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Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll endpoint security and EDR

Top picks

  • CrowdStrike Falcon logo

    Best overall

    CrowdStrike Falcon

    Starting price: $59.99 per device/year (Falcon Go, billed annually)

Common reasons people leave Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: plan 1, Plan 2 and Defender for Business licensing is confusing, and best experience assumes the wider Microsoft security stack. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. CrowdStrike Falcon currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1CrowdStrike Falcon logoCrowdStrike FalconPaid$59.99 per device/year (Falcon Go, billed annually)NoWeb, Windows, macOS +17 of 783.8
2SoSophos EndpointPaid—NoWeb, Windows, macOS +14 of 471.3
3SentinelOne Singularity logoSentinelOne SingularityPaid$179.99 per endpoint/year (Singularity Complete)NoWeb, Windows, macOS +38 of 862.6
4Bitdefender GravityZone logoBitdefender GravityZonePaid—NoWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 559.4
5Cortex XDR logoCortex XDRPaid—NoWeb, Windows, macOS +15 of 557.5
6ESET PROTECT logoESET PROTECTPaid—NoWeb, Windows, macOS +45 of 555.9
  1. CrowdStrike Falcon logo

    1. CrowdStrike FalconTop pick

    Best for: Businesses of any size that want a top-tier EDR, from self-serve bundles to managed detection

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux

    83.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

    Vendor-neutral EDR with self-serve bundles, popular when you don't want to depend on Microsoft.

    Pros

    • Self-serve bundles with published per-device prices
    • Single lightweight sensor for Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Managed detection and response available for teams without a SOC
    • 15-day free trial without a credit card

    Cons

    • Costs climb quickly as you add modules beyond the bundles
    • Falcon Go is capped at 100 devices
    • A faulty update in July 2024 caused a worldwide Windows outage
    Visit CrowdStrike Falcon Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is CrowdStrike Falcon a good Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Starting price
    $59.99 per device/year (Falcon Go, billed annually)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026crowdstrike.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Monthly billing
    From $7.99 per device/month (Falcon Go)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026crowdstrike.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    15 days, no card
    Checked Nov 8, 2026crowdstrike.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Operating systems
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026crowdstrike.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Falcon Go device limit
    100 devices
    Checked Nov 8, 2026crowdstrike.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Falcon Pro plan
    $99.99 per device/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026crowdstrike.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Falcon Enterprise plan
    $184.99 per device/year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026crowdstrike.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. So

    2. Sophos Endpoint

    Best for: Small and mid-size organisations buying through an IT partner, often alongside Sophos MDR or firewalls

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux

    71.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

    Partner-delivered protection with CryptoGuard rollback and an optional 24/7 MDR service.

    Pros

    • CryptoGuard detects ransomware encryption and rolls files back
    • One agent for Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints and servers
    • Optional 24/7 managed detection and response from Sophos
    • 30-day free trial

    Cons

    • No published prices; bought through partners
    • EDR and XDR features cost extra over the base product
    Visit Sophos Endpoint Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.1563
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Sophos Endpoint a good Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Operating systems
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sophos.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ransomware rollback
    CryptoGuard
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sophos.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Exploit mitigations
    60+ on by default
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sophos.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sophos.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. SentinelOne Singularity logo

    3. SentinelOne Singularity

    Best for: Security teams that want autonomous EDR with rollback and AI-assisted investigation

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

    Autonomous agent with one-click rollback, independent of the Microsoft 365 licence stack.

    Pros

    • One-click rollback and remediation after an attack
    • Covers endpoints, cloud workloads, identity and mobile devices
    • Published per-endpoint prices for the main packages

    Cons

    • Annual per-endpoint pricing is higher than Microsoft Defender bundled in Microsoft 365
    • Enterprise tier and add-ons need a sales quote
    • Feature depth is aimed at teams with security analysts
    Visit SentinelOne Singularity Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is SentinelOne Singularity a good Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Singularity Complete
    $179.99 per endpoint/year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Singularity Commercial
    $229.99 per endpoint/year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ransomware rollback
    One-click
    Checked Nov 1, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
    US government
    FedRAMP High authorized
    Checked Nov 1, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile protection
    iOS and Android
    Checked Nov 1, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $179.99 per endpoint/year (Singularity Complete)
    Checked Nov 2, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Singularity Commercial plan
    $229.99 per endpoint/year
    Checked Nov 2, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Singularity Enterprise plan
    Custom quote
    Checked Nov 2, 2026sentinelone.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Bitdefender GravityZone logo

    4. Bitdefender GravityZone

    Best for: Small and mid-size IT teams and MSPs that want strong endpoint protection with cloud or on-prem management

    PaidSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

    Strong malware detection with lower per-endpoint cost, popular with small businesses and MSPs.

    Pros

    • Choice of cloud console or self-hosted virtual appliance
    • Ransomware protection that restores encrypted files from backup copies
    • Small-business package can be bought online without a sales call
    • Wide range of add-ons: patching, encryption, email and mobile security

    Cons

    • Many features sit in separate add-ons or higher tiers
    • Console has a lot of settings to learn for a small IT team
    • Mobile protection is an add-on, not part of the base package
    Visit Bitdefender GravityZone Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bitdefender GravityZone a good Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free trial
    Yes
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Supported OS
    Windows, Linux, macOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Deployment
    Cloud or on-premises management
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
    On-prem console
    Virtual appliance (OVA, XVA, VHD)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile add-on
    iOS, Android and ChromeOS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Cortex XDR logo

    5. Cortex XDR

    Best for: Security teams that want endpoint protection plus cross-source detection, especially if they already use Palo Alto

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

    Palo Alto's XDR correlating endpoint, network and cloud data, a fit for teams already on Palo Alto firewalls.

    Pros

    • Correlates endpoint, network, cloud, identity and email data in one incident view
    • Custom detection rules and a REST API for alerts and incidents
    • Optional Unit 42 managed detection and response inside the same tenant
    • Fits neatly with other Palo Alto firewalls and Cortex products

    Cons

    • No public pricing; you have to go through sales or a partner
    • Built for trained security analysts, so small IT teams may find it heavy
    • Gets most of its value when paired with other Palo Alto products
    Visit Cortex XDR Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Cortex XDR a good Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Data sources
    Endpoint, network, cloud, identity and email
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paloaltonetworks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    API
    REST API for alerts and incidents
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paloaltonetworks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Custom detection rules
    BIOCs, IOCs and correlation rules
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paloaltonetworks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Managed service
    Unit 42 MDR runs inside the Cortex XDR tenant
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paloaltonetworks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    Google Security Operations
    Checked Nov 8, 2026paloaltonetworks.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. ESET PROTECT logo

    6. ESET PROTECT

    Best for: Businesses that want light, well-tested endpoint protection with a cloud or self-hosted console

    PaidSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    55.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

    Lightweight agent with a cloud or on-premises console, good for older hardware and mixed fleets.

    Pros

    • Cloud console or self-hosted server on Windows, Linux or a virtual appliance
    • Tiered plans let small firms start basic and add EDR later
    • Cloud version manages up to 50,000 devices from one console
    • Includes full-disk encryption management for Windows and macOS on higher tiers

    Cons

    • Mobile device management has ended in the on-prem version
    • Advanced detection, MDR and patching only come with higher tiers
    • Several separate components (agent, bridge, hub) to understand at first
    Visit ESET PROTECT Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is ESET PROTECT a good Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026eset.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Deployment
    Cloud or on-premises
    Checked Nov 8, 2026eset.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Cloud scale
    Up to 50,000 devices
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.eset.com(opens source in a new tab)
    On-prem server
    Windows, Linux or virtual appliance
    Checked Nov 4, 2026help.eset.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile management
    Android and iOS (cloud version)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026help.eset.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

CrowdStrike Falcon logo

Best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for most people

CrowdStrike Falcon

Vendor-neutral EDR with self-serve bundles, popular when you don't want to depend on Microsoft.

Bitdefender GravityZone logo

Best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for self-hosting

Bitdefender GravityZone

Strong malware detection with lower per-endpoint cost, popular with small businesses and MSPs.

So

Best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for Mac

Sophos Endpoint

Partner-delivered protection with CryptoGuard rollback and an optional 24/7 MDR service.

SentinelOne Singularity logo

Best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for Windows

SentinelOne Singularity

Autonomous agent with one-click rollback, independent of the Microsoft 365 licence stack.

Cortex XDR logo

Best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for Linux

Cortex XDR

Palo Alto's XDR correlating endpoint, network and cloud data, a fit for teams already on Palo Alto firewalls.

ESET PROTECT logo

Best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for iPhone and Android

ESET PROTECT

Lightweight agent with a cloud or on-premises console, good for older hardware and mixed fleets.

CrowdStrike Falcon logo

Best Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternative for working in the browser

CrowdStrike Falcon

Vendor-neutral EDR with self-serve bundles, popular when you don't want to depend on Microsoft.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

CrowdStrike Falcon ranks first right now. Vendor-neutral EDR with self-serve bundles, popular when you don't want to depend on Microsoft. Sophos Endpoint and SentinelOne Singularity follow it in our ranking.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs CrowdStrike Falcon: what's the difference?

Both Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and CrowdStrike Falcon are paid products. Verified prices: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint $3 per user/month, paid yearly (Defender for Business), CrowdStrike Falcon $59.99 per device/year (Falcon Go, billed annually). Only Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on iOS and Android.

Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint free?

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a paid product. Starting price: $3 per user/month, paid yearly (Defender for Business); Defender Suite plan: $12 per user/month, paid yearly (needs Microsoft 365 E3); Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan: $22 per user/month, paid yearly. Checked on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's own site, November 2026.

How much do Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternatives: CrowdStrike Falcon, $59.99 per device/year (Falcon Go, billed annually); SentinelOne Singularity, $179.99 per endpoint/year (Singularity Complete). Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

None of the 6 alternatives we track has a free plan; all are paid, though some offer trials.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint alternatives work on Linux?

CrowdStrike Falcon, Sophos Endpoint, SentinelOne Singularity, Bitdefender GravityZone and Cortex XDR run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

The complaints we hear most: plan 1, Plan 2 and Defender for Business licensing is confusing; best experience assumes the wider Microsoft security stack; advanced hunting and some features need Plan 2 or E5.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.