Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
Microsoft Defender
Cybersecurity
Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices
- From
- $12/month
- Rated
- -
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
Cybersecurity
Cloud-native application protection platform
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing; Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud listed on UK G-Cloud at £147.54 per unit for Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud, via reseller Phoenix Software Limited, with the billing period not stated on the listing
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender and Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender | Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $12/month | On request |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Api |
| Founded | Unknown | 2005 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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
Nothing recorded that Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud does not also cover.
Only in Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
- Cloud Security Posture Management
- Cloud Workload Protection
- Cloud Network Security
- Cloud Identity Security
- Code Security
- API Security
- Data Security
- Microsegmentation
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
- Identity and access securitynot Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
- Email threat protectionnot Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
- SaaS application security monitoringnot Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
- Cloud Securitynot Microsoft Defender
- Cspmnot Microsoft Defender
- Cwppnot 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
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
- Listed on UK G-Cloud at £147.54 per unit for Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud, via reseller Phoenix Software Limited, with the billing period not stated on the listing
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
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
On request- Cloud SecurityFree
- CSPM
- CWPP
- CIEM
- Code SecurityFree
- IaC security
- SCA
- Secrets scanning
- Prisma Cloud EnterpriseFree
- Full platform
- API security
- Data security
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud if
- You need cloud security posture management.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want cloud workload protection.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender or Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud?
- Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud at On request.
- Does Microsoft Defender or Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender runs on Web. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud runs on Web, Api.
- 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 Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender do that Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud cannot?
- Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud covers Cloud Security Posture Management, Cloud Workload Protection, Cloud Network Security, Cloud Identity Security.
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.
SourcePalo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud: How much does Prisma Cloud cost?
Prisma Cloud pricing is not published publicly. Pricing is provided through the sales team via a custom quote based on your deployment scope and requirements.
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.
SourcePalo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud: Is there a free trial for Prisma Cloud?
No free trial is available without contacting the sales team. The company offers a demo through the product demo center or by requesting a demo through their sales process.
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.
SourcePalo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud: What do I need to do to get Prisma Cloud pricing and start a trial?
You must contact the sales team via the Contact Us link or request a demo. Pricing details are provided only through direct sales engagement.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Defender
More on Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud
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