Best for Microsoft 365 users
Microsoft Defender for Business Researched
Enterprise-grade endpoint protection and EDR, priced for SMBs.
Best Endpoint Security
Managed antivirus and endpoint detection that protects laptops and servers from malware and ransomware.
Read the full buying guide: Best Antivirus and Endpoint Security for Small BusinessTL;DR — quick picks
- Best overall: Microsoft Defender for Business (8.6/10) — microsoft 365 businesses.
- Best value: Microsoft Defender for Business (value 9.0/10).
- Easiest to adopt: ThreatDown (Malwarebytes) (ease 8.8/10).
Ranked shortlist
Ranked by overall score, calculated from six weighted criteria for security products. “Best for” labels come from our buying guide.
Best autonomous protection
SentinelOne Singularity Researched
AI-driven endpoint protection with autonomous response and rollback.
Best premium option
CrowdStrike Falcon Go Researched
Enterprise-grade endpoint protection packaged for small businesses.
Best value
Bitdefender GravityZone Researched
Comprehensive, good-value endpoint security with central management.
8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10From around $20–30 / device / year (small business bundles)IndicativeRead review
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Acronis Cyber Protect Researched
Backup and cyber protection combined in one agent.
8.5Editorial score 8.5 out of 10Per-workload pricing; editions vary — check AcronisIndicativeRead review
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Best with managed response
Sophos Intercept X Researched
Endpoint protection with strong anti-ransomware and a popular MDR service.
Best lightweight agent
ESET PROTECT Researched
Lightweight, well-tested endpoint protection with transparent SMB pricing.
ThreatDown (Malwarebytes) Researched
Simple endpoint protection and EDR for small teams, from Malwarebytes.
Comparison table
| Tool | Score | Best for | Starting price (indicative) | Free plan | ≈ 10 seats / mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender for Business | 8.6 | Best for Microsoft 365 users | Around $3 / user / month standalone | No | $30 |
| SSSentinelOne Singularity | 8.6 | Best autonomous protection | From around $70 / endpoint / year | No | $700 |
| CrowdStrike Falcon Go | 8.5 | Best premium option | From around $60 / device / year | No | $50 |
| Bitdefender GravityZone | 8.5 | Best value | From around $20–30 / device / year (small business bundles) | No | $21 |
| Acronis Cyber Protect | 8.5 | Full-image backup | Per-workload pricing; editions vary — check Acronis | No | — |
| SISophos Intercept X | 8.5 | Best with managed response | Quote-based through partners | No | — |
| ESET PROTECT | 8.4 | Best lightweight agent | From around $210 / year for 5 devices | No | $420 |
| ThreatDown (Malwarebytes) | 8.2 | Small IT teams | From around $69 / device / year | No | $700 |
“≈ 10 seats” is the cheapest paid plan that fits ten users at indicative list prices. Flat-priced products show “—”.
Build your own decision matrix
Our ranking uses fixed weights. Your priorities may differ — re-weight the six criteria and the shortlist re-orders instantly. Print it or download a CSV to share with your team.
| Tool | Features | Ease | Value | Support | Security | Integrations | Your score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. SentinelOne Singularity | 9.2 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 9.2 | 8.6 | 8.59 |
| 2. Microsoft Defender for Business | 8.8 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 8.58 |
| 3. Bitdefender GravityZone | 8.8 | 8.0 | 8.8 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 7.2 | 8.54 |
| 4. CrowdStrike Falcon Go | 8.8 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 9.4 | 7.4 | 8.53 |
| 5. Sophos Intercept X | 8.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 8.53 |
| 6. Acronis Cyber Protect | 9.2 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 8.46 |
| 7. ESET PROTECT | 8.4 | 8.2 | 8.6 | 8.0 | 8.8 | 7.6 | 8.44 |
| 8. ThreatDown (Malwarebytes) | 8.0 | 8.8 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 7.4 | 8.22 |
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.
Buyer’s guide: choosing an endpoint security product
Central management is essential
Consumer antivirus on individual laptops leaves you blind. Business products give you a single console to deploy, monitor and respond.
Detection and response
Modern products go beyond signature scanning with behavioural detection and response features. Check what is included on small-business tiers.
Consider who responds to alerts
If nobody will watch the console, consider products with managed detection services or very low-noise alerting.
Be honest about who will respond
Endpoint tools generate alerts. If nobody will investigate them, choose a product with strong automated response or add managed detection and response.
Key features to look for
Next-gen antivirus
Behaviour-based detection beyond signature matching.
EDR
Detection and response tools to investigate and contain threats.
Cloud management
Manage all devices from one web console.
Ransomware protection
Rollback or blocking of mass file encryption.
Managed detection (MDR)
Optional 24/7 monitoring by the vendor's analysts.
How endpoint security product pricing works
| Pricing model | What to know |
|---|---|
| Per device per year | Common for endpoint products; servers often cost more than laptops. |
| Per user | Covers several devices per person. |
| Bundles | Included in some productivity suite business plans. |
Run the numbers: Small Business Security Checklist · Data Breach Cost Estimator
Evaluation checklist
- Cloud management console
- Behavioural/ransomware protection
- Supports all your operating systems
- Alerting you will actually see
- Optional managed response
Common mistakes to avoid
- 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.
- Leaving devices without automatic updates.
- No incident plan for when an alert fires.
endpoint security product comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Defender enough for a small business?
Built-in Defender is solid baseline protection; business plans add central management and EDR. Many small businesses start there and add MDR as they grow.
Do Macs need endpoint security?
Yes. macOS is targeted less often but not immune, and business endpoint tools provide visibility and policy enforcement across all devices.
Do Macs need endpoint protection?
Yes. Macs are increasingly targeted and business endpoint products cover macOS as well as Windows.
Is built-in Windows security enough?
Microsoft Defender is capable, but business teams benefit from central management, reporting and response features.