Software · head to head
CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
CrowdStrike Falcon
Software
Stop breaches with AI-native cybersecurity
- From
- $7.99/month
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CrowdStrike Falcon falcon Go tier limited to maximum of 100 devices; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- They diverge on capability: CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CrowdStrike Falcon and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | CrowdStrike Falcon | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $7.99/month | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2011 | 1975 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 CrowdStrike Falcon
- Next-gen antivirus
- Endpoint detection and response
- Threat intelligence
- IT hygiene
- USB device control
- Firewall management
- Threat graph
- Real-time response
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
- FedRAMP
- HIPAA
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CrowdStrike Falcon
- Small endpoint deployments via Falcon Go with per-device pricingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Mid-market organisations via Falcon Pro or Enterprise with advanced threat detectionnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Organisations requiring custom managed detection and response via Falcon Completenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not CrowdStrike Falcon
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot CrowdStrike Falcon
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not CrowdStrike Falcon
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CrowdStrike Falcon
- Falcon Go tier limited to maximum of 100 devices
- Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR requires custom quote; pricing not published
- Higher tiers (Enterprise and above) feature gatekeeping for threat hunting and identity protection
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
CrowdStrike Falcon
$7.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the CrowdStrike Falcon review.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Which should you pick?
Choose CrowdStrike Falcon if
- You need next-gen antivirus.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- You also want endpoint detection and response.
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 CrowdStrike Falcon or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $7.99/month 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, CrowdStrike Falcon or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $7.99/month and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request.
- Does CrowdStrike Falcon or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- CrowdStrike Falcon runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- What is CrowdStrike Falcon best used for?
- CrowdStrike Falcon is most often used for small endpoint deployments via falcon go with per-device pricing, mid-market organisations via falcon pro or enterprise with advanced threat detection, organisations requiring custom managed detection and response via falcon complete. Of those, small endpoint deployments via falcon go with per-device pricing and mid-market organisations via falcon pro or enterprise with advanced threat detection are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can CrowdStrike Falcon do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus, Endpoint detection and response, Threat intelligence, IT hygiene. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Both handle ServiceNow, FedRAMP, HIPAA.