Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review

Defender for Endpoint is the EDR engine behind Microsoft's security stack, and most IT teams get it through licensing they already have. On its US page Microsoft sells it inside the Defender Suite at $12 per user per month, paid yearly, which requires Microsoft 365 E3 or Office 365 E3 with Enterprise Mobility + Security E3. The suite adds email, identity and SaaS protection alongside endpoint security. Features include automatic attack disruption, which blocks lateral movement and remote encryption across devices, built-in Security Copilot for investigations, exposure management and discovery of unmanaged Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android and IoT devices. Microsoft states a 3-minute average time to disrupt ransomware. Smaller companies have a cheaper route: Defender for Business costs $3 per user per month for up to 300 users and five devices per user, with next-gen antivirus and EDR. The trade-off is licensing complexity, and the value depends on how much of the Microsoft stack you run.

Who it is for

Organizations already licensed for Microsoft 365 E3 or E5

Price

Defender Suite $12 per user per month, paid yearly, on top of Microsoft 365 E3; small businesses can buy Defender for Business at $3 per user per month.

Microsoft Defender Suite $12.00 user/month, paid yearly
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Automatic attack disruption that blocks lateral movement and remote encryption during ransomware attacks
• Microsoft Security Copilot built in for investigation and response
• Exposure management with pre- and post-breach capabilities
• Network detection across managed and unmanaged Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, IoT and network devices
• Unified endpoint management shared with IT

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Fits into existing Microsoft 365 licensing and consoles
• Strength: Defender for Business covers up to 300 users at $3 per user per month
• Strength: Per-user licensing covers several devices per person
• Weakness: Defender Suite requires Microsoft 365 E3 or an equivalent base license
• Weakness: Licensing across Defender plans and Microsoft 365 bundles is hard to compare
• Weakness: Best results depend on the rest of the Microsoft security stack

Key facts

• Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android
• Ransomware disruption: 3 minutes average time to disrupt, per Microsoft
• Small business edition: Defender for Business, up to 300 users
• Industry recognition: Leader, 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms

Where it ranks

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is No. 3 in our Best Endpoint Security Software verdict.