Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Sophos Intercept X
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Sophos Intercept X
Cybersecurity
Advanced endpoint protection with deep learning
- From
- $28/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; Sophos Intercept X sophos publishes no price for endpoint protection: the product page names editions but gives no per user rate, no minimum seat count and no contract length, and routes buyers to a sales enquiry
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Sophos Intercept X covers Deep learning AI.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Sophos Intercept X actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Intercept X |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $28/year |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Desktop, Mobile, Api |
| Founded | 1975 | 1985 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Sophos Intercept X
- Deep learning AI
- Anti-ransomware
- Exploit prevention
- CryptoGuard
- WipeGuard
- Root cause analysis
- Active adversary mitigation
- Synchronized security
Both cover
- Azure Sentinel
- SOC2
- ISO 27001
- GDPR
- 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 Sophos Intercept X
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Sophos Intercept X
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Sophos Intercept X
Sophos Intercept X
- Endpoint protection across Windows, macOS, and Linux devicesnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Ransomware detection with CryptoGuard file encryption monitoringnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- AI-powered zero-day exploit mitigation with 60+ proprietary techniquesnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Shadow AI and generative AI tool usage control across the organizationnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Mobile device encryption and managed detection and response servicesnot 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
Sophos Intercept X
- Sophos publishes no price for endpoint protection: the product page names editions but gives no per user rate, no minimum seat count and no contract length, and routes buyers to a sales enquiry
- Extended detection and response requires the Advanced with XDR edition rather than the base endpoint product
- 24x7 monitored detection and response is sold as the separate Sophos MDR service on top of the endpoint licence
- The Intercept X name has been retired in favour of Sophos Endpoint, so older documentation refers to a brand the vendor no longer uses
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Sophos Intercept X
$28/year- Intercept X Essentials$28/year
- Per user
- Deep learning
- Anti-ransomware
- Intercept X Advanced$44/year
- All Essentials features
- Root cause analysis
- Sophos Central
- Intercept X with XDR$55/year
- All Advanced features
- Extended detection
- Live Discover
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 Sophos Intercept X if
- You need deep learning ai.
- You work on Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- You also want anti-ransomware.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Sophos Intercept X better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Sophos Intercept X at $28/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Sophos Intercept X?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Sophos Intercept X at $28/year.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Sophos Intercept X run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Sophos Intercept X runs on Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- 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 Sophos Intercept X is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Sophos Intercept X cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Sophos Intercept X covers Deep learning AI, Anti-ransomware, Exploit prevention, CryptoGuard. Both handle Azure Sentinel, SOC2, ISO 27001, GDPR.
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.
SourceSophos Intercept X: How much does Sophos Endpoint cost?
Sophos does not publish Endpoint pricing on its website. The vendor directs customers to contact sales or request a quote for pricing.
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.
SourceSophos Intercept X: Does Sophos Endpoint offer a free trial?
Sophos provides a free 30-day trial of Sophos Endpoint for customers with an active Sophos Fusion account. Trial activation does not require payment information.
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.
SourceSophos Intercept X: What support levels are available for Sophos Endpoint?
Sophos Fusion customers receive 8x5 support included with subscriptions. Extended support tiers and costs are not listed on the public website.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
More on Sophos Intercept X
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