Cybersecurity · head to head
Entrust Identity as a Service vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Entrust Identity as a Service
Cybersecurity
Workforce and customer authentication from a certificate authority
- From
- $2/month
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Entrust Identity as a Service the application integration catalogue is smaller than that of the dedicated identity vendors, so uncommon SaaS applications more often need custom SAML configuration rather than a template.; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- They diverge on capability: Entrust Identity as a Service covers Multi-factor authentication, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Entrust Identity as a Service and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Entrust Identity as a Service | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $2/month | On request |
| Pricing model | Per user per month | quote |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 1975 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Entrust Identity as a Service
- Multi-factor authentication
- Single sign-on
- Adaptive authentication
- Passwordless login
- Credential lifecycle
- Derived PIV credentials
- Directory integration
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.
Entrust Identity as a Service
- A government agency needing derived mobile credentials from an existing PIV smart card estatenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- A bank that must support hardware tokens for corporate treasury users alongside push authentication for staffnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- An organisation already buying Entrust certificates that wants credential issuance and authentication from one vendornot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- A defence supplier required to use certificate-based authentication that mainstream cloud identity products handle poorlynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Entrust Identity as a Service
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Entrust Identity as a Service
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Entrust Identity as a Service
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Entrust Identity as a Service
- The application integration catalogue is smaller than that of the dedicated identity vendors, so uncommon SaaS applications more often need custom SAML configuration rather than a template.
- Developer experience for customer identity use cases is behind the specialists, and teams building consumer signup flows will find the APIs and documentation less complete.
- Advanced capabilities including adaptive authentication and credential management sit above the published entry price, so the two dollar figure rarely reflects what a regulated buyer actually spends.
- There are two overlapping products, Identity as a Service and Identity Enterprise, and choosing wrongly at the start means a migration later rather than a licence change.
- Identity governance, access certification and privileged access are not covered, so an organisation with audit-driven access review requirements needs a second vendor alongside it.
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
Entrust Identity as a Service
$2/month- Workforce Standard$2/month
- Multi-factor authentication
- Single sign-on
- Directory integration
- Higher tiers$undefined/month
- Adaptive risk-based authentication
- Certificate and smart card credential management
- Derived PIV credentials
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Entrust Identity as a Service if
- You need multi-factor authentication.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux.
- You also want single sign-on.
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 Entrust Identity as a Service or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Entrust Identity as a Service starts at $2/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, Entrust Identity as a Service or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- Entrust Identity as a Service starts at $2/month and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request.
- Does Entrust Identity as a Service or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- Entrust Identity as a Service runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- What is Entrust Identity as a Service best used for?
- Entrust Identity as a Service is most often used for a government agency needing derived mobile credentials from an existing piv smart card estate, a bank that must support hardware tokens for corporate treasury users alongside push authentication for staff, an organisation already buying entrust certificates that wants credential issuance and authentication from one vendor, a defence supplier required to use certificate-based authentication that mainstream cloud identity products handle poorly. Of those, a government agency needing derived mobile credentials from an existing piv smart card estate and a bank that must support hardware tokens for corporate treasury users alongside push authentication for staff are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can Entrust Identity as a Service do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- Entrust Identity as a Service covers Multi-factor authentication, Single sign-on, Adaptive authentication, Passwordless login. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Entrust Identity as a Service: Is MFA included or extra?
Multi-factor authentication is included in the workforce bundles rather than sold separately, which is not true of every competitor. Adaptive risk-based authentication sits in higher tiers.
Microsoft 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.
SourceEntrust Identity as a Service: Does it do identity governance?
No. Access certification, role mining and joiner-mover-leaver governance require a separate product such as SailPoint or Saviynt.
Microsoft 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.
SourceEntrust Identity as a Service: Why choose this over Okta or Entra ID?
Almost always because of PKI, smart cards or derived credentials. Without that requirement the mainstream platforms are the stronger general purpose choice.
Microsoft 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 Entrust Identity as a Service
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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