# Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Palo Alto Cortex XDR

| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Palo Alto Cortex XDR |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 24.4 (7% (low)) | 54.6 (17% (low)) |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | A security solution providing threat detection and response capabilities for endpoints across multiple operating systems | Cortex XDR is an AI-driven security solution that consolidates threat detection and response from endpoints, networks, cloud, identity, and email. It combines advanced prevention with cross-domain detection and offers optional managed threat hunting and incident response services. |
| features.capabilities | `{"edr":true,"platform_breadth":"multiplatform"}` | `{"edr":true,"epp":true,"mdr":true,"xdr":true,"deployment":"cloud","mitre_eval":true,"single_agent":true,"threat_hunting":true,"platform_breadth":"NG-SIEM, Endpoint Data Loss Prevention, Exposure Management, Email Security, Clo","integration_breadth":"Integrates with 850+ products through Cortex XSOAR ecosystem"}` |
| integrations.count | - | 11 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Cortex XSOAR"},{"name":"Splunk"},{"name":"QRadar"},{"name":"Rubrik"},{"name":"SailPoint"},{"name":"Cofense"},{"name":"Code42"},{"name":"Ironscales"},{"name":"SafeBreach"},{"name":"Zimperium"},{"name":"SlashNext"}]` |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"ios":true,"mac":true,"web":true,"android":true,"windows":true}` | `{"linux":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Microsoft Defender for Business","summary":"$3.00/user/month billed annually","features":["Next-generation antivirus protection","AI-powered endpoint detection and response","Automated investigation and remediation","Vulnerability management","Wizard-based onboarding","Monthly security summary reports","Support for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android devices","Server protection available as add-on"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"user","amount":3,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Enterprise-grade device protection for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android with vulnerability management and EDR","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"users":"up to 300","devices_per_user":"up to 5"}}],"summary":"Starts at $3.00/user/month. 30-day free trial available.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.microsoft.com/golf/etc.clientlibs/onecloud/components/content/reimagine/atomic/carousel/v1/carousel/clientlibs/pricing-styles.ACSHASHbcdafd3e07059ae596973551430292fc.min.css","retrievedAt":"2026-08-12T12:22:22.581Z","freeTrialDays":30,"startingPrice":{"amount":3,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}}` | - |
| pricing.free_tier | no | - |
| pricing.model | commercial | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | unknown | - |
| pricing.transparent | no | - |
| reliability.status_page | - | yes |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | - |

## Capabilities (Endpoint Security Software)

| Capability | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Palo Alto Cortex XDR |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Protection** |  |  |
| EPP / next-gen AV (prevention) | - | ✓ |
| **Detection** |  |  |
| EDR (detection & response) | ✓ | ✓ |
| XDR (cross-domain telemetry) | - | ✓ |
| **Managed** |  |  |
| Managed service tier (MDR) | - | ✓ |
| **Response** |  |  |
| Ransomware rollback / remediation | - | - |
| Threat-hunting console / query language | - | ✓ |
| **Platform** |  |  |
| Platform breadth | multiplatform | NG-SIEM, Endpoint Data Loss Prevention, Exposure Management, Email Security, Clo |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Deployment | - | Cloud-only console |
| **Architecture** |  |  |
| Single lightweight agent | - | ✓ |
| **Integration** |  |  |
| SIEM / SOAR / ITSM integration breadth | - | Integrates with 850+ products through Cortex XSOAR ecosystem |
| **Evidence** |  |  |
| Independent test participation (MITRE ATT&CK) | - | ✓ |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:14:40.219Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*