CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Business (2026)
Our verdict
CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Business: on our data-weighted scoring, CrowdStrike Falcon edges ahead (9.0 vs 8.2/10). CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $59.99/device/yr and is best for organizations wanting best-in-class cloud-native edr + threat intel; Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo and is best for smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr. Choose CrowdStrike Falcon for the stronger overall track record; consider Microsoft Defender for Business if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
| CrowdStrike Falcon | Microsoft Defender for Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $59.99/device/yr | $3/user/mo |
| Pricing model | per endpoint | per user |
| Free trial / tier | 15 days | yes |
| Best for | Organizations wanting best-in-class cloud-native EDR + threat intel | SMBs already on Microsoft 365 wanting bundled EDR |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| G2 rating | 4.7/5 (290) | 4.4/5 (300) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
CrowdStrike Falcon
Pros
- Elite detection + threat intel
- Lightweight agent
- Strong analyst tooling
Cons
- Modules add up quickly
- Premium pricing
- 2024 outage reminder of agent risk
Affiliate link: CrowdStrike Falcon may pay us a commission if you sign up through this link. It never affects our data-driven ranking.
Microsoft Defender for Business
Pros
- Cheap if you have M365
- Solid detection
- Per-user (covers multiple devices)
Cons
- Best within Microsoft ecosystem
- Licensing nuances
- Tuning needed
Visit Microsoft Defender for Business →
Affiliate link: Microsoft Defender for Business may pay us a commission if you sign up through this link. It never affects our data-driven ranking.
Choose CrowdStrike Falcon if…
You need organizations wanting best-in-class cloud-native edr + threat intel. See the CrowdStrike Falcon pricing and review.
Choose Microsoft Defender for Business if…
You need smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr. See the Microsoft Defender for Business pricing and review.
In depth
Pricing: CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Business
CrowdStrike Falcon bills on a per endpoint model from $59.99/device/yr (15 days trial), while Microsoft Defender for Business uses a per user model from $3/user/mo (yes trial). Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.
Features & deployment
CrowdStrike Falcon ships 5 headline capabilities (Cloud-native NGAV, EDR/XDR, Threat intelligence, Threat graph) and deploys Cloud. Microsoft Defender for Business ships 5 (EDR for SMB, Next-gen AV, Threat & vulnerability mgmt, Auto-investigation), deploying Cloud.
Ratings & verdict
CrowdStrike Falcon holds 4.7/5 (290 G2 reviews); Microsoft Defender for Business holds 4.4/5 (300 G2 reviews). On our data-weighted score, CrowdStrike Falcon edges ahead (9.0 vs 8.2/10). Pick Microsoft Defender for Business instead when smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr. See CrowdStrike Falcon alternatives or Microsoft Defender for Business alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
- CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Business: which is better?
- CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender for Business: on our data-weighted scoring, CrowdStrike Falcon edges ahead (9.0 vs 8.2/10). CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $59.99/device/yr and is best for organizations wanting best-in-class cloud-native edr + threat intel; Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo and is best for smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr.
- Is CrowdStrike Falcon cheaper than Microsoft Defender for Business?
- CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $59.99/device/yr and Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo (see the pricing rows for models and limits).