CyberSecurity Engineer | Information Security Management at Self Employed
Real User
Top 10
May 26, 2025
My experience with the pricing, setup costs, and licensing for Microsoft Defender for Identity is that the pricing is acceptable. If they can reduce the costs, organizations will be happy, and it will compensate for using the Azure environment, which is more expensive on the infrastructure as a service side. This would be beneficial if the price for the SaaS environment and platform as a service resources were reduced.
Pricing is part of a bundled deal from Microsoft. Various licenses like E3, E5, or separate bundles are used. From an organization perspective, using E5 licenses is value for money, especially if Azure and Office 365 are already in use.
Microsoft uses a market simulation approach to setting their pricing, ensuring a fair price according to market standards. In my personal usage, I find the price acceptable.
The pricing of Microsoft Defender for Identity is affordable and competitive compared to other security products. The option to purchase specific features rather than a full license makes it convenient and cost-effective.
Security Specialist at a construction company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 10
Sep 10, 2024
Microsoft's licensing model is very complex to understand. Microsoft Defender for Identity comes as part of the Microsoft E5 licensing stack. We do not have to pay additional costs for technical support.
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Defender for Identity. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
The product is costly, and we had multiple discussions with accounting to receive a discounted rate. However, on the open market, the tool is expensive. You can purchase Defender for Identity as an add-on to an E3 license, and it comes included with an E5 license. I think those with the E3 and add-on aren't benefitting, and it's a better deal for those with E5 licenses; however, the price difference between E3 and E5 is significant. If we can get E5 at a discounted price, that's likely the most cost-effective way of accessing the product. We use a mix of E3 licenses and E5s for high-profile users.
In terms of the pricing, I don't know off the top of my head the cost, however, it's part of Microsoft 365. It is an EMS-5, an Enterprise Mobility and Security Suite. It's my understanding that there are no extra costs beyond the standard licensing fee.
Microsoft Defender for Identity offers real-time threat detection and protection for hybrid Active Directory environments. It integrates with Microsoft 365 components for seamless security and monitors advanced behaviors, enhancing identity protection across cloud and on-premises environments.Microsoft Defender for Identity provides detailed threat insights and user behavior analytics to detect unauthorized access and notify anomalies. It allows setting custom detection rules, enhancing...
My experience with the pricing, setup costs, and licensing for Microsoft Defender for Identity is that the pricing is acceptable. If they can reduce the costs, organizations will be happy, and it will compensate for using the Azure environment, which is more expensive on the infrastructure as a service side. This would be beneficial if the price for the SaaS environment and platform as a service resources were reduced.
As for pricing, the Microsoft Defender Suite is quite expensive, especially when integrated into Sentinel.
Pricing is part of a bundled deal from Microsoft. Various licenses like E3, E5, or separate bundles are used. From an organization perspective, using E5 licenses is value for money, especially if Azure and Office 365 are already in use.
Microsoft uses a market simulation approach to setting their pricing, ensuring a fair price according to market standards. In my personal usage, I find the price acceptable.
The pricing of Microsoft Defender for Identity is affordable and competitive compared to other security products. The option to purchase specific features rather than a full license makes it convenient and cost-effective.
Microsoft's licensing model is very complex to understand. Microsoft Defender for Identity comes as part of the Microsoft E5 licensing stack. We do not have to pay additional costs for technical support.
It has a fair price.
The enterprise pricing is reasonable. Our company has a good deal.
The product is costly, and we had multiple discussions with accounting to receive a discounted rate. However, on the open market, the tool is expensive. You can purchase Defender for Identity as an add-on to an E3 license, and it comes included with an E5 license. I think those with the E3 and add-on aren't benefitting, and it's a better deal for those with E5 licenses; however, the price difference between E3 and E5 is significant. If we can get E5 at a discounted price, that's likely the most cost-effective way of accessing the product. We use a mix of E3 licenses and E5s for high-profile users.
Defender for Identity is a little more expensive than other Microsoft products. Identity and Microsoft Defender for Cloud are both a bit costly.
In terms of the pricing, I don't know off the top of my head the cost, however, it's part of Microsoft 365. It is an EMS-5, an Enterprise Mobility and Security Suite. It's my understanding that there are no extra costs beyond the standard licensing fee.