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KnowBe4 vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

KnowBe4 logo

KnowBe4

Software

World's largest security awareness training platform

From
$1/month
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

  • Each has a real cost: KnowBe4 published prices assume a three year term, so the quoted per seat rate depends on a long commitment; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
  • They diverge on capability: KnowBe4 covers Security awareness training, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which KnowBe4 and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.

Attributes where KnowBe4 and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint differ
AttributeKnowBe4Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Starting price$1/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, EmailWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded20101975

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 KnowBe4

  • Security awareness training
  • Phishing simulation
  • Risk assessments
  • Compliance training
  • Incident reporting
  • API access
  • Custom policies
  • Behavior analytics

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

  • Microsoft 365
  • ISO 27001
  • GDPR
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

KnowBe4

  • Security awareness training and simulated phishing for staffnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Tracking employee susceptibility to phishing over timenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

  • Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not KnowBe4
  • Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot KnowBe4
  • Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not KnowBe4

Where each one falls short

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

KnowBe4

  • Published prices assume a three year term, so the quoted per seat rate depends on a long commitment
  • Pricing is banded by seat count, and the lowest band of 25 to 50 seats pays the highest rate
  • Accounts above 1,000 seats have no published price and require a custom quote
  • Third party integrations, Compliance Plus and PhishER Plus are all separately priced per seat add ons
  • The Foundation tier carries 200 training modules against more than 1,000 on Advanced, so content volume is the main gate

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

KnowBe4

$1/month
  • Basic$1/month
    • Per user
    • Training modules
    • Phishing templates
  • Advanced$2/month
    • All Basic features
    • Advanced phishing
    • Risk assessments
  • Pro$3/month
    • All Advanced features
    • API access
    • Custom content

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

On request

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

Which should you pick?

Choose KnowBe4 if

  • You need security awareness training.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Email.
  • You also want phishing simulation.
KnowBe4 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 KnowBe4 or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
Neither clearly leads. KnowBe4 starts at $1/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, KnowBe4 or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
KnowBe4 starts at $1/month and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request.
Does KnowBe4 or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
KnowBe4 runs on Web, Mobile, Email. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
What is KnowBe4 best used for?
KnowBe4 is most often used for security awareness training and simulated phishing for staff, tracking employee susceptibility to phishing over time. Of those, security awareness training and simulated phishing for staff and tracking employee susceptibility to phishing over time are not what Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
What can KnowBe4 do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
KnowBe4 covers Security awareness training, Phishing simulation, Risk assessments, Compliance training. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Both handle Microsoft 365, ISO 27001, GDPR, Cloud deployment.
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