Our verdict
If you have Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you already own Defender for Business — turn it on and configure it well. If you are not a Microsoft shop or prefer a security specialist, Falcon Go is a strong, simple alternative.
Microsoft Defender for Business and CrowdStrike Falcon Go both bring enterprise-grade endpoint detection to small businesses. Defender is inexpensive and included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, managed from the same console as your Microsoft environment. CrowdStrike Falcon Go packages the company's well-regarded Falcon platform for small teams, with a lightweight agent and simple setup.
Choose Microsoft Defender for Business if…
- You use Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Intune
- You want strong protection at the lowest cost per user
- You want endpoint security in the same admin centre as identity
- Most devices run Windows
Choose CrowdStrike Falcon Go if…
- You want CrowdStrike's threat intelligence and detection pedigree
- You do not use Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- You want a lightweight agent across Windows and macOS
- You prefer a security-specialist vendor
Side by side
| Criterion | Microsoft Defender for Business | CrowdStrike Falcon Go |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.6 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Features & fit | 8.8 | 8.8 |
| Ease of use | 7.6 | 8.0 |
| Value for money | 9.0 | 7.6 |
| Support & reliability | 7.6 | 8.0 |
| Security & privacy | 9.0 | 9.4 |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 8.6 | 7.4 |
| Starting price (indicative) | Around $3 / user / month standalone | From around $60 / device / year |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Microsoft 365 businesses | Small businesses wanting enterprise-grade protection |
Feature by feature
| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Business | CrowdStrike Falcon Go |
|---|---|---|
| Price (indicative) | ~ $3 / user / month (or in M365 Business Premium) | ~ $60 / device / year |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Next-gen antivirus | Yes | Yes |
| EDR | Yes, with automated investigation | Prevention-focused; fuller EDR in higher tiers |
| Management console | Microsoft Defender portal | Falcon console |
| Microsoft 365 integration | Native | Integrations |
| Managed detection option | Via partners | Falcon Complete (higher tier) |
| Best fit | Microsoft 365 businesses | Security-specialist preference, mixed estates |
Pricing compared
Microsoft Defender for Business
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone | ≈ $3 / user / mo | Billed annually |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | ≈ $22 / user / mo | Includes Defender and more |
CrowdStrike Falcon Go
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Falcon Go | ≈ $60 / device / yr | Per device; billed annually |
| Falcon Pro / Enterprise | Custom quote | — |
| Team size | Microsoft Defender for Business | CrowdStrike Falcon Go |
|---|---|---|
| 5 seats | $15 (Standalone) | $25 (Falcon Go) |
| 10 seats | $30 (Standalone) | $50 (Falcon Go) |
| 25 seats | $75 (Standalone) | $125 (Falcon Go) |
Indicative USD list prices; excludes tax, add-ons and promotions. Confirm on each vendor’s site.
Price
Defender for Business is around $3 per user per month standalone (covering several devices per user) and included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium (around $22 per user per month, which also includes Office apps and Intune). Falcon Go is around $60 per device per year.
Management
Defender is managed through the Microsoft Defender portal and integrates with Intune and Entra ID. Falcon Go uses CrowdStrike's cloud console, which is straightforward but separate from your identity tools.
Detection and response
Both offer next-generation antivirus with behavioural detection. Defender for Business includes endpoint detection and response with automated investigation; Falcon Go focuses on prevention, with fuller EDR in higher Falcon tiers.
Platform coverage
Both cover Windows and macOS, with mobile and Linux support varying by plan. Defender is deepest on Windows.
Vendor focus
CrowdStrike is a security specialist with strong threat intelligence. Microsoft offers integrated security across identity, email and endpoints.
Pros & cons
Microsoft Defender for Business
- EDR at a low price
- Automated investigation
- Covers Windows, macOS, iOS and Android
- Admin portals can be complex
- Best on Windows
CrowdStrike Falcon Go
- Lightweight cloud agent
- Strong threat intelligence
- Easy deployment
- Higher cost than basic AV
- Advanced features on higher tiers
Key features of each
Microsoft Defender for Business
- Next-gen protection. Behaviour-based antivirus.
- EDR. Detection and response.
- Automated investigation. Self-healing remediation.
- Vulnerability management. Find and fix weaknesses.
Integrates with: Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Sentinel.
CrowdStrike Falcon Go
- Next-gen AV. Behavioural and machine-learning protection.
- Device control. Manage USB devices.
- Cloud console. Manage all endpoints centrally.
- Upgrade to EDR. Detection and response on higher tiers.
Integrates with: Windows, macOS, Microsoft Entra ID.
Who should avoid each
Skip Microsoft Defender for Business if…
- Organisations without Microsoft admin skills
- Teams wanting fully managed security
Best for: Microsoft 365 businesses; SMBs wanting EDR at low cost; Windows-heavy fleets.
Skip CrowdStrike Falcon Go if…
- Teams wanting the cheapest antivirus
Best for: Small businesses wanting enterprise-grade protection; Ransomware defence; Mixed Windows/macOS fleets.
Switching between Microsoft Defender for Business and CrowdStrike Falcon Go
Migration difficulty: Moderate
Endpoint agents can be swapped device by device. Avoid running two full antivirus engines in active mode on the same device.
- Inventory devices and operating systems.
- Deploy the new agent to a pilot group and confirm detections in the console.
- Set the old product to passive mode or uninstall it as you roll out.
- Recreate exclusions and policies, especially for line-of-business apps.
- Confirm all devices report healthy before cancelling the old licence.
Weigh it your way
Adjust the weights to your priorities to see which tool comes out ahead for you. Print or export the result for your team.
| Tool | Features | Ease | Value | Support | Security | Integrations | Your score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Microsoft Defender for Business | 8.8 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 8.58 |
| 2. CrowdStrike Falcon Go | 8.8 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 9.4 | 7.4 | 8.53 |
Drag the sliders to match your priorities. Scores are our editorial sub-scores; weights start at the values we publish on the methodology page. Nothing you change is stored or sent anywhere.
How our scores and weights work · Add a third tool side by side
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Defender good enough for business?
Defender for Business is a capable EDR product and is widely used by small businesses, especially with Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
Is CrowdStrike Falcon Go worth the cost?
For businesses that want CrowdStrike's protection without Microsoft 365, it is good value. Compare it against the cost of Business Premium if you also need Office apps.
Can I run both?
Running two active antivirus products on one device causes conflicts. Defender can run in passive mode alongside another product.
Which covers Macs?
Both protect macOS devices.
Does Microsoft Defender for Business or CrowdStrike Falcon Go have a free plan?
Microsoft Defender for Business has a free trial but no permanent free plan; CrowdStrike Falcon Go has a free trial but no permanent free plan. Indicative starting prices: Microsoft Defender for Business — Around $3 / user / month standalone; CrowdStrike Falcon Go — From around $60 / device / year.
Which is cheaper for a team of 10, Microsoft Defender for Business or CrowdStrike Falcon Go?
On indicative list prices, the cheapest paid plan that fits 10 users costs about $30 per month on Microsoft Defender for Business (Standalone) and about $50 on CrowdStrike Falcon Go (Falcon Go), so Microsoft Defender for Business is cheaper at that size. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded — and the plan you actually need may be higher.
Which scores higher in our review, Microsoft Defender for Business or CrowdStrike Falcon Go?
Microsoft Defender for Business scores 8.6/10 and CrowdStrike Falcon Go 8.5/10 on our weighted rubric. Microsoft Defender for Business leads on 2 of six criteria. A higher score does not make it right for every buyer — see the “choose if” lists above.
