Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management Free Plan 2026: What's Included & What's Not
Honest breakdown of the free tier limits and features
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $2 to $3 per user/month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit.
What's Included in the Free Plan
- Defender Vulnerability Management capabilities included in:
- Microsoft 365 E5 Security license
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 (basic capabilities)
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud (agentless for servers, containers)
- No additional agent installation required
- Native integration with existing Microsoft security tools
- Unified security portal experience
- Leverages existing licensing investment
What's NOT Included (Paid Only)
- Everything in Standalone
- Enhanced integration with Defender for Endpoint P2
- Automated investigation and response
- Attack surface reduction rules
- Advanced threat hunting
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR) correlation
- Cross-product security insights
- Unified security operations in Microsoft 365 Defender
- Integration with Microsoft Sentinel (SIEM)
- Custom detection rules
- Priority support for P2 customers
Free Plan Limits
| Limit | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| users | Based on existing Microsoft 365 or Azure licensing | Unlimited/Higher |
| devices | Coverage depends on underlying license | Unlimited/Higher |
You'll Need to Upgrade When...
- You exceed the user limit
- You need features like Everything in Standalone or Enhanced integration with Defender for Endpoint P2
- You require premium support or SLA guarantees
- You need to remove branding or watermarks
- You need advanced integrations or API access
Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan
- Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management branding may appear on your content or communications
- Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
- Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
- API access is typically limited or not available
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
Free Plan is Enough If...
- You're an individual or very small team
- You need only basic features
- You don't mind usage limits
- Branding on output is acceptable
- Community support is sufficient
You Need Paid If...
- Your team is growing beyond limits
- You need advanced features
- Professional branding is required
- You need priority support
- Integrations/API access is critical
Free vs Add-on (for Defender for Endpoint P2) Plan Comparison
| Included (via Microsoft 365 E5 / Defender for Cloud) $0 | Add-on (for Defender for Endpoint P2) $2/per user/month | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 8 included | 11+ included |
| Support | Community/Email | Priority Support |
| Branding | Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management branding | Your branding |
| Best For | Organizations already licensed for Microsoft 365 E5 or Defender for Cloud seeking to leverage included vulnerability management capabilities | Organizations using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 seeking to enhance vulnerability management with seamless EDR integration |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management free?
Yes, Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management offers a forever free plan with 8 core features included. However, there are limits on users, devices that may require upgrading.
02 What's included in Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management's free plan?
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management's free plan includes: Defender Vulnerability Management capabilities included in:, Microsoft 365 E5 Security license, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint P2 (basic capabilities), Microsoft Defender for Cloud (agentless for servers, containers), No additional agent installation required, and 3 more features. Key limits include users: Based on existing Microsoft 365 or Azure licensing, devices: Coverage depends on underlying license.
03 What's NOT included in Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management's free plan?
The free plan excludes: Everything in Standalone, Enhanced integration with Defender for Endpoint P2, Automated investigation and response, Attack surface reduction rules, Advanced threat hunting. You'll also have Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management branding and limited support options.
04 When should I upgrade from Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management's free plan?
Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like Everything in Standalone or Enhanced integration with Defender for Endpoint P2, require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $2/per user/month.
05 Is Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management's free plan really free forever?
Yes, Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.
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