Software · head to head
Malwarebytes vs CrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike Falcon
Software
Stop breaches with AI-native cybersecurity
- From
- $7.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Malwarebytes has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Malwarebytes free version limited to on-demand scanning and removal; no real-time protection; CrowdStrike Falcon falcon Go tier limited to maximum of 100 devices
- They diverge on capability: Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Malwarebytes and CrowdStrike Falcon actually diverge.
| Attribute | Malwarebytes | CrowdStrike Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $7.99/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Malwarebytes
- Malware detection & removal
- Ransomware protection
- Real-time protection
- Anti-exploit
- Anti-phishing
- Browser Guard
- VPN
- Brute Force Protection
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
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Malwarebytes
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Malwarebytes review.
CrowdStrike Falcon
$7.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the CrowdStrike Falcon review.
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose CrowdStrike Falcon if
- You need next-gen antivirus.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want endpoint detection and response.
Questions people ask
- Is Malwarebytes or CrowdStrike Falcon better?
- Neither clearly leads. Malwarebytes starts at Free and CrowdStrike Falcon at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Malwarebytes or CrowdStrike Falcon?
- Malwarebytes has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Malwarebytes and $7.99/month for CrowdStrike Falcon.
- Does Malwarebytes or CrowdStrike Falcon run on more platforms?
- Malwarebytes runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. CrowdStrike Falcon runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- 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 Malwarebytes best used for?
- Malwarebytes is most often used for budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version, organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription, users combining antivirus with privacy via premium plus privacy vpn bundle. Of those, budget-conscious users performing manual scans via free version and organisations needing real-time malware and ransomware protection via premium subscription are not what CrowdStrike Falcon is typically brought in for.
- What can Malwarebytes do that CrowdStrike Falcon cannot?
- Malwarebytes covers Malware detection & removal, Ransomware protection, Real-time protection, Anti-exploit. CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus, Endpoint detection and response, Threat intelligence, IT hygiene.