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Software · head to head

Drata vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Drata logo

Drata

Software

Agentic trust management with compliance automation.

From
On request
Rated
-
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint logo

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Software

Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Drata no published pricing for any tier; requires contacting sales team for quotes; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Drata and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint differ
AttributeDrataMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, APIWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown1975

Identical on both: starting price (On request), 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 Drata

Nothing recorded that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint does not also cover.

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.

Drata

  • SaaS companies automating SOC 2 certification for enterprise salesnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Organisations managing multi-framework compliance simultaneouslynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Vendor management programmes requiring third-party security assessmentsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Enterprises implementing AI governance and monitoring AI systemsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Organisations seeking continuous compliance monitoring rather than point-in-time auditsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

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

Where each one falls short

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

Drata

  • No published pricing for any tier; requires contacting sales team for quotes
  • Solution tiers (Startup, Growth, Enterprise) are marketing categories with no corresponding published prices or feature differentiation
  • No transparency on cost per framework, per user, or based on organisational size
  • AI questionnaire automation claims 375+ hours saved annually but does not publish per-questionnaire costs or limits
  • Compared directly with Vanta by customers, but pricing opaque for cost-benefit analysis

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

Drata

On request
  • Startup$null/variable
    • 'Launch Trust Fast' with automated evidence collection
    • SOC 2 and other framework support
    • Basic compliance automation
  • Growth$null/variable
    • 'Accelerate Trust Smoothly' as teams expand
    • Multi-framework compliance
    • Enhanced AI automation
  • Enterprise$null/variable
    • 'Command Trust at Scale' for complex needs
    • Advanced GRC capabilities
    • Dedicated support

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

On request

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Drata if

  • You work on Web, API.

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 Drata or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
Neither clearly leads. Drata starts at On request 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, Drata or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Drata starts at On request and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request.
Does Drata or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
Drata runs on Web, API. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
What is Drata best used for?
Drata is most often used for saas companies automating soc 2 certification for enterprise sales, organisations managing multi-framework compliance simultaneously, vendor management programmes requiring third-party security assessments, enterprises implementing ai governance and monitoring ai systems. Of those, saas companies automating soc 2 certification for enterprise sales and organisations managing multi-framework compliance simultaneously are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
What can Drata do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Drata: What compliance frameworks does Drata support?

Drata supports multiple frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS and others, with multi-framework management capabilities.

Source
Drata: Does Drata automate questionnaires?

Yes. Drata's AI uses approved content to draft consistent responses, automating questionnaire completion and saving claimed 375+ hours per year.

Source
Drata: How many customers does Drata have?

Drata serves 8,500+ global customers ranging from startups to enterprises, with a 4.8/5.0 rating on G2.

Source

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