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Bitwarden vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Bitwarden logo

Bitwarden

Software

Open source password management for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint logo

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Software

Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Bitwarden has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bitwarden the integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
  • They diverge on capability: Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitwarden and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitwarden and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint differ
AttributeBitwardenMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, CliWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded20161975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Bitwarden

  • Unlimited password storage
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Secure password sharing
  • Password generator
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Encrypted file attachments
  • Vault health reports
  • Emergency access

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

  • Azure AD

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bitwarden

  • Personal password managementnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Team credential sharingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Enterprise securitynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Compliance requirementsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Developer secrets managementnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

  • Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Bitwarden
  • Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Bitwarden
  • Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Bitwarden

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Bitwarden

  • The integrated TOTP authenticator, encrypted file attachments, vault health reports and Emergency Access are all withheld from the free plan and need Premium at $1.65 per month
  • Free accounts can share vault items with one other Bitwarden user and no more
  • File storage is capped at 5 GB on Premium and 5 GB personal plus 5 GB family on the Families plan
  • Two-step login accepts up to 10 hardware security keys per account
  • The Families plan is capped at 6 people, so a seventh member means moving to a Teams subscription at $4 per user per month

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

Bitwarden

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited passwords
    • 2 users (organizations)
    • Sync all devices
  • Teams$3/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited users
    • Shared collections
  • Enterprise$6/month
    • Everything in Teams
    • SSO integration
    • Enterprise policies

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitwarden if

  • You need unlimited password storage.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli.
  • You also want cross-platform sync.
Bitwarden review

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.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review

Questions people ask

Is Bitwarden or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitwarden 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, Bitwarden or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Bitwarden has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bitwarden and On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Does Bitwarden or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
Bitwarden runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use Bitwarden for free?
Yes. Bitwarden has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
What is Bitwarden best used for?
Bitwarden is most often used for personal password management, team credential sharing, enterprise security, compliance requirements. Of those, personal password management and team credential sharing are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
What can Bitwarden do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
Bitwarden covers Unlimited password storage, Cross-platform sync, Secure password sharing, Password generator. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Both handle Azure AD.
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