Software · head to head
Microsoft Defender vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
M
Microsoft Defender
Software
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender the overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 1975 |
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
Nothing recorded that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint does not also cover.
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
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Defender
No use cases recorded yet. See the Microsoft Defender review.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not Microsoft Defender
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot Microsoft Defender
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not Microsoft Defender
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Microsoft Defender
- The overview page names Business, Business Premium and Enterprise tiers but publishes no per-seat figure on the page itself, routing every plan to a separate pricing page instead
- Full family and business protection requires a Microsoft 365 Family, Personal or Premium subscription rather than being included with the free built-in Windows version
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender review.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
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 or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at On request and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- Microsoft Defender starts at On request and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request.
- Does Microsoft Defender or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender runs on Web. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- What can Microsoft Defender do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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