Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
CrowdStrike Falcon vs Malwarebytes
CrowdStrike Falcon
Security & Cybersecurity
Stop breaches with AI-native cybersecurity
- From
- $7.99/month
- Rated
- -
Malwarebytes
Security & Cybersecurity
Protects every device, everywhere
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: CrowdStrike Falcon falcon Go tier limited to maximum of 100 devices; Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
- They diverge on capability: CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus, Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CrowdStrike Falcon and Malwarebytes actually diverge.
| Attribute | CrowdStrike Falcon | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $7.99/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2011 | 2008 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in CrowdStrike Falcon
- Next-gen antivirus
- Endpoint detection and response
- Threat intelligence
- IT hygiene
- USB device control
- Firewall management
- Threat graph
- Real-time response
Only in Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CrowdStrike Falcon
- Small endpoint deployments via Falcon Go with per-device pricingnot Malwarebytes
- Mid-market organisations via Falcon Pro or Enterprise with advanced threat detectionnot Malwarebytes
- Organisations requiring custom managed detection and response via Falcon Completenot Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes
- Budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free versionnot CrowdStrike Falcon
- Organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via Premium subscriptionnot CrowdStrike Falcon
- Users combining antivirus with privacy via Premium plus Privacy VPN bundlenot CrowdStrike Falcon
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CrowdStrike Falcon
- Falcon Go tier limited to maximum of 100 devices
- Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR requires custom quote; pricing not published
- Higher tiers (Enterprise and above) feature gatekeeping for threat hunting and identity protection
Malwarebytes
- Free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection
- Upgrade requires purchase of Malwarebytes Premium for automatic protection
- Privacy VPN add-on requires separate subscription or bundle with Premium
Pricing, plan by plan
CrowdStrike Falcon
$7.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the CrowdStrike Falcon review.
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
Which should you pick?
Choose CrowdStrike Falcon if
- You need next-gen antivirus.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want endpoint detection and response.
Choose Malwarebytes if
- You need malware detection & removal.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is CrowdStrike Falcon or Malwarebytes better?
- Neither clearly leads. CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $7.99/month and Malwarebytes at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CrowdStrike Falcon or Malwarebytes?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7.99/month for CrowdStrike Falcon and Free for Malwarebytes.
- Does CrowdStrike Falcon or Malwarebytes run on more platforms?
- CrowdStrike Falcon runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Malwarebytes for free?
- Yes. Malwarebytes has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $7.99/month.
- What is CrowdStrike Falcon best used for?
- CrowdStrike Falcon is most often used for small endpoint deployments via falcon go with per-device pricing, mid-market organisations via falcon pro or enterprise with advanced threat detection, organisations requiring custom managed detection and response via falcon complete. Of those, small endpoint deployments via falcon go with per-device pricing and mid-market organisations via falcon pro or enterprise with advanced threat detection are not what Malwarebytes is typically brought in for.
- What can CrowdStrike Falcon do that Malwarebytes cannot?
- CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus, Endpoint detection and response, Threat intelligence, IT hygiene. Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit.