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There is no single endpoint security product that is best for every business. Start with the protection your team needs: antivirus-style endpoint prevention, endpoint detection and response (EDR), or a managed response service. Then compare equivalent product editions, check device coverage and licensing, and pilot your shortlist against your own applications and workflows.
What endpoint security does—and what EDR adds
Endpoint security protects devices such as laptops, desktops and servers against threats. Endpoint protection platforms (EPP) focus on preventing or blocking threats; their controls can include antimalware, device controls and network protection. EDR adds tools for investigating suspicious activity and responding to incidents. Some products combine these capabilities, but their availability can depend on the edition.
Managed detection and response (MDR) is a service model, not just another name for EDR software: a provider supplies people and operational response under agreed service terms. A business buying software should confirm who will monitor alerts, investigate incidents and take action, and when that coverage applies.
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What the available tests can—and cannot—tell you
Independent test results are useful when the method and scope match the question you need answered. They are not interchangeable: protecting against malicious files, blocking malicious URLs and detecting simulated advanced attacks measure different things. Results also apply to the tested product version and configuration, not automatically to every edition or to every organization’s environment.
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Malicious-file protection results
AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 enterprise malware protection test measured protection against malicious files before, during or after execution. It reported the following protection rates; these are results from that test, not universal product ratings.
| Product named in the test material | Protection rate |
|---|---|
| Elastic | 100% — AV-Comparatives, 2026 |
| CrowdStrike | 99.7% — AV-Comparatives, 2026 |
| Bitdefender | 99.5% — AV-Comparatives, 2026 |
| Microsoft | 99.3% — AV-Comparatives, 2026 |
| ESET | 99.2% — AV-Comparatives, 2026 |
| Sophos | 96.6% — AV-Comparatives, 2026 |
AV-Comparatives reported zero false alarms on common business software for all products in this test. That result is limited to the test’s software and conditions; it does not establish what your own users and applications will experience.
URL protection and EDR validation
AV-Comparatives’ March–April 2026 business security factsheet describes a real-world protection test using 200 malicious-URL cases. This measures a different protection scenario from the March malware-file test, so its results should not be combined into one score.
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AV-Comparatives’ 2026 EDR Detection Validation evaluated seven enterprise cybersecurity solutions under advanced threat scenarios. The page names Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Enterprise and ESET PROTECT Elite among the products in the validation. The available information does not establish a complete seven-vendor winner list or justify inferring results beyond what the page reports. A separate 2025 Endpoint Prevention & Response test covered EPP, EDR and XDR evaluations against targeted threats, including APTs.
Seven platforms to consider for a business shortlist
These are candidates to investigate, not a best-to-worst ranking. The test figures below are included only where the cited material gives them. Product features described by vendors are vendor claims, not independent test findings; verify current editions, supported operating systems and packaging before buying.
1. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft describes coverage across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and IoT. Its product materials distinguish Plan 1 (P1) from Plan 2 (P2): P1 includes foundational antimalware, attack surface reduction, device controls and network protection; P2 adds EDR, exposure management, automatic attack disruption, threat intelligence and sandbox/deep analysis. Microsoft lists P1 as included in Microsoft 365 E3 and P2 in Microsoft 365 E5, subject to plan conditions. Confirm the current entitlement for your subscription and region. Microsoft scored 99.3% in AV-Comparatives’ 2026 enterprise malware protection test.
2. CrowdStrike Falcon
CrowdStrike appeared in the AV-Comparatives 2026 enterprise malware protection test, with a reported 99.7% protection rate. CrowdStrike’s own product page describes components including Falcon Prevent next-generation antivirus, Falcon Insight XDR, USB device control, mobile security, firewall management, forensics and Falcon Complete MDR. Treat those as vendor-described offerings: verify which are included, which require add-ons, and the operating systems and service terms that apply to the edition you are considering.
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Bitdefender’s test appearances involve distinct editions. GravityZone Business Security Premium appears in the business malware test, where Bitdefender scored 99.5%; GravityZone Business Security Enterprise is named in the 2026 EDR Detection Validation. Do not assume that a result or capability associated with one edition automatically applies to the other.
4. ESET PROTECT
The business malware test material names ESET PROTECT Entry, while the 2026 EDR Detection Validation names ESET PROTECT Elite. These are not interchangeable configurations. The malware test reported a 99.2% protection rate for ESET; check the edition and scope associated with any test result before using it to compare a purchase option.
5. Sophos Intercept X Advanced
Sophos Intercept X Advanced was included in AV-Comparatives’ 2026 enterprise malware protection test, which reported a 96.6% protection rate. That figure describes performance in that test only; it is not a general ranking or a prediction of how the product will perform in your organization.
6. SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint
SentinelOne describes Singularity Endpoint as combining EPP, EDR and automated remediation, including containment, rollback and remediation functions. These are vendor-described capabilities. The AV-Comparatives business tests cited here do not provide comparable independent results for SentinelOne, so compare it using verified product documentation and your own pilot rather than treating the other vendors’ test figures as a head-to-head result.
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Elastic is another candidate in the AV-Comparatives business malware test, with a reported 100% protection rate in the 2026 test. The test result alone does not establish which Elastic edition, management model or response capabilities suit your organization. Verify the exact tested product and configuration, and assess its operational fit as you would any other candidate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare products for your environment
Compare the editions you could actually purchase, not brand names in isolation. Use the following checks to turn a broad shortlist into a practical one:
- Match the test to the threat question. Separate malicious-file results from URL protection and EDR validation. Record the test date, scope, product edition and configuration when available; do not treat unlike results as a single score.
- Map your device fleet. List the Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile, server and IoT devices you need to protect. Confirm supported operating systems and required features for each specific edition.
- Choose the response model. Establish whether you need prevention alone, EDR investigation tools, automated remediation, or a managed response service. Confirm who handles alerts and incidents, during what hours, and under what service terms.
- Check administration and integrations. Assess the management console, deployment and policy workflow, and required SIEM, API, identity or XDR integrations. Make sure the team responsible for operating the product can use those tools effectively.
- Compare full licensing terms. Ask about minimum seats, servers, add-ons, data retention, support and existing suite entitlements. The sources cited here do not provide a comparable price set across vendors, so request quotes for equivalent scope rather than inferring a cost winner.
Run a pilot before deployment
A controlled pilot helps reveal how a product behaves with your devices, software and staff—conditions a lab result cannot reproduce for you. Use representative endpoints and applications, and define success criteria before rollout.
Quick Recap
- Select a representative group. Include the operating systems, user roles and business applications found in your fleet.
- Test normal work as well as response. Check deployment, policy management, performance impact, false alerts and policy conflicts. Walk through investigation and remediation workflows with the people who would handle an incident.
- Confirm coverage and handoffs. Verify that required devices are supported and that staff know who receives, investigates and acts on alerts, including outside normal business hours if relevant.
- Review the results against your criteria. Compare operational fit, required capabilities and total licensing scope. Do not let a single lab percentage substitute for these findings.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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