Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Symantec Endpoint Security Complete

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Our analysts compared Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Symantec Endpoint Security Complete based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Endpoint Security Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is an advanced security solution designed to protect businesses against sophisticated cyber threats. Ideal for enterprises of all sizes, it offers robust features such as endpoint protection, detection and response, and automated investigation and remediation. Users commend its seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 services. According to one user, "Defender for Endpoint's unified security platform simplifies our cybersecurity strategy." While praised for its efficacy, some users note a learning curve during implementation. Pricing varies based on organizational needs. Users generally perceive it favorably, with one stating, "Microsoft Defender for Endpoint stands out in its ability to provide comprehensive security without compromising user experience, setting it apart from competitors."

Pros
  • Integrated with Microsoft 365 services.
  • Advanced endpoint protection.
  • Automated investigation and remediation.
  • Effective against sophisticated cyber threats.
  • Seamless user experience.
Cons
  • Initial implementation may have a learning curve.
  • Varied pricing based on organizational needs.
  • Requires careful configuration for optimal performance.
  • May not suit smaller businesses with simpler needs.
  • Dependency on Microsoft ecosystem for full functionality.
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Symantec Endpoint Security Complete is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed to protect organizations from a wide range of threats. It offers advanced threat protection through a combination of signature-based and behavioral analysis to detect and block malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks effectively. Key features include endpoint detection and response (EDR) for rapid threat detection and response, a robust firewall and intrusion prevention system, and seamless integration of endpoint and email security. The solution also provides cloud-based management for centralized administration, automation features to streamline security workflows, and compliance support for regulatory adherence. With 24/7 threat monitoring and responsive support, Symantec Endpoint Security Complete empowers organizations to safeguard their digital assets and maintain a proactive security posture.
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$5/User, Monthly
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$25/user, annual
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Advanced Threat Protection: Defender for Endpoint provides robust protection against a wide range of advanced threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It employs cutting-edge threat intelligence and machine learning to proactively identify and block malicious activities, keeping your organization's endpoints secure.
  • Real-Time Threat Detection: With its real-time monitoring and detection capabilities, the platform continuously scans for suspicious behavior and indicators of compromise. It swiftly identifies and responds to potential threats, reducing the dwell time of attackers within your network.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Defender for Endpoint offers EDR functionality, enabling security teams to investigate and respond to incidents effectively. It provides detailed insights into endpoint activities, helping organizations understand the scope and impact of security incidents.
  • Automated Incident Response: The platform streamlines incident response with automation. It can isolate compromised devices, remediate threats, and even roll back changes made by attackers, minimizing the impact of security breaches.
  • Threat Intelligence Integration: Microsoft integrates global threat intelligence into Defender for Endpoint, enhancing its ability to identify and mitigate emerging threats. This intelligence is continuously updated to keep defenses current against evolving attack techniques.
  • Cloud-Powered Security: Leveraging the cloud, Defender for Endpoint can scale effortlessly to protect organizations of all sizes. It benefits from the vast computing power of Microsoft's cloud infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and protection.
  • Centralized Security Management: The platform offers a unified management console, allowing organizations to oversee and configure security policies across all endpoints from a single interface. This simplifies administration and ensures consistent security posture.
  • Integration with Microsoft 365: For organizations using Microsoft 365, Defender for Endpoint seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft security services, creating a cohesive security ecosystem. This integration enhances visibility and control over security threats.
  • User and Device Risk Assessment: Defender for Endpoint assesses the risk associated with both users and devices. It evaluates user behavior and device health, enabling organizations to enforce access policies based on risk levels.
  • Threat Analytics and Insights: The platform provides detailed analytics and insights into security threats and trends. This data helps organizations make informed decisions to strengthen their security posture and adapt to evolving threats.
  • Reduced Security Complexity: By consolidating security functions into a single solution, Defender for Endpoint simplifies security management. It reduces the need for multiple security tools and streamlines operations, ultimately lowering the total cost of ownership.
  • Compliance and Reporting: The platform assists organizations in meeting regulatory compliance requirements by offering reporting and auditing capabilities. It helps organizations maintain transparency and demonstrate adherence to security standards.
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  • Comprehensive Threat Protection: Symantec Endpoint Security Complete offers a multi-layered defense system that safeguards your organization against a wide range of cyber threats. It includes advanced antivirus, anti-malware, firewall, and intrusion prevention capabilities, ensuring robust protection.
  • Advanced Threat Intelligence: Leveraging Symantec's extensive threat intelligence network, this solution provides real-time updates on emerging threats. It constantly monitors the threat landscape and adapts to new challenges, enhancing your security posture.
  • Cloud-Based Management: Enjoy the flexibility and scalability of cloud-based management. Symantec's cloud console allows you to centrally manage security policies and endpoints across your organization, simplifying administration and reducing overhead.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): With EDR capabilities, Symantec Endpoint Security Complete goes beyond traditional antivirus. It provides deep visibility into endpoint activities, enabling swift threat detection, investigation, and response to minimize potential damage.
  • Integrated Endpoint and Email Security: Streamline your security operations by integrating endpoint and email protection. Symantec ensures consistent security policies and threat detection across email and endpoints, reducing the attack surface.
  • Zero Trust Network Access: Embrace a Zero Trust security model with Symantec's network access control. You can enforce strict access policies based on identity, device health, and context, enhancing security without compromising productivity.
  • User-Centric Security: Prioritize user-centric security with Symantec's user behavior analytics. It helps identify and mitigate threats based on user activity and behavior, ensuring a proactive approach to security.
  • Automated Security Workflows: Boost operational efficiency with automation. Symantec Endpoint Security Complete allows you to automate repetitive security tasks, enabling your team to focus on strategic initiatives and incident response.
  • Compliance and Reporting: Stay compliant with industry regulations effortlessly. The solution offers robust reporting capabilities, simplifying the process of demonstrating compliance to auditors and stakeholders.
  • 24/7 Threat Monitoring and Support: Symantec provides around-the-clock threat monitoring and support, ensuring that your organization has access to expert assistance whenever needed, even in the face of evolving threats.
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  • Antivirus and antimalware protection
  • Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
  • Automatic investigation and remediation
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  • Advanced Threat Protection: Symantec Endpoint Security Complete offers robust advanced threat protection mechanisms. It includes signature-based and behavioral analysis to detect and block known and unknown threats effectively.
  • Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): EDR capabilities empower security teams with deep visibility into endpoint activities. It allows for threat detection, investigation, and response to minimize potential security incidents.
  • Firewall and Intrusion Prevention: This solution features a powerful firewall and intrusion prevention system that safeguards your network against unauthorized access and malicious activities.
  • Cloud-Based Management: Enjoy the convenience of cloud-based management, allowing you to centrally administer security policies and monitor endpoints across your organization from anywhere.
  • Integrated Endpoint and Email Security: Symantec ensures consistent security policies and threat detection across both endpoints and email. Integration streamlines security operations and reduces the attack surface.
  • Zero Trust Network Access: Implement a Zero Trust model with precise control over network access. It enforces strict access policies based on identity, device health, and context to enhance security.
  • User Behavior Analytics: Symantec's user behavior analytics help identify and mitigate threats based on user activity and behavior. It provides insights for a proactive approach to security.
  • Automated Security Workflows: Boost operational efficiency with automation. Symantec Endpoint Security Complete allows you to automate repetitive security tasks, reducing manual workload and response times.
  • Compliance and Reporting: Stay compliant effortlessly with comprehensive reporting capabilities. Generate reports to demonstrate compliance with industry regulations and facilitate audits.
  • 24/7 Threat Monitoring and Support: Symantec provides continuous threat monitoring and expert support round the clock, ensuring your organization receives timely assistance in managing evolving threats.
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Product Ranking

#52

among all
Endpoint Security Software

#96

among all
Endpoint Security Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Attack Surface Reduction
Compliance
Vulnerability Management
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Exploit Prevention
Attack Surface Reduction
Compliance
Exploit Prevention
Integrations and Extensibility
Platform Capabilities

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Symantec Endpoint Security Complete
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Attack Prevention Attack Surface Reduction Endpoint Detection And Response (EDR) Exploit Prevention Managed Detection And Response (MDR) Services Mobile Capabilities Platform Capabilities Vulnerability Management 93 100 98 97 92 38 59 100 97 100 81 100 74 96 100 73 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 64 reviews
Great User Sentiment 2627 reviews
88%
of users recommend this product

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 64 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

87%
of users recommend this product

Symantec Endpoint Security Complete has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 87% when considering 2627 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.3 (877)
n/a
4.4 (1612)
4.4 (64)
3.8 (138)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Vulnerability Management.

Vulnerability Management Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Symantec Endpoint Security Complete and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Exploit Prevention and Integrations and Extensibility.

Exploit Prevention Award
Integrations and Extensibility Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Effective Threat Detection: Users praise Defender for Endpoint's ability to detect and mitigate a wide range of threats effectively, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
Seamless Microsoft Integration: The product seamlessly integrates with the Microsoft ecosystem, making it convenient for organizations already using Microsoft services.
Real-Time Monitoring: Real-time monitoring and threat detection provide immediate visibility into security incidents, allowing for swift responses.
Automated Incident Response: Users value the platform's automated incident response capabilities, which reduce the manual effort required for handling security incidents.
Centralized Management: Organizations can easily manage security policies across all endpoints from a centralized console, simplifying administration and ensuring a consistent security posture.
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Effective Threat Protection: Users praise the product for its robust threat protection, which includes real-time threat intelligence and proactive defense mechanisms against malware and cyberattacks.
User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive and user-friendly interface simplifies the management of security policies, making it accessible for both IT professionals and less technical staff.
Centralized Management: The centralized cloud-based management console allows for easy oversight of all endpoints, streamlining administration and ensuring consistent security policies across the organization.
Quick Threat Detection: Symantec Endpoint Security Complete receives accolades for its rapid threat detection and response capabilities, helping organizations minimize the impact of potential security incidents.
Seamless Integration: Users appreciate the seamless integration of endpoint and email security, simplifying their security ecosystem and enhancing protection against evolving threats.
Automation Features: The product's automation features, such as automated threat remediation, save time and reduce the manual workload for IT teams, increasing overall efficiency.
Compliance Support: Symantec Endpoint Security Complete offers robust compliance and reporting capabilities, aiding organizations in meeting regulatory requirements and demonstrating their commitment to security standards.
Responsive Support: Users find comfort in Symantec's 24/7 threat monitoring and support, knowing that expert assistance is readily available in the face of evolving threats.
Regular Updates: Frequent updates and threat intelligence feeds keep the product current with the ever-changing threat landscape, ensuring ongoing protection against emerging threats.
Customization Options: Organizations appreciate the product's flexibility, allowing them to tailor security policies and configurations to their specific needs and preferences.
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Resource Intensive: Users have reported that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can be resource-intensive, impacting the performance of older or less powerful devices.
Complex Configuration: Some users find the initial setup and configuration complex, especially those without extensive cybersecurity expertise. This can lead to misconfigurations that affect security effectiveness.
False Positives: Like many security solutions, Defender for Endpoint can generate false positives, flagging legitimate activities as suspicious, potentially causing disruptions and requiring additional investigation.
Cloud Dependency: Users in areas with unreliable or limited internet connectivity may face limitations due to the platform's cloud dependency, impacting security when offline.
Cost for Small Businesses: Pricing concerns have been raised, particularly by small businesses, who may find it less budget-friendly, potentially straining their cybersecurity budgets.
Learning Curve: Users transitioning from other security solutions may encounter a learning curve when adapting to the platform's features and functionalities, affecting operational efficiency.
Compatibility Challenges: Some users have reported compatibility issues with specialized or legacy software, necessitating additional configuration or exceptions, which can add complexity to deployments.
Endpoint Management: Effective endpoint security relies on proper configuration and maintenance of devices. Neglected or misconfigured endpoints can be more vulnerable to threats, requiring vigilant management.
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Resource Intensive: Some users find that Symantec Endpoint Security Complete can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down older or less powerful devices.
Complex Configuration: Setting up and configuring the solution may be complex for some users, requiring a certain level of expertise or training.
Compatibility Issues: Compatibility problems with specific third-party software or legacy systems have been reported, necessitating careful consideration and testing during integration.
Cost: While effective, the product's pricing may be prohibitive for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
Initial Deployment Complexity: Some users have experienced challenges during the initial deployment and setup, which may require external support.
False Positives: Like many security solutions, Symantec Endpoint Security Complete may occasionally generate false positives, requiring manual investigation.
Management Overhead: Administrators may need to dedicate time to manage and fine-tune security policies, which can result in ongoing management overhead.
Limited Mobile Support: Some users have noted limited support for mobile devices, which could be a limitation for organizations with a mobile workforce.
User Impact: Aggressive security settings may occasionally impact user experience or productivity, necessitating careful policy adjustments.
Network Dependency: Effective operation of the solution relies on network connectivity, making it vulnerable to network outages or disruptions.
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Users consistently praise Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for its robust security features, with one user commending its "advanced endpoint protection" and another highlighting its "seamless integration with Microsoft 365 services." Many appreciate the automated investigation and remediation capabilities, emphasizing its effectiveness against sophisticated cyber threats. While the product's efficacy is widely acknowledged, some users mention a learning curve during the initial implementation. One user notes, "The implementation process had its challenges, but the benefits far outweighed the initial hurdles." Pricing variability based on organizational needs is a common concern, with users suggesting careful consideration to align the solution with budgetary constraints. Comparatively, users believe Microsoft Defender for Endpoint stands out from competitors, offering comprehensive security without compromising user experience. One user succinctly states, "It's a top-tier solution in its ability to provide holistic security." However, a few users caution that optimal performance may require careful configuration, and dependence on the Microsoft ecosystem for full functionality may not be suitable for all organizations. Despite these considerations, the prevailing sentiment is positive, with users appreciating the product's efficacy in safeguarding against evolving cyber threats.

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User reviews for Symantec Endpoint Security Complete reflect a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Users consistently praise its robust threat protection capabilities, including effective malware and phishing attack detection. The user-friendly interface and centralized cloud-based management are commonly appreciated, making it accessible and convenient for administrators. The solution's quick threat detection and response, along with seamless integration between endpoint and email security, receive positive feedback for enhancing overall security. On the downside, some users find the product to be resource-intensive, potentially affecting system performance on older devices. Complex initial configuration and potential compatibility issues with third-party software are reported challenges. Cost is cited as a drawback for smaller organizations with limited budgets. While the automation features are well-received, the product may occasionally generate false positives, requiring manual intervention. Users generally view Symantec Endpoint Security Complete favorably when compared to similar products, particularly due to its comprehensive threat protection and integration capabilities. However, some mention limitations in mobile device support and the need for careful policy adjustment to avoid impacting user experience. The product's commitment to compliance support and 24/7 threat monitoring and support also contribute positively to user satisfaction.

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