Microsoft Defender for Business is the lowest cost starting point here at $3 per user per month, billed annually, and it covers up to 5 devices per user. CrowdStrike Falcon Go starts at $59.99 per device per year, billed annually, and SentinelOne Singularity Core starts at $69.99 per endpoint per year. Sophos Endpoint and Trend Micro Apex One do not publish a starting price on their own sites, so budget for both from a written quote.
Corporate security software has to cover desktops, laptops, phones, servers, email, and staff accounts. Some tools focus on endpoints and detection. Others add email, identity, patching, or a managed team that watches alerts around the clock. Some vendors charge per device, some charge per user, and some sell only by quote. That is why each block states the unit and the term. A low entry price can rise fast when you add servers or a managed response service.
On this page
Best corporate security software: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CrowdStrike Falcon | Small and mid-size companies that want cloud endpoint protection | $59.99 per device per year | Free trial (15 days) | Visit |
| 2 | Microsoft Defender for Business | Microsoft 365 companies with up to 300 users | $3 per user per month | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
| 3 | SentinelOne Singularity | Companies that want autonomous endpoint response | $69.99 per endpoint per year | No | Visit |
| 4 | Bitdefender GravityZone | Mixed Windows, Mac, and Linux offices | $324.99 per year for 10 devices | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
| 5 | Sophos Endpoint | Companies that want prevention plus managed response | quote only | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
| 6 | ESET PROTECT | Companies that want a light agent and on-premise control | $211 per year for 5 devices | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
| 7 | ThreatDown by Malwarebytes | Small teams that want a clear path to managed response | $69 per device per year | Free trial (14 days) | Visit |
| 8 | Trend Micro Apex One | Larger companies with mixed endpoint and server fleets | quote only | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
The 8 best best corporate security software tools, in detail
CrowdStrike Falcon
Best for: Small and mid-size companies that want cloud endpoint protection
CrowdStrike Falcon is a cloud native endpoint platform built around one agent, called the Falcon sensor. Falcon Go includes next generation antivirus, USB device control, mobile protection, and Express Support. The vendor lists Falcon Go at $59.99 per device, billed annually, Falcon Pro at $99.99, and Falcon Enterprise at $184.99.
- Falcon Complete is sold by quote.
- The main limit is the Falcon Go cap of 100 devices, and the bundle has no full endpoint detection and response.
- That makes Go a fit for a small company that wants strong prevention, but a growing company will need Enterprise for investigation and hunting.
- The 15 day trial is short, so set a test plan first.
Pros
- Single lightweight agent for endpoint protection
- cloud console with no on-premise server to run
Cons
- Falcon Go is limited to 100 devices and has no full endpoint detection and response
- higher tiers add cost for EDR, threat hunting, and managed response
Microsoft Defender for Business
Best for: Microsoft 365 companies with up to 300 users
Microsoft Defender for Business is the small and mid-size version of Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft lists it at $3 per user per month, billed annually, and it is also included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22 per user per month. It is built for companies with up to 300 users, with up to 5 devices per user, and covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- It includes next generation antivirus, endpoint detection and response, automated investigation, and vulnerability management.
- The value is clearest when you already use Microsoft 365.
- If you are on Business Premium, Defender for Business is already included.
- If you are on Business Basic or Business Standard, the $3 standalone licence is a low cost way to add EDR.
Pros
- Low per user price with EDR included for up to 300 users
- one licence covers up to 5 devices per user
Cons
- Servers need a separate add-on licence
- companies above 300 users must move to Defender for Endpoint
SentinelOne Singularity
Best for: Companies that want autonomous endpoint response
SentinelOne Singularity puts detection, response, and rollback on the device itself. The vendor publishes annual per endpoint prices for 5 to 100 workstations. Core lists at $69.99 per endpoint per year, Control at $79.99, Complete at $179.99, and Commercial at $229.99.
- Enterprise is sold by quote.
- Complete adds full endpoint detection and response, deep visibility, and threat hunting, with 14 days of data retention.
- The entry price is not the EDR price.
- Core is prevention, not full detection and response, so a company that wants investigation and longer retention must budget for Complete at $179.99 pe
Pros
- Autonomous detection and response with rollback on the device
- tiered bundles from prevention to identity protection
Cons
- Published prices cover 5 to 100 workstations and purchases go through a partner, so the partner price controls
- full EDR needs the Complete tier or above
Bitdefender GravityZone
Best for: Mixed Windows, Mac, and Linux offices
Bitdefender GravityZone is a unified endpoint platform with one agent and one cloud console for Windows, macOS, Linux, servers, and mobile devices. Small Business Security lists at $34.99 per year for 1 device and $324.99 per year for 10 devices, about $32.50 per device per year at list price. The vendor has shown a 30 percent first term discount at times, so ask for the renewal price in writing.
- Business Security lists at $384.99 for 10 devices, while the EDR tier is sold by quote.
- GravityZone suits a mixed office that wants central control without a large security team.
- The entry tier includes antimalware, antiphishing, anti-exploit, firewall, network protection, and ransomware mitigation.
- Patch management, encryption, and web access control are add-ons, so check which you need first.
Pros
- One agent and one console for endpoints, servers, and mobile
- entry bundle includes ransomware mitigation and fileless attack protection
Cons
- Full EDR sits in the higher Enterprise tier, which is sold by quote
- some admin controls are optional add-ons
Sophos Endpoint
Best for: Companies that want prevention plus managed response
Sophos Endpoint, built on Intercept X technology, is an endpoint platform managed from Sophos Central. It combines deep learning malware detection, CryptoGuard anti-ransomware, exploit prevention, and device control in one agent. Higher tiers add endpoint detection and response and managed detection and response.
- Sophos sells through partners and does not publish a per user price.
- A partner can bundle endpoint, email, firewall, and managed response into one deal, and bundle discounts are often larger than single product discount
- The cost is that you cannot budget from a web page.
- Reseller listings have shown Intercept X Advanced at about $69.90 per endpoint for 12 months, but those are reseller figures, not a vendor list price.
Pros
- Deep learning detection with CryptoGuard anti-ransomware and exploit prevention
- managed detection and response is available as a higher tier
Cons
- No published price on the vendor site, so every deal needs a partner quote
- EDR and XDR are higher tiers, not part of the base agent
ESET PROTECT
Best for: Companies that want a light agent and on-premise control
ESET PROTECT is a tiered endpoint platform with one console for endpoints, servers, mobiles, cloud applications, and mail. PROTECT Entry lists from $211 per year for 5 devices in the first term, about $42 per device per year. PROTECT Advanced lists at $275 for 5 devices, about $55 per device per year, and adds full disk encryption, cloud sandboxing, and mobile threat defence.
- PROTECT Complete lists at $287.72 for 5 devices and adds mail security and patch management.
- Elite is sold by quote.
- ESET fits a company that values a light agent, a simple console, and a choice between cloud and on-premise management.
- Entry covers core protection, but a company that needs encryption and sandboxing should start at Advanced, and a company that needs XDR should price E
Pros
- Light agent with a cloud or on-premise console
- Advanced tier adds full disk encryption and cloud sandboxing
Cons
- XDR and managed detection sit in the higher Elite and MDR tiers, which are sold by quote
- larger fleets need a custom quote
ThreatDown by Malwarebytes
Best for: Small teams that want a clear path to managed response
ThreatDown, powered by Malwarebytes, is the business endpoint platform from Malwarebytes. Core Next-Gen AV lists from $69 per device per year, based on a 5 device, one year term, which is $345 per year for 5 devices. Advanced EDR lists from $79 per device per year, and Elite MDR from $99.
- Core includes next generation antivirus, automated remediation, device control, application blocking, and vulnerability assessment.
- Advanced adds ransomware rollback and endpoint detection and response.
- ThreatDown suits a small team that wants to start with prevention and move to managed response without changing vendor.
- Ransomware rollback and full EDR are in Advanced, not Core, so a company that wants those features should budget for $79 per device per year, not $69.
Pros
- Clear bundle ladder from Core prevention to Elite managed response
- single agent and cloud console
Cons
- Ransomware rollback and EDR sit above the Core tier
- server and mobile protection are add-ons, not part of Core
Trend Micro Apex One
Best for: Larger companies with mixed endpoint and server fleets
Trend Micro Apex One is an endpoint platform for desktops, laptops, servers, and cloud workloads. It uses machine learning, behaviour monitoring, and threat intelligence to block malware, ransomware, and fileless attacks, and it includes data loss prevention and device control in higher configurations. Apex One as a Service adds endpoint detection and response and XDR.
- The vendor offers a free 30 day trial, but it does not publish a per endpoint price.
- Apex One suits a larger company that already uses Trend Micro, or a company with a mixed fleet that wants one agent and one console.
- Add-ons, server licences, and XDR can push the total well above the base figure.
- Ask for a quote that lists each module separately, with the endpoint and server counts and the term.
Pros
- Broad endpoint, server, and cloud workload coverage in one platform
- XDR option adds cross layer detection
Cons
- No published price on the vendor site, so every deal needs a quote
- licensing has moved toward credits in some deals, which is harder to compare
How we chose
We chose these 8 tools from endpoint and corporate security products that publish a product page, a pricing page, or a clear quote route, and that cover Windows, macOS, and mobile devices from one console. We opened each vendor pricing page on 2026-11-12 and took the starting price from that page where it was shown. Where the vendor did not show a price, we wrote quote only. We checked the plan pages for the EDR tier, the device limit, the retention period, and the trial length. We did not install the software.
Pick by team size and budget
| Team size | First option to test | Annual cost at the listed starting price | When to move up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 users, 10 devices | Microsoft Defender for Business | $360 per year for 10 users | Move to Defender for Endpoint above 300 users |
| 10 users, 10 devices | Bitdefender GravityZone | $324.99 per year for 10 devices | Move to Enterprise when you need full EDR |
| 25 users, 25 devices | ESET PROTECT Entry | $1,055 per year for 25 devices | Move to Advanced when you need encryption |
| 50 devices | CrowdStrike Falcon Go | $2,999.50 per year for 50 devices | Move to Enterprise at $184.99 per device for full EDR |
| 50 devices | SentinelOne Core | $3,499.50 per year for 50 endpoints | Move to Complete at $179.99 per endpoint for full EDR |
| 50 devices | ThreatDown Core | $3,450 per year for 50 devices | Move to Advanced at $79 per device for rollback and EDR |
| Any size | Sophos Endpoint, Trend Micro Apex One | Ask for a written quote | Compare the quote line by line before you sign |
The table uses the listed starting price only, before tax, discounts, add-ons, and support fees. A 10 user company on Defender for Business pays $360 per year, and each user can cover up to 5 devices. The same 10 devices on Bitdefender list at $324.99, and on CrowdStrike at $599.90. At 50 devices, CrowdStrike lists at $2,999.50, SentinelOne Core at $3,499.50, and ThreatDown Core at $3,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best corporate security software for a small company?
Microsoft Defender for Business is often the best starting point for a small Microsoft 365 company, because it costs $3 per user per month, billed annually, covers up to 5 devices per user, and includes EDR for up to 300 users. Bitdefender GravityZone and ESET PROTECT are also strong for small companies that want a low per device price.
How much does corporate security software cost per year?
It depends on the unit and the tier. Defender for Business costs $360 per year for 10 users. Bitdefender lists at $324.99 per year for 10 devices. CrowdStrike Falcon Go lists at $599.90 for 10 devices. SentinelOne Core lists at $699.90 for 10 endpoints. Sophos Endpoint and Trend Micro Apex One are sold by quote.
Do I need EDR, or is antivirus enough?
Antivirus blocks known malware, but it does not give you a timeline or an investigation for an attack that got past prevention. EDR adds detection, investigation, and response, with data retention so you can see how far an attack spread. A company with customer data or a compliance audit should price an EDR tier.
Is a free trial enough to test corporate security software?
A trial of 14 to 30 days is enough for a small pilot, but not for a full rollout. Use the trial on a mix of Windows and Mac machines, test the console alerts and device isolation, and check the agent on older hardware.
What is the difference between per user and per device pricing?
Per user pricing charges for each person, and one licence often covers several devices. Defender for Business covers up to 5 devices per user. Per device pricing charges for each laptop, desktop, phone, or server. Count devices and users separately before you compare totals.
Should I choose a managed detection and response service?
Choose a managed service if no one on your team can watch alerts every day, including weekends and holidays. A managed service adds a team that investigates and contains incidents, but it also adds cost. If you have a team that can triage alerts in business hours, a self managed EDR tier may be enough.
Sources
- https://www.crowdstrike.com/
- https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/pricing/falcon-go/
- https://www.microsoft.com/
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/business/endpoint-security/microsoft-defender-business
- https://www.sentinelone.com/
- https://www.sentinelone.com/platform-packages/
- https://www.bitdefender.com/business/gravityzone.html
- https://www.sophos.com/
- https://www.eset.com/us/business/protect-platform/
- https://www.threatdown.com/
- https://www.threatdown.com/pricing/
- https://www.trendmicro.com/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.