How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- ESET reports protecting 500,000 business customers across 178 countries and territories, which shows how crowded this market has become.
- CrowdStrike publishes the clearest pricing: Falcon Go starts at $59.99 per device per year, while most rivals are quote-only.
- Microsoft Defender for Business is the cheapest paid option at $3 per user per month and is included free with Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
- Sophos, Bitdefender, and ESET all offer 30-day free trials, so you can test real protection before committing.
- Endpoint protection (EPP) and detection and response (EDR) are different tiers; confirm the exact SKU if cyber insurance requires EDR.
Quick comparison
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
ESET says it protects 500,000 business customers across 178 countries and territories. That is a useful reminder that endpoint security is no longer an enterprise luxury: mid-size and small companies are targets too, and the vendors know it.
Modern cyber security platforms do more than scan for viruses. They combine endpoint protection, detection and response, threat intelligence, and often firewall, email, and cloud controls in one console. Some are sold to lean IT teams as simple hosted products; others are built for security operations centers with dedicated analysts. Pricing is usually custom, which makes comparing them harder than it should be.
Here are eight platforms worth comparing.
Starting price$59.99 per device/year (Falcon Go, billed annually)
Free planFree trial
CrowdStrike's Falcon platform is one of the best-known endpoint security names, and it stands out here for publishing real prices. Falcon Go at $59.99 per device per year covers next-gen antivirus, device control, and mobile protection for small and mid-size businesses. Pro at $99.99 adds firewall management, and Enterprise at $184.99 adds full endpoint detection and response with threat hunting.
The platform collects security data once and applies it across modules, from identity protection to a next-gen SIEM. Falcon Complete adds 24/7 managed detection and response with a breach prevention warranty. A free trial needs no credit card, which makes evaluation easy. For companies that want CrowdStrike's reputation without a sales negotiation, the published tiers are a genuine advantage.
What we like- Clear published pricing, unusual in this category
- Free trial with no credit card required
- Unified platform from antivirus to SIEM and identity
Watch out for- Enterprise tier runs $184.99 per device per year
- Managed options add cost on top
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial
SentinelOne's Singularity platform protects endpoints, identity, and cloud workloads with an AI-native approach. Its headline capability is autonomous response: when ransomware strikes, the agent can detect it, isolate the device, and roll back encrypted files without waiting for an analyst. Purple AI adds agentic investigation that compresses hours of triage into minutes.
The platform covers Windows, Mac, and Linux with a single lightweight agent, and G2 reviewers consistently praise the Storyline feature for making attack investigation visual. Pricing is quote-based and reviewers describe it as premium, though many say the automation offsets staffing costs. A free trial is available for evaluation.
What we like- Behavioral AI detects and rolls back ransomware automatically
- Storyline feature maps full attack chains
- Named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for endpoint protection
Watch out for- Pricing is custom-quoted and sits at the premium end
- Can be expensive for very small teams
#3
Microsoft Defender for Business
Best for: Budget-friendly Microsoft 365 environments
Visit microsoft.com
Starting price$3 per user/month (standalone, billed annually)
Free planFree trial (30 days)
Microsoft Defender for Business brings enterprise-grade endpoint detection and response to companies with up to 300 users. It includes next-generation antivirus, threat and vulnerability management, attack surface reduction, and automated investigation and remediation, managed from a simplified console with policies that work out of the box.
The standout fact is the price: $3 per user per month standalone, with up to five devices per user, or included free in Microsoft 365 Business Premium. A 30-day trial is available through Microsoft. For businesses already living in Microsoft 365, it is the obvious and cheapest path to real EDR.
What we like- Cheapest paid option in this lineup
- Included at no extra cost with Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Watch out for- Limited to 300 users
- Deeper features require the larger Defender for Endpoint product
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial (30 days)
Sophos Endpoint, the successor to the Intercept X line, takes a prevention-first approach: more than 60 anti-exploitation mitigations run by default on every process, and CryptoGuard monitors files for malicious encryption, blocking the process and reverting encrypted files. Adaptive Attack Protection automatically hardens defenses when an active attacker is detected.
The Synchronized Security concept links Sophos products so a detection on one control point triggers a coordinated response across the others. Sophos was named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for endpoint protection for the 17th consecutive report. Pricing is quote-based, but a free 30-day trial lets you test the full product.
What we like- Deep learning prevention with CryptoGuard ransomware rollback
- Protection enabled by default with no tuning
- Synchronized Security links endpoint, firewall, and email
Watch out for- No public pricing
- Intercept X naming has shifted to Sophos Endpoint, which confuses older comparisons
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial (30 days)
Bitdefender's GravityZone platform scales from small business to enterprise and MSP use. The small business tiers publish clear per-device pricing on the vendor site, which is rare in this category, and independent tests regularly rank Bitdefender at the top for protection with a low total cost of ownership. A 30-day free trial needs no payment information.
One caution from independent reviews: only some GravityZone packages include true EDR capabilities. Business Security Enterprise is the EDR tier, while lower tiers are endpoint protection platforms. If your cyber insurer requires EDR, confirm the exact SKU in writing before buying.
What we like- Transparent small-business pricing on the vendor site
- Consistently top scores in independent tests
- Cloud and on-premises deployment options
Watch out for- Tier structure is complex, and only some SKUs qualify as EDR for cyber insurance
- Premium features like patch management cost extra
#6
ESET PROTECT
Best for: Lightweight agent with strong detection
Visit eset.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial (30 days)
ESET has built endpoint security for over 30 years, and its reputation rests on a light agent that detects well without slowing machines down. The ESET PROTECT platform offers ready-made plans from Entry through Advanced to Complete, adding full disk encryption, advanced threat defense, and cloud app protection as you move up. The company reports 500,000 protected business customers.
All products include free technical support, and a 30-day free trial of ESET PROTECT Advanced is available with no commitment. Pricing for small quantities is published on the vendor's pricing pages, with quotes for larger deployments. It is a strong pick for IT teams that value stability and low overhead.
What we like- Light system footprint with few false positives
- Free technical support included in your language
- Flexible Entry, Advanced, and Complete tiers
Watch out for- Quote-based pricing for larger deployments
- Interface is functional rather than polished
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Trend Micro's Worry-Free line is built for small and mid-size businesses that want security without infrastructure. The hosted suite protects Windows and Mac endpoints, mobile devices, and email, including Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, all managed from the cloud with no on-premises server. Tiers range from basic endpoint protection up to Worry-Free Services XDR with cross-product detection and response.
Trend Micro reports protecting more than 250 million endpoints through its threat intelligence network. Pricing is quote-based through the vendor or partners. It fits businesses that want one vendor covering endpoint, email, and cloud apps with minimal administration.
What we like- Fully hosted with no server to maintain
- Covers endpoints, email, and cloud apps in one suite
- Tiered options from basic to XDR
Watch out for- Pricing is quote-based
- The product line has been rebranded several times, which complicates comparisons
#8
Fortinet FortiEDR
Best for: Real-time automated response and legacy OS support
Visit fortinet.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Fortinet's FortiEDR focuses on stopping breaches in real time with a lightweight agent that has minimal impact on devices. Automated incident response playbooks handle containment and remediation, and the system can roll back malicious changes. Notably, it offers full feature parity on legacy operating systems like Windows XP and Server 2003, which matters for industrial and healthcare environments that cannot upgrade.
It integrates with the Fortinet Security Fabric, sharing intelligence with FortiGate firewalls, email security, and SIEM. Independent tests from AV-Comparatives have certified its endpoint prevention and detection. Pricing is quote-based. It is the strongest choice here for organizations with legacy systems or existing Fortinet infrastructure.
What we like- Automated real-time breach prevention with customizable playbooks
- Supports legacy systems like Windows XP and Server 2003
- Integrates with the Fortinet Security Fabric
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing
- Best value comes when paired with other Fortinet products
How we chose
We compared platforms using vendor documentation, official product pages, and published pricing, focusing on endpoint protection depth, detection and response capabilities, platform coverage, management simplicity, and pricing transparency. We checked independent evaluations from Gartner, Forrester, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs where cited, plus public reviews on G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. We did not claim hands-on testing; assessments reflect documented features, pricing, and reported user experience.
Start by deciding whether you need endpoint protection or full detection and response. Basic antivirus stops known malware; EDR adds behavioral detection, investigation tools, and automated response to novel attacks. Cyber insurance policies increasingly require EDR specifically, and not every tier of every platform qualifies, so get the exact SKU confirmed in writing.
Count your devices and platforms honestly
Pricing usually scales per device or per user, and the mix matters. Some platforms count servers differently, cap the server ratio, or charge extra for mobile. List every Windows PC, Mac, server, and phone you need to protect, then ask each vendor for a quote on that exact inventory. The cheapest sticker price can lose to a bundle that covers everything.
Test with a trial, not a demo
Most platforms here offer 30-day trials. Use the trial on a few real machines, including your oldest and slowest, and watch the agent's performance impact during a full scan. Check the console too: you will live in it, so it should be clear enough for whoever manages security day to day.
Ask about the renewal price and contract terms
Endpoint security is usually an annual subscription with auto-renewal. Ask what the renewal costs, how far in advance you are notified, and what happens to your data if you leave. Multi-year contracts often discount 20 to 30 percent, which is worth considering once you have validated the product.
EPP versus EDR: why the distinction matters
Endpoint protection platforms (EPP) prevent known threats: malware, ransomware variants, and exploits with known signatures. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) adds the ability to spot suspicious behavior, investigate it across your fleet, and respond automatically, even when the attack is brand new. Many vendors sell both as separate tiers of the same product. If you only need to stop commodity malware, EPP is cheaper and simpler. If you need to answer "what happened on this machine last Tuesday," you need EDR.
Frequently asked questions
How much does endpoint security cost for a small business?
It varies widely. Microsoft Defender for Business costs $3 per user per month, while CrowdStrike Falcon Go starts at $59.99 per device per year. Most other platforms are quote-based, with small-business tiers typically landing between $30 and $80 per device per year depending on features and device count. Always get a quote for your exact device mix.
Is Windows Defender enough for a business?
The built-in Windows antivirus is fine for home use, but businesses benefit from centralized management, detection and response, and cross-platform coverage. Microsoft Defender for Business adds exactly those capabilities on top of the built-in engine, and it is the cheapest managed option for Microsoft-centric shops.
What is the difference between EDR and XDR?
EDR focuses on endpoints: detecting, investigating, and responding to threats on devices. XDR extends that across email, network, cloud, and identity, correlating signals from all of them in one console. Several platforms here, including CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, and Bitdefender, offer XDR as an upgrade tier.
Do I need a security team to run these platforms?
Not necessarily. Products like Microsoft Defender for Business, Trend Micro Worry-Free, and Sophos Endpoint are designed for lean IT teams, with policies that work out of the box and automated response. If you want 24/7 expert monitoring, consider managed detection and response (MDR) add-ons from CrowdStrike, Sophos, Bitdefender, or ESET.
Can these platforms protect Macs and phones too?
Most can. CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender for Business, Sophos, Bitdefender, and Trend Micro all cover macOS and mobile devices to varying degrees. ESET covers Android and offers iOS privacy features but no iOS antivirus. Check the exact platform list for the tier you are buying.
Which platform is best for cyber insurance compliance?
It depends on your policy. Many insurers now require EDR specifically. Confirm the exact product tier qualifies: Bitdefender's EDR tier is Business Security Enterprise, CrowdStrike's is Enterprise, and SentinelOne's is Singularity Complete. Get written confirmation from the vendor or your insurer before renewing.
Sources we checked (13)
- https://www.crowdstrike.com/
- https://www.sentinelone.com/
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/endpoint-security/microsoft-defender-business
- https://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/intercept-x
- https://www.sophos.com/en-gb/products/endpoint-security/free-trial
- https://www.bitdefender.com/business/
- https://www.eset.com/us/business/
- https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/business.html
- https://www.fortinet.com/products/endpoint-security/fortiedr
- https://learn.microsoft.com/sl-si/microsoft-365/commerce/try-or-buy-microsoft-365?view=o365-worldwide
- https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-defender-for-business-review
- https://www.techradar.com/pro/bitdefender-gravityzone-business-security-premium-review
- https://www.g2.com/products/sentinelone-singularity-endpoint/pricing
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
CrowdStrike Falcon
SentinelOne Singularity
Sophos Endpoint
Bitdefender GravityZone
Trend Micro Worry-Free