Microsoft Defender for Business

Microsoft Defender for Business is endpoint protection and EDR for small and mid-size businesses, sold standalone or included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Typical uses include antivirus, eDR, attack surface reduction.

$3 per user a month standalone, per a 2026 index.

Yes, Business Premium ($22 per user a month) includes it.

No staffed SOC is included.

Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Business, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.

The main alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Business covered on Stack18 are Huntress, CrowdStrike Falcon, Sophos Intercept X and ESET PROTECT. Huntress may suit SMBs and MSPs wanting EDR with a staffed SOC included. CrowdStrike Falcon may suit organisations wanting top-tier EDR with an optional managed SOC. Sophos Intercept X may suit SMBs and mid-market wanting strong anti-ransomware and optional MDR. See the Microsoft Defender for Business alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.

Strengths: Very low per-user price. Included in Business Premium. Limitations: No staffed SOC. Best inside Microsoft 365.

Microsoft Defender for Business may suit Microsoft 365 businesses wanting low-cost built-in endpoint security; SMBs on Business Premium; MSPs serving SMBs. It may be less suited to organisations wanting a managed SOC; non-Microsoft environments.

Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Microsoft 365, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Entra ID. API: Not reviewed for this profile.

Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 10 Nov 2026. 1 source is listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.