Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Zscaler Internet Access
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Zscaler Internet Access
Cybersecurity
Secure cloud-native internet and SaaS access
- From
- $100/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; Zscaler Internet Access the pricing page names two base tiers, Essentials Platform and Zscaler Platform, plus modular add ons including three Digital Experience Monitoring tiers, but publishes no dollar figures anywhere and routes buyers to a demo request for cost
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Zscaler Internet Access covers Secure web gateway.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Zscaler Internet Access actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Zscaler Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $100/year |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Web, Desktop, Mobile |
| Founded | 1975 | 2007 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Zscaler Internet Access
- Secure web gateway
- Cloud firewall
- URL filtering
- Advanced threat protection
- Data loss prevention
- Cloud sandbox
- Browser isolation
- CASB
Both cover
- Microsoft 365
- Azure AD
- ServiceNow
- ISO 27001
- 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 Zscaler Internet Access
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Zscaler Internet Access
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Zscaler Internet Access
Zscaler Internet Access
- Cloud Securitynot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Zero Trustnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Web 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
Zscaler Internet Access
- The pricing page names two base tiers, Essentials Platform and Zscaler Platform, plus modular add ons including three Digital Experience Monitoring tiers, but publishes no dollar figures anywhere and routes buyers to a demo request for cost
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Zscaler Internet Access
$100/year- ZIA Business$100/year
- Web security
- URL filtering
- Cloud firewall
- ZIA Transformation$200/year
- All Business features
- Advanced threat protection
- Cloud sandbox
- ZIA Unlimited$350/year
- All Transformation features
- Cloud browser isolation
- CASB
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 Zscaler Internet Access if
- You need secure web gateway.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
- You also want cloud firewall.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Zscaler Internet Access better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Zscaler Internet Access at $100/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Zscaler Internet Access?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and Zscaler Internet Access at $100/year.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Zscaler Internet Access run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Zscaler Internet Access runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
- 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 Zscaler Internet Access is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that Zscaler Internet Access cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Zscaler Internet Access covers Secure web gateway, Cloud firewall, URL filtering, Advanced threat protection. Both handle Microsoft 365, Azure AD, ServiceNow, ISO 27001.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: How is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint priced?
Defender for Endpoint is bundled into Microsoft 365 enterprise subscriptions. Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3, and Plan 2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5. Individual pricing is not published separately.
SourceZscaler Internet Access: How many pricing tiers does Zscaler Internet Access offer?
Zscaler Internet Access offers two main platform bundles: the Essentials Platform (entry-level) and the Zscaler Platform (comprehensive). Specific pricing is not published online.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offer a trial?
Yes. A free trial is available for prospective customers to test the product before committing to a subscription.
SourceZscaler Internet Access: Are there optional add-on modules available?
Yes. Zscaler offers extensive optional capabilities in five categories including Inline Cyberthreat Protection, Private Access enhancements, Data Security, Security Operations, and Zero Trust Branch.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: What is the difference between Plan 1 and Plan 2?
Plan 1 (in E3) includes unified security tools, device controls, network protection, firewall, web/URL controls, APIs, SIEM connectors, and app controls. Plan 2 (in E5) adds endpoint detection and response, deception techniques, automatic attack disruption, exposure management, and threat intelligence.
SourceZscaler Internet Access: How is Zscaler Zero Trust Branch priced?
Zero Trust Branch is sized by encrypted throughput (200 Mbps to 10 Gbps) or endpoint count (200 to 5,000 endpoints), with pricing varying by configuration.
SourceZscaler Internet Access: How do I get Zscaler pricing?
Zscaler does not publish pricing online. You must request a demo or contact their sales team to receive a pricing quote.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
More on Zscaler Internet Access
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