Microsoft Defender for Business Reviews

Name: Microsoft Defender for Business
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 3.9 (17 reviews)

3.9 out of 5

17 reviews
85% willing to recommend

What is Microsoft Defender for Business?

Microsoft Defender for Business is a new endpoint security solution that was designed especially for the small and medium-sized business (up to 300 employees). With this endpoint security solution, your company's devices are better protected from ransomware, malware, phishing, and other threats.

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Microsoft Defender for Business is the #15 ranked solution in top Microsoft Security Suite solutions and #28 ranked solution in endpoint security software. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Defender for Business an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. Microsoft Defender for Business is most commonly compared to CrowdStrike Falcon: Microsoft Defender for Business vs CrowdStrike Falcon. Microsoft Defender for Business is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 42% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 18% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for Business

March 2025

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Featured Microsoft Defender for Business reviews

Syed Abid

Snr. Infrastructure Architect at LogicEra

Threat protection and log analytics workspace have been the most effective for maintaining security. On our last deployment, I configured over 300 on-premises servers with XDR ( /categories/extended-detection-and-response-xdr ), different workload integrations, and onboarded Azure ( /products/microsoft-azure-reviews ) Arc servers. Additionally, I enabled Defender advanced threat protection on the on-premises servers that were already in VMware, all protected with the Defender P2 plan.

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Vincent Gagnon

Directeur Département Microsoft 365 at BGM Informatique

I have a lot of clients and I use Microsoft Defender for Business when we have certain types of licenses. It comes with Microsoft Business Premium. However, it is not available for many of my clients due to the high license cost, which makes it difficult to sell. I have a couple of clients who use…

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Amit-Granot

Works

The most valuable features of Microsoft Defender for Business ( /products/microsoft-defender-for-business-reviews ) include its CASB ( /products/casb-reviews ) capabilities, which help to identify applications that employees are using, and its endpoint security that protects devices. I appreciate the content filtering and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) ( /categories/data-loss-prevention-dlp ) features, which work very well. These features provide comprehensive security and valuable insights into application usage and threats.

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Microsoft Defender for Business mindshare

Product category:

As of March 2025, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender for Business in the Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) category stands at 1.9%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)

PeerAnalyst reports based on Microsoft Defender for Business reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)	Mar 31, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Mar 31, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Business vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint	Mar 31, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Business vs CrowdStrike Falcon	Mar 31, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Business vs SentinelOne Singularity Complete	Mar 31, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
CrowdStrike Falcon	4.3	11.2%	96%	126 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint	4.1	11.1%	94%	192 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Microsoft Defender for Business excels in threat detection, vulnerability management, and endpoint security. Users appreciate its integration with Microsoft services, scalability, and central console. It offers advanced alerting, predictive analysis, and intuitive use. Compatibility with Azure and Sentinel enhances intelligence. The system's Data Loss Prevention and threat intelligence are highly regarded. It supports small to medium-sized businesses with its cost-effectiveness, seamless setup, and robust protection, replacing existing antivirus solutions efficiently.

"Microsoft Defender for Business offers the best pricing option in the market and is very cost-effective."
"I rate Microsoft Defender for Business a 10 out of 10."
"Everything is stable. There have been no technical errors or stability issues."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Defender for Business requires enhancements in reporting and URL filtering functionality. Security features need improving, particularly in threat protection and DLP. There are issues with application compatibility on Mac. Users face integration challenges with environments like Linux servers and find the tool hard to adapt to. Remote action capabilities are limited, and pre-communication from Microsoft is lacking. Pricing, user interface complexity, support responsiveness, and licensing issues are also areas needing attention.

"The areas where Microsoft Defender for Business could improve include the support, installation process, and wiki. I should be able to find solutions to issues quickly without having to delve too deep."
"If I need logs and don't have local storage bundled with Defender, I need to add workspace and log analytics, which is costly for storing logs of 2 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB."
"We face a licensing issue with Windows 11 Enterprise not reflecting in our portal, which affects activation. Microsoft's support did not resolve this issue, even after sharing remote desktop and screen details."

ROI

Users experience improved productivity and reduced costs. Microsoft Defender for Business enhances security and consolidates features, saving approximately 20% to 30% of costs. It improves productivity for end users and teams, offering reassurance and preventing issues. Integration with Exchange, OfficeSuite, OneDrive, and SharePoint creates opportunities for additional offerings. Tracking application use and responding to security threats via CASB with automation prove cost-effective, reducing operational expenses and security response times.

Pricing

Microsoft Defender for Business is included with Office 365 premium subscriptions, making it cost-effective for enterprise buyers. While the standalone license can be pricier, it remains competitive in comparison to its peers, especially given its comprehensive security features. Nonprofits often benefit from discounts, but small organizations may find costs slightly high. Despite critiques of its pricing compared to newer competitors, its integration within Microsoft's ecosystem provides significant convenience and value.

"The tool's cost has been a little high, but I do not think it was terrible."
"The tool is cheap, while some other solutions are more expensive. I remember the tool cost about five euros for a workstation or for a user on a monthly basis."
"Since we're a nonprofit, we get pretty good discounts on the tool."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Microsoft Defender for Business for endpoint protection on desktops, laptops, and virtual desktops. It is integrated into Microsoft 365 for Business, providing security features like endpoint detection, threat prevention, and vulnerability management. Managed service providers offer it to clients, often across large device ecosystems. Companies rely on it in cybersecurity strategies and often recommend it for environments based on Azure, Windows, Linux, virtual machines, and other applications.

Service and Support

Microsoft Defender for Business customer service is well-regarded, with some finding it responsive and fast. However, challenges include difficulty reaching support by phone, slow resolution times, frequent department redirections, and a lack of proactive assistance. Ratings vary widely, from four to ten out of ten, indicating differing experiences. Some find Microsoft’s remote support ineffective, seeking faster, more efficient assistance. Users acknowledge good onboarding support, yet desire improvements in ongoing support quality and speed.

Deployment

Many users find Microsoft Defender for Business's initial setup straightforward and easy, often completing it within days. It is generally simple for those familiar with Microsoft 365, though some face challenges requiring scripts and expertise. Deployment varies, with on-premises and cloud options like Azure in use. Log analytics configuration may need documentation. Setup efforts range from single individuals to teams, but complexity is cited by some, and guidance from a Microsoft expert could be beneficial.

Scalability

Microsoft Defender for Business is highly regarded for its scalability due to its cloud-driven capabilities. Many users rate its scalability positively, with some giving it high scores. Used by thousands, including diverse professionals, it successfully operates across multiple endpoints. While configuration can slow scaling, it remains a strong, scalable choice suited for a variety of organizational needs across various sectors, earning notable evaluations for its adaptability in complex environments.

Stability

Users find Microsoft Defender for Business to be mostly stable, with ratings typically between eight and ten out of ten. They experience no significant bugs or glitches, no crashes or freezes, and no reliability issues. Some notice occasional problems due to system complexity, requiring attention. Feedback indicates stability and reliability are strengths, with little need for complaint. Microsoft's reputation for minimizing downtime is noted, and any rare issues typically don't affect overall performance satisfaction.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Microsoft Defender for Business Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.