Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender vs NextRequest
Microsoft Defender
Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- $12/month
- Free plan
- No
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing; NextRequest now sold as part of the CivicPlus product line rather than standalone, and nextrequest.com redirects into the CivicPlus site
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender and NextRequest actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender | NextRequest |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $12/month | $300/month |
| Category | Cybersecurity | Government |
| Founded | Unknown | 2015 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web), 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
Nothing recorded that NextRequest does not also cover.
Only in NextRequest
- Request Intake
- Workflow Management
- Document Redaction
- Public Portal
- Reporting
- Document Systems
- Payment Processors
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot NextRequest
- Identity and access securitynot NextRequest
- Email threat protectionnot NextRequest
- SaaS application security monitoringnot NextRequest
NextRequest
- Receiving and routing public records and FOIA requestsnot Microsoft Defender
- Tracking request status and statutory deadlines centrallynot Microsoft Defender
- Redacting documents before release with RapidReviewnot Microsoft Defender
- Invoicing and collecting payment for records requestsnot Microsoft Defender
- Publishing a public-facing request portal for residentsnot Microsoft Defender
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Microsoft Defender
- Defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing
- Some Defender products use pay-as-you-go pricing with variable costs
- Prices vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring sales contact for custom quotes
NextRequest
- Now sold as part of the CivicPlus product line rather than standalone, and nextrequest.com redirects into the CivicPlus site
- Pricing is not published
- Aimed at government agencies, so it is not a general purpose request or ticketing tool
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Defender
$12/month- Microsoft Defender Suite$12/month
- Endpoint protection
- Identity threat detection
- Email security
- Microsoft 365 E5 with Defender$60/month
- Includes Defender Suite
- Microsoft Teams included
- Comprehensive security and compliance
- Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on$2/month
- Vulnerability scanning and management
- One-month free trial available
- Annual commitment required
NextRequest
$300/month- Standard$300/month
- Request Management
- Document Redaction
- Public Portal
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from NextRequest on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender or NextRequest better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and NextRequest at $300/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or NextRequest?
- Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and NextRequest at $300/month.
- Does Microsoft Defender or NextRequest run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is Microsoft Defender best used for?
- Microsoft Defender is most often used for endpoint security and threat protection, identity and access security, email threat protection, saas application security monitoring. Of those, endpoint security and threat protection and identity and access security are not what NextRequest is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender do that NextRequest cannot?
- NextRequest covers Request Intake, Workflow Management, Document Redaction, Public Portal.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Microsoft Defender: How much does Microsoft Defender Suite cost?
Microsoft Defender Suite costs $12/user/month (paid yearly), but requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing. It includes endpoint protection, identity threat detection, email security, and SaaS application monitoring.
SourceNextRequest: What is the price of NextRequest FOIA management?
NextRequest pricing is not published on their website. Customers must request pricing directly through the website contact form or call the sales team at 888-228-2233.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: What add-ons are available for Microsoft Defender?
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on costs $2/user/month with annual commitment and includes a one-month free trial. Additional pay-as-you-go products include External Attack Surface Management, Cloud Security Posture Management, and Sentinel.
SourceMicrosoft Defender: Is Defender included in Microsoft 365 E5?
Yes, Microsoft Defender Suite is included in Microsoft 365 E5 at $60/user/month (paid yearly with Teams). Prices may vary based on Microsoft agreements, requiring contact with Sales for customized quotes.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender
More on NextRequest
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