Microsoft Defender for Business Reviews

Name: Microsoft Defender for Business
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 3.6 (10 reviews)

3.6 out of 5

10 reviews
75% 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 #18 ranked solution in top Microsoft Security Suite solutions and #38 ranked solution in endpoint security software. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Defender for Business an average rating of 7.2 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 10 most recent Microsoft Defender for Business reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.2. 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 17% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for Business

December 2024

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Featured reviews

Tim_Howard

CEO at CarbonCents

The product's initial setup phase wasn't too bad. The product's installation phase wasn't terrible, but it could have been good to club the things in the process, especially for the ones who are doing it for the first time, and it would be good if Microsoft offered users, someone, to talk to who knows the product. You will be gambling if you use Google for the tool because who knows if it really knows what Microsoft Defender for Business is all about. On a scale of one to ten, if ten is the easiest, I rate the setup phase as an eight out of ten. The setup phase was straightforward. As the tool was needed in a small shop, the solution's deployment was done in a couple of days. The solution was deployed in my company with the help of a small team of ten people. I had my head of IT help me in rolling it out in our company.

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Raul Miranda

Commercial Manager at a tech services company with 1-10 employees

It offers a mix of EDR, which we find quite useful. When we sell Microsoft's 365 business solution, we tend to promote this particular product as it is a good security feature for businesses. It has helped out client replace their previous antivirus. The setup process is easy. It is easy to configure the solution as needed. It is scalable. I've found the product the be stable.

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Nicolas Zafiriou

Managing Director at a retailer with 11-50 employees

We also use Deep Instinct. We are slowly moving away from the product because we faced a lot of trouble while using it. While it's a good tool, it's probably too good for its own benefit. It made our life very challenging. I had to devote a lot of technical teams and my end resources to figure out problems with the application. There was a financial cost associated with it.

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Microsoft Defender for Business mindshare

Product category:

As of December 2024, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender for Business in the Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) category stands at 1.9%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)	Dec 20, 2024	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Dec 20, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Business vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint	Dec 20, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Business vs SentinelOne Singularity Complete	Dec 20, 2024	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Defender for Business vs CrowdStrike Falcon	Dec 20, 2024	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
CrowdStrike Falcon	4.3	11.0%	97%	122 interviews Add to research
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint	4.0	11.5%	94%	190 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Microsoft Defender for Business enhances security with system-hardening policies, sensitive vulnerability checking, and effective EDR. It offers scalability, a user-friendly interface, and integrates with tools like Microsoft Lighthouse. Its central console and single-dashboard view assist with risk management. It provides robust threat intelligence, anomaly alerts, and malware detection. Valued for its stability, ease of setup, and cost-effectiveness, it is ideal for small and medium businesses needing superior protection compared to enterprise licenses.

"The security features are valuable because they come with more capabilities that other licenses do not have, including the enterprise license like E3."
"The security features are valuable because they come with more capabilities that other licenses do not have, including the enterprise license like E3."
"The solution is effective, continuously improving, and highly regarded, especially with Microsoft's leadership in the industry."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Defender for Business requires improvements in reporting organization, URL filtering, and integration with email and other environments. Users experience issues with threat protection, false positives, remote management limitations, and support inefficiencies. Desired enhancements include better DLP, proactive threat response, quarantine capabilities, and third-party application management. Concerns exist over uncommunicated changes and pricing challenges compared to alternatives like Trend Micro. Existing limitations with Intune and exclusion configurations contribute to frustration for businesses.

"Customer service is not bad, yet not great either, and I would rate it maybe five or six out of ten."
"It is not quick to make exclusions or specific configurations compared to other antiviruses on the market."
"Additionally, the pricing policy poses a challenge, particularly in multi-year contracts, where other solutions like Trend Micro offer more affordable options."

ROI

Users found a significant return on investment with Microsoft Defender for Business through cost savings on cybersecurity, reduced breach incidents, and efficient threat management. Enhanced protection capabilities and automated response features afforded better security without increasing operational costs. The ease of integration with existing infrastructure minimized additional expenses. Time savings on manual security processes were repeatedly emphasized, allowing staff to focus on higher-priority tasks.

Pricing

Microsoft Defender for Business is included with Office 365 Business Premium subscriptions, offering a comprehensive security ecosystem. Some users find the pricing competitive, while others suggest it can be costly, especially for small organizations. Nonprofit organizations benefit from discounts, making it more affordable. Compared to competitors, the pricing might be higher but remains competitive. Standalone licenses may come at a higher cost, yet many users rate its value highly for the features provided.

"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 to ensure endpoint protection for desktops and laptops. The tool is bundled with Microsoft 365 for Business and offers endpoint detection, threat prevention, vulnerability management, and automated investigation. It is utilized across diverse environments, including Active Directory, VDI, and Windows 365. Companies appreciate its comprehensive security capabilities but face concerns over high license costs. Many managed service providers use it for client security needs.

Service and Support

Microsoft Defender for Business customer service and support receive mixed feedback. Many find technical support prompt and effective, yet difficult to contact via phone, requiring online tickets. Some rate support highly, appreciating quick responses, while others note delays and complicated processes. Users suggest room for improvement in efficiency and contact methods. Feedback indicates good customer service but highlights the need for more proactive and personalized assistance to enhance user experience.

Deployment

Many describe Microsoft Defender for Business's initial setup as straightforward and easy. Some note it requires minimal configuration, while others mention involving teams and the use of Azure Cloud. A few find the setup challenging, especially when scripting is involved, rating it between three and eight out of ten for ease. Some suggest having dedicated support during setup could enhance the experience. Deployments are often completed quickly, either on-premises or in the cloud.

Scalability

Microsoft Defender for Business offers strong scalability, supported by its cloud-driven architecture. Users across various sectors, including IT and government, commend its adaptability to different environments. It is deployed on thousands of endpoints, with ratings ranging between eight and ten out of ten for scalability. Many highlight its ease of use across multiple user roles but note that specific configurations may slow down scaling.

Stability

Microsoft Defender for Business is praised for its stability, being free of bugs and glitches, and not crashing or freezing. Users frequently commend its reliability and rate its stability between eight to ten out of ten. Over two years, it has consistently demonstrated robustness with no downtime or stability problems, aligning with expectations from a Microsoft offering. Users report no issues, affirming its reliability and functionality while offering no grounds for complaints.

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.