Cybersecurity · head to head
Bitwarden vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
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.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Bitwarden and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Bitwarden | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, Cli | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2016 | 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 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
- Basic password management
- Zero-knowledge encryption
- Advanced two-step login
- Premium$1.65/month
- Integrated authenticator
- File attachments
- Emergency access
- Premium$19.8/year
- Families$3.99/month
- Up to 6 premium accounts
- Unlimited sharing and collections
- Organization storage included
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo 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.
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 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.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Bitwarden: Does Bitwarden have a free plan?
Yes, Bitwarden offers a free tier with basic password management, zero-knowledge encryption, advanced two-step login, and unlimited devices across browser, mobile, and desktop apps.
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.
SourceBitwarden: How much does Bitwarden Premium cost?
Bitwarden Premium costs $1.65 per month billed annually at $19.80 per year, including integrated authenticator, file attachments, emergency access, and security reports.
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.
SourceBitwarden: What is the difference between Bitwarden Teams and Enterprise?
Teams plan at $4 per user per month (annual billing) includes centralized ownership and secure credential sharing. Enterprise at $6 per user per month adds granular access control, passwordless SSO, account recovery, self-hosting, and complimentary Families plans for all users.
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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