Cybersecurity · head to head
Authelia vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Authelia
Cybersecurity
Open-source authentication and two-factor portal for reverse proxies
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Authelia has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Authelia depends on a reverse proxy: it is not a standalone identity provider; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- They diverge on capability: Authelia covers Reverse proxy integration, 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 Authelia and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Authelia | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Open source, no licence fee | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 1975 |
Identical on both: 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 Authelia
- Reverse proxy integration
- Two-factor authentication
- Access control rules
- Lightweight backends
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
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Authelia
- Putting a login and 2FA in front of self-hosted services that have nonenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Adding SSO across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platformnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Home and small-team infrastructure behind a single reverse proxynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Authelia
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Authelia
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Authelia
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Authelia
- Depends on a reverse proxy: it is not a standalone identity provider
- Configuration is YAML-first with no administrative interface, so changes mean editing files
- Not a full IAM: user management, provisioning and federation are limited compared with Keycloak
- Scales poorly as an organisation-wide identity solution, which is not its target
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
Authelia
Free- AutheliaFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Authelia if
- You need reverse proxy integration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted.
- You also want two-factor authentication.
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 Authelia or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Authelia starts at Free 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, Authelia or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- Authelia has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Authelia and On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
- Does Authelia or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- Authelia runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Authelia for free?
- Yes. Authelia has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
- What is Authelia best used for?
- Authelia is most often used for putting a login and 2fa in front of self-hosted services that have none, adding sso across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platform, home and small-team infrastructure behind a single reverse proxy. Of those, putting a login and 2fa in front of self-hosted services that have none and adding sso across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platform are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can Authelia do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- Authelia covers Reverse proxy integration, Two-factor authentication, Access control rules, Lightweight backends. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Authelia: Is Authelia free?
Yes, open source with no licence fee.
Microsoft 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.
SourceAuthelia: Does Authelia need a reverse proxy?
Yes. It integrates through forward authentication with Nginx, Traefik, Caddy or HAProxy rather than sitting in front of traffic itself.
Microsoft 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.
SourceAuthelia: Authelia or Keycloak?
Authelia is far lighter and aimed at protecting self-hosted services behind a proxy. Keycloak is a full identity and access management platform, and much more to run.
Microsoft 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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