Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
by Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a comprehensive enterprise EDR solution natively built into Windows and Microsoft 365, delivering deep OS-level visibility, AI threat detection, and automated investigation across all major platforms.
Starting Price
$5.20/device/month (standalone Plan 2); Included in M365 E5/Business Premium
G2
Gartner
Capterra
Ratings & Reviews
Key Features
- Native Windows OS Integration (No Agent on Windows)
- Microsoft Threat Intelligence (65T+ Daily Signals)
- Threat & Vulnerability Management (TVM)
- Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) Rules
- Automated Investigation & Remediation (AIR)
- Microsoft Secure Score
- Cross-Platform Support (Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android)
- Live Response (Remote Shell)
- Endpoint Behavioral Sensors
- Integration with Microsoft Sentinel & Intune
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Included in Microsoft 365 E5 — no extra licensing cost
- +Deepest Windows OS integration of any EDR
- +Largest threat intelligence network in the world (65T+ signals/day)
- +No agent required on Windows devices
- +Longest trial period (90 days)
- +Most Gartner reviews of any EDR vendor (1
- +832+)
Cons
- −Detection capabilities noticeably weaker outside Microsoft ecosystem
- −Can generate alert fatigue without proper tuning
- −Management console complexity for non-Microsoft admins
- −Linux and macOS coverage less mature than Windows
- −Best features locked behind E5 licensing
Best For
Organizations that are already invested in Microsoft 365 or Azure who want enterprise-grade EDR at zero incremental cost, with deep integration across their existing Microsoft security stack.
Target Audience
Enterprise, Government, Education, Organizations using Microsoft 365
Key Integrations
Competitor Tools
Pricing
Model
Included in Microsoft 365 E5 ($57/user/month) or Microsoft 365 Business Premium ($22/user/month); Standalone: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 at $5.20/device/month
Starting At
$5.20/device/month (standalone Plan 2); Included in M365 E5/Business Premium
Free Trial
Yes — 90-day trial available for Microsoft 365 E5 (includes MDE)Company Info
Founded
1975
Headquarters
Redmond, WA, USA
Employees
220,000+
Company Size
All sizes — particularly cost-effective for Microsoft 365 subscribers
Funding
Public (NASDAQ: MSFT) — Market Cap ~$3.1T (2024)
Certifications
Awards & Recognition
Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader — Endpoint Protection Platforms 2024 | Forrester Wave Leader — Endpoint Security Software 2023 | AV-Comparatives Approved Business Security Product 2024
Data sourced from G2, Gartner & Capterra · Verified by Firmographic