Softwr

Cybersecurity · head to head

Microsoft Defender vs Vigilant Solutions

Microsoft Defender logo

Microsoft Defender

Cybersecurity

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

From
$12/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite
Vigilant Solutions logo

Vigilant Solutions

Government

License Plate Recognition Analytics

From
$1000/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender defender Suite requires existing Microsoft 365 E3 or equivalent base licensing; Vigilant Solutions vigilant Solutions' product line, as captured before its Motorola Solutions acquisition (Internet Archive capture, 8 January 2020), was named Vigilant PlateSearch, FaceSearch, BallisticSearch and CrimeSearch, sold to law enforcement with no published pricing
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender and Vigilant Solutions actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Defender and Vigilant Solutions differ
AttributeMicrosoft DefenderVigilant Solutions
Starting price$12/month$1000/month
PlatformsWebWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryCybersecurityGovernment
FoundedUnknown1928

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 Vigilant Solutions does not also cover.

Only in Vigilant Solutions

  • License Plate Recognition
  • Vehicle Database
  • Real-time Alerts
  • Analytics
  • Mobile LPR
  • CAD Systems
  • RMS
  • Federal Databases

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Defender

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

Vigilant Solutions

  • Citizen Servicesnot Microsoft Defender
  • Records Managementnot Microsoft Defender
  • Public Safetynot Microsoft Defender
  • Civic Engagementnot 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

Vigilant Solutions

  • Vigilant Solutions' product line, as captured before its Motorola Solutions acquisition (Internet Archive capture, 8 January 2020), was named Vigilant PlateSearch, FaceSearch, BallisticSearch and CrimeSearch, sold to law enforcement with no published pricing

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

Vigilant Solutions

$1000/month
  • LPR Analytics$1000/month
    • LPR Cameras
    • Database Access
    • Analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Defender if

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

Microsoft Defender review

Choose Vigilant Solutions if

  • You need license plate recognition.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want vehicle database.
Vigilant Solutions review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Defender or Vigilant Solutions better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and Vigilant Solutions at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender or Vigilant Solutions?
Microsoft Defender starts at $12/month and Vigilant Solutions at $1000/month.
Does Microsoft Defender or Vigilant Solutions run on more platforms?
Microsoft Defender runs on Web. Vigilant Solutions runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
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 Vigilant Solutions is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Defender do that Vigilant Solutions cannot?
Vigilant Solutions covers License Plate Recognition, Vehicle Database, Real-time Alerts, Analytics.

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
Vigilant Solutions: How do I get pricing information for Vigilant Solutions?

Vigilant Solutions does not publish pricing on their website. Customers must contact Motorola Solutions' sales team directly to request a pricing estimate or discuss their specific requirements.

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
Vigilant Solutions: Is there a free demo or trial available?

Yes, Motorola Solutions (which now owns Vigilant Solutions) offers a free customized demo conducted by security experts. Users can request a demo on the product page without obligation.

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
Vigilant Solutions: Can I get a pricing estimate without committing?

Yes, customers can provide details about their requirements through the website to receive a no-obligation pricing estimate from Motorola Solutions. This allows evaluation of potential costs before making any commitment.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Microsoft Defender

More on Vigilant Solutions

Keep looking

Other head to heads