# Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Sophos Endpoint Comparison --- ## AI Generated Summary - **G2 reviewers report** that Sophos Endpoint excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher G2 Score compared to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Users appreciate its **centralized management** capabilities, which streamline threat protection and compliance monitoring. - **According to verified reviews** , Sophos Endpoint is praised for its **ease of deployment** and integration with firewalls, making it a favorite among users who value quick setup and effective performance. In contrast, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, while integrated well within the Microsoft ecosystem, faces some challenges in user experience during initial setup. - **Users say** that Sophos Endpoint provides a wealth of documentation and support, which enhances the overall user experience. This is particularly beneficial for organizations looking for comprehensive guidance, whereas Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's support, while solid, does not match the depth and responsiveness reported by Sophos users. - **Reviewers mention** that Sophos Endpoint's detection rates and performance are standout features, with many noting its effectiveness in protecting against various cyber threats. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, while recognized for its strong malware protection, sometimes lacks the same level of detection efficiency as reported by Sophos users. - **According to recent feedback** , Sophos Endpoint's user interface is noted for its intuitiveness, making it easier for IT teams to manage and configure policies. In comparison, some users of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint have expressed that the interface can be less intuitive, leading to a steeper learning curve for new users. - **G2 reviewers highlight** that Sophos Endpoint's commitment to product direction and innovation is reflected in its high scores for compliance and automated remediation features. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, while also innovative, has received mixed feedback regarding its adaptability to evolving user needs. | | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.4 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 310 | 825 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (38.5% of reviews) | Mid-Market (62.9% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Pros: - Ease of Use (20 reviews) - Threat Detection (18 reviews) Cons: - Compatibility Issues (8 reviews) - Complexity (8 reviews) ### Sophos Endpoint Pros: - Ease of Use (191 reviews) - Protection (180 reviews) Cons: - Slow Performance (73 reviews) - High Resource Usage (52 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.6 (249 reviews) | 9.4 (637 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (255 reviews) | 9.3 (646 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 8.5 (165 reviews) | 9.3 (605 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.6 (156 reviews) | 9.3 (555 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.5 (239 reviews) | 9.0 (624 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.6 (152 reviews) | 9.3 (548 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.2 (248 reviews) | 9.4 (620 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available ### Sophos Endpoint #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Endpoint Protection Platforms | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | 8.6/10 | 26 | | **Sophos Endpoint** | 9.2/10 | 402 | #### Administration | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Compliance** | 8.8 (23 reviews) | 9.3 (364 reviews) | | **Web Control** | 8.3 (22 reviews) | 9.2 (369 reviews) | | **Application Control** | 8.7 (23 reviews) | 9.3 (363 reviews) | | **Asset Management** | 8.6 (22 reviews) | 8.8 (352 reviews) | | **Device Control** | 8.8 (21 reviews) | 9.3 (361 reviews) | #### Functionality | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **System Isolation** | 9.0 (22 reviews) | 9.3 (361 reviews) | | **Firewall** | 8.5 (22 reviews) | 9.2 (353 reviews) | | **Endpoint Intelligence** | 8.9 (23 reviews) | 9.4 (361 reviews) | | **Malware Detection** | 8.6 (22 reviews) | 9.5 (366 reviews) | #### Analysis | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Automated Remediation** | 8.5 (23 reviews) | 9.2 (358 reviews) | | **Incident Reports** | 8.5 (22 reviews) | 9.2 (355 reviews) | | **Behavioral Analysis** | 8.3 (21 reviews) | 9.2 (353 reviews) | ### Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | | **Sophos Endpoint** | 9.1/10 | 274 | #### Detection & Response | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Response Automation** | Not enough data | 9.2 (251 reviews) | | **Threat Hunting** | Not enough data | 9.4 (256 reviews) | | **Rule-Based Detection** | Not enough data | 9.3 (255 reviews) | | **Real-Time Detection** | Not enough data | 9.6 (257 reviews) | #### Management | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Extensibility** | Not enough data | 9.2 (246 reviews) | | **Workflow Automation** | Not enough data | 8.8 (243 reviews) | | **Unified Visibility** | Not enough data | 9.1 (245 reviews) | #### Analytics | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Threat Intelligence** | Not enough data | 9.3 (256 reviews) | | **Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning** | Not enough data | 8.8 (248 reviews) | | **Data Collection** | Not enough data | 9.1 (246 reviews) | #### Agentic AI - Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | 8.4 (135 reviews) | | **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | 8.6 (136 reviews) | | **Decision Making** | Not enough data | 8.6 (136 reviews) | #### Services - Extended Detection and Response (XDR) | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Managed Services** | Not enough data | 9.4 (137 reviews) | ### Antivirus | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | 8.0/10 | 57 | | **Sophos Endpoint** | 7.7/10 | 240 | #### Generative AI | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | 8.0 (52 reviews) | 7.7 (232 reviews) | | **AI Text Summarization** | 8.0 (52 reviews) | 7.7 (233 reviews) | ### Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | | **Sophos Endpoint** | 9.5/10 | 131 | #### Services - Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Managed Services** | Not enough data | 9.5 (125 reviews) | ### Cloud Security | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | | **Sophos Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### Cloud Visibility | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Data Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cloud Registry** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cloud Gap Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Security | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Data Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Data loss Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Identity | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **SSO** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Governance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **User Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Endpoint Protection | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | | **Sophos Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### System Control | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Device Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Web Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Application Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Asset Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **System Isolation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Vulnerability Prevention | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Endpoint Intelligence** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Firewall** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Malware Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Security Management | Feature | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Incident Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Security Validation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Compliance ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (3):** [Antivirus Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/antivirus), [Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/endpoint-detection-response-edr), [Endpoint Protection Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/endpoint-protection-platforms) **Unique to Sophos Endpoint (1):** [Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/extended-detection-and-response-xdr-platforms) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Sophos Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 27.1% | 17.8% | | **Mid-Market** | 34.4% | 62.9% | | **Enterprise** | 38.5% | 19.3% | ### By Industry #### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - **Information Technology and Services:** 25.5% - **Computer & Network Security:** 14.1% - **Financial Services:** 6.0% - **Computer Software:** 6.0% - **Telecommunications:** 2.3% - **Banking:** 2.3% - **Computer Networking:** 2.0% - **Airlines/Aviation:** 1.7% - **Education Management:** 1.7% - **Consumer Services:** 1.7% - **Other:** 36.6% #### Sophos Endpoint - **Information Technology and Services:** 15.1% - **Manufacturing:** 6.2% - **Computer & Network Security:** 5.8% - **Hospital & Health Care:** 4.1% - **Construction:** 4.0% - **Education Management:** 3.6% - **Computer Software:** 3.6% - **Automotive:** 2.9% - **Primary/Secondary Education:** 2.5% - **Retail:** 2.5% - **Other:** 49.9% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - [ESET PROTECT](https://www.g2.com/products/eset-protect/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (971 reviews) - [CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/crowdstrike-falcon-endpoint-protection-platform/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (424 reviews) - [Trellix Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/trellix-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (327 reviews) - [Check Point Harmony Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-harmony-endpoint/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (284 reviews) - [SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/sentinelone-singularity-endpoint/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (201 reviews) - [ThreatDown](https://www.g2.com/products/threatdown/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1084 reviews) - [Bitdefender GravityZone XDR](https://www.g2.com/products/bitdefender-gravityzone-xdr/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (85 reviews) - [Cisco Secure Endpoints](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-endpoints/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (27 reviews) - [Cortex XDR](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xdr/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (53 reviews) - [Symantec End-user Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-end-user-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (553 reviews) ### Alternatives to Sophos Endpoint - [ESET PROTECT](https://www.g2.com/products/eset-protect/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (971 reviews) - [CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/crowdstrike-falcon-endpoint-protection-platform/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (424 reviews) - [Check Point Harmony Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-harmony-endpoint/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (284 reviews) - [SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/sentinelone-singularity-endpoint/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (201 reviews) - [Bitdefender GravityZone XDR](https://www.g2.com/products/bitdefender-gravityzone-xdr/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (85 reviews) - [ThreatDown](https://www.g2.com/products/threatdown/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1084 reviews) - [Trellix Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/trellix-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (327 reviews) - [Cynet](https://www.g2.com/products/cynet/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (251 reviews) - [WatchGuard Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (123 reviews) - [Symantec End-user Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-end-user-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (553 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - Title: [can i use this for my video games?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32645-can-i-use-this-for-my-video-games) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "if you are using Xbox, then all software's are certified by Microsoft, so no need the virus scan " - Title: [What is Endpoint Defender?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-endpoint-defender) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "In general terms, "Endpoint Defender" could potentially refer to a category of cybersecurity solutions designed to protect individual devices (endpoints)..." - Title: [Which feature in Microsoft Defender for endpoint?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-feature-in-microsoft-defender-for-endpoint) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Comprehensive protection: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides protection against a wide range of threats, including viruses, malware, ransomware, and..." - Title: [when scheduled scan starts it consume 100% CPU, can you kindly provide solution for it.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/37198-when-scheduled-scan-starts-it-consume-100-cpu-can-you-kindly-provide-solution-for-it) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Method I: Ensure that no other Adware, Antimalware or Antivirus software is installed or not fully removed Method II: Prevent Windows Defender from scanning..." ### Sophos Endpoint - Title: [Is Sophos Endpoint an antivirus?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-sophos-endpoint-an-antivirus) — 3 comments > **Top comment:** "Yes." - Title: [What is Sophos Intercept X: Next-Gen Endpoint used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-sophos-intercept-x-next-gen-endpoint-used-for) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Sophos Intercept X (Next‑Gen Endpoint) is an advanced endpoint protection solution designed to shield devices (like PCs and servers) from a wide range of..." - Title: [Is Sophos intercept x any good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-sophos-intercept-x-any-good) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Yes, it is good. Low footprint and updates are small so faster updating of definition files. " --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-endpoint-vs-sophos-endpoint)