Cybersecurity · head to head
CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
CrowdStrike Falcon
Cybersecurity
Stop breaches with AI-native cybersecurity
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only CrowdStrike Falcon has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: CrowdStrike Falcon falcon Go device limit: capped at 100 devices maximum, forcing mid-market/enterprise customers to upgrade despite lower cost; 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.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 2 September 2026.
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 | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2011 | 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 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
- Endpoint detection and response for enterprise cybersecuritynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Malware prevention and threat huntingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Managed detection and response (MDR) servicesnot 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 device limit: capped at 100 devices maximum, forcing mid-market/enterprise customers to upgrade despite lower cost
- EDR locked behind Enterprise tier: endpoint detection and response available only at $19.99/device/month tier; not available in Pro
- Managed service pricing opaque: Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR requires contacting sales; no pricing range for 24/7 MDR services published
- Annual discount modest: 17-24% savings on annual vs. monthly create minimal incentive to prepay
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 do not include server licenses; additional licensing required for server protection
- Specific feature differences between Plan 1 and Plan 2 require consulting Microsoft documentation
Pricing, plan by plan
CrowdStrike Falcon
Free- Falcon Go$undefined/mo
- Falcon Pro$undefined/mo
- Falcon Enterprise$undefined/mo
- Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR$undefined/mo
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 want to start without paying.
- 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 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, CrowdStrike Falcon or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- CrowdStrike Falcon has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CrowdStrike Falcon and On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
- 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.
- Can I use CrowdStrike Falcon for free?
- Yes. CrowdStrike Falcon has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
- What is CrowdStrike Falcon best used for?
- CrowdStrike Falcon is most often used for endpoint detection and response for enterprise cybersecurity, malware prevention and threat hunting, managed detection and response (mdr) services. Of those, endpoint detection and response for enterprise cybersecurity and malware prevention and threat hunting 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.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
CrowdStrike Falcon: How much does CrowdStrike Falcon cost per device?
Falcon Go costs $7.99/device/month ($59.99/year), Falcon Pro costs $14.99/device/month ($99.99/year), and Falcon Enterprise costs $19.99/device/month ($184.99/year).
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.
SourceCrowdStrike Falcon: What is the device limit for Falcon Go?
Falcon Go is limited to a maximum of 100 devices. Organizations with more than 100 devices must upgrade to Pro or Enterprise tiers.
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.
SourceCrowdStrike Falcon: What is the difference between Falcon Pro and Enterprise?
Falcon Pro ($14.99/device/month) includes firewall management and advanced device control. Falcon Enterprise ($19.99/device/month) adds endpoint detection and response (EDR), threat hunting services, and expert threat intelligence.
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.
SourceCrowdStrike Falcon: How much does the managed detection and response service cost?
Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR pricing is custom. It provides 24/7 expert-led detection and response with AI acceleration and continuous investigations by expert threat teams. Contact CrowdStrike sales for a quote.
SourceRelated pages
More on CrowdStrike Falcon
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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