Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Ring Neighbors
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Free plan
- No
The short version
- Only Ring Neighbors 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; Ring Neighbors neighbors by Ring is a free app only available in the US, per the vendor's own page (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2023)
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Ring Neighbors covers Video Request Portal.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Ring Neighbors actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Ring Neighbors |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Category | Cybersecurity | Government |
| Founded | 1975 | 2013 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).
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 Ring Neighbors
- Video Request Portal
- Community Alerts
- Geographic Requests
- Case Management
- Resident Opt-in
- Ring Devices
- CAD Systems
- Social Media
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 Ring Neighbors
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Ring Neighbors
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Ring Neighbors
Ring Neighbors
- Citizen Servicesnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Records Managementnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Public Safetynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Civic Engagementnot 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
Ring Neighbors
- Neighbors by Ring is a free app only available in the US, per the vendor's own page (Internet Archive capture, 1 January 2023)
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Ring Neighbors
Free- Public Safety PortalFree
- Video Requests
- Community Alerts
- Case Management
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 Ring Neighbors if
- You need video request portal.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want community alerts.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Ring Neighbors better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Ring Neighbors 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 Ring Neighbors?
- Ring Neighbors has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Free for Ring Neighbors.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Ring Neighbors run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Ring Neighbors runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use Ring Neighbors for free?
- Yes. Ring Neighbors 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 Ring Neighbors is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Ring Neighbors cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Ring Neighbors covers Video Request Portal, Community Alerts, Geographic Requests, Case Management.
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 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 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
More on Ring Neighbors
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- Ring Neighbors vs Bitdefender Total Security
- Ring Neighbors vs 1Password
- Ring Neighbors vs Norton 360
- Ring Neighbors vs LastPass
- Ring Neighbors vs Cybereason Defense Platform
- Ring Neighbors vs VMware Carbon Black
- Ring Neighbors vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- Ring Neighbors vs Sophos Intercept X
- Ring Neighbors vs Trend Micro Vision One
- Ring Neighbors vs Darktrace
- Ring Neighbors vs Akeyless
- Ring Neighbors vs DataGrail
- Ring Neighbors vs Delinea
- Ring Neighbors vs Doppler
- Ring Neighbors vs Envysion
- Ring Neighbors vs Feedzai
- Ring Neighbors vs SentinelOne
- Ring Neighbors vs Accela
- Ring Neighbors vs CivicPlus
- Ring Neighbors vs Granicus
- Ring Neighbors vs DocuWare
- Ring Neighbors vs CentralSquare
- Ring Neighbors vs Axon Records
- Ring Neighbors vs IAPro
- Ring Neighbors vs Mark43
- Ring Neighbors vs SafeCity
- Ring Neighbors vs Citizen
- Ring Neighbors vs ShotSpotter
- Ring Neighbors vs Tyler Brazos
- Ring Neighbors vs NEXGEN Asset Management
- Ring Neighbors vs NextRequest
- Ring Neighbors vs Trimble Unity Maintain
- Ring Neighbors vs VUEWorks
- Ring Neighbors vs American Legal Publishing
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