Softwr

Security & Cybersecurity · head to head

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Signal

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint logo

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Security & Cybersecurity

Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Signal logo

Signal

All industries

Speak Freely

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Signal 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; Signal signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Signal covers End-to-end encryption.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Signal actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Signal differ
AttributeMicrosoft Defender for EndpointSignal
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
CategorySecurity & CybersecurityAll industries
Founded19752010

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android), 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 Signal

  • End-to-end encryption
  • Disappearing messages
  • Screen security
  • Group chats
  • Voice calls
  • Video calls
  • File sharing
  • No data collection

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 Signal
  • Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Signal
  • Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Signal

Signal

  • Private messagingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Secure group communicationnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Confidential conversationsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Journalism communicationnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Family messagingnot 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

Signal

  • Signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.

Signal

Free
  • FreeFree
    • End-to-end encrypted messaging
    • Voice and video calls
    • Group chats

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.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review

Choose Signal if

  • You need end-to-end encryption.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want disappearing messages.
Signal review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Signal better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Signal 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 Signal?
Signal has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Free for Signal.
Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Signal run on more platforms?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Signal runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Signal for free?
Yes. Signal 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 Signal is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Signal cannot?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats. Both handle Cloud deployment.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

More on Signal

Keep looking

Other head to heads