Independent comparison for endpoint detection and response platforms. Updated May 2026.
Quick verdict: Choose SentinelOne Singularity for autonomous on-agent response (detection and remediation without cloud round-trip), strong MITRE ATT&CK results, and the Singularity Data Lake for security telemetry consolidation. Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint when Microsoft 365 E5 bundling reduces incremental cost, integration with Entra ID and Sentinel is strategic, or the organisation has standardised on the Microsoft security stack. The differentiator is autonomous response architecture vs Microsoft estate integration and bundled economics.
| Criteria | SentinelOne Singularity | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5.0 (3,400 reviews) | 4.4 / 5.0 (5,700 reviews) |
| Architecture | On-agent AI detection and autonomous response | Cloud-delivered ML, OS-integrated |
| Offline Detection | Full detection and prevention offline | Reduced functionality when offline |
| MITRE ATT&CK Results | Consistent top-tier results, 100% detection | Strong, particularly in Windows-centric scenarios |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, K8s | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Pricing Model | Per-endpoint subscription, modular | Per-user (E5) or per-device (P2 plan) |
| Data Lake | Singularity Data Lake (telemetry retention) | Microsoft Sentinel (separate SIEM) |
| Managed Service | Vigilance MDR, WatchTower threat hunting | Microsoft Defender Experts MDR |
| Identity Protection | Singularity Identity (Attivo acquisition) | Defender for Identity (integrated) |
| Best For | Autonomous response, modern SOC, offline-tolerant | Microsoft-centric estates, E5 bundling |
SentinelOne Singularity's differentiating architecture is on-agent AI: detection and response logic runs on the endpoint rather than requiring cloud round-trip. This means full prevention, detection, and remediation continue when the endpoint is offline — a meaningful advantage for distributed workforces, field workers, and air-gapped environments. SentinelOne consistently achieves top-tier MITRE ATT&CK results including 100% detection rates in recent rounds. The Storyline feature automatically correlates related events into a single attack narrative, reducing analyst investigation time. The Attivo Networks acquisition (2022) added identity threat detection, and the Singularity Data Lake provides telemetry retention and search.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has matured rapidly and now achieves competitive MITRE results, particularly in Windows-centric scenarios where it benefits from Microsoft's deep operating system visibility. Defender is built into Windows 10/11 (no separate agent needed) and is included in Microsoft 365 E5 licensing — making it effectively free for organisations already on E5. Integration with Defender for Identity, Defender for Cloud Apps, Defender for Office 365, and Microsoft Sentinel SIEM under the Microsoft 365 Defender XDR umbrella delivers a unified investigation experience for Microsoft estate organisations.
The two platforms target different architectural assumptions. SentinelOne assumes endpoints may be intermittently connected and that local intelligence matters. Defender assumes a Microsoft-centric environment with reliable cloud connectivity and benefits from operating system integration that no third-party vendor can match on Windows. Browse additional EDR options in the cybersecurity category.
SentinelOne Singularity pricing is per-endpoint with modular tiers (Core, Control, Complete, Commercial). Singularity Complete typically lists at $6-8 per endpoint per month at modest scale, with volume discounts. Vigilance MDR managed service adds approximately $3-5 per endpoint per month. Singularity Data Lake telemetry retention is priced separately based on data volume.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 lists at $5.20 per user per month standalone, included in Microsoft 365 E5 ($57 per user per month) or Microsoft 365 E5 Security ($12 per user add-on to E3). For organisations on E5, incremental EDR cost is zero — making Defender's effective cost-per-endpoint essentially $0 if the licence is already in place. Microsoft Defender Experts XDR managed service lists at $7 per user per month additionally. For Microsoft 365 E5 customers, total cost is dramatically lower than SentinelOne. For non-E5 environments, the cost gap is much smaller.
Choose SentinelOne Singularity if autonomous on-agent response and offline operation matter to your architecture, you need top-tier MITRE ATT&CK detection efficacy, or you want a modern security telemetry platform via Singularity Data Lake. SentinelOne is also the right choice for organisations with distributed or field-based workforces, mixed-OS estates including significant Linux server fleets, and customers wanting a viable alternative to CrowdStrike at moderately lower cost.
Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if your organisation runs Microsoft 365 E5 and can leverage the bundled economics. Defender is also the right choice for predominantly Windows estates, organisations standardising on Microsoft Sentinel as the SIEM, and customers wanting tight integration across endpoint, identity, email, and cloud apps in a single XDR. The native Windows integration reduces deployment friction.