Softwr

Security & Cybersecurity · head to head

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Zoom

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint logo

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Security & Cybersecurity

Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zoom logo

Zoom

All industries

Video conferencing that's easy, reliable, and secure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zoom 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; Zoom cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Zoom covers HD video & audio.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Zoom actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Zoom differ
AttributeMicrosoft Defender for EndpointZoom
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWeb, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
CategorySecurity & CybersecurityAll industries
Founded19752011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Zoom

  • HD video & audio
  • Screen sharing
  • Recording & transcripts
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Breakout rooms
  • Polling & Q&A
  • Chat
  • Whiteboard

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • FedRAMP
  • HIPAA

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 Zoom
  • Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Zoom
  • Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Zoom

Zoom

  • Team meetingsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Webinarsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Virtual eventsnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Online trainingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Telehealthnot 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

Zoom

  • Cost creep from add-ons increases pricing from $14/user to $25+/user when including Phone and advanced features
  • Feature set is overwhelming with complex navigation and too many options
  • Limited analytics and coaching features compared to dedicated contact center platforms
  • Call recording and admin oversight lack strict governance needed for regulated industries

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.

Zoom

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 100 participants
    • 40-minute group meetings
    • Unlimited 1-on-1 meetings
  • Pro$14.99/month
    • 100 participants
    • 30-hour group meetings
    • Cloud recording (5GB)
  • Business$19.99/month
    • 300 participants
    • Single sign-on
    • Recording transcripts
  • Enterprise$25/month
    • 500 participants
    • Advanced admin features
    • Executive business review

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.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review

Choose Zoom if

  • You need hd video & audio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want screen sharing.
Zoom review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Zoom better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Zoom 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 Zoom?
Zoom has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Free for Zoom.
Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Zoom run on more platforms?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Zoom runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
Can I use Zoom for free?
Yes. Zoom 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 Zoom is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Zoom cannot?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Zoom covers HD video & audio, Screen sharing, Recording & transcripts, Virtual backgrounds. Both handle SOC2, FedRAMP, HIPAA.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Zoom: What are Zoom's main pricing tiers?

Zoom offers a free Basic plan with 40-minute limits for group meetings, Pro at $14.16/user/month, Business at $15.58/user/month with 300 participant capacity, and Enterprise with custom pricing. Additional costs apply for Phone ($10.50/user/month), Webinars, and Rooms.

Source
Zoom: What integrations does Zoom support?

Zoom integrates with Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, HubSpot, Zendesk, and many other business applications, though integration depth varies by partner.

Source
Zoom: Can Zoom be used for webinars?

Yes, Zoom Webinars is available as a separate product starting at $66.67 per month, providing larger audience capabilities and specialized webinar features.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

More on Zoom

Keep looking

Other head to heads