The purpose of this study is to compare the cost efficiency of takaful and its conventional insurance counterparts in Malaysia. The study measures the cost efficiency scores of takaful and conventional insurance companies in Malaysia over the period 2009-2011 using non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based on selected multiple input and output variables. Output variables used are gross premium and investment income while input variables are management expenses, fees and commission expenses. The study finds that conventional insurance companies in Malaysia performed better efficiency than takaful companies in 2011. The finding is consistent with study by Ismail, et al (2011) and Saad (2012). The study suggests that takaful and conventional insurance companies should allocate input more efficiently and improve the quality of services as the average scale efficiency is higher than the average of overall and technical efficiency. Takaful must also be more alert towards external factor costs as the scale of efficiency continuously decreased. In order to be more focused, the study only compares the efficiency of takaful and conventional insurance companies from an input oriented approach. The study is also limited to 7 takaful operators and 19 conventional insurance companies and, as such, the finding is most probably indicative, but does not reflect the overall performance of the takaful industry. As part of a policy recommendation, the study provides data on cost efficiency of conventional insurance and takaful companies in Malaysia, which is valuable for regulators in formulating appropriate policy to enhance the competitiveness of the takaful industry in Malaysia.