Cybersecurity · head to head
Grype vs Microsoft Defender
Grype
Cybersecurity
Vulnerability scanner for container images and filesystems
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender
Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- $12/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Grype has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Grype depends on public vulnerability databases, so coverage and false positives vary by ecosystem; Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Grype and Microsoft Defender actually diverge.
| Attribute | Grype | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $12/month |
| Pricing model | Open source, no licence fee | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker | Web |
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 Grype
- Image and filesystem scanning
- SBOM-driven
- Wide ecosystem coverage
- Pipeline friendly
Only in Microsoft Defender
Nothing recorded that Grype does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Grype
- Re-scanning stored SBOMs as new CVEs are published, without rebuilding imagesnot Microsoft Defender
- Failing CI when a build introduces a known vulnerabilitynot Microsoft Defender
- Auditing what is actually installed inside a third-party imagenot Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot Grype
- Identity and access securitynot Grype
- Email threat protectionnot Grype
- SaaS application security monitoringnot Grype
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Grype
- Depends on public vulnerability databases, so coverage and false positives vary by ecosystem
- No triage, exception tracking or reporting UI — that is Anchore’s commercial product
- Overlaps heavily with Trivy, and most teams pick one rather than running both
Microsoft Defender
- Defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Some Defender products use pay-as-you-go pricing with variable costs
- Prices vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring sales contact for custom quotes
Pricing, plan by plan
Grype
Free- GrypeFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Microsoft Defender
$12/month- Microsoft Defender Suite$12/month
- Endpoint protection
- Identity threat detection
- Email security
- Microsoft 365 E5 with Defender$60/month
- Includes Defender Suite
- Microsoft Teams included
- Comprehensive security and compliance
- Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on$2/month
- Vulnerability scanning and management
- One-month free trial available
- Annual commitment required
Which should you pick?
Choose Grype if
- You need image and filesystem scanning.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker.
- You also want sbom-driven.
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Grype on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Grype or Microsoft Defender better?
- Neither clearly leads. Grype starts at Free and Microsoft Defender at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Grype or Microsoft Defender?
- Grype has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Grype and $12/month for Microsoft Defender.
- Does Grype or Microsoft Defender run on more platforms?
- Grype runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker. Microsoft Defender runs on Web.
- Can I use Grype for free?
- Yes. Grype has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month.
- What is Grype best used for?
- Grype is most often used for re-scanning stored sboms as new cves are published, without rebuilding images, failing ci when a build introduces a known vulnerability, auditing what is actually installed inside a third-party image. Of those, re-scanning stored sboms as new cves are published, without rebuilding images and failing ci when a build introduces a known vulnerability are not what Microsoft Defender is typically brought in for.
- What can Grype do that Microsoft Defender cannot?
- Grype covers Image and filesystem scanning, SBOM-driven, Wide ecosystem coverage, Pipeline friendly.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Grype: Is Grype free?
Yes, open source from Anchore. Anchore Enterprise is the paid platform around it.
Microsoft Defender: How much does Microsoft Defender Suite cost?
Microsoft Defender Suite costs $12/user/month (paid yearly), but requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing. It includes endpoint protection, identity threat detection, email security, and SaaS application monitoring.
SourceGrype: What is the difference between Grype and Syft?
Syft generates the software bill of materials; Grype matches that inventory against vulnerability data. They are designed to be used together.
Microsoft Defender: What add-ons are available for Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on costs $2/user/month with annual commitment and includes a one-month free trial. Additional pay-as-you-go products include External Attack Surface Management, Cloud Security Posture Management, and Sentinel.
SourceGrype: Grype or Trivy?
They cover similar ground. Trivy is broader out of the box, including misconfiguration and secret scanning; Grype pairs more cleanly with an SBOM-first workflow.
Microsoft Defender: Is Defender included in Microsoft 365 E5?
Yes, Microsoft Defender Suite is included in Microsoft 365 E5 at $60/user/month (paid yearly with Teams). Prices may vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring contact with Sales for customized quotes.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender
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