Software · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs ProtonVPN
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only ProtonVPN 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; ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and ProtonVPN actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 1975 | 2014 |
Identical on both: platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android), 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 ProtonVPN
- No-logs policy
- Secure Core
- Kill Switch
- DNS leak protection
- Tor over VPN
- Split tunneling
- NetShield ad-blocker
- VPN Accelerator
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
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 ProtonVPN
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot ProtonVPN
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN
- Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot 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
ProtonVPN
- Free plan limited to one device at a time
- Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
- Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
ProtonVPN
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.
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 ProtonVPN if
- You need no-logs policy.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want secure core.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or ProtonVPN better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and ProtonVPN 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 ProtonVPN?
- ProtonVPN has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Free for ProtonVPN.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or ProtonVPN run on more platforms?
- Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use ProtonVPN for free?
- Yes. ProtonVPN 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 ProtonVPN is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that ProtonVPN cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection. Both handle Cloud deployment.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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