Vault++ vs. CyberArk Conjur

When choosing a secrets management and security automation tool, Vault++ and CyberArk Conjur are two strong contenders. While both provide enterprise-grade security, Vault++ is the better choice for modern DevSecOps teams looking for proactive security, automation, and developer-friendly workflows.

Below is a comprehensive comparison between Vault++ and CyberArk Conjur, along with reasons why Vault++ stands out as the superior solution for secrets management and security automation.

1. What is Vault++?​

Vault++ is a next-generation secrets management platform that extends beyond traditional secret storage. It emphasizes proactive security, automated leak detection, and seamless integration into developer workflows, reducing security risks before they occur.

Key Features of Vault++​

• Automated Leak Detection

  • Detects secrets in code before they are committed, preventing leaks before they happen.
  • Reduces false positives and alert fatigue.

• Seamless Secret Rotation

  • Fully automated secret rotation within CI/CD pipelines.
  • Works with Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI/CD, and Jenkins.

• Merge Requests & Reveal Requests

  • Developers can request temporary access to secrets without permanently storing them.
  • Ensures just-in-time access control to minimize risk.

• Zero-Knowledge Encryption for Maximum Privacy

  • Secrets are encrypted client-side before being stored, ensuring only intended recipients can decrypt them.
  • Even Vault++ itself cannot access stored secrets.

• Flexible Pricing & Free Tier

  • Free for up to 5 users, making it ideal for startups and small teams.
  • Pro Plan ($10/user/month) for enterprise-grade features.
  • Custom Enterprise plans for larger organizations.

2. What is CyberArk Conjur?​

CyberArk Conjur is a secrets management solution designed primarily for securing machine identities, applications, and DevOps workflows. It is a strong security platform, but it is often complex to set up, manage, and integrate into developer environments.

Key Features of CyberArk Conjur​

• Enterprise Security

  • Enforces Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and authentication policies.
  • Supports Kubernetes authentication via sidecar containers.

• Policy-Based Secrets Management

  • Uses YAML-based policies to define access control and secret distribution.
  • Fine-grained control over user, machine, and application authentication.

• Machine Identity & Workload Protection

  • Primarily designed for securing non-human identities.
  • Less emphasis on developer experience compared to Vault++.

• On-Premise & Hybrid Cloud Deployment

  • Supports both self-hosted and hybrid cloud environments.
  • Requires complex infrastructure setup and maintenance.

• Steep Learning Curve

  • Heavy reliance on CyberArk ecosystem and YAML-based policy management.
  • Requires significant onboarding time for DevOps teams.

3. Side-by-Side Comparison Table​

4. Why Vault++ is the Better Choice​

1. Proactive Security vs. Reactive Security

   • Vault++ prevents security incidents through automated leak detection.
   • Conjur is primarily a storage solution that reacts to security events rather than preventing them.

2. Automated vs. Manual Secret Rotation

   • Vault++ automates secret rotation within CI/CD pipelines.
   • Conjur requires manual policy definitions and YAML-based configurations for secret rotation.

3. Developer-Friendly vs. Enterprise-Centric Approach

   • Vault++ integrates seamlessly with GitHub, GitLab, and CI/CD pipelines for a smooth developer experience.
   • Conjur relies on YAML policies and CyberArk-specific configurations, making it less intuitive for developers.

4. Zero-Knowledge Encryption for Maximum Privacy

   • Vault++ encrypts secrets before storage, ensuring that even the platform itself cannot access them.
   • Conjur does not provide zero-knowledge encryption, meaning secrets are stored with potential platform access.

5. More Cost-Effective for Small & Mid-Sized Teams

   • Vault++ offers a free tier and transparent pricing starting at $10/user/month.
   • Conjur pricing is enterprise-focused, making it expensive for small teams.

Conclusion: Vault++ is the Future of Secrets Management​

If you need an automated, proactive, and developer-friendly secrets management solution, Vault++ is the clear winner. With features like automated leak detection, seamless secret rotation, and zero-knowledge encryption, Vault++ provides the highest level of security without the complexity of traditional enterprise tools like CyberArk Conjur.

Vault++ is built for modern DevSecOps workflows, making it the best choice for teams looking to integrate security without slowing down development.

Get started today with Vault++ for free and take control of your secrets security.