Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 19, 2025
Symantec Endpoint Security and Microsoft Defender for Business compete in the endpoint security category. Symantec seems to have the upper hand in features, while Microsoft Defender for Business excels in pricing and integration within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Features: Symantec Endpoint Security offers comprehensive protection featuring antivirus, anti-spyware, and firewall components in a single agent. It provides intrusion prevention and proactive threat scanning with support for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Microsoft Defender for Business provides strong threat detection capabilities, AI-powered predictive analysis, and seamless integration with Microsoft products, delivering extended detection and response capabilities.
Room for Improvement: Symantec Endpoint Security should enhance its resource efficiency, detection rates, and user experience, as users report high resource consumption and complex management interfaces. It also requires better mobile integration and reporting capabilities. Microsoft Defender for Business could address its issues with false positives, improve remote management functionalities, and enhance support for non-Microsoft environments.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Symantec Endpoint Security is primarily on-premises with cloud options for management but is seen as complex and resource-intensive. Customer service post-acquisition has been impacted leading to delays. Microsoft Defender for Business offers flexible deployment options, particularly beneficial due to its integration with Microsoft cloud services, though customer service and technical support can be improved.
Pricing and ROI: Symantec Endpoint Security is perceived as more expensive but justified by its extensive features, and large organizations find the investment worthwhile due to reduced downtime and enhanced security. Microsoft Defender for Business is competitively priced, offering good value, especially for those in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, often resulting in solid ROI by reducing dependency on multiple vendor solutions.
