Cybersecurity · head to head
IDnow vs Microsoft Defender
IDnow
Cybersecurity
Identity verification and qualified electronic signature for regulated European markets
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender
Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- $12/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: IDnow agent-led video identification costs several times an automated check and depends on agent availability, so peak-time queues push abandonment up at exactly the moment conversion matters.; Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which IDnow and Microsoft Defender actually diverge.
| Attribute | IDnow | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $12/month |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Web |
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 IDnow
- VideoIdent
- AutoIdent
- eSign
- eID and NFC
- Bank identification
- EU data processing
Only in Microsoft Defender
Nothing recorded that IDnow does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
IDnow
- A German bank opening regulated accounts where BaFin requires a recognised identification methodnot Microsoft Defender
- An insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a European courtnot Microsoft Defender
- A telecom operator meeting national SIM registration identity rules across several EU statesnot Microsoft Defender
- A lender wanting automated checks for low-risk applicants and video identification only for high-value casesnot Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot IDnow
- Identity and access securitynot IDnow
- Email threat protectionnot IDnow
- SaaS application security monitoringnot IDnow
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
IDnow
- Agent-led video identification costs several times an automated check and depends on agent availability, so peak-time queues push abandonment up at exactly the moment conversion matters.
- Pricing is quoted with an annual volume commitment, so the accreditation advantage comes with a floor you pay whether or not you use it.
- The product is optimised for European regulatory regimes, so buyers verifying users in North America, Asia or Africa will find coverage and cost less competitive than global specialists.
- Qualified electronic signature is a separate licence from identity verification, which surprises buyers who assumed the accredited identity check made the signature capability included.
- Integration for the regulated flows is heavier than a simple SDK drop-in because the compliant journey, including consent and recording requirements, constrains the user experience you can build.
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
IDnow
On request- IDnow Platform$undefined/year
- Per-identification pricing that differs sharply between automated and agent-led methods
- Annual volume commitment typically required
- Qualified electronic signature licensed separately
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 IDnow if
- You need videoident.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
- You also want autoident.
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from IDnow on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is IDnow or Microsoft Defender better?
- Neither clearly leads. IDnow starts at On request and Microsoft Defender at $12/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, IDnow or Microsoft Defender?
- IDnow starts at On request and Microsoft Defender at $12/month.
- Does IDnow or Microsoft Defender run on more platforms?
- IDnow runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. Microsoft Defender runs on Web.
- What is IDnow best used for?
- IDnow is most often used for a german bank opening regulated accounts where bafin requires a recognised identification method, an insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a european court, a telecom operator meeting national sim registration identity rules across several eu states, a lender wanting automated checks for low-risk applicants and video identification only for high-value cases. Of those, a german bank opening regulated accounts where bafin requires a recognised identification method and an insurer needing a qualified electronic signature that will survive challenge in a european court are not what Microsoft Defender is typically brought in for.
- What can IDnow do that Microsoft Defender cannot?
- IDnow covers VideoIdent, AutoIdent, eSign, eID and NFC.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
IDnow: Why choose it over a cheaper automated vendor?
Because in some European regimes the cheaper vendor is not legally permitted for the transaction. This is an eligibility question, not a quality one.
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.
SourceIDnow: Is the electronic signature included?
No. Qualified electronic signature under eIDAS is licensed separately from identity verification.
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.
SourceIDnow: Where is the data processed?
In European data centres, which is a requirement rather than a preference for many of its regulated customers.
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
Other head to heads
- IDnow vs iDenfy
- IDnow vs Veriff
- IDnow vs Yoti
- IDnow vs Signicat
- IDnow vs Jumio
- IDnow vs Trulioo
- IDnow vs Shufti Pro
- IDnow vs Sumsub
- IDnow vs Socure
- IDnow vs Fenergo
- IDnow vs Quantexa
- IDnow vs Salient CompleteView
- IDnow vs Osano
- IDnow vs Proton Mail
- IDnow vs Brave Browser
- IDnow vs March Networks
- IDnow vs Bitdefender Total Security
- IDnow vs Norton 360
- IDnow vs 1Password
- IDnow vs LastPass
- IDnow vs McAfee Total Protection
- IDnow vs Proofpoint
- IDnow vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- IDnow vs Avast One
- IDnow vs ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- IDnow vs Cybereason Defense Platform
- IDnow vs Fortinet FortiGate
- IDnow vs VMware Carbon Black
- IDnow vs Wireshark
- IDnow vs WorkOS
- IDnow vs Zscaler Internet Access
- IDnow vs Milestone XProtect
- IDnow vs Bitdefender VPN
- Microsoft Defender vs iDenfy
- Microsoft Defender vs Veriff
- Microsoft Defender vs Yoti
- Microsoft Defender vs Signicat
- Microsoft Defender vs Jumio
- Microsoft Defender vs Trulioo
- Microsoft Defender vs Shufti Pro
- Microsoft Defender vs Sumsub
- Microsoft Defender vs Socure
- Microsoft Defender vs Fenergo
- Microsoft Defender vs Quantexa
- Microsoft Defender vs Salient CompleteView
- Microsoft Defender vs Osano
- Microsoft Defender vs Proton Mail
- Microsoft Defender vs Brave Browser
- Microsoft Defender vs March Networks
- Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender Total Security
- Microsoft Defender vs Norton 360
- Microsoft Defender vs 1Password
- Microsoft Defender vs LastPass
- Microsoft Defender vs McAfee Total Protection
- Microsoft Defender vs Proofpoint
- Microsoft Defender vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- Microsoft Defender vs Avast One
- Microsoft Defender vs ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Microsoft Defender vs Cybereason Defense Platform
- Microsoft Defender vs Fortinet FortiGate
- Microsoft Defender vs VMware Carbon Black
- Microsoft Defender vs Wireshark
- Microsoft Defender vs WorkOS
- Microsoft Defender vs Zscaler Internet Access
- Microsoft Defender vs Milestone XProtect
- Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender VPN