Cybersecurity · head to head
Acunetix vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Acunetix
Cybersecurity
Web application security testing made easy
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Acunetix pricing available by quote only; no transparent pricing published online; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Acunetix and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Acunetix | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Platforms | Desktop, Web, Api | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2005 | 1975 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), 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 for Endpoint
- Threat & vulnerability management
- Attack surface reduction
- Next-gen protection
- EDR
- Auto investigation
- Microsoft Threat Experts
- Threat analytics
- Secure score
Both cover
- ServiceNow
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 for Endpoint
- Testing APIs for exploitable weaknesses and threatsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Automating dynamic application security testing (DAST)not Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Finding and validating security issues in production environmentsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Acunetix
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Acunetix
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not 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 for Endpoint
- Pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 do not include server licenses; additional licensing required for server protection
- Specific feature differences between Plan 1 and Plan 2 require consulting Microsoft documentation
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 for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint 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 for Endpoint if
- You need threat & vulnerability management.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want attack surface reduction.
Questions people ask
- Is Acunetix or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint 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 for Endpoint?
- Acunetix starts at On request and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request.
- Does Acunetix or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- 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 for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can Acunetix do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Both handle ServiceNow.
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 for Endpoint: How is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint priced?
Defender for Endpoint is bundled into Microsoft 365 enterprise subscriptions. Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3, and Plan 2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5. Individual pricing is not published separately.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offer a trial?
Yes. A free trial is available for prospective customers to test the product before committing to a subscription.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: What is the difference between Plan 1 and Plan 2?
Plan 1 (in E3) includes unified security tools, device controls, network protection, firewall, web/URL controls, APIs, SIEM connectors, and app controls. Plan 2 (in E5) adds endpoint detection and response, deception techniques, automatic attack disruption, exposure management, and threat intelligence.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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