ET Ducky vs Falco: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ET Ducky and Falco comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Falco wins this matchup. SolarWinds is our overall Monitoring pick. Hookdeck is our free Monitoring pick. Pick ET Ducky if you need monitoring.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ET Ducky
Kernel-level telemetry for instant root-cause analysis
Best for you if:
- • Internal IT teams and MSPs managing Windows and Linux servers and desktops, from one server to thousands of endpoints
- • You want automated Troubleshooting
- • You want automated Root Cause Analysis
Falco
Detect runtime threats in containers and Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (ET Ducky requires payment)
- • You want runtime security
- • You want kubernetes native
| At a Glance | ET Ducky | Falco |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Monitoring | Security |
Rating | - | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose ET Ducky or Falco?
Choose ET Ducky if
Kernel-level telemetry for instant root-cause analysis
- Internal IT teams and MSPs managing Windows and Linux servers and desktops, from one server to thousands of endpoints
- You want automated Troubleshooting
- You want automated Root Cause Analysis
- Your work is monitoring-shaped, not security-shaped
Choose Falco if
Detect runtime threats in containers and Kubernetes
- You want a fully free tool (ET Ducky requires payment)
- You want runtime security
- You want kubernetes native
- Your work is security-shaped, not monitoring-shaped
| Feature | ET Ducky | Falco |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | MonitoringSecurity | SecurityCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
ET Ducky
Kernel-level telemetry for instant root-cause analysis
The free tier is a strong entry point for users who bring their own AI key, but the Business ($99) and Enterprise ($249) tiers offer no additional agent count beyond the 20-per-user pool, making them better suited for orgs needing higher AI query volume and support rather than agent density.
Strengths
- +Automated Troubleshooting
- +Automated Root Cause Analysis
- +Self-hosted Option
- +No Minimum Endpoint Count
Weaknesses
- -No Mac Support
Key features
Falco
Detect runtime threats in containers and Kubernetes
Falco's pricing is exceptionally generous as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- +Runtime security
- +Kubernetes native
- +CNCF graduated
- +Good detection
- +Open source
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Rule writing complex
- -Resource overhead
- -Alert fatigue risk
- -Setup complexity
Key features
Pricing: ET Ducky vs Falco
| Plan | ET Ducky | Falco |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0 month Free query tier | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | 39 month Professional | N/A |
| Tier 3 | 99 month Business | N/A |
| Tier 4 | 249 month Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ET Ducky pricing and Falco pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Falco is free. ET Ducky is freemium.
Go with: Falco
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings, compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call, neither has ratings yet.
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
ET Ducky is freemium. Falco is free. Go with Falco if free matters most.
What's your use case?
ET Ducky is a monitoring tool. Falco is in security. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Falco
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
ET Ducky
- Better fit for monitoring
The Bottom Line
Falco wins this matchup. SolarWinds is our overall Monitoring pick. Hookdeck is our free Monitoring pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ET Ducky or Falco better?
Falco is rated in our evaluation. ET Ducky is freemium and Falco is free.
What are ET Ducky and Falco used for?
ET Ducky: Kernel-level telemetry for instant root-cause analysis. Falco: Detect runtime threats in containers and Kubernetes.
What does ET Ducky cost vs Falco?
ET Ducky is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Falco is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.