Microsoft Defender for IoT vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security comparison

Microsoft Defender for IoT vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

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Helped 885,264 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Defender for IoT

Ranking in IoT Security

5th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Operational Technology (OT) Security (5th), Microsoft Security Suite (23rd)

Palo Alto Networks IoT Secu...

Ranking in IoT Security

3rd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the IoT Security category, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender for IoT is 8.0%, down from 10.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is 6.9%, up from 6.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

IoT Security Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Palo Alto Networks IoT Security	6.9%
Microsoft Defender for IoT	8.0%
Other	85.1%

IoT Security

Featured Reviews

Luis Gabriel Mieles Benavides

Cloud Architect at Sonda S.A.

Security monitoring has become proactive and threat hunting is now faster and more precise

The best features of Microsoft Defender for IoT are that it is easy to find where the intruder is and easy to capture and hunt intruders. When I need to send a full scan for a device, it is straightforward. I have worked with Symantec, which is an antivirus, and McAfee, where I send full scans in a similar way to how I do it in Azure Defender, and it is equally easy. I can take actions with the device, such as disconnecting it, turning it off, or sending an alarm. The integration with Azure Defender and Azure Sentinel is seamless because they are from the same company. They capture intruders, viruses, worms, and everything else easily, and I can fix problems quickly. I use the network visibility features daily to manage connected assets. Currently, I am closing a case with Mutual Asesorías where they have a computer with intruders attempting to force brute capture the password. I can see how the intruder tried to do this, and my work involves closing the IP origin in this case.

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reviewer2774463

Manager ERP (Insurance) at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

Have used it to manage device updates remotely and now see potential for improved centralized control

One of the favorite features is that they can plug in a device and update it without being on the network, so you can perform an offline update. If all the IoT devices in the field can provide a single pane of glass and management through that platform in a controlled fashion, that would be really beneficial.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Mainly, it is manageable and integrates with other Microsoft products, which is crucial for me."

"I find Microsoft Defender very effective in vulnerability management and it provides good attack reduction, making it a next-generation protection solution."

"The graphics and analysis in Microsoft Defender for IoT are very representative."

"I believe it is best suited for cloud services and is unmatched by other cloud security solutions."

"It is manageable and integrates with other Microsoft products, which is crucial for me."

"As a cybersecurity consultant, the best part of Microsoft Defender for IoT is the capability to integrate with other tools such as Microsoft Sentinel and receive real-time alerts from the product."

"Some advantages of Microsoft Defender for IoT are that it's easy to install on any OS, and you can create any custom use cases easily."

"The best features of Microsoft Defender for IoT are that it is easy to find where the intruder is and easy to capture and hunt intruders."

"Single-pass traffic processing enables very high throughput and low latency."

"This solution has been most valuable for establishing a VPN and implementing allow/deny rules. It has also enabled us to create security policies. It is an easy solution to customise when it comes to creating templates and pulling reports."

"The key strength of Palo Alto firewalls lies in their application-based approach, offering a much finer level of control compared to traditional firewalls."

"The stability is pretty good; it's a very solid solution, so if customers are looking for an IoT/OT solution, they should consider Palo Alto Networks IoT Security."

"Single-pass traffic processing enables very high throughput and low latency."

"This solution has been most valuable for establishing a VPN and implementing allow/deny rules."

"It is simple to use. We just need to enable features and then configure IoT policies."

"I like the threat information, and we can share the logging data with Cortex Data Lake."

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security pros

Cons

"There are a few limitations with Microsoft Defender for IoT. We raised concerns with the product team because they don't capture all the information regarding command execution or processes executed on certain endpoints."

"The primary area that needs improvement is compatibility with the latest IoT technologies."

"The documentation for Microsoft Defender for IoT is lacking. There are no clear steps or guidance, and updates are frequent, which adds to the confusion."

"Microsoft Defender for IoT is not scalable. If you want to monitor another industrial network, you need an additional server, making it less scalable."

"The only improvement I see is that some detection explanations are vaguely provided by Microsoft, resulting in generic IoT detections that alert me to an issue yet don't specify what's wrong."

"Customer service and support from Microsoft are costly. The execution by engineers is expensive, and the service is neither free nor toll-free, making it less accessible for customers."

"The only improvement I see is that some detection explanations are vaguely provided by Microsoft, resulting in generic IoT detections that alert me to an issue yet don't specify what's wrong."

"More application signatures are required."

"The reporting for this solution could be improved. The logs we receive are only saved for one week."

"There can be more automation in terms of security and detection. It is already good."

"Palo Alto Networks IoT Security's reporting capabilities are less comprehensive and robust than those provided by Cisco."

"The cost is still high and licensing is still complex."

"While not overly complex, its usability could be enhanced, making it a more intuitive experience for everyone."

"The cost is still high and licensing is still complex."

"The reporting for this solution could be improved. The logs we receive are only saved for one week. We would like to have the database timeframe increased to a month or two for historical reporting as well as increased storage capabilities to support this data and reporting."

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"The pricing for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is a bit high."

"The initial investment is substantial, but the renewal costs make it financially unsustainable."

"The successful migration trend suggests that Palo Alto provides a superior cost-benefit ratio for firewall solutions."

"While Palo Alto Networks IoT Security might cost more than some competitors, its features and effectiveness justify the price tag."

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885,264 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

14%

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

Energy/Utilities Company

Performing Arts

13%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Defender for IoT?

In my case, I do not work with the pricing for Microsoft Defender for IoT because I work for the operator. However, I know that every device costs $15 per device, and I think this is a good price a...

What needs improvement with Microsoft Defender for IoT?

At this moment, there are no areas that could be improved with Microsoft Defender for IoT in general. When I look inside the solution, I can see every point and every source of attempted intrusions...

What is your primary use case for Microsoft Defender for IoT?

Sonda is an integrator with its head office in Chile. I work from Colombia for a Chilean company that has many different types of clients. I currently work for Mutual Asesorías, which is a financia...

What needs improvement with Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

One thing I communicated to them is that they need to provide a managed update for their IoT devices.

What is your primary use case for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

I use it for one of my customers, and my role is to help my customer with the solution. They use it for their IoT devices in the field, and they have a lot of sensors out there for their heating eq...

What advice do you have for others considering Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

The pricing is not that bad. I would rate this solution an 8 out of 10.

Nozomi Networks vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Comparisons

Compared 18% of the time

Claroty Platform vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 11% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 9% of the time

Azure Sphere vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 8% of the time

Tenable OT Security vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 6% of the time

More Microsoft Defender for IoT Competitors

Armis vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 31% of the time

Nozomi Networks vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 15% of the time

Phosphorus Cybersecurity vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 14% of the time

Azure Sphere vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 13% of the time

Forescout Platform vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 6% of the time

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security Competitors

Product Reports

Microsoft Defender for IoT

Download Microsoft Defender for IoT product report

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Download Palo Alto Networks IoT Security product report

Also Known As

Azure Defender for IoT

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Defender for IoT offers robust vulnerability management, exceptional endpoint protection, and integrates seamlessly with Microsoft's ecosystem. It provides scalability and real-time alerts, making it suitable for cloud services and industrial networks with minimal false positives.

Designed to enhance security, Microsoft Defender for IoT delivers comprehensive threat management capabilities with integration into Azure services, boosting intrusion detection and automated threat response. Users find it adaptable for diverse sectors ranging from industrial networks to educational settings, appreciating its ability to provide strong graphics and analysis, along with efficient installation processes and custom use cases. Despite its strengths, some challenges include compatibility with new IoT technologies, less detailed documentation, and regional cost concerns, alongside latency and logging visibility issues.

What are the key features of Microsoft Defender for IoT?

Vulnerability Management: Identifies and addresses potential weaknesses in IoT environments for enhanced security.
Endpoint Protection: Guards endpoints effectively within industrial networks and other applications.
Azure Integration: Facilitates advanced protection strategies and threat management via Azure services.
Real-Time Alerts: Provides timely notifications of potential intrusions or anomalies.
Scalability: Adapts to various network sizes and complexities, ensuring enterprise-level security.

What benefits should users look for in Microsoft Defender for IoT reviews?

Enterprise-Level Security: Enables comprehensive protection across multiple sites.
Reduced False Positives: Minimizes incorrect alerts to streamline response efforts.
Efficient Management: Simplifies oversight of industrial networks and security procedures.
Enhanced Network Visibility: Offers clear insights into network activities and potential threats.

Microsoft Defender for IoT is deployed across industries like manufacturing, education, and technology, where it monitors for unauthorized access and malicious activities. Organizations appreciate its use of AI and cloud technology to maintain cybersecurity needs, benefiting from advanced features like integration with Azure Sentinel, which are crucial for monitoring and responding to potential threats in industrial and educational environments.

Microsoft

Introducing comprehensive IoT Security solutions tailored for enterprises, healthcare, and industrial operations. Safeguard every device, visible or unseen, with Zero Trust security protocols, ensuring protection against known and unknown threats. With rapid 15X faster deployment times, Enterprise IoT Security, Medical IoT Security, and Industrial OT Security streamline operations, allowing teams to prioritize security over setup. Seamlessly integrate with Palo Alto Networks ML-Powered NGFWs or Prisma Access for swift implementation, making your infrastructure IoT-aware within minutes. Eliminate blind spots across existing IT and security solutions with playbook-driven, built-in integrations, and simplify cloud delivery for deployment across any architecture without the need for multiple sensors or network redesign. Protect your assets and ensure uninterrupted operations with our comprehensive IoT security solutions.

Palo Alto Networks

Microsoft Defender for IoT vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security