Cybersecurity · head to head
Microsoft Defender vs PublicInput
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; PublicInput all three plans, Listen, Engage and Engage Plus, are listed as Request Pricing with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender and PublicInput actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender | PublicInput |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $12/month | $400/month |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Ios, Android |
| Category | Cybersecurity | Government |
| Founded | Unknown | 2014 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 PublicInput does not also cover.
Only in PublicInput
- Virtual Public Meetings
- Online Surveys
- Comment Management
- Multi-language Support
- Engagement Analytics
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- GovDelivery
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Defender
- Endpoint security and threat protectionnot PublicInput
- Identity and access securitynot PublicInput
- Email threat protectionnot PublicInput
- SaaS application security monitoringnot PublicInput
PublicInput
- Civic engagementnot Microsoft Defender
- Government consultationnot Microsoft Defender
- Public input collectionnot 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
PublicInput
- All three plans, Listen, Engage and Engage Plus, are listed as Request Pricing with no published rate, minimum or cost driver
- HTML and CSS customization, custom workflows and approvals, and external system integration with Accela and ESRI are listed as Enterprise Capabilities rather than core platform features
- Public meetings functionality is sold under a separate Meetings plan rather than being included with the Engagement plans
- Getting a plan requires booking a consultation and a tailored demo rather than self serve signup
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
PublicInput
$400/month- Enterprise$400/month
- Virtual Meetings
- Surveys
- Comment Management
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Defender if
Nothing in the data separates Microsoft Defender from PublicInput on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose PublicInput if
- You need virtual public meetings.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want online surveys.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender or PublicInput better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and PublicInput at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or PublicInput?
- Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and PublicInput at $400/month.
- Does Microsoft Defender or PublicInput run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender runs on Web. PublicInput runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- 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 PublicInput is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender do that PublicInput cannot?
- PublicInput covers Virtual Public Meetings, Online Surveys, Comment Management, Multi-language Support.
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.
SourcePublicInput: How much does PublicInput cost?
PublicInput does not publish pricing on their website. Customers must request a demo or book a meeting to receive a quote based on their specific needs.
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.
SourcePublicInput: What pricing plans does PublicInput offer?
PublicInput offers Engagement Plans and Meetings Plans, but specific pricing for each plan is not publicly available and requires contacting their sales team.
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 PublicInput
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- PublicInput vs Ring Neighbors
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