Microsoft Defender for Business review

Defender for Business is the version of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint packaged for companies with up to 300 users. The standalone plan costs $3.00 per user per month paid yearly, and each user can cover up to five devices with no minimum device count, which makes it one of the cheapest ways to protect a phone, a laptop and a home PC per employee. It is also included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Microsoft's documentation says it includes the features of Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 plus automated investigation and remediation, automatic attack disruption, vulnerability management and an optimized EDR. Setup is wizard-based, default policies apply from day one, and monthly security summaries go to the admin. The limits are clear: servers need a separate license, the plan stops at 300 users, and the console makes the most sense if you already manage users in Microsoft 365 or Intune.

Who it is for

Small businesses already on Microsoft 365 that want antivirus plus EDR priced per user.

Price

$3.00 per user per month paid yearly as a standalone plan, covering up to five devices per user; included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22.00 per user per month.

Microsoft Defender for Business $3.00 user/month, paid yearly
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Next-generation antivirus with AI-powered EDR and automatic attack disruption
• Vulnerability management for software weaknesses and misconfigurations
• Automated investigation and remediation of alerts
• Wizard-based onboarding with default security policies
• Windows, macOS, iOS and Android coverage with monthly security summary reports

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Per-user price covers up to five devices each
• Strength: EDR and automated remediation included, not just antivirus
• Strength: Fits into Microsoft 365, Intune and Lighthouse for partners
• Weakness: Capped at 300 users
• Weakness: Servers need a separate license
• Weakness: Best experience assumes you already work in the Microsoft cloud

Key facts

• Users: Up to 300
• Devices per user: Up to 5
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
• Advanced hunting retention: 30 days

Where it ranks

Microsoft Defender for Business is No. 3 in our Best Antivirus for Small Business verdict.