platforms
Container platforms fall into distinct categories based on deployment model and licensing approach. Understanding these differences helps organizations choose solutions that align with their technical requirements, budget constraints, and operational expertise.
Open-source vs. proprietary platforms
First, let’s review the differences between open-source and proprietary container platforms.
Open-source platforms
Docker Engine simplifies container creation and management on individual machines. It provides the core containerization technology that packages applications with their dependencies, making deployment consistent across different environments.
Kubernetes handles container orchestration at scale across multiple machines. It automates deployment, scaling, load balancing, and service discovery for containerized applications running in clusters.
Key distinction: Docker focuses on container creation and local management, while Kubernetes manages container orchestration across distributed infrastructure. Most production environments use both—Docker for building containers and Kubernetes for running them at scale.
Proprietary platforms
Managed container services like Red Hat OpenShift, Google Kubernetes Engine, and AWS Elastic Container Service (ECS) offer a different value proposition.
Enterprise-focused platforms:
Red Hat OpenShift: Kubernetes with enterprise security, developer tools, and commercial support
VMware Tanzu: Full-stack platform for building and running containerized applications
Cloud-native managed services:
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE): Fully managed Kubernetes with automatic updates and scaling
AWS Elastic Container Service (ECS): AWS-native container orchestration optimized for AWS services
Azure Container Instances: Serverless container hosting without cluster management
These platforms trade customization flexibility for operational simplicity, making them ideal for organizations that prefer managed infrastructure over self-hosted solutions.
When comparing open-source and proprietary container platforms, factors like community support, customization, and cost come into play:
| Feature | Open-source platforms | Proprietary platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Community suppor | Extensive, community-driven | Limited, vendor-driven |
| Customization | High flexibility and customization | Standardized with limited customization |
| Cost | Generally lower, community-supported | Higher with subscription fees |
| Use case | Ideal for innovation, small to medium projects | Suited for enterprise-level, large-scale deployments |
| Security | Community-managed security updates | Regular, vendor-managed security updates |
Cloud-based vs on-premises platforms
Another way to categorize container platforms is by their deployment model, cloud-based or on-premises.
Cloud-based solutions
Cloud-based container platforms like Azure Container Instances offer the advantage of scalability and reduced infrastructure overhead. These platforms are ideal for organizations looking to leverage the cloud's elasticity without the complexity of managing underlying hardware. They provide quick deployment, easy scaling, and integration with various cloud services.
On-premises solutions
Container platforms deployed on-premises are set up within an organization's own data center, providing greater control over infrastructure, enabling enhanced compliance and security, and making sure specific performance needs are met. However, they require significant investment in hardware and expertise for infrastructure management.
The following table compares the two models:
| Feature | Cloud-based solutions | On-premises solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Scalability | Highly scalable using cloud resources | Dependent on in-house hardware |
| Initial investment | Lower upfront cost, pay-as-you-go model | Higher upfront cost for infrastructure |
| Control | Less control over infrastructure | Full control over the environment |
| Security | Managed by cloud provider | Managed in-house, require expertise |
| Ideal for | Startups, businesses seeking agility | Organizations with specific compliance needs |
Now it’s time for a more detailed examination of specific container platform solutions, their features, and how they cater to different organizational needs.
Choosing the right container platform for your organization
Container platform selection depends on organizational size, industry requirements, and technical maturity. Different organizations prioritize different platform capabilities.
Small to medium businesses: Prioritize ease of use, managed services, and predictable costs. Consider cloud-native platforms like Google Cloud Run or AWS Fargate that minimize operational overhead.
Large enterprises: Require robust security, compliance features, and dedicated support. Platforms like Red Hat OpenShift or VMware Tanzu provide enterprise-grade capabilities with commercial backing.
Startups: Need rapid deployment capabilities and cost flexibility. Open-source solutions like Kubernetes or Docker Swarm offer maximum customization without licensing costs.
Regulated industries: Healthcare and finance require platforms with built-in compliance features, audit trails, and enhanced security controls. Look for platforms with SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI DSS certifications.
Key features for container platform solutions
Evaluating container platforms requires understanding which capabilities directly impact your operational success. The right platform should align with your scalability requirements, existing infrastructure, and security standards while supporting future growth.
Scalability and performance
Scalability determines how well a container platform handles growing workloads and traffic spikes. Effective platforms provide both horizontal scaling (adding more container instances) and vertical scaling (increasing resources per container).
Organizations should evaluate platforms based on scaling speed, resource efficiency, and cost predictability during traffic fluctuations.
Integration with existing infrastructure and cloud services
Container platforms should seamlessly integrate with existing underlying infrastructure and cloud services. This includes compatibility with various storage options, networking configurations, and cloud environments.
Combining with existing systems and services is crucial for a smooth transition to containerized solutions and maintaining operational consistency.
Security features and compliance standards
Security in container platforms is non-negotiable. These platforms must provide robust security features, including container isolation, secure image management, and vulnerability scanning. Compliance with regulations and industry-wide standards is especially critical for organizations in healthcare, finance, or defense.
Emerging container technologies
The landscape of container platforms is in a constant state of flux, marked by the frequent emergence of new technologies. These include lightweight orchestration solutions, serverless container services, and platforms focusing on specific niches like edge computing or IoT. This trend points to the continuous innovation of resource efficiency, deployment speed, and specialized use cases.
Container platform implementation considerations
Successfully adopting a container platform requires more than just choosing the right technology. A thoughtful implementation strategy is critical to realizing its full benefits. Consider the following steps as you begin your journey:
Define a clear strategy: Start by outlining your primary goals. Are you aiming to accelerate development cycles, standardize deployments across environments, or improve your security posture? A clear objective will guide your decisions.
Assess team skills: Evaluate your team's expertise with core container technologies like Kubernetes and Docker, as well as related areas like networking and security. Identify any skill gaps early to plan for training or external support.
Plan for integration: Determine how the new platform will connect with your existing tools, including CI/CD pipelines, monitoring systems, and security infrastructure. Seamless integration is key to a smooth workflow.
Start with a pilot project: Before a full-scale rollout, test your chosen platform with a limited-scope pilot project. This allows you to validate its capabilities and refine your processes in a controlled environment.
Prioritize security from day one: Security should not be an afterthought. The widespread exposure of secrets—with 61% of organizations having secrets exposed in public repositories according to Wiz's State of Code Security Report 2025—makes embedding security scanning for images, policy-as-code enforcement, and runtime monitoring into your implementation plan from the very beginning essential to build a secure foundation.
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Securing your container platform with Wiz
Container platform security means more than just scanning images. It requires full visibility and protection across the entire application lifecycle — from build to runtime.
Wiz helps organizations secure containerized environments with a comprehensive platform that works across every layer of your stack. Here’s how we support container security, end to end:
Vulnerability management: Identifies known vulnerabilities in software packages within containers, including container escape vulnerabilities, and prioritizes them based on exploitability and severity.
Misconfiguration detection: Detects insecure configurations in Kubernetes clusters and images that could lead to access control issues or data breaches.
Secret and data protection: Discovers and protects sensitive data like passwords and API keys within containers and registries, preventing unauthorized access.
Runtime threat detection and response: Provides real-time monitoring for malicious activity and suspicious behavior in running containers, enabling prompt response.
Compliance and reporting: Ensures compliance with security standards like CIS Benchmarks and PCI DSS through automated reports and recommendations.
Prioritization and remediation: Helps prioritize risks based on severity and context, and offers automated remediation workflows for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.
Secured container images with WizOS: Continuously maintained at near-zero CVEs to reduce inherited vulnerabilities and supply chain risk, providing a trusted foundation for containerized applications.
Wiz supports containerized workloads everywhere — no matter how you run them:
Kubernetes (cloud-managed and self-managed)
Full coverage across all major distributions, including GKE, AKS, EKS, and OpenShift.Serverless containers
Discover and assess containers running on platforms like AWS Lambda and Azure Functions.Standalone containers on VMs
Scan containers deployed on Linux or Windows virtual machines in any cloud or on-prem environment.
