Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Vanta
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Vanta
Cybersecurity
Compliance automation platform for SOC 2, ISO 27001 and similar frameworks.
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; Vanta no published pricing for any tier; all plans require requesting a demo and contacting sales
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Vanta actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Vanta |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, API |
| Founded | 1975 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), 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 Vanta
Nothing recorded that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint does not also cover.
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 Vanta
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Vanta
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Vanta
Vanta
- SaaS and fintech companies needing rapid SOC 2 certification for enterprise salesnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Healthcare organisations automating HIPAA compliance managementnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- European companies managing GDPR and privacy compliancenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Organisations implementing ISO 27001 and other security standardsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Companies conducting vendor security assessments and managing third-party risknot 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
Vanta
- No published pricing for any tier; all plans require requesting a demo and contacting sales
- Essentials tier limited to one compliance framework; organisations needing multiple frameworks must upgrade to higher tiers
- Plus and Professional tiers feature unclear differentiation; specific pricing and included questionnaires not published
- Enterprise pricing fully custom; no transparency on costs or what features are included
- AI questionnaire automation capped at 25 annually in Plus tier, only 144 annually in Professional tier
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Vanta
On request- Essentials$undefined/variable
- One compliance framework
- Vanta AI Agent features
- Automated evidence collection
- Plus$undefined/variable
- All Essentials features
- Enhanced AI Agent capabilities
- AI-powered questionnaire automation (25 annually)
- Professional$undefined/variable
- All Plus features
- 144 questionnaires annually (marked 'Most Popular')
- Risk management tools
- Enterprise$undefined/variable
- Fully customisable package
- Flexible, scalable, advanced compliance
- Tailored to sophisticated GRC requirements
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Vanta better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Vanta at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Vanta?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Vanta at On request.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Vanta run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Vanta runs on Web, 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 Vanta is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Vanta cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.
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.
SourceVanta: How many compliance frameworks does Vanta support?
Vanta supports 35+ compliance frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR and custom frameworks.
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.
SourceVanta: Does Vanta automate questionnaires?
Yes. Vanta's AI Agent can automate questionnaire completion, with the number of annually supported questionnaires varying by plan (25 in Plus tier, 144 in Professional tier).
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.
SourceVanta: How many integrations does Vanta support?
Vanta integrates with 300+ pre-built system connections and supports over 90% automation of compliance tasks through these integrations.
SourceRelated pages
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