Microsoft Defender for Business
Endpoint protection platforms
Endpoint protection software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if Microsoft Defender for Business and its alternatives fit your requirements.
$3.00 per user per month
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
- Agriculture, fishing, and forestry
- Construction
- Real estate and property management
What is Microsoft Defender for Business
Microsoft Defender for Business is an endpoint security product for small and mid-sized organizations that provides endpoint protection, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and security management for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. It is typically deployed through Microsoft 365 administration tools and integrates with Microsoft security services for alerting, investigation, and remediation workflows. The product emphasizes policy-based protection, automated investigation/remediation, and centralized visibility across endpoints, especially in Microsoft-centric environments.
Integrated Microsoft 365 administration
Defender for Business is administered through Microsoft security and Microsoft 365 management portals, which can reduce tooling sprawl for organizations already using Microsoft 365. It supports role-based access and integrates with Microsoft identity and device management capabilities commonly used in SMB environments. This integration can simplify onboarding, policy deployment, and alert triage compared with running a standalone endpoint tool.
EDR with automated remediation
The product includes endpoint detection and response capabilities such as behavioral detections, incident grouping, and investigation workflows. Automated investigation and remediation can take predefined actions (for example, isolating devices or remediating certain threats) to reduce manual effort. This is useful for teams with limited security staffing that still need post-compromise visibility and response.
Broad endpoint OS coverage
Defender for Business supports major endpoint platforms including Windows and macOS, with mobile support for Android and iOS. Cross-platform coverage enables consistent baseline controls and centralized monitoring across mixed device fleets. This helps organizations standardize endpoint security without maintaining separate products per operating system.
Best fit in Microsoft stack
Organizations not standardized on Microsoft 365 and related management tooling may find the product less straightforward to deploy and operate. Some workflows and reporting assume Microsoft identity, device enrollment, and portal usage patterns. In heterogeneous environments, integration and operational consistency may require additional configuration or complementary tools.
Advanced needs require upgrades
Defender for Business targets SMB requirements and does not include every capability found in Microsoft’s higher-tier enterprise security offerings. Organizations needing more advanced hunting, extended telemetry correlation, or broader XDR/SIEM integrations may need additional Microsoft security products or higher licensing tiers. This can increase overall cost and complexity as requirements mature.
Tuning and alert noise management
Like many EDR products, achieving an efficient signal-to-noise ratio can require policy tuning, exclusions, and ongoing review of detections. Misconfigurations can lead to false positives or operational friction, especially during initial rollout. Teams should plan time for baseline tuning and periodic review to keep alerts actionable.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender for Business (standalone) | $3.00 per user/month (annual) | Enterprise-grade endpoint protection for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; up to 300 users; up to 5 devices per user; Try free for 30 days; Server protection available as an add-on (price not listed). |
| Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium | $22.00 per user/month (annual) | Defender for Business included as part of the Microsoft 365 Business Premium bundle; also includes Intune P1, Entra ID P1, Defender for Office 365 P1, productivity apps, and more. |
Seller details
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, Washington, United States
1975
Public
https://www.microsoft.com/
https://x.com/Microsoft
https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft/
