Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Acunetix vs Microsoft Defender
Acunetix
Security & Cybersecurity
Web application security testing made easy
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
M
Microsoft Defender
Security & Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Acunetix aWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service; Microsoft Defender the overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Acunetix and Microsoft Defender actually diverge.
| Attribute | Acunetix | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Platforms | Desktop, Web, Api | Web |
| Founded | 2005 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
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 Acunetix
- DAST scanning
- IAST technology
- AcuSensor
- JavaScript security
- SQL injection testing
- XSS detection
- OWASP Top 10
- API security testing
Only in Microsoft Defender
Nothing recorded that Acunetix does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Acunetix
- Vulnerability Scannernot Microsoft Defender
- Web Securitynot Microsoft Defender
- Dastnot Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender
No use cases recorded yet. See the Microsoft Defender review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Acunetix
- AWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service
- AWS Marketplace's Invicti listing shows Premium Support priced separately at $150,000 per year and Premium Support with Guided Success at $300,000 per year, on top of the base scanning licence
Microsoft Defender
- The overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead
- Full family and business protection requires a Microsoft 365 Family, Personal or Premium subscription rather than being included with the free built-in Windows version
Pricing, plan by plan
Acunetix
On request- StandardFree
- Single user
- 5 targets
- Scheduled scans
- PremiumFree
- Multiple users
- Unlimited targets
- CI/CD integration
- Acunetix 360Free
- Enterprise features
- SDLC integration
- Custom workflows
Microsoft Defender
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Acunetix if
- You need dast scanning.
- You work on Desktop, Web, Api.
- You also want iast technology.
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Acunetix on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Acunetix or Microsoft Defender better?
- Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and Microsoft Defender at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Acunetix or Microsoft Defender?
- Acunetix starts at On request and Microsoft Defender at On request.
- Does Acunetix or Microsoft Defender run on more platforms?
- Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. Microsoft Defender runs on Web.
- What is Acunetix best used for?
- Acunetix is most often used for vulnerability scanner, web security, dast. Of those, vulnerability scanner and web security are not what Microsoft Defender is typically brought in for.
- What can Acunetix do that Microsoft Defender cannot?
- Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender
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