Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Private Internet Access
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Security & Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Private Internet Access
Security & Cybersecurity
Long-standing VPN service with a large server network and flexible multi-year plans
- From
- $11.99/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; Private Internet Access monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Private Internet Access actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $11.99/month |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | windows, mac, linux, ios, android |
| Founded | 1975 | Unknown |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & 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 Private Internet Access
- Split tunneling
- Kill switch
- Ad and tracker blocking
- Dedicated IP add-on
- Bundled antivirus add-on
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 Private Internet Access
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Private Internet Access
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access
- Encrypting traffic on public Wi-Fi with a kill switchnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Blocking ads and trackers network-wide via MACEnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Maintaining a consistent connection identity with a dedicated IP add-onnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Committing to a long-term plan for a lower effective monthly ratenot 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
Private Internet Access
- Monthly plan is priced noticeably higher than the discounted multi-year commitments, penalizing short-term users.
- Dedicated IP and antivirus are paid add-ons rather than included features.
- Headquartered in a jurisdiction whose privacy reputation some competitors market against, despite audited no-logs claims.
- App interface is less streamlined than some higher-priced premium VPN competitors.
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Private Internet Access
$11.99/month- Monthly$11.99/month
- Billed month to month
- Full server network access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 1-Year$3.1/month
- Billed annually at $37.19
- Full server network access
- 2-Year$2.19/month
- Lowest advertised rate, billed every 2 years
- Full server network access
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 Private Internet Access if
- You need split tunneling.
- You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
- You also want kill switch.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Private Internet Access better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Private Internet Access?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Private Internet Access at $11.99/month.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Private Internet Access run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Private Internet Access runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
- 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 Private Internet Access is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Private Internet Access cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Private Internet Access covers Split tunneling, Kill switch, Ad and tracker blocking, Dedicated IP add-on.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
More on Private Internet Access
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