Falco

Name: Falco
Brand: Falco

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Detect runtime threats in containers and Kubernetes

Free, no paid tier

Free Cloud & Infrastructure Security Monitoring Container Orchestration

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Reviews on G2

3 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Updated Oct 7, 2026

Price: Free, no paid tier. Compare plans

Key facts

Falco is an open-source runtime security tool for Kubernetes and containers
It detects abnormal behavior and security threats using kernel-level monitoring
Completely free and open-source, with commercial support available

Pros

Runtime security
Kubernetes native
CNCF graduated
Good detection
Open source

Cons

Learning curve
Rule writing complex
Resource overhead
Alert fatigue risk
Setup complexity

What is Falco?

Falco detects runtime threats in containers and Kubernetes. Monitor system calls, detect anomalies, alert on suspicious behavior-security visibility into what's actually happening in your clusters. The detection rules are community-maintained. The overhead is minimal. Integration with security tools is straightforward. Kubernetes security teams use Falco for runtime threat detection in containerized environments.

Available on: Linux

Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked Oct 7, 2026 · How we evaluate

Source falco.org

Ratings Across the Web

4 (3 reviews)

Falco holds an aggregate rating of 4 out of 5 from 3 reviews across G2, last checked August 28, 2026.

G2 3 reviews

4/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Runtime security
Kubernetes native
Threat detection
Rules engine
Open source
CNCF project

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Oct 7, 2026. Source: falco.org, read Oct 7, 2026

Falco plans and prices, checked October 2026
Plan	Price	Details
Free Popular	$0	Open source Runtime security Kubernetes native eBPF based +1 more Show less CNCF project

View full pricing

Is Falco worth the price?

Great value

Falco's pricing is exceptionally generous as it is entirely free and open-source.

This makes it an incredibly fair and accessible option compared to proprietary solutions. It is best for organizations of all sizes looking for robust cloud-native runtime security without any direct cost.

Full Falco pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

Falco by the numbers

Falco compared with 38 Container Orchestration tools on Toolradar, as of Oct 2026
Metric	Falco	Peer median	Position (1 is best)
Free plan	Yes	35 of 38 have one	n/a
Listed as an alternative to	5 tools	5	#16 of 38 (joint)

Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All Container Orchestration data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position.

Cite this: Toolradar, “Falco by the numbers”, Oct 2026.

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Best Falco Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

Lacework Paid

Cloud security that learns and alerts on what matters

4.5

Aqua Security Paid

Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes

4.2

Decart Paid

Ultra-optimized infrastructure for real-time physical AI

Cilium Freemium

Cloud native networking, observability, and security powered by eBPF.

See all cloud & infrastructure tools →

Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

Falco vs Lacework Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Falco vs Aqua Security Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins Falco vs Decart Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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Falco FAQ

How does Falco detect runtime threats in containerized environments?

Falco detects runtime threats by monitoring system calls and other activity within containers and Kubernetes. It identifies anomalies and alerts on suspicious behavior to provide security visibility into cluster operations.

Which teams benefit most from using Falco?

Kubernetes security teams primarily use Falco for runtime threat detection in containerized environments. It is designed for organizations that need to monitor what is actually happening within their clusters.

What kind of trade-offs should users consider when implementing Falco?

Users should be aware of a potential learning curve and the complexity involved in writing detection rules. There is also a risk of alert fatigue and some setup complexity associated with its deployment.

How is Falco priced?

Falco is free to use, as it is an open-source project. There is no paid plan required to utilize its features for runtime threat detection.

Can Falco integrate with existing security tools?

Yes, integration with other security tools is straightforward, allowing Falco to fit into existing security workflows. It provides good detection capabilities within a Kubernetes-native framework.

How does Falco compare to Aqua Security for container security?

Falco is an open-source, CNCF-graduated project focused on runtime threat detection with community-maintained rules and minimal overhead. Aqua Security offers a broader suite of container security features, whereas Falco specializes in real-time monitoring of system calls and suspicious behavior.

Source: falco.org

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