Falco vs Lacework: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Falco and Lacework 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Falco
Cloud-native runtime security
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 7.7/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need container orchestration features specifically
- • Falco is an open-source runtime security tool for Kubernetes and containers
- • It detects abnormal behavior and security threats using kernel-level monitoring
Lacework
Data-driven cloud security
Best for you if:
- • You need infrastructure as code features specifically
- • Cloud security platform for AWS, Azure, GCP
- • Detects threats and vulnerabilities in real-time
| At a Glance |  Falco |  Lacework |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Container Orchestration | Infrastructure as Code |
Rating | 86/100 | 77/100 |
| Feature | Falco | Lacework |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 77 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Container OrchestrationMonitoring | Infrastructure as CodeMonitoring |
How Falco and Lacework Compare
Falco
Cloud-native runtime security
Free · 86/100 score
Lacework
Data-driven cloud security
Paid · 77/100 score
Falco is a container orchestration tool. Lacework is in infrastructure as code.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Falco is free. Lacework is paid.
Go with: Falco
Want the highest-rated option?
Falco: 86/100. Lacework: 77/100.
Go with: Falco
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Falco
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Falco is free. Lacework is paid. Go with Falco if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Falco is a container orchestration tool. Lacework is in infrastructure as code. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Falco scores higher: 86/100 vs 77/100.
Key Takeaways
Falco
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 77
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Lacework
- Better fit for infrastructure as code
The Bottom Line
Falco (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Falco or Lacework better?
Falco scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Falco is free and Lacework is paid.
What are Falco and Lacework used for?
Falco: Cloud-native runtime security. Lacework: Data-driven cloud security.
What does Falco cost vs Lacework?
Falco is completely free. Lacework is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.