Software · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs OWASP ZAP
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only OWASP ZAP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; OWASP ZAP oWASP ZAP is free and open source with no official paid enterprise support contract available from OWASP; support is community-only (mailing lists, GitHub issues).
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, OWASP ZAP covers Active scanner.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and OWASP ZAP actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | OWASP ZAP |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Desktop, Cli, Api |
| Founded | 1975 | 2001 |
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 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 OWASP ZAP
- Active scanner
- Passive scanner
- Spider/crawler
- Fuzzer
- Forced browse
- WebSocket testing
- AJAX spider
- Authentication support
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 OWASP ZAP
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot OWASP ZAP
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not OWASP ZAP
OWASP ZAP
- Penetration Testingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Web Securitynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Open Sourcenot 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
OWASP ZAP
- OWASP ZAP is free and open source with no official paid enterprise support contract available from OWASP; support is community-only (mailing lists, GitHub issues).
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
OWASP ZAP
Free- Free & Open SourceFree
- Full functionality
- Active & passive scanning
- Spider
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 OWASP ZAP if
- You need active scanner.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop, Cli, Api.
- You also want passive scanner.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or OWASP ZAP better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and OWASP ZAP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or OWASP ZAP?
- OWASP ZAP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Free for OWASP ZAP.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or OWASP ZAP run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. OWASP ZAP runs on Desktop, Cli, Api.
- Can I use OWASP ZAP for free?
- Yes. OWASP ZAP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
- 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 OWASP ZAP is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that OWASP ZAP cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. OWASP ZAP covers Active scanner, Passive scanner, Spider/crawler, Fuzzer.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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