Software · head to head
Drata vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Drata
Software
Agentic trust management with compliance automation.
- From
- On request
- 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: 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.
| Attribute | Drata | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Platforms | Web, API | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 1975 |
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 requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Which should you pick?
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.
SourceDrata: 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.
SourceDrata: 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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