Microsoft Defender XDR vs Secureworks Taegis XDR comparison

Microsoft and Sophos are both solutions in the Extended Detection and Response (XDR) category. Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.4, while Sophos is ranked #35. Microsoft holds a 4.8% mindshare in XDR, compared to Sophos’s 1.5% mindshare. Additionally, 98% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 50% of Sophos users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

Microsoft Defender XDR and Secureworks Taegis XDR compete in the extended detection and response category. Microsoft Defender XDR is noted for its integration and user satisfaction, while Secureworks Taegis XDR is preferred for its advanced threat detection capabilities, suggesting a more robust solution in this regard.

Features: Microsoft Defender XDR offers seamless integration with Microsoft products, strong security features, and effective threat intelligence. Secureworks Taegis XDR presents advanced detection features, comprehensive reporting, and superior analytics.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Defender XDR could improve scalability, alert management, and customization. Secureworks Taegis XDR needs enhancements in customization options, dashboards, and flexibility.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Defender XDR is known for its easy deployment within Microsoft ecosystems but needs better customer service. Secureworks Taegis XDR, although slightly complex to deploy, offers responsive support enhancing customer satisfaction.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Defender XDR is valued for cost-effectiveness, especially for Microsoft users. Secureworks Taegis XDR, with higher upfront costs, provides justified ROI through superior threat detection capabilities.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Secureworks Taegis XDR Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Secureworks Taegis XDR

February 2026

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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

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Net...

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Extended Detection and Response (XDR) category, the mindshare of Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks is 4.8%, down from 5.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Defender XDR is 4.8%, down from 6.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Secureworks Taegis XDR is 1.5%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Defender XDR	4.8%
Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks	4.8%
Secureworks Taegis XDR	1.5%
Other	88.9%

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

Featured Reviews

ABHISHEK_SINGH

Senior Process Expert at A.P. Moller - Maersk

Gained full visibility and streamlined threat detection through behavior-based insights and AI integration

Initially, we got to have a lot of false positives when we onboarded, but nowadays it's quite smooth. We have fine-tuned our security policies and allowed different levels of policies to get rid of those false positives. Currently, we are getting a fairly good amount of incidents that are not false positives or benign, but actionable items. The process is streamlined. In the initial days, the operations used to get involved in a lot of benign and other activities, but now the process is streamlined. We are leveraging the auto-detection and remediation plans. The operations teams are now more involved in other business roles as well, not just looking into the logs and fetching out what's happening there. They have fixed a lot of things. Initially, they didn't have IAC code drift detection, cloud posture management, or security posture management, but they have those now. They purchased different vendors and did a merger with that. They have now Prisma Cloud that gets integrated and now they are working with Cortex Cloud. Everything that was negative has now been addressed, and the product altogether looks to be in a very better and mature shape now. Currently, it's more or less detecting the workloads with AI-based best practices. Since most organizations are consuming AI agents and other things, we are looking forward to seeing what other feature enhancements Palo Alto can support in that.

Read full review

Kunle Oluwadiya

House security operator at Cypress Creek Renewables

Advanced threat hunting saves significant time in tracking and responding to incidents

Microsoft Defender XDR could be improved with a lower price. My main suggestion would essentially be what Copilot is providing, which is a single pane of glass, so I don't have to go to different windows. That's just a workflow consideration for me. It would be great to have all the information centralized into one particular data app. If I need to open up extra ones, I can, however, I would appreciate a future where everything I need is right there on one single pane of glass. Beyond that, there's really nothing else I see that I would want Microsoft to improve.

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Mohammad Talha Talkin Alam

Assistant Manager IT at PDS Multinational

Improved network protection has secured our servers and monitors web and application traffic

Till now, I have not seen any weak point that needs to be improved in Secureworks Taegis XDR. I think that since the technology is becoming upgraded, it will be good for Sophos to include more features in future updates of this solution. Secureworks Taegis XDR is a good product, but it should include AI technology.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Cortex covers everything I need. It's a perfect solution. Cortex provides a different level of visibility because it's an extended EDR, allowing you to grab logs from the network and firewalls. Palo Alto invented the concept of the extended EDR or XDR."

"We can visualize and control the activities in the environment from anywhere."

"The solution allows us to make investigations. Other XDR solutions also provide similar capabilities but for investigation, Cortex XDR is better."

"The solution's most valuable feature is its ability to rapidly detect certain hardware files."

"Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks has helped lighten the load of our security analysts because it was the major tool that we were using and the one we utilized most."

"The positive impacts I see from Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks include a complete 360-degree view of our security posture altogether, being a uniform platform where we are ingesting logs from multiple resources."

"It is an easy-to-use tool."

"The most valuable for us is the correlation feature."

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks pros

"The most valuable features of Microsoft 365 Defender are the combination of all the capabilities and centralized management."

"I like that it's fully integrated with Windows, Microsoft 365 Exchange Online, and Outlook. It is better than other antivirus solutions because it's fully integrated with all Microsoft products. It's easy to integrate them and onboard all Windows devices from SCCM."

"The biggest return on investment when using Microsoft Defender XDR for me is saving time for the most part."

"For me, the advanced hunting capabilities have been really great. It allowed querying the dataset with their own language, which is KQL or Kusto Query Language. That has allowed me to get much more insight into the events that have occurred. The whole power of 365 Defender is that you can get the whole story. It allows you to query an email-based activity and then correlate it with an endpoint-based activity."

"It's a great threat intelligence source for us, providing alerts for things it detects on the network and on the machines. We've used it often when there is a potential incident to see what was done on a computer. That works quite nicely because you can see everything that the user has done..."

"I like Defender XDR's reports and alerts. They give you updates about the latest hotfixes and zero-day vulnerabilities, which gives me all the information I need to maintain my servers."

"The portal is quite user-friendly. There is integration with Office, Intune, and other products from the same portal. From there, we can see which policies are installed on a particular machine. We also can manage devices, groups, and tagging."

"Based on my experience, I rate Microsoft Defender XDR as nine out of ten."

More Microsoft Defender XDR pros

"Definitely, Secureworks Taegis XDR is cost effective for the long run since the product is at a lower cost rather than other brands."

"It's a complete solution package."

"The initial setup was straightforward."

Cons

"Limited remote connection."

"It is not a suitable solution if you are looking for a single product with multiple features such as DLP, encryption, rollback, etc."

"The solution should add unwanted malicious hash values to a block list so that whenever the action is triggered, it will automatically prevent the malicious content."

"Cortex XDR could improve its sales support team, including better commission structures and referral programs."

"The setup is quite easy. We had appropriate support from the manager. One thing that was missing was the integration part."

"Whenever the tool releases a new version when deploying the product across the organization, I feel like there are some disturbances in the CPU usage after upgrading the tool to the latest version."

"The connection to the internet has not performed as expected."

"Previously, the endpoint would leave the environment, not being on our VPN, essentially unable to interact with the server to upload files. It was unable to retrieve new file verdicts. It was using a thing called "local analysis" to determine if something was a malicious file or not. There was no dynamic analysis."

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks cons

"There's still some more work to be done there. Additionally, the limited terminal live access an analyst has is very restricted."

"Defender also lacks automated detection and response. You need to resolve issues manually. You can manage multiple Microsoft security products from a single portal, and all your security recommendations are in one place. It's easy to understand and manage. However, I wouldn't say Defender is a single pane of glass. You still need to switch between all of the available Microsoft tools. You can see all the alerts in one panel, but you can't automate remediation."

"Intrusion detection and prevention would be great to have with 365 Defender."

"Because of the training model, Defender XDR's automatic response sometimes blocks legitimate users and activities. Also, the UI sometimes responds slowly."

"Microsoft Defender XDR is not a full-fledged EDR or XDR."

"Microsoft Defender XDR could be improved in terms of speed, especially backend speed."

"There could be a way to proactively monitor unusual activity ."

"The tool gives inconsistent answers and crashes a lot."

More Microsoft Defender XDR cons

"We found limitations in the XDR's detections, lacking the ability to create customized detection and log parsing rules."

"The pricing could be improved."

"Secureworks Taegis XDR is a good product, but it should include AI technology."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The cost depends on your chosen license type, like Pro or other licenses."

"The price is on the higher side, but it's okay."

"Cortex XDR is a costly solution."

"It's the most expensive solution, but features-wise, it's quite strong. It's very good for protection, so the results are very good in the case of protection. I would rate it a two out of ten in terms of pricing."

"This is an expensive solution."

"I am using the Community edition."

"In terms of the cost Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks is very expensive because we are a Mexican company and when you translate dollars to pesos the cost is very high. The solution is very expensive for Mexican companies. I understand that they have international prices, but I do not think it offsets the price enough for many companies in countries, such as Mexico. The amount it is reduced is not a massive percentage."

"The price was fine."

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks pricing and cost advice

"Microsoft Defender XDR is already included in our Office 365 licensing. It is better because we're saving money by using it."

"The most valuable licensing option is expensive, so pricing could be improved. Licensing options for this solution also need to be consolidated, because they frequently change."

"Microsoft purposely makes its license combinations complex and includes combinations like Microsoft 365 E3 and Microsoft 365 E5, Office 365 E3, Office 365 E5, and Office 365 E1, so you get confused. Microsoft tries to sell you a bundle of a lot of things together."

"It can be complex to navigate since customers have varying licensing agreements across Microsoft. If they go straightforward with E5 for all users, it's simple, but combinations based on budget constraints can complicate things."

"Licensing is somewhat confusing, particularly when presenting our pitch decks to stakeholders and leveraging key features in premium SKUs, but we managed with some assistance from Microsoft."

"I would like to have more security features in the lower licenses because not every customer is able to buy E5 licenses. The bundling isn't always easy for our customers to understand. Compared to other tools, it's a good price."

"The solution is too expensive."

"Microsoft Defender XDR is included in our license."

More Microsoft Defender XDR pricing and cost advice

"The pricing is six out of ten."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	42
Midsize Enterprise	21
Large Enterprise	47

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	46
Midsize Enterprise	26
Large Enterprise	38

No data available

Questions from the Community

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto vs. Sentinel One

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto vs. SentinelOne SentinelOne offers very detailed specifics with regard to risks or attacks. ...

See all answers

Comparing CrowdStrike Falcon to Cortex XDR (Palo Alto)

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto vs. CrowdStrike Falcon Both Cortex XDR and Crowd Strike Falcon offer cloud-based solutions th...

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How is Cortex XDR compared with Microsoft Defender?

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a cloud-delivered endpoint security solution. The tool reduces the attack surface,...

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What do you like most about Microsoft 365 Defender?

Microsoft Defender XDR provides strong identity protection with comprehensive insights into risky user behavior and p...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft 365 Defender?

My experience with pricing, setup, costs, and licensing of Microsoft Defender XDR is tied to our E5 subscription, whi...

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What needs improvement with Microsoft 365 Defender?

I am not aware of a mobile app that would be available for my team. With a single analyst, if she is ever away, it wo...

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What do you like most about Secureworks Taegis XDR?

It's a complete solution package.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Secureworks Taegis XDR?

More from the perspective of SOC to ensure that every endpoint is taken care of from a cybersecurity perspective. It'...

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What advice do you have for others considering Secureworks Taegis XDR?

I would rate the solution an eight out of ten.

See all answers

Comparisons

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 9% of the time

SentinelOne Singularity Complete vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 5% of the time

CrowdStrike Falcon vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 5% of the time

Cortex XSIAM vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 4% of the time

Darktrace vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 2% of the time

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks Competitors

CrowdStrike Falcon vs Microsoft Defender XDR

Compared 12% of the time

Wazuh vs Microsoft Defender XDR

Compared 8% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs Microsoft Defender XDR

Compared 5% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Microsoft Defender XDR

Compared 4% of the time

IBM Security QRadar vs Microsoft Defender XDR

Compared 2% of the time

More Microsoft Defender XDR Competitors

CrowdStrike Falcon vs Secureworks Taegis XDR

Compared 15% of the time

FortiXDR vs Secureworks Taegis XDR

Compared 11% of the time

Rapid7 InsightIDR vs Secureworks Taegis XDR

Compared 8% of the time

Wazuh vs Secureworks Taegis XDR

Compared 7% of the time

TrendAI Vision One vs Secureworks Taegis XDR

Compared 6% of the time

More Secureworks Taegis XDR Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

February 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender XDR

February 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

February 2026

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Also Known As

Cyvera, Cortex XDR, Palo Alto Networks Traps

Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Threat Protection, MS 365 Defender

Secureworks Taegis NDR

Overview

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks provides advanced threat detection with AI-driven endpoint protection and seamless integration, ensuring multi-layered security and automatic threat response.

Cortex XDR is designed to safeguard endpoints against malware and suspicious activities. It offers advanced threat detection and response capabilities using behavioral analysis, AI, and machine learning. It seamlessly integrates with security infrastructures, providing endpoint security, firewall integration, and enhanced visibility in both cloud-based and on-premises environments.

What are the key features of Cortex XDR?

Advanced Threat Detection: Uses AI and machine learning for proactive threat identification.
Multi-layered Security: Combines various security measures for comprehensive protection.
Endpoint Protection: Safeguards against malware and exploits.
Behavioral Analysis: Monitors suspicious activity for early detection.
Automatic Threat Response: Automates responses to neutralize threats.

What benefits should users expect?

Ease of Use: Simplifies security management with intuitive design.
Resource Efficiency: Minimizes impact on system resources.
Integration Capabilities: Works well with existing security setups.
Reduced Analyst Workload: Automates processes to decrease manual intervention.

Organizations in diverse sectors deploy Cortex XDR to protect against malware, leveraging its advanced threat detection capabilities. Its integration with existing security infrastructures appeals to those seeking comprehensive protection in both cloud and on-premises environments, providing enhanced visibility and threat intelligence.

Palo Alto Networks

Microsoft Defender XDR is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect against threats in the Microsoft 365 environment.

It offers robust security measures, comprehensive threat detection capabilities, and an efficient incident response system. With seamless integration with other Microsoft products and a user-friendly interface, it simplifies security management tasks.

Users have found it effective in detecting and preventing various types of attacks, such as phishing attempts, malware infections, and data breaches.

Watch the Microsoft demo video here: Microsoft Defender XDR demo video.

Microsoft

Secureworks Taegis XDR offers cutting-edge extended detection and response capabilities to enhance cybersecurity efforts. It effectively integrates and analyzes comprehensive data to provide actionable insights for threat identification and mitigation.

Secureworks Taegis XDR consolidates security data, thus enabling organizations to detect and respond to threats more efficiently. Its integrated approach allows for seamless correlation across data sources, enhancing the ability to identify threats quickly and accurately. Best suited for enterprises seeking comprehensive threat detection and response, it helps in simplifying and strengthening security operations by broadening the coverage and context of threats.

What are the key features of Secureworks Taegis XDR?

Advanced Threat Detection: Utilizes sophisticated algorithms to identify threats in real-time.
Automated Response: Enables instant mitigation actions to minimize potential impact.
Data Integration: Provides seamless data aggregation from multiple sources.
Continuous Monitoring: Ensures round-the-clock vigilance through persistent monitoring capabilities.
Scalability: Easily adapts to the growing security needs of an organization.

What benefits should users expect from Secureworks Taegis XDR?

Improved Security Posture: Strengthens overall security defenses through proactive threat identification.
Operational Efficiency: Reduces manual intervention with automated threat responses.
Cost-Effectiveness: Optimizes resource usage and reduces incident response costs.
Enhanced Visibility: Provides a centralized view of security events across platforms.

In industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology, Secureworks Taegis XDR is implemented to address sector-specific cybersecurity challenges. Its tailored solutions cater to the dynamic and sensitive nature of data protection in these fields, ensuring compliance while providing robust threat defense mechanisms.

Sophos

Sample Customers

CBI Health Group, University Honda, VakifBank

Accenture, Deloitte, ExxonMobil, General Electric, IBM, Johnson & Johnson and many others.

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Secureworks Taegis XDR

February 2026

Free Report: Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Secureworks Taegis XDR

Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Secureworks Taegis XDR and other solutions. Updated: February 2026.

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