# Aqua Security Cloud VM Security vs Falco: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Aqua Security Cloud VM Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security) is a commercial [workload protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/workload-protection) solution by [Aqua Security Software Ltd](https://cybersectools.com/companies/aqua-security-software-ltd). [Falco](https://cybersectools.com/tools/falco) is a free [workload protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/workload-protection) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Aqua Security Cloud VM Security | Falco | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Free | | Category | Workload Protection | Workload Protection | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | GitHub stars | – | 8,740 | | Last commit | – | Mar 2026 | | Company | Aqua Security Software Ltd. | – | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Aqua Security Cloud VM Security | Falco | |---|---|---| | Configuration Management | Yes | – | | Runtime Security | Yes | Yes | | VM | Yes | – | | Workload Security | Yes | – | | Kubernetes | – | Yes | | Cloud Native | – | Yes | | Linux | – | Yes | ### Core features **Aqua Security Cloud VM Security** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Falco** No features listed. ### Integrations **Aqua Security Cloud VM Security** 46 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Falco** No integrations listed. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Aqua Security Cloud VM Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security) fits if you want a cloud product. - [Falco](https://cybersectools.com/tools/falco) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you need a free product and you want an open-source product. ## Aqua Security Cloud VM Security vs Falco FAQ Common questions when comparing Aqua Security Cloud VM Security vs Falco for workload protection. ### What is the difference between Aqua Security Cloud VM Security and Falco? **Aqua Security Cloud VM Security**: VM security for cloud environments with compliance, runtime protection & monitoring. Built by Aqua Security Software Ltd. **Falco**: Falco is a CNCF graduated runtime security tool that monitors Linux kernel events and syscalls to detect abnormal behavior and security threats in cloud native environments. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Aqua Security Cloud VM Security and Falco? **Aqua Security Cloud VM Security** is made by Aqua Security Software Ltd. **Falco** is open-source with 8,740 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Aqua Security Cloud VM Security a good alternative to Falco? Often, yes. Aqua Security Cloud VM Security and Falco are both Workload Protection products, and both cover Runtime Security. Key differences: Aqua Security Cloud VM Security is Commercial while Falco is Free, Falco is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Aqua Security Cloud VM Security vs AI EdgeLabs Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ai-edgelabs-platform-vs-aqua-security-cloud-vm-security) - [Aqua Security Cloud VM Security vs Datadog Workload Protection](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security-vs-datadog-workload-protection) - [Aqua Security Cloud VM Security vs Bitdefender GravityZone Cloud and Server Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security-vs-bitdefender-gravityzone-cloud-and-server-security) - [Falco vs AI EdgeLabs Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ai-edgelabs-platform-vs-falco) - [Falco vs Datadog Workload Protection](https://cybersectools.com/compare/datadog-workload-protection-vs-falco) - [Falco vs Bitdefender GravityZone Cloud and Server Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/bitdefender-gravityzone-cloud-and-server-security-vs-falco) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Aqua Security Cloud VM Security alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security) - [See all Falco alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/falco) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security-vs-falco For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Aqua Security Cloud VM Security and Falco: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md