Microsoft Defender for Business vs WatchGuard EPDR comparison

Microsoft Defender for Business and WatchGuard EPDR are competitors in the business security solutions market. WatchGuard EPDR has an edge with its superior patch management and efficient remote management features, despite some areas needing improvement.

Features: Microsoft Defender integrates seamlessly into the Microsoft ecosystem and offers robust threat detection and alerting capabilities, making it user-friendly for small to medium-sized businesses. It includes advanced threat detection and integrates with Microsoft Sentinel. WatchGuard EPDR provides strong endpoint protection, effective patch management, and is easily managed through its cloud console.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Defender needs enhancements in proactive threat detection and non-Microsoft platform integration. Its reporting is scattered and remote management is limited. WatchGuard EPDR could improve its reporting and DNS security while addressing performance issues under heavy load for better scalability and non-Windows device integration.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Defender is widely deployed across public, on-premises, and hybrid cloud environments due to its integration within Microsoft's ecosystem, though support can be slow. WatchGuard EPDR is cloud-based for flexible deployment, but support needs refinement due to slow responses and complex pricing inquiries.

Pricing and ROI: Included with Office 365 premium plans, Microsoft Defender can be costly for smaller organizations but consolidates security needs, offering good ROI through enhanced productivity. WatchGuard EPDR is competitively priced, providing good returns with features like forensic analysis, though its pricing complexity for additional features is a concern for some users.