Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Windscribe
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Security & Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Windscribe
Security & Cybersecurity
VPN and firewall service with a generous free data tier and a customizable Build-A-Plan option
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Windscribe 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; Windscribe free tier's 10GB cap still requires email confirmation and social sharing to unlock, unlike some no-strings-attached competitors.
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Windscribe covers Firewall / default block.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Windscribe actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web |
| Founded | 1975 | Unknown |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & 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 Windscribe
- Firewall / default block
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Build-A-Plan
- R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker
- Static IP and port forwarding add-ons
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 Windscribe
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Windscribe
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Windscribe
Windscribe
- Running a free VPN across unlimited personal devicesnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaplynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Blocking ads and trackers at the DNS level while browsingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Preventing IP leaks with a default-block firewall rulenot 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
Windscribe
- Free tier's 10GB cap still requires email confirmation and social sharing to unlock, unlike some no-strings-attached competitors.
- Build-A-Plan's low cost only covers selected locations, so broad global coverage still requires the full Pro plan.
- Server speeds and streaming reliability are inconsistent compared to larger premium VPN providers.
- Customer support is primarily ticket/community-based rather than live chat for lower tiers.
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Windscribe
Free- FreeFree
- 10GB of data per month with confirmed email
- 10 server countries
- Unlimited devices
- Build-A-Plan$3/month
- Pay per selected server location ($1/location)
- $3 minimum purchase
- Unlimited data on selected locations
- Pro$9/month
- Unlimited data
- 69+ countries
- $69/year on annual billing
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 Windscribe if
- You need firewall / default block.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web.
- You also want unlimited simultaneous devices.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Windscribe better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Windscribe 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 Windscribe?
- Windscribe has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Free for Windscribe.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Windscribe run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Windscribe runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web.
- Can I use Windscribe for free?
- Yes. Windscribe 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 Windscribe is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Windscribe cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, Unlimited simultaneous devices, Build-A-Plan, R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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