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Google Analytics vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

Software

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint logo

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Software

Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Analytics has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
  • They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Google Analytics and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint differ
AttributeGoogle AnalyticsMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded19981975

Identical on both: 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 Google Analytics

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Acquisition tracking
  • Behavior flow
  • Conversion tracking
  • Custom reports
  • Mobile analytics
  • E-commerce tracking

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

  • SOC2

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Analytics

  • Website and web application analyticsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Traffic source and conversion trackingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

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

Where each one falls short

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

Google Analytics

  • Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
  • Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
  • Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features

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

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

On request

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Analytics if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want audience insights.
Google Analytics review

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.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review

Questions people ask

Is Google Analytics or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics 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, Google Analytics or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
Google Analytics has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Analytics and On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Does Google Analytics or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
Google Analytics runs on Web. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Yes. Google Analytics has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
What is Google Analytics best used for?
Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
What can Google Analytics do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Both handle SOC2.
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Related pages

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