Software · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs VMware Carbon Black
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
V
VMware Carbon Black
Software
Intelligent endpoint and workload security
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, VMware Carbon Black covers Next-gen antivirus.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and VMware Carbon Black actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | VMware Carbon Black |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Desktop, Api |
| Founded | 1975 | 2002 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), 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 VMware Carbon Black
- Next-gen antivirus
- Behavioral EDR
- Threat hunting
- Live response
- Audit and remediation
- Device control
- App control
- Workload protection
Both cover
- ServiceNow
- FedRAMP
- HIPAA
- 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 VMware Carbon Black
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot VMware Carbon Black
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not VMware Carbon Black
VMware Carbon Black
- Endpoint Securitynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Edrnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Workload Securitynot 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
VMware Carbon Black
Nothing recorded yet. See the VMware Carbon Black review.
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
VMware Carbon Black
On request- CB Endpoint StandardFree
- NGAV
- Behavioral EDR
- Device control
- CB Endpoint AdvancedFree
- All Standard features
- Threat hunting
- Audit and remediation
- CB Endpoint EnterpriseFree
- All Advanced features
- Advanced threat hunting
- Live response
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 VMware Carbon Black if
- You need next-gen antivirus.
- You work on Desktop, Api.
- You also want behavioral edr.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or VMware Carbon Black better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and VMware Carbon Black 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 VMware Carbon Black?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and VMware Carbon Black at On request.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or VMware Carbon Black run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. VMware Carbon Black runs on Desktop, 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 VMware Carbon Black is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that VMware Carbon Black cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. VMware Carbon Black covers Next-gen antivirus, Behavioral EDR, Threat hunting, Live response. Both handle ServiceNow, FedRAMP, HIPAA, Cloud deployment.