Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review

Enterprise EDR built into Windows and E5.

Top 11 rank

#2 of 11

Score

9.1/9.4

Pricing

$ ($3/endpoint/mo Plan 1, or bundled in Microsoft 365 E5)

HQ

Redmond, USA

Verdict

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint ranks second because it delivers top-tier MITRE detection built into Windows and included in E5, so companies already paying for that license get enterprise EDR without a new contract.

What customers praise

Native OS integration means no separate agent on Windows, and alerts feed straight into Defender XDR and Sentinel for one investigation view.

What customers criticise

Coverage on macOS and Linux is solid but trails Windows, and full value depends on the pricey E5 license.

Best for

Microsoft shops on E5 that want strong EDR built into the platform at no extra vendor cost.

At a glance

  • Integrations: Microsoft 365, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender XDR, Entra ID
  • Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HIPAA
  • Regions served: North America, EMEA, APAC
  • Typical onboarding: 2 days

Red flags

Public risk signals as of July 2026: none. No material public risk signals as of 2026-07-04. See the full red-flag report.

Alternatives

See alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, or compare against the next-ranked entry: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs SentinelOne Singularity.

Source: Top 11 Top 11 Endpoint Protection Software, verified July 4, 2026 — no paid placement.