Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender provides integrated threat protection across devices and cloud environments. It includes real-time threat detection, automated investigation, and response capabilities to help manage security risks.
Microsoft Defender provides integrated threat protection across devices and cloud environments. It includes real-time threat detection, automated investigation, and response capabilities to help manage security risks.
Cost considerations
Functionality
Compatibility
User experience
Customer support
Why these ratings?
Cyberse perspective
Solution details
Product features
Signature-based detection
Behavioral-based detection
Email security
Key features
Platform solution
Integrations
Security automation
Vulnerability management
Identity security
Cloud security
Subcategory
Endpoint Detection & Response
Endpoint Protection Platform
Market segment
Small business
Enterprise
Midmarket
Deployment
Cloud-native
Cloud-hosted
Cloud ecosystem partners
Microsoft Azure Cloud
Services support
In-house services
Managed services
Pricing
Free trial available
Target industry
Technology
Public sector
Industrials
Healthcare
Retail
Manufacturing
Financial services
We use the following criteria to evaluate this product:
Cost considerations
Organizations that already license Microsoft 365 can activate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at modest per-user fees, and the same subscription covers antivirus, EDR, and cross-platform protection with no required hardware. Costs stay predictable because most security functions are bundled, but advanced features like server coverage or full XDR beyond endpoints may add incremental charges. Overall, per-endpoint pricing is generally lower than other leading suites while still avoiding a patchwork of add-ons.
Cost considerations
Organizations that already license Microsoft 365 can activate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at modest per-user fees, and the same subscription covers antivirus, EDR, and cross-platform protection with no required hardware. Costs stay predictable because most security functions are bundled, but advanced features like server coverage or full XDR beyond endpoints may add incremental charges. Overall, per-endpoint pricing is generally lower than other leading suites while still avoiding a patchwork of add-ons.
Functionality
Microsoft Defender uses AI models to block threats before they run and keeps real-time endpoint detection in place. Automated investigation can quarantine files or isolate a device without human action, and firewall plus device-control settings are built in. Events roll into Microsoft 365 Defender for cross-platform analysis, giving visibility comparable to the most advanced endpoint suites.
Functionality
Microsoft Defender uses AI models to block threats before they run and keeps real-time endpoint detection in place. Automated investigation can quarantine files or isolate a device without human action, and firewall plus device-control settings are built in. Events roll into Microsoft 365 Defender for cross-platform analysis, giving visibility comparable to the most advanced endpoint suites.
Compatibility
Microsoft Defender ships with Windows and adds lightweight agents for macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and virtual desktops. Azure AD, Intune, and Graph APIs send data straight to common SIEMs, avoiding custom connectors. This reach lets organizations run the same protection across desktops, servers, mobile devices, and older images.
Compatibility
Microsoft Defender ships with Windows and adds lightweight agents for macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and virtual desktops. Azure AD, Intune, and Graph APIs send data straight to common SIEMs, avoiding custom connectors. This reach lets organizations run the same protection across desktops, servers, mobile devices, and older images.
User experience
The Microsoft 365 Defender portal combines endpoint, identity, and email data in one cloud dashboard, presents a clear attack story, and allows single-click device isolation. Administrators already using Microsoft 365 navigate the screens with little extra training. Peer feedback shows analysts complete common tasks without digging through multiple menus.
User experience
The Microsoft 365 Defender portal combines endpoint, identity, and email data in one cloud dashboard, presents a clear attack story, and allows single-click device isolation. Administrators already using Microsoft 365 navigate the screens with little extra training. Peer feedback shows analysts complete common tasks without digging through multiple menus.
Customer support
Microsoft Defender customers can reach Microsoft engineers by phone or chat 24×7 instead of waiting for business hours. A dedicated Microsoft Incident Response team steps in during serious breaches. Daily threat-intelligence updates flow into Microsoft Defender, placing Defender support at the top end of the market.
Customer support
Microsoft Defender customers can reach Microsoft engineers by phone or chat 24×7 instead of waiting for business hours. A dedicated Microsoft Incident Response team steps in during serious breaches. Daily threat-intelligence updates flow into Microsoft Defender, placing Defender support at the top end of the market.