Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Proofpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Security & Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Proofpoint
Security & Cybersecurity
People-centric cybersecurity and compliance
- From
- $6/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; Proofpoint listed on UK G-Cloud at £40.60 per user for the Proofpoint Advanced Package, via reseller Bytes Software Services Limited, with the billing period not stated on the listing
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Proofpoint covers Advanced threat detection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Proofpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Proofpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $6/month |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Email, Cloud, Web |
| Founded | 1975 | 2002 |
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 Proofpoint
- Advanced threat detection
- Anti-phishing
- Data loss prevention
- Archive and search
- eDiscovery
- User behavior analytics
- Threat intelligence
- Compliance reporting
Both cover
- Microsoft 365
- ISO 27001
- HIPAA
- GDPR
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 Proofpoint
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Proofpoint
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Proofpoint
Proofpoint
- Email Securitynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Dlpnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- User Behavior Analyticsnot 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
Proofpoint
- Listed on UK G-Cloud at £40.60 per user for the Proofpoint Advanced Package, via reseller Bytes Software Services Limited, with the billing period not stated on the listing
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Proofpoint
$6/month- Email Protection$6/month
- Per user
- Advanced threat detection
- Data loss prevention
- Compliance$8/month
- All Email Protection
- Archive & search
- eDiscovery
- Advanced Threat$10/month
- All Compliance features
- Targeted attack detection
- Behavior analytics
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 Proofpoint if
- You need advanced threat detection.
- You work on Email, Cloud, Web.
- You also want anti-phishing.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Proofpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Proofpoint at $6/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Proofpoint?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Proofpoint at $6/month.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Proofpoint run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Proofpoint runs on Email, Cloud, 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 Proofpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Proofpoint cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Proofpoint covers Advanced threat detection, Anti-phishing, Data loss prevention, Archive and search. Both handle Microsoft 365, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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