Software · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs WorkOS
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
WorkOS
Software
Developer platform for enterprise-ready authentication and identity.
- From
- $125/one-time per connection
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; WorkOS authKit free tier limited to 1 million monthly active users; additional millions cost $2,500/month
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and WorkOS actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | WorkOS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $125/one-time per connection |
| Pricing model | quote | usage-based |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, API |
| Founded | 1975 | Unknown |
Identical on both: 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 WorkOS
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 WorkOS
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot WorkOS
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not WorkOS
WorkOS
- SaaS applications needing rapid enterprise SSO deploymentnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Companies selling to mid-market and enterprise customersnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Applications requiring SCIM directory sync with corporate identity systemsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Product teams needing audit logs for compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001)not Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Platforms with multiple identity provider requirementsnot 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
WorkOS
- AuthKit free tier limited to 1 million monthly active users; additional millions cost $2,500/month
- Per-connection pricing for SSO and Directory Sync ($125–$50 each) scales poorly for enterprises with many identity providers
- Audit logs require separate subscription at $125/month per SIEM connection or $99/month per 1 million events
- Radar fraud protection billed separately at $100/month per 50,000 additional checks beyond 1,000 free checks
- Custom domain feature requires $99/month subscription
- Requires annual commitment for SLA and support guarantees; pay-as-you-go tier lacks uptime guarantee
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
WorkOS
$125/one-time per connection- Pay as You Go$null/variable
- Per-connection pricing from $125 to $50 with volume discounts
- Up to 60% discount at scale
- Quick deployment
- Annual Credits$null/variable
- Custom pricing with volume discounts
- 99.99% uptime SLA
- Guided migration
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 WorkOS better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and WorkOS at $125/one-time per connection, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or WorkOS?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and WorkOS at $125/one-time per connection.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or WorkOS run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. WorkOS 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 WorkOS is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that WorkOS cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
WorkOS: How quickly can I implement WorkOS SSO?
Developers can implement single sign-on in minutes instead of months. Multiple customers report setting up SSO in less than a week, with WorkOS handling the complexity of SAML and OIDC protocols.
SourceWorkOS: What SDKs does WorkOS provide?
WorkOS offers SDKs for Node.js, Python, Ruby, Go, PHP, Java, and .NET.
SourceWorkOS: Does WorkOS support SCIM provisioning?
Yes. WorkOS supports SCIM provisioning integration with systems like Okta and Entra ID for automated user management.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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