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Cybersecurity · head to head

Microsoft Defender vs Postman

Microsoft Defender logo

Microsoft Defender

Cybersecurity

Always-on protection for you and your family's data and devices

From
$12/month
Free plan
No
Visit Microsoft DefenderFull review
Postman logo

Postman

Developer Tools

The API platform for building and using APIs

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit PostmanFull review

The short version

  • Postman is an API platform for building and using APIs.
  • Postman has a free plan, then $14/mo; Microsoft Defender starts at $12/mo.
  • Where Microsoft Defender falls short: defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing.
  • Where Postman falls short: free plan limited to single user as of March 1, 2026, making it unsuitable for teams without paid plans.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender and Postman actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Defender and Postman differ
AttributeMicrosoft DefenderPostman
Starting price$12/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux
CategoryCybersecurityDeveloper Tools

Not yet recorded: pricing model for Postman, founded for Microsoft Defender.

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 Postman does not also cover.

Only in Postman

  • API client
  • Automated testing
  • Mock servers
  • Documentation
  • Monitors
  • Workspaces
  • Version control
  • API design

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Microsoft Defender

  • Endpoint security and threat protectionnot Postman
  • Identity and access securitynot Postman
  • Email threat protectionnot Postman
  • SaaS application security monitoringnot Postman

Postman

  • API testingnot Microsoft Defender
  • API documentationnot Microsoft Defender
  • API monitoringnot Microsoft Defender
  • Team collaborationnot Microsoft Defender
  • API developmentnot 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

Postman

  • Free plan limited to single user as of March 1, 2026, making it unsuitable for teams without paid plans
  • Only 25 collection runs per month and 1,000 API calls/month on free tier
  • Removed local-only Scratch Pad mode in 2023, forcing cloud account creation and sync
  • Requires Postman account and internet connection for most features
  • Cloud-first architecture with mandatory syncing to Postman's cloud servers
  • No CI/CD integration or advanced security features on free plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Defender

$12/month
  • Microsoft Defender Suite$12/mo
    • Endpoint protection
    • Identity threat detection
    • Email security
  • Microsoft 365 E5 with Defender$60/mo
    • Includes Defender Suite
    • Microsoft Teams included
    • Comprehensive security and compliance
  • Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Add-on$2/mo
    • Vulnerability scanning and management
    • One-month free trial available
    • Annual commitment required

Postman

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 user
    • 25 collection runs/month
    • 1,000 API calls/month
  • Team$14/mo
    • Team collaboration
    • Shared workspaces
    • API mocking
  • Professional$29/mo
    • Team features
    • Advanced security
    • SSO
  • Enterprise$49/mo
    • Professional features
    • Custom integrations
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Defender if

Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from Postman on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Microsoft Defender review

Choose Postman if

  • You need api client.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want automated testing.
Postman review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Defender or Postman better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and Postman at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or Postman?
Postman has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Microsoft Defender and Free for Postman.
Does Microsoft Defender or Postman run on more platforms?
Microsoft Defender runs on Web. Postman runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Postman for free?
Yes. Postman has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month.
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 Postman is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Defender do that Postman cannot?
Postman covers API client, Automated testing, Mock servers, Documentation.

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.

Source
Postman: What is the cost of Postman?

Postman has a free plan limited to 1 user, 25 collection runs/month, 1,000 API calls/month. Team plans start at $14/user/month for Basic. Professional at $29/user/month, and Enterprise at $49/user/month.

Source
Microsoft 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.

Source
Postman: Can I use Postman offline?

Postman requires an internet connection to sync collections to the cloud. Since 2023, the Scratch Pad local-only mode was removed. Users must sign in with a Postman account, and collections sync to cloud by default. Offline work is possible but limited without cloud sync features.

Source
Microsoft 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.

Source
Postman: Does Postman have team collaboration?

Team collaboration is not available on the free plan (limited to 1 user). Team plans start at $14/user/month and include shared workspaces, real-time collaboration, and team management features.

Source
Postman: What are the free plan limits?

Free plan allows: 1 user only, 25 collection runs per month, 1,000 API calls/month, and 1,000 mock server calls/month. No CI/CD integration or advanced security features.

Source
Postman: Does Postman work with other development tools?

Postman integrates with Git repositories, offers a Node.js runner (Newman) for automation, and connects with popular CI/CD platforms. Teams using git-native workflows may prefer alternatives like Bruno.

Source
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