Compare All Cybersecurity Software 2026

Endpoint protection software secures devices (laptops, servers, mobile devices) from cyber threats like malware, ransomware, and zero-day attacks. Modern platforms use AI and behavioral analysis to detect threats in real-time, replacing traditional antivirus with next-generation endpoint detection and response (EDR).

Cybersecurity endpoint protection typically costs $3-$18 per endpoint per month. Basic antivirus starts at $3-$5/endpoint/month, while advanced EDR/XDR platforms like CrowdStrike ($8-$18/endpoint/month) and SentinelOne ($6-$12/endpoint/month) cost more but provide superior threat detection and response capabilities.

CrowdStrike ($8-$18/endpoint/month) excels at threat intelligence and managed detection with a cloud-native architecture. SentinelOne ($6-$12/endpoint/month) offers autonomous AI-driven protection with faster automated response and typically lower pricing. CrowdStrike is preferred by large enterprises; SentinelOne by mid-market companies wanting strong automation.

Common hidden costs include: minimum seat requirements (often 100+ endpoints), multi-year contract requirements for best pricing, add-on modules for identity protection and cloud security ($2-$5/endpoint extra), professional services for deployment ($5,000-$50,000), managed detection and response (MDR) services ($10-$25/endpoint/month), and compliance reporting add-ons.

Traditional antivirus only catches known threats using signatures. EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) uses behavioral analysis and AI to detect unknown threats, provides forensic investigation tools, and enables rapid incident response. For any business handling sensitive data or facing targeted attacks, EDR is essential—antivirus alone misses 40-60% of modern threats.

XDR (Extended Detection and Response) expands beyond endpoints to correlate security data across email, cloud, network, and identity. While EDR focuses on endpoint threats, XDR provides unified visibility across your entire security stack. XDR platforms typically cost 20-40% more than EDR alone but reduce alert fatigue and improve detection accuracy.

Fortinet ($3-$8/endpoint/month) and Trend Micro ($3-$7/endpoint/month) offer the most affordable endpoint protection for small businesses. Both provide solid protection without the enterprise complexity or pricing of CrowdStrike or Palo Alto. SentinelOne also has competitive SMB pricing starting around $6/endpoint/month.

Key factors: threat detection effectiveness (check MITRE ATT&CK evaluations), deployment complexity, integration with existing tools (SIEM, SOAR), endpoint performance impact, minimum seat requirements, and total cost including add-on modules. Request a proof-of-concept deployment with your actual environment before committing.

MDR is a service where the vendor's security experts monitor your environment 24/7, investigate alerts, and respond to threats on your behalf. CrowdStrike Falcon Complete ($15-$25/endpoint/month) and SentinelOne Vigilance ($10-$18/endpoint/month) are leading MDR options. MDR is ideal for organizations without a dedicated security operations center.

Windows Defender (built into Windows) provides basic endpoint protection at no cost. Open-source options include ClamAV for antivirus and Wazuh for SIEM/EDR. However, these lack the advanced threat detection and response capabilities of commercial platforms. Most commercial vendors offer 15-30 day free trials rather than permanent free tiers.