CrowdStrike Falcon Go
Enterprise-grade AI-powered EDR scaled down for SMB budgets.
Cylance PROTECT
AI-only endpoint prevention that blocks threats before they execute.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | CrowdStrike Falcon Go | Cylance PROTECT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99yr | $40yrBetter |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Top Pros | Industry-leading AI threat detection | Works fully offline after model deployment |
| Lightweight agent — <1% CPU overhead | Low false positives from mature AI model | |
| Real-time visibility from cloud console | Minimal agent overhead | |
| Top Cons | More expensive than traditional AV for SMBs | No built-in EDR response features without CylanceOPTICS add-on |
| Full EDR features require higher tiers | Expensive for SMBs |
Features Compared
CrowdStrike Falcon Go delivers a full endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform built on AI-powered threat detection, with capabilities including a threat graph for visualization, device control, firewall management, and zero-trust assessment. The platform provides real-time visibility from a cloud console, enabling security teams to monitor and respond to threats across their infrastructure. In contrast, Cylance PROTECT takes a prevention-first approach, using a pre-execution AI model that blocks threats before they execute on the endpoint. Cylance operates fully offline after initial model deployment, incorporating script control and memory protection features that focus on blocking malicious activity at the kernel level rather than detecting it after execution.
The fundamental architectural difference is critical: Falcon Go is detection-and-response focused, ideal for organizations that need post-breach investigation and threat hunting. Cylance PROTECT is prevention-focused, designed to stop threats from running in the first place. Falcon Go's threat graph and device control enable sophisticated threat correlation and endpoint isolation, while Cylance's offline detection capability means organizations can maintain protection even without internet connectivity. Falcon Go requires higher-tier subscriptions to unlock full EDR features, whereas Cylance PROTECT delivers its core prevention capability at the base tier without add-ons required for basic protection. However, Cylance PROTECT lacks built-in response features—those require the separate CylanceOPTICS add-on.
Pricing & Value
CrowdStrike Falcon Go is priced at $59.99 per endpoint per year, positioning it as a premium option for small and medium-sized businesses seeking enterprise-grade capabilities. Cylance PROTECT costs $40 per endpoint per year, making it approximately 33% cheaper at the entry point. Neither product offers a free tier. For organizations with tight budgets, Cylance's lower cost is immediately attractive, but the value equation shifts if response capabilities are needed—adding CylanceOPTICS increases total cost significantly. Falcon Go's higher price includes more comprehensive features out of the box, making it better value for teams that need EDR capabilities and can justify the investment.
- CrowdStrike Falcon Go: $59.99/year per endpoint; includes AI detection, threat graph, device control, and firewall management; full EDR suite with cloud console
- Cylance PROTECT: $40/year per endpoint; includes pre-execution prevention and offline detection; response features sold separately via CylanceOPTICS add-on
- Best ROI for budget-conscious buyers: Cylance PROTECT if prevention-only is sufficient; Falcon Go if detection, investigation, and response are requirements
- Hidden costs: Falcon Go may require higher-tier licenses for advanced EDR; Cylance requires add-on purchases to match Falcon Go's response capabilities
Ease of Use & Onboarding
CrowdStrike Falcon Go is described as complex for non-IT users, reflecting its enterprise-grade EDR heritage—the cloud console provides powerful visibility but demands security expertise to navigate effectively. The lightweight agent (<1% CPU overhead) deploys cleanly, but interpreting threat data and managing policies requires security knowledge. Cylance PROTECT offers minimal consumer-friendly UX, prioritizing functionality over accessibility, though its simpler prevention-only model means fewer configuration decisions are required. For teams with dedicated security staff, Falcon Go's depth is an asset; for IT generalists or resource-constrained SMBs, both tools present usability challenges, though Cylance's narrower scope may feel less overwhelming during initial setup.
Integration & Ecosystem
CrowdStrike Falcon Go integrates within the broader CrowdStrike Falcon ecosystem, offering cloud-native architecture that extends to additional security modules and threat intelligence feeds. The platform's device control and firewall management features integrate with endpoint policy infrastructure, and the threat graph connects to CrowdStrike's intelligence layer. Cylance PROTECT, made by BlackBerry, operates more independently; it focuses on local endpoint prevention without native integration into broader security workflows. Organizations using Cylance will need to manage response workflows separately via CylanceOPTICS or third-party SIEM solutions. Neither tool is positioned as a complete security platform, but Falcon Go's ecosystem approach offers tighter integration for organizations already invested in CrowdStrike's broader suite.
Who Should Choose CrowdStrike Falcon Go?
CrowdStrike Falcon Go is the right choice for growing businesses and mid-market organizations that have security budgets ($60+ per endpoint annually) and need comprehensive visibility and threat response capabilities. Ideal buyers include companies with 50–500 endpoints, security-aware leadership that understands the value of EDR over traditional antivirus, and teams with at least one dedicated security resource to manage alerts and investigations. Organizations handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries (finance, healthcare) benefit from Falcon Go's threat graph, zero-trust assessment, and audit trail capabilities. If your organization has experienced a breach or fears sophisticated adversaries, Falcon Go's industry-leading AI detection and real-time cloud console justify the premium cost.
Who Should Choose Cylance PROTECT?
Cylance PROTECT is ideal for budget-constrained SMBs (under 100 endpoints) whose primary concern is blocking common and advanced malware before execution occurs. It suits organizations with limited IT staff, poor internet connectivity, or edge locations where offline protection is essential. Cylance works best for companies that have mature patch management and need a lightweight prevention layer rather than a full investigation platform. Organizations in low-risk environments or those with existing threat hunting solutions can pair Cylance PROTECT's prevention with external response tools. If your organization values simplicity, offline operation, and the lowest entry price over comprehensive threat investigation, Cylance PROTECT delivers solid AI-powered protection without the complexity of a full EDR suite.
- Want: industry-leading ai threat detection
- Want: lightweight agent — <1% cpu overhead
- Want: real-time visibility from cloud console
- Want: works fully offline after model deployment
- Want: low false positives from mature ai model
- Want: minimal agent overhead
Our Verdict
Pick CrowdStrike Falcon Go if you need real-time threat visibility across multiple devices, want cloud-based investigation tools, and can justify EDR costs for the visibility advantage. Pick Cylance PROTECT if offline-first detection appeals to you, your security team is mature, you're comfortable adding CylanceOPTICS separately for response, and you need to minimize per-agent costs.