Software · head to head
Kaspersky Total Security vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Kaspersky Total Security
Software
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- They diverge on capability: Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kaspersky Total Security and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kaspersky Total Security | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | Unknown | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1997 | 1975 |
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 Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
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
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Internet Securitynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Parental Controlnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Kaspersky Total Security
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Kaspersky Total Security
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Kaspersky Total Security
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
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
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
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 Kaspersky Total Security or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kaspersky Total Security 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, Kaspersky Total Security or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kaspersky Total Security and On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
- Does Kaspersky Total Security or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Yes. Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
- What is Kaspersky Total Security best used for?
- Kaspersky Total Security is most often used for antivirus, internet security, parental control. Of those, antivirus and internet security are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can Kaspersky Total Security do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Both handle Cloud deployment.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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