Every laptop and phone your team uses is a way into your business. Modern endpoint security goes beyond signature antivirus to detect suspicious behaviour and help you respond when something gets through.
Our picks range from suites already bundled with business licences to dedicated EDR platforms. Independent test results from labs such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives are worth checking alongside our assessment.
Our top picks
- 1
Best for Microsoft 365 usersMicrosoft Defender for Business8.6Editorial score 8.6 out of 10 - 2SSBest autonomous protectionSentinelOne Singularity8.6Editorial score 8.6 out of 10
- 3
Best premium optionCrowdStrike Falcon Go8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 - 4
Best valueBitdefender GravityZone8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 - 5SIBest with managed responseSophos Intercept X8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10
- 6
Best lightweight agentESET PROTECT8.4Editorial score 8.4 out of 10
Scores are editorial assessments based on research. Prices are indicative.
Microsoft Defender for Business
ResearchedCapable EDR included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, managed from the same admin portal.
Defender for Business brings next-gen antivirus, EDR, automated investigation and threat and vulnerability management to businesses with up to 300 users. It is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium or available standalone, with central management via the Defender portal.
Not for you if: Organisations without Microsoft admin skills.
Pros
- EDR at a low price
- Automated investigation
- Covers Windows, macOS, iOS and Android
Cons
- Admin portals can be complex
- Best on Windows
SentinelOne Singularity
ResearchedStrong behavioural detection with automated rollback options on higher tiers.
SentinelOne Singularity offers autonomous endpoint protection with behavioural AI, EDR and ransomware rollback on Windows. Packages range from core protection to full XDR, and the Vigilance MDR service adds 24/7 monitoring.
Not for you if: Very small budgets.
Pros
- Autonomous detection and response
- Ransomware rollback
- Strong independent test results
Cons
- Higher cost
- Complex for beginners
CrowdStrike Falcon Go
ResearchedEnterprise-grade threat intelligence packaged for small businesses.
Falcon Go brings CrowdStrike's cloud-native next-gen antivirus to small businesses with a lightweight agent and cloud console, with higher tiers adding detection and response.
Not for you if: Teams wanting the cheapest antivirus.
Pros
- Lightweight cloud agent
- Strong threat intelligence
- Easy deployment
Cons
- Higher cost than basic AV
- Advanced features on higher tiers
Bitdefender GravityZone
ResearchedConsistently well-regarded protection with a broad feature set at competitive per-device prices.
GravityZone protects Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile devices with layered protection, patch management options and EDR on higher tiers, managed through a cloud console.
Not for you if: Teams wanting fully managed services by default.
Pros
- Strong protection
- Good value
- Broad OS support
Cons
- Console has a learning curve
- Add-ons cost extra
Sophos Intercept X
ResearchedStrong anti-ransomware features and an optional managed detection and response service.
Sophos Intercept X combines deep-learning malware detection, CryptoGuard anti-ransomware, exploit prevention and EDR/XDR, managed through Sophos Central. Sophos MDR is widely used by small and mid-sized organisations wanting 24/7 coverage.
Not for you if: Buyers wanting self-service online pricing.
Pros
- Strong anti-ransomware
- Unified Sophos Central console
- Respected MDR service
Cons
- Partner-led pricing
- Many products to choose between
ESET PROTECT
ResearchedLow system impact and straightforward cloud management.
ESET PROTECT tiers combine endpoint antivirus, firewall, cloud sandboxing, full-disk encryption and optional EDR, managed from a cloud or on-premise console. ESET is known for a light footprint and strong independent test results.
Not for you if: Teams wanting fully autonomous EDR on entry tiers.
Pros
- Light on system resources
- Clear pricing
- Cloud or on-prem console
Cons
- EDR only on higher tiers
- Interface less modern
Comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Score | From (indicative) | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender for Business | Best for Microsoft 365 users | 8.6 | Around $3 / user / month standalone | No |
| SSSentinelOne Singularity | Best autonomous protection | 8.6 | From around $70 / endpoint / year | No |
| CrowdStrike Falcon Go | Best premium option | 8.5 | From around $60 / device / year | No |
| Bitdefender GravityZone | Best value | 8.5 | From around $20–30 / device / year (small business bundles) | No |
| SISophos Intercept X | Best with managed response | 8.5 | Quote-based through partners | No |
| ESET PROTECT | Best lightweight agent | 8.4 | From around $210 / year for 5 devices | No |
How we chose
- We built a longlist of endpoint security products from vendor documentation, public pricing pages, security and trust pages, and the products small teams most often ask us about.
- Each product was scored against our published, weighted criteria (see the methodology page). The overall score is calculated from those sub-scores — it is never typed in by hand.
- We priced every product at 5, 10 and 25 seats using the publicly listed tiers, and penalised products whose essential features sit behind expensive plans.
- Products marked 'Researched' have been assessed from documentation and public information rather than hands-on testing. Prices are indicative, dated, and should be confirmed with the vendor.
Read our full scoring methodology →
Check what you already own
Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes Defender for Business. Using it well may beat buying a second product.
Decide who will respond to alerts
EDR generates alerts that need action. If nobody can watch them, consider a managed detection and response add-on.
Cover every platform
Confirm support for Windows, macOS, Linux servers and mobile devices you actually use.
Look at independent test results
Use recent independent lab results as a reference point alongside vendor claims.
See every option we rank in Endpoint Security.
Buying checklist
Before you commit, confirm each of these on the exact plan you will buy:
- Cloud management console
- Behavioural/ransomware protection
- Supports all your operating systems
- Alerting you will actually see
- Optional managed response
Avoid these mistakes: Assuming built-in antivirus alone is enough without central management. Buying EDR nobody has time to monitor — consider MDR. Not covering servers and mobile devices.
Frequently asked questions
Is built-in Windows security enough?
Built-in protection is a good baseline, but business products add central management, reporting and response capabilities that matter once you have several devices.
What is the difference between antivirus and EDR?
Antivirus blocks known threats. EDR also records endpoint activity, detects suspicious behaviour and gives you tools to investigate and contain incidents.
How much does endpoint security cost?
Typically a per-device or per-user fee per year or month, with EDR and managed response tiers costing more. Confirm current pricing with the vendor.
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