Our verdict · 8.6/10 Excellent
Excellent value, especially if you already have Microsoft 365 Business Premium. Best managed by someone comfortable with Microsoft admin tools.
Key takeaways
- Best for: Microsoft 365 businesses.
- Strongest area: Value for money (9.0/10). Weakest: Support & reliability (7.6/10).
- Price: Around $3 / user / month standalone — free trial available.
- Watch out for: Admin portals can be complex.
What is Microsoft Defender for Business?
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.
Microsoft Defender for Business is made by Microsoft and is reviewed here as a endpoint security product. It is priced on a subscription basis, and our editorial score is 8.6 out of 10, calculated from six weighted criteria.
Who it’s for — and who should skip it
Choose Microsoft Defender for Business if
- Microsoft 365 businesses
- SMBs wanting EDR at low cost
- Windows-heavy fleets
Not for you if
- Organisations without Microsoft admin skills
- Teams wanting fully managed security
Key features
Behaviour-based antivirus.
Detection and response.
Self-healing remediation.
Find and fix weaknesses.
- Microsoft Intune
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Microsoft Sentinel
Pros & cons
What we like
- EDR at a low price
- Automated investigation
- Covers Windows, macOS, iOS and Android
- Integrates with Microsoft 365
Watch out for
- Admin portals can be complex
- Best on Windows
- MDR not included
Pricing & true cost
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone | ≈ $3 / user / mo | Billed annually |
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium | ≈ $22 / user / mo | Includes Defender and more |
Pricing watch-out: Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
True cost at 5, 10 and 25 seats
Cheapest paid plan that fits each team size, from indicative list prices checked October 31, 2026. Excludes tax, add-ons, onboarding fees and promotional discounts.
Pricing watch-outs
- Steep tier jump. Moving from Standalone to Microsoft 365 Business Premium raises the per-user price from $3 to $22 (7.3×). Check which features force the upgrade.
Contract questions to ask before you sign
- Does the plan auto-renew, and how many days’ notice do you need to cancel?
- Is the advertised price for annual billing? What is the month-to-month price?
- Is the first-year price a promotion? What will renewal cost, and is it capped?
- Is there a minimum number of seats, or a charge for inactive users?
- Are onboarding, implementation or premium-support fees extra?
- How do we export all our data if we leave, and in what format?
General questions for any vendor — not findings about this product. Build a full checklist with our requirements builder.
Indicative USD pricing, last checked October 31, 2026. Vendors change prices and promotions often — always confirm on their website. Model your own numbers with our SaaS TCO calculator.
Score breakdown
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features & fit | 25% | 8.8 | 2.20 | |
| Ease of use | 15% | 7.6 | 1.10 | |
| Value for money | 15% | 9.0 | 1.40 | |
| Support & reliability | 10% | 7.6 | 0.80 | |
| Security & privacy | 30% | 9.0 | 2.70 | |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 5% | 8.6 | 0.40 | |
| Overall | 100% | Weighted for security products | 8.6 | |
Security & compliance facts
| Item | Status | Question to ask Microsoft |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-factor authenticationStops most account takeovers from reused or phished passwords. | Not verified by us | Can admins enforce MFA for every user, on every plan? |
| Single sign-on (SAML/OIDC)Lets you remove a leaver’s access everywhere from one place. | Not verified by us | Is SSO included on the plan we are buying, or only on enterprise tiers? |
| SOC 2 Type II reportIndependent audit of the vendor’s security controls — often required by larger customers. | Not verified by us | Can we see your current SOC 2 Type II report (under NDA if needed)? |
| ISO/IEC 27001 certificationInternational standard for running an information-security programme. | Not verified by us | Which legal entity and services does your ISO 27001 certificate cover? |
| GDPR data processing agreementNeeded if you handle personal data of people in the EU/UK. | Not verified by us | Do you offer a signed DPA and list your sub-processors? |
| HIPAA business associate agreementRequired before US healthcare businesses store protected health information. | Not verified by us | Will you sign a BAA, and on which plans? |
We have not yet verified these items for Microsoft Defender for Business against a primary source, so we don’t claim them either way. Check Microsoft’s trust or security page and ask for documents in writing.
Before you buy any endpoint security product
Check Microsoft Defender for Business against the same list we use for every endpoint security product — and confirm each point on the plan you intend to buy, not the top tier.
- Cloud management console
- Behavioural/ransomware protection
- Supports all your operating systems
- Alerting you will actually see
- Optional managed response
See every ranked option in Endpoint Security.
Microsoft Defender for Business alternatives
Pick an alternative by what matters to you
- Cheaper
Bitdefender GravityZone≈ $21/mo vs $30/mo at 10 users (cheapest paid plans, indicative) - Easier to use
ThreatDown (Malwarebytes)Ease-of-use score 8.8 vs 7.6
Computed from our published scores and indicative pricing for tools in the same category as Microsoft Defender for Business. Scores are editorial; see the methodology.
Editor’s picks
Enterprise-grade endpoint protection packaged for small businesses.
AI-driven endpoint protection with autonomous response and rollback.
Comprehensive, good-value endpoint security with central management.
Head-to-head comparisons
Featured in: Best Antivirus and Endpoint Security for Small Business
Review history
- Scored under methodology v2.0 (six weighted criteria, computed overall score).
Microsoft Defender for Business FAQ
Is Defender for Business included in Microsoft 365?
It is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and available standalone.
Is it different from built-in Windows Defender?
Yes, it adds central management, EDR and automated response.
Does Microsoft Defender for Business have a free plan?
No, Microsoft Defender for Business does not offer a permanent free plan, but a free trial is available. Pricing starts at Around $3 / user / month standalone (indicative).
Who is Microsoft Defender for Business best for?
Microsoft Defender for Business is best for: microsoft 365 businesses; SMBs wanting EDR at low cost; windows-heavy fleets.
How much does Microsoft Defender for Business cost for a team of 10?
On indicative list prices, the cheapest paid plan that fits 10 users (Standalone) works out at roughly $30 per month, or about $360 per year, before tax, add-ons and discounts.
How is the Microsoft Defender for Business score calculated?
The 8.6/10 overall score is a weighted average of six sub-scores — features & fit, ease of use, value, support & reliability, security & privacy, and integrations — using the published weights for security products. Affiliate relationships have no input. See our methodology page for the full rubric.
What are the best alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Business?
Popular alternatives include CrowdStrike Falcon Go, SentinelOne Singularity, Bitdefender GravityZone. See our comparisons for side-by-side verdicts.