Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Intune
Cybersecurity
Manage and protect cloud-connected endpoints across device platforms, apps and operating systems
- From
- $8/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; Microsoft Intune individual add-ons at $2-5/user/month can become expensive when deploying multiple modules
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Microsoft Intune actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Microsoft Intune |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $8/month |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 1975 | Unknown |
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 Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Threat & vulnerability management
- Attack surface reduction
- Next-gen protection
- EDR
- Auto investigation
- Microsoft Threat Experts
- Threat analytics
- Secure score
Only in Microsoft Intune
Nothing recorded that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Microsoft Intune
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Microsoft Intune
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune
- Mobile device and endpoint managementnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise device compliancenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Privilege access managementnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Remote device supportnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Microsoft Intune
- Individual add-ons at $2-5/user/month can become expensive when deploying multiple modules
- Full Intune Suite at $10/user/month becomes better value when deploying two or more modules
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Microsoft Intune
$8/month- Microsoft Intune Plan 1$8/month
- Device management
- Mobile device management
- Basic compliance policies
- Intune Suite (Full)$10/month
- Endpoint Privilege Management
- Enterprise Application Management
- Advanced Analytics
- Intune Suite Add-on: Remote Help$2/month
- Remote device support
- Intune Suite Add-on: Endpoint Privilege Management$2/month
- Privilege access control
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Microsoft Intune if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Intune from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Microsoft Intune better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Microsoft Intune at $8/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Microsoft Intune?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Microsoft Intune at $8/month.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Microsoft Intune run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Microsoft Intune runs on Web.
- What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint best used for?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is most often used for enterprise endpoint security across windows, macos, linux, android, and ios via plans 1 or 2, small and medium-sized businesses using microsoft defender for business as alternative, organisations using microsoft 365 e5 which includes defender for endpoint plan 2. Of those, enterprise endpoint security across windows, macos, linux, android, and ios via plans 1 or 2 and small and medium-sized businesses using microsoft defender for business as alternative are not what Microsoft Intune is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Microsoft Intune cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Microsoft 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.
SourceMicrosoft Intune: How much does Microsoft Intune cost?
Microsoft Intune Plan 1 costs $8/user/month for basic device management. The full Intune Suite costs $10/user/month including endpoint privilege management, enterprise application management, advanced analytics, remote help, Intune Plan 2, and Microsoft Cloud PKI.
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.
SourceMicrosoft Intune: What add-ons are available for Microsoft Intune?
Individual Intune Suite add-ons range from $2-5/user/month and include Endpoint Privilege Management, Enterprise Application Management, Advanced Analytics, Remote Help, Intune Plan 2, and Microsoft Cloud PKI. Microsoft recommends the full Intune Suite at $10/user/month when deploying two or more modules for better value.
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.
SourceMicrosoft Intune: Is Intune included in Microsoft 365 E5?
Starting in CY26 Q3, Intune Suite capabilities are included with Microsoft 365 E5 and E7 subscriptions, with select capabilities also in Microsoft 365 E3. These bundled versions do not have separate additional pricing.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
More on Microsoft Intune
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