Microsoft Defender, Explained
Which Defender do
you actually need?
Defender for Business, Defender for Endpoint P1/P2, Defender for Office 365 P1/P2 — the names alone confuse most IT teams. This page breaks down exactly what each tier protects, what it costs, and which Microsoft 365 plan already includes it.
The Protection Ladder
Five tiers, one clear path
Defender for Business
$3/user/mo
Endpoint protection for SMBs, included in Business Premium.
Defender for Endpoint P1
$3/user/mo
Core endpoint protection, included in E3.
Advanced
Defender for Endpoint P2
$5.20/user/mo
Advanced threat detection & response, included in E5.
Defender for Office 365 P1
$2/user/mo
Email & collaboration protection, included in Business Premium.
Full Comparison
What each tier actually protects
| Capability | Defender for Business | Endpoint P1 | Endpoint P2 | Office 365 P1 | Office 365 P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endpoint antivirus & firewall | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Attack surface reduction | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Endpoint detection & response (EDR) | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Automated investigation & remediation | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Email & attachment filtering | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safe Links & Safe Attachments | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Threat hunting & simulation training | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Get the right Defender tier for your risk profile
We'll assess your current setup and recommend the right level of protection — nothing more, nothing less.