Cybersecurity · head to head
Acunetix vs Microsoft Defender
Acunetix
Cybersecurity
Web application security testing made easy
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender
Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- $12/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Acunetix pricing available by quote only; no transparent pricing published online; Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Acunetix and Microsoft Defender actually diverge.
| Attribute | Acunetix | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $12/month |
| Platforms | Desktop, Web, Api | Web |
| Founded | 2005 | Unknown |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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
- Scanning web applications for security vulnerabilitiesnot Microsoft Defender
- Testing APIs for exploitable weaknesses and threatsnot Microsoft Defender
- Automating dynamic application security testing (DAST)not Microsoft Defender
- Finding and validating security issues in production environmentsnot Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot Acunetix
- Identity and access securitynot Acunetix
- Email threat protectionnot Acunetix
- SaaS application security monitoringnot Acunetix
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Acunetix
- Pricing available by quote only; no transparent pricing published online
- Requires per-application licenses for comprehensive coverage
- Scanning speed and feature depth depend on subscription tier
- Advanced features like API security testing may require higher-tier plans
Microsoft Defender
- Defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Some Defender products use pay-as-you-go pricing with variable costs
- Prices vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring sales contact for custom quotes
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
$12/month- Microsoft Defender Suite$12/month
- Endpoint protection
- Identity threat detection
- Email security
- Microsoft 365 E5 with Defender$60/month
- Includes Defender Suite
- Microsoft Teams included
- Comprehensive security and compliance
- Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on$2/month
- Vulnerability scanning and management
- One-month free trial available
- Annual commitment required
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 $12/month, 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 $12/month.
- 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 scanning web applications for security vulnerabilities, testing apis for exploitable weaknesses and threats, automating dynamic application security testing (dast), finding and validating security issues in production environments. Of those, scanning web applications for security vulnerabilities and testing apis for exploitable weaknesses and threats 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.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Acunetix: How much does Invicti (formerly Acunetix) cost?
Invicti pricing is available by quote based on your organization's needs, application count, and required features. The platform offers 8x faster scanning compared to competitors and detects 99.98% of exploitable vulnerabilities. Contact Invicti sales for a custom pricing proposal.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: How much does Microsoft Defender Suite cost?
Microsoft Defender Suite costs $12/user/month (paid yearly), but requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing. It includes endpoint protection, identity threat detection, email security, and SaaS application monitoring.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: What add-ons are available for Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on costs $2/user/month with annual commitment and includes a one-month free trial. Additional pay-as-you-go products include External Attack Surface Management, Cloud Security Posture Management, and Sentinel.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: Is Defender included in Microsoft 365 E5?
Yes, Microsoft Defender Suite is included in Microsoft 365 E5 at $60/user/month (paid yearly with Teams). Prices may vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring contact with Sales for customized quotes.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender
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