Cybersecurity · head to head
KnowBe4 vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
KnowBe4
Cybersecurity
World's largest security awareness training platform
- From
- $1/month
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
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.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which KnowBe4 and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | KnowBe4 | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1/month | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile, Email | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2010 | 1975 |
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 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 requestNo 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.
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 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.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
KnowBe4: What does KnowBe4 cost per employee?
KnowBe4 charges per seat per month on a subscription basis. For 51-100 employees, SAT Foundation costs $2.13/month per seat and SAT Advanced costs $3.40/month per seat. Prices decrease with larger employee counts.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: How is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint priced?
Defender for Endpoint is bundled into Microsoft 365 enterprise subscriptions. Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3, and Plan 2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5. Individual pricing is not published separately.
SourceKnowBe4: Does KnowBe4 offer a free trial?
KnowBe4 does not offer a full free version, but free tools are available separately including assessments and simulators.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offer a trial?
Yes. A free trial is available for prospective customers to test the product before committing to a subscription.
SourceKnowBe4: Are there add-on costs beyond the base plan?
Yes, optional add-ons include Third-Party Integrations ($1.10-$1.20/seat/month), Compliance Plus ($0.82-$0.93/seat/month), PhishER Plus ($1.15-$1.50/seat/month), and Student Edition ($0.17/seat/month).
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: What is the difference between Plan 1 and Plan 2?
Plan 1 (in E3) includes unified security tools, device controls, network protection, firewall, web/URL controls, APIs, SIEM connectors, and app controls. Plan 2 (in E5) adds endpoint detection and response, deception techniques, automatic attack disruption, exposure management, and threat intelligence.
SourceKnowBe4: What currencies does KnowBe4 accept?
KnowBe4 accepts pricing in USD, AUD, BRL, CAD, EUR, GBP, SGD, and ZAR.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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