Software · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Workday
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -

Workday
Software
Enterprise cloud applications for finance and HR
- 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; Workday high implementation costs equal to or exceeding annual software fees
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Workday covers Human capital management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Workday actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Workday |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Cloud/Web |
| Founded | 1975 | 2005 |
Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (quote), 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 Workday
- Human capital management
- Financial management
- Planning
- Analytics
- Payroll
- Time tracking
- Talent management
- Procurement
Both cover
- ServiceNow
- SOC2
- HIPAA
- 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 Workday
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Workday
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Workday
Workday
- HR managementnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Financial planningnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Workforce planningnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Compliancenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Analyticsnot 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
Workday
- High implementation costs equal to or exceeding annual software fees
- Long deployment timelines (12-18 months standard) before ROI
- Steep per-employee pricing at enterprise scale ($408-504 PEPM)
- Limited pre-built templates and customization; often requires extensive configuration
- Requires significant IT and change management resources during implementation
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Workday
On request- Small Business$undefined/month
- Core HR
- Payroll
- Time tracking
- Medium Enterprise$undefined/month
- Full HCM suite
- Financial management
- Advanced analytics
- Large Enterprise$undefined/month
- Complete platform
- Custom configurations
- Dedicated support
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 Workday if
- You need human capital management.
- You work on Cloud/Web.
- You also want financial management.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Workday better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Workday 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 Workday?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Workday at On request.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Workday run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Workday runs on Cloud/Web.
- 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 Workday is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Workday cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Workday covers Human capital management, Financial management, Planning, Analytics. Both handle ServiceNow, SOC2, HIPAA, GDPR.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Workday: What is Workday GO and what market is it designed for?
Workday GO is a product designed for small and midsize organizations, bringing together HR and finance solutions with transparent pricing and fast activation in 30 to 60 days. It includes HCM, benefits, payroll, talent, and more at a lower price point than standard Workday.
SourceWorkday: What is Workday Skills Cloud and how does it fit into HCM?
Workday Skills Cloud is an intelligent skills foundation built into Workday HCM. It is described as the world's most open intelligent skills foundation and fuels data-driven talent strategies across recruiting, learning, and workforce planning.
SourceWorkday: Does Workday include payroll and benefits management?
Yes. Workday HCM includes benefits administration and payroll capabilities as part of its core suite. Global payroll processing is available across multiple countries and tax jurisdictions.
SourceWorkday: What is the typical pricing model for Workday HCM?
Workday HCM uses per-employee (PEPM) annual subscription pricing. Companies at scale typically pay $34-42 PEPM. Enterprise organizations with 5,000+ employees typically pay $408-504 per employee annually. Pricing decreases with larger commitments and longer contract terms.
SourceWorkday: How long does Workday implementation typically take?
Standard implementations are lengthy, often taking 12-18 months. Workday GO promises faster activation in 30-60 days. Implementation costs typically equal 100-150% of the first year's software subscription fees.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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- Workday vs BambooHR
- Workday vs Culture Amp
- Workday vs Freshteam
- Workday vs TINYpulse
- Workday vs Zoho People
- Workday vs 15Five
- Workday vs Bonusly
- Workday vs CharlieHR
- Workday vs Kudos
- Workday vs Lattice
- Workday vs Personio
- Workday vs Achievers
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- Workday vs Darwinbox
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