Best Endpoint Security Software in 2026
Antivirus, EDR, XDR and managed detection for business devices: CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne Singularity, Microsoft Defender for Business, Sophos Intercept X, Bitdefender GravityZone, ESET PROTECT, ThreatDown, TrendAI Vision One, Huntress and Webroot.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Every profile shows where facts came from
- Unknowns labelledGaps are stated, never guessed
- No paid placementNo affiliate links, ratings or reviews
- Not a rankingAlphabetical by default; fit notes, not scores
What is Endpoint Security Software?
Endpoint security software protects laptops, desktops and servers from malware and attacks. It ranges from endpoint protection (antivirus) to endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection (XDR) and managed detection and response (MDR) with human analysts.
Endpoints are the most common entry point for attacks, so endpoint security is a core control for every organisation.
This category covers EDR leaders (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne), Microsoft's SMB offering, value protection (Bitdefender, ESET, ThreatDown, Webroot), XDR platforms (Sophos, TrendAI Vision One) and managed EDR with a SOC (Huntress).
Raw EDR typically costs about $3 to $20 per endpoint a month, while managed services cost more. The profiles below summarise dated 2026 sources and are research aids, not rankings.
Best endpoint security software by need.
Shortlists built from what each sourced profile documents, listed alphabetically, not ranked. Open a profile for limits, prices and sources.
Endpoint security software for small businesses
4 of 11 profiles are documented mainly for small and mid-size teams.
Endpoint security software for enterprises
6 of 11 profiles are documented for large enterprises.
Endpoint Security Software compared: browse and filter
Search and filters update this list on the page and do not create new URLs, so every profile stays crawlable and linkable.
Bitdefender GravityZone
Bitdefender · Business endpoint protection
Bitdefender's business security platform, from about $38.50 per endpoint a year (list, 10 devices).
- Per device
- Annual
- Cloud or on-prem
- Value
- Independent sources
Best for SMBs wanting strong protection at low per-device cost
Key capabilities- Small Business Security
- Premium tiers
- Minimum example
- Antivirus
PricingAbout $32.50-$38.50 to $88 per device a year (list, 10 devices).Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlyCrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike · Cloud-native EDR/XDR
A leading cloud-native endpoint protection and EDR platform, with self-service plans from $7.99 per device a month (Falcon Go).
- Free trial
- Per device
- Cloud
- EDR / XDR
- Independent sources
Best for Organisations wanting top-tier EDR with an optional managed SOC
Key capabilities- Falcon Go
- Falcon Pro
- Falcon Enterprise
- Falcon Complete
PricingFalcon Go $7.99, Pro $14.99, Enterprise $19.99 per device a month; Falcon Complete (MDR) by quote.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlyESET PROTECT
ESET · Business endpoint protection
ESET's lightweight business endpoint protection with EDR on higher tiers and a 30-day trial; PROTECT Core listed around $549 a year (minimum 5 devices).
- Free trial
- Per device
- Cloud or on-prem
- Lightweight
- Independent sources
Best for Businesses wanting lightweight protection with on-prem management options
Key capabilities- PROTECT Core
- Premium
- Higher tiers
- Antivirus
PricingPROTECT Core listed ~$549 a year (min. 5 devices), Premium ~$1,030; otherwise quoted per device.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlyHuntress
Huntress · Managed EDR for SMBs and MSPs
Managed EDR with a 24/7 human SOC included, at $8.99 per endpoint a month, plus managed ITDR and SIEM.
- Per endpoint
- Monthly
- Cloud
- 24/7 SOC included
- Independent sources
Best for SMBs and MSPs wanting EDR with a staffed SOC included
Key capabilities- Managed EDR
- Managed ITDR
- Managed SIEM
- Coverage
PricingManaged EDR $8.99 per endpoint a month (24/7 SOC included); Managed ITDR $4.80; Managed SIEM $4.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlyMicrosoft Defender for Business
Microsoft · SMB endpoint security
Microsoft's endpoint security for small businesses at $3 per user a month, also included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
- Per user
- Monthly
- Cloud
- Microsoft 365
- Independent sources
Best for Microsoft 365 businesses wanting low-cost built-in endpoint security
Key capabilities- Standalone
- Business Premium
- SOC
- Antivirus
Pricing$3 per user a month standalone; included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium ($22 per user a month).Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlySentinelOne Singularity
SentinelOne · AI-powered EDR/XDR
An AI-driven endpoint protection and EDR platform with autonomous response, from about $180 per endpoint a year (Complete).
- Per endpoint
- Annual
- Cloud
- Autonomous EDR
- Independent sources
Best for Teams wanting autonomous EDR with rollback
Key capabilities- Complete
- Commercial
- Enterprise
- Autonomous response
PricingComplete $179.99 per endpoint a year (~$15 a month); Commercial; Enterprise custom; MDR add-on.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly-
Seqrite
Quick Heal Technologies · Endpoint protection and EDR (enterprise)
Quick Heal’s enterprise security brand from Pune, with endpoint protection tiers Core, Advanced and Total adding EDR, DLP and MDM, sold per endpoint per year through partners.
- Free trial
- Self-hosted option
- Independent sources
Best for Indian SMBs and mid-size firms
Key capabilities- Antivirus and firewall
- Web filtering and device control
- Ransomware protection
- EDR
PricingQuote through partners.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly Sophos Intercept X
Sophos · Endpoint protection with XDR and MDR
Sophos's endpoint protection (now Sophos Endpoint), with Intercept X Advanced from about $6 and Advanced with XDR about $11 per user, and Sophos MDR by quote.
- Per user
- Tiered
- Cloud
- XDR + MDR
- Independent sources
Best for SMBs and mid-market wanting strong anti-ransomware and optional MDR
Key capabilities- Intercept X Advanced
- Advanced with XDR
- Sophos MDR
- Anti-ransomware
PricingIntercept X Advanced ~$5.54-$6; Advanced with XDR ~$10.81-$11 per user (billing unit unclear); MDR quote.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlyThreatDown
Malwarebytes · Business endpoint security (Malwarebytes)
Malwarebytes' business security brand, with EDR and ransomware rollback, from about $69 per endpoint a year.
- Free trial
- Per endpoint
- Cloud
- EDR + rollback
- Independent sources
Best for SMBs wanting strong remediation and simple EDR
Key capabilities- Starting
- Higher tiers
- Trial
- Remediation
PricingFrom $69 per endpoint a year; higher tiers add EDR and MDR.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlyTrendAI Vision One
Trend Micro (TrendAI) · Enterprise XDR platform
Trend Micro's enterprise security platform, renamed TrendAI Vision One in 2026, licensed through credit-based TrendAI Flex.
- Credit-based
- Quote
- Cloud
- XDR platform
- Official + independent
Best for Enterprises consolidating many security tools on one platform
Key capabilities- Model
- Key
- Visibility
- Endpoint
PricingCustom; TrendAI Flex credit-based licensing applied across Vision One solutions.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directlyWebroot Business Endpoint Protection
Webroot · Lightweight cloud endpoint protection
A lightweight cloud endpoint protection with journaling and rollback, sold by quote per endpoint with a 30-day trial.
- Free trial
- Per endpoint
- Cloud
- Lightweight
- Independent sources
Best for MSPs and SMBs wanting a tiny agent with rollback
Key capabilities- Model
- Trial
- Deployment
- Agent
PricingQuote per endpoint; 30-day trial.Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly
No listings match these filters.
Listings are ordered alphabetically by default. They are not ranked, and there are no user ratings or paid placements.
Endpoint Security Software compared on key criteria.
Summaries come from each profile; open a profile for sources and caveats.
| Product | Pricing model | Starting price | Managed SOC | Protection level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender GravityZone | Per device | ~$32.50/device/yr | Add-on | EPP (EDR higher) | Value protection |
| CrowdStrike Falcon | Per device | $7.99/device/mo | Add-on (Complete) | NGAV to EDR/XDR | Top-tier EDR |
| ESET PROTECT | Per device | ~$549/yr (5 devices) | Add-on | EPP (EDR higher) | Lightweight protection |
| Huntress | Per endpoint | $8.99/endpoint/mo | Included | Managed EDR | SMBs and MSPs |
| Microsoft Defender for Business | Per user | $3/user/mo | No | AV + EDR | Microsoft 365 SMBs |
| SentinelOne Singularity | Per endpoint | $179.99/endpoint/yr | Add-on | EDR/XDR | Autonomous EDR |
| Sophos Intercept X | Per user | ~$5.54/user (unit unclear) | Add-on (MDR) | EPP to XDR | Anti-ransomware + MDR |
| ThreatDown | Per endpoint | $69/endpoint/yr | Add-on (MDR) | EPP + EDR | SMB remediation |
| TrendAI Vision One | Credits (quote) | Quote | Add-on | XDR platform | Enterprise consolidation |
| Webroot Business Endpoint Protection | Quote per endpoint | Quote | No | EPP + rollback | Lightweight SMB |
Which Endpoint Security Software option fits which situation.
- Bitdefender GravityZoneMay suit SMBs wanting strong protection at low per-device cost
- CrowdStrike FalconMay suit Organisations wanting top-tier EDR with an optional managed SOC
- ESET PROTECTMay suit Businesses wanting lightweight protection with on-prem management options
- HuntressMay suit SMBs and MSPs wanting EDR with a staffed SOC included
- Microsoft Defender for BusinessMay suit Microsoft 365 businesses wanting low-cost built-in endpoint security
- SentinelOne SingularityMay suit Teams wanting autonomous EDR with rollback
- Sophos Intercept XMay suit SMBs and mid-market wanting strong anti-ransomware and optional MDR
- ThreatDownMay suit SMBs wanting strong remediation and simple EDR
- TrendAI Vision OneMay suit Enterprises consolidating many security tools on one platform
- Webroot Business Endpoint ProtectionMay suit MSPs and SMBs wanting a tiny agent with rollback
Based on each profile's documented strengths and limits. These are fit notes, not rankings: test options against your own requirements.
Key features and capabilities of Endpoint Security Software.
The capabilities that define the category. Not every product offers all of them, and depth varies a lot between entry-level and enterprise tools.
Antivirus and anti-malware
Block known threats.
EDR
Detect and respond to attacks.
Behavioural detection
Spot suspicious activity.
Ransomware protection
Rollback and prevention.
Device control
USB and peripheral policies.
Managed detection
Expert monitoring.
Central console
Manage all devices.
Threat intelligence
Up-to-date protection.
How businesses use Endpoint Security Software.
- 01
Laptop protection
Secure remote devices.
- 02
Server security
Protect workloads.
- 03
Incident investigation
Trace attacks.
- 04
Ransomware defence
Stop encryption.
- 05
Compliance
Prove endpoint controls.
Who uses Endpoint Security Software and what problems it solves.
Small businesses
Protect devices without a security team.
MSPs
Secure many client endpoints centrally.
Mid-market IT
Detect and respond to threats quickly.
Enterprise SOCs
Hunt threats across endpoints, cloud and identity.
What Endpoint Security Software changes in practice.
Practical outcomes teams report when the category is implemented well. Results depend on adoption, data quality and process, so we do not quote percentages.
Fewer infections
Prevention.
Faster response
Detection and isolation.
Visibility
All devices in one view.
Peace of mind
Managed options.
Features and criteria to evaluate in Endpoint Security Software.
Protection level
Antivirus, EDR, XDR or managed.
24/7 coverage
Who responds to alerts at night.
Licensing units
Per device, per user or per credit.
Performance
Agent size and device impact.
Integrations
Identity, email, SIEM and RMM.
Rollback and recovery
Undoing ransomware damage.
How to choose Endpoint Security Software: a step-by-step approach.
- 1
Inventory devices
Count endpoints, servers and OS types.
- 2
Decide who responds
In-house team or managed SOC.
- 3
Shortlist by level
EPP, EDR, XDR or MDR.
- 4
Run a proof of concept
Deploy to a pilot group.
- 5
Test response
Simulate an alert and check handling.
- 6
Plan rollout
Remove old agents and enforce policies.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Does it include EDR or only antivirus?
- Is managed detection available?
- Which operating systems are supported?
- How is pricing per device?
Common mistakes when choosing Endpoint Security Software.
Buying EDR without staff to use it
Alerts need someone to respond; consider MDR.
Comparing mismatched units
Per user, per device and per credit differ.
Running two agents
Conflicting tools slow devices and miss threats.
Ignoring servers and Macs
Cover every operating system.
Skipping tamper protection
Attackers try to disable security agents.
Endpoint Security Software key terms explained.
- EPP
- Endpoint protection platform, such as antivirus.
- EDR
- Endpoint detection and response.
- XDR
- Extended detection across endpoint, cloud, email and identity.
- MDR
- Managed detection and response by a provider's analysts.
- SOC
- Security operations centre.
- Rollback
- Restoring files changed by ransomware.
Endpoint Security Software comparisons.
8 side-by-side comparisons with a feature table, pricing, strengths and limits, and best-fit scenarios. No winner is declared in any of them.
Alternatives to popular endpoint security software.
Every product in this category has a guide comparing its main alternatives and competitors on pricing, free plan, features and fit.
Bitdefender GravityZone alternatives
CrowdStrike Falcon alternatives
ESET PROTECT alternatives
Huntress alternatives
Microsoft Defender for Business alternatives
SentinelOne Singularity alternatives
Sophos Intercept X alternatives
ThreatDown alternatives
TrendAI Vision One alternatives
Webroot Business Endpoint Protection alternatives
Endpoint Security Software questions and answers
What is the best endpoint security software for small businesses?
Products documented mainly for small and mid-size teams include Huntress, Microsoft Defender for Business, ThreatDown and Webroot Business Endpoint Protection. Huntress may suit SMBs and MSPs wanting EDR with a staffed SOC included. Microsoft Defender for Business may suit Microsoft 365 businesses wanting low-cost built-in endpoint security. ThreatDown may suit SMBs wanting strong remediation and simple EDR. The best fit depends on your sales or work process and budget, so trial two or three.
Which endpoint security software suits large enterprises?
6 profiles are documented for large enterprises: Bitdefender GravityZone, CrowdStrike Falcon, ESET PROTECT, SentinelOne Singularity, Sophos Intercept X and TrendAI Vision One. Larger rollouts should also check SSO, permissions, audit logs, data residency and contract terms on each profile.
Where can I find alternatives to a specific endpoint security tool?
Every product in this category has its own alternatives guide, for example Bitdefender GravityZone alternatives, ESET PROTECT alternatives and Sophos Intercept X alternatives. Each guide compares the main competitors on pricing, free plan, features and fit.
What is the best endpoint security for small business?
Microsoft Defender for Business, Huntress (with a 24/7 SOC), ThreatDown and Bitdefender suit SMBs; this list is not a ranking.
CrowdStrike or SentinelOne?
CrowdStrike lists $7.99 to $19.99 per device a month; SentinelOne Complete is about $180 per endpoint a year.
Which endpoint security includes a 24/7 SOC?
Huntress Managed EDR includes one; CrowdStrike, SentinelOne and Sophos offer MDR as add-ons.
What is TrendAI?
Trend Micro's enterprise business, renamed TrendAI in 2026.
Narrow your Endpoint Security Software shortlist.
Open a profile for sources and pricing, read an alternatives guide, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf is not the answer.
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