Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Bitdefender GravityZone -- Endpoint & EDR Compared

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Bitdefender GravityZone

Bitdefender GravityZone and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are both endpoint & edr solutions. Bitdefender GravityZone unified endpoint security with top-rated protection efficacy and low performance impact, while Microsoft Defender for Endpoint enterprise endpoint protection deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 security stack. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.

Last updated

The Verdict

Choose Bitdefender GravityZone if consistently top-rated in independent AV testing is your priority and sMBs and mid-market organizations seeking top-rated protection at competitive pricing. Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if included with Microsoft 365 E5 licensing at no extra cost matters most and microsoft-centric enterprises already invested in the M365 ecosystem.

Used Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Bitdefender GravityZone? Share your experience.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureBitdefender GravityZoneMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint
PricingIncluded in Microsoft 365 E5 / Standalone from $5.20/user/monthFrom $20.99/device/year (Business Security) / Enterprise custom
Pricing ModelPer-user subscriptionPer-device subscription
Open SourceNoNo
DeploymentCloudCloud, Self-Hosted
Best ForMicrosoft-centric enterprises already invested in the M365 ecosystemSMBs and mid-market organizations seeking top-rated protection at competitive pricing
Layered next-gen preventionNot availableSupported
Risk analytics and hardeningNot availableSupported
HyperDetect tunable machine learningNot availableSupported

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Bitdefender GravityZone when:

  • +You value included with Microsoft 365 E5 licensing at no extra cost
  • +You value deep integration with Azure AD, Intune, and Sentinel
  • +You value rapid improvement in detection capabilities
  • +You want to avoid eDR capabilities less mature than dedicated EDR leaders
  • +You want to avoid management console can be complex for smaller teams

Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint when:

  • +You value consistently top-rated in independent AV testing
  • +You value very low system performance impact
  • +You value competitive pricing across all tiers
  • +You want to avoid best experience requires full Microsoft ecosystem investment
  • +You want to avoid complex licensing tiers can be confusing

Pros & Cons Comparison

Bitdefender GravityZone

Pros

  • +Consistently top-rated in independent AV testing
  • +Very low system performance impact
  • +Competitive pricing across all tiers
  • +On-premises and cloud management options
  • +Strong risk analytics for proactive hardening

Cons

  • EDR capabilities less mature than dedicated EDR leaders
  • Management console can be complex for smaller teams
  • Threat hunting capabilities are more limited
  • Brand perception lags behind enterprise-focused competitors

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Pros

  • +Included with Microsoft 365 E5 licensing at no extra cost
  • +Deep integration with Azure AD, Intune, and Sentinel
  • +Rapid improvement in detection capabilities
  • +Broad cross-platform coverage including mobile
  • +Unified security portal across Microsoft security products

Cons

  • Best experience requires full Microsoft ecosystem investment
  • Complex licensing tiers can be confusing
  • Detection capabilities still maturing compared to CrowdStrike
  • Non-Windows platform support is less robust

Sources & References

  1. Bitdefender GravityZone — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
  2. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint — Official Website & Documentation[Vendor]
  3. Bitdefender GravityZone Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  4. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Reviews on G2[User Reviews]
  5. Bitdefender GravityZone Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  6. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Reviews on TrustRadius[User Reviews]
  7. Bitdefender GravityZone Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
  8. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Reviews on PeerSpot[User Reviews]
  9. Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms 2024[Analyst Report]
  10. Forrester Wave: Endpoint Security, Q4 2024[Analyst Report]
  11. IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Modern Endpoint Security 2024[Analyst Report]
  12. MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations: Enterprise[Industry Evaluation]
  13. AV-TEST Institute: Endpoint Protection Tests[Independent Testing]
  14. SE Labs: Endpoint Protection Reports[Independent Testing]
  15. Gartner Peer Insights: EPP[Peer Reviews]

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Bitdefender GravityZone FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Bitdefender GravityZone.

What is the main difference between Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Bitdefender GravityZone?

Bitdefender GravityZone and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint are both endpoint & edr solutions. Bitdefender GravityZone unified endpoint security with top-rated protection efficacy and low performance impact, while Microsoft Defender for Endpoint enterprise endpoint protection deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 security stack. The best choice depends on your organization's size, technical requirements, and budget.

Is Bitdefender GravityZone better than Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

Choose Bitdefender GravityZone if consistently top-rated in independent AV testing is your priority and sMBs and mid-market organizations seeking top-rated protection at competitive pricing. Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if included with Microsoft 365 E5 licensing at no extra cost matters most and microsoft-centric enterprises already invested in the M365 ecosystem.

How much does Bitdefender GravityZone cost compared to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?

Bitdefender GravityZone pricing: From $20.99/device/year (Business Security) / Enterprise custom. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing: Included in Microsoft 365 E5 / Standalone from $5.20/user/month. Bitdefender GravityZone's pricing model is per-device subscription, while Microsoft Defender for Endpoint uses per-user subscription pricing.

Can I migrate from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to Bitdefender GravityZone?

Yes, you can migrate from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to Bitdefender GravityZone. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.