Cisco Umbrella vs Microsoft Defender for Business

Cisco Umbrella9.2Visit Microsoft Defender for Business7.9Visit

Higher score Cisco Umbrella #1 in User Threat Prevention Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Cisco

vs

Microsoft Defender for Business #6 in User Threat Prevention Software 7.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Microsoft

• Cisco Umbrella fits best

  Organizations wanting established DNS-layer protection

• Microsoft Defender for Business fits best

  Small businesses seeking endpoint protection

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	Cisco Umbrella 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Microsoft Defender for Business 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	7.9
Ranking	#1 in User Threat Prevention Software	#6 in User Threat Prevention Software
Best for	Organizations wanting established DNS-layer protection	Small businesses seeking endpoint protection
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 14-day trial	$3/user/mo
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	14 days	30 days
Free trial length	14 days	30 days · card required
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Tickets, Phone, Docs	Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market
Features Cisco Umbrella 0/5 · Microsoft Defender for Business 0/5
Phishing simulations	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Browser isolation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Attachment sandboxing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
User report button	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Automated remediation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Protected channels	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Blocks malicious and unwanted domains at the DNS layer Applies scheduled policies by network, device, user, or identity Protects roaming endpoints and offers activity reports and APIs	Combines antivirus, EDR, and ransomware attack disruption. Automates investigation and remediation of detected issues. Covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
Cons	Pricing requires contacting Cisco sales Cisco is transitioning Umbrella to Cisco Secure Access No free plan; the free trial lasts 14 days	The $3 per-user monthly price requires annual billing. The 30-day trial requires a payment card. Its focus is device security, not broader user-threat channels.
Our verdict	Cisco Umbrella filters DNS requests and web traffic to block threats and unwanted content before users connect. It is aimed at businesses, schools, government organizations, and distributed workforces that need protection across networks… Read the review →	Microsoft Defender for Business provides endpoint security for small and medium-sized businesses, with support for up to 300 users and five devices per user. Its protection spans Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, making it a fit for… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Cisco Umbrella — where it wins

  • Blocks malicious and unwanted domains at the DNS layer
  • Applies scheduled policies by network, device, user, or identity
  • Protects roaming endpoints and offers activity reports and APIs

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting Cisco sales
  • Cisco is transitioning Umbrella to Cisco Secure Access
  • No free plan; the free trial lasts 14 days

• Microsoft Defender for Business — where it wins

  • Combines antivirus, EDR, and ransomware attack disruption.
  • Automates investigation and remediation of detected issues.
  • Covers Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.

  Where it doesn't

  • The $3 per-user monthly price requires annual billing.
  • The 30-day trial requires a payment card.
  • Its focus is device security, not broader user-threat channels.

• Cisco Umbrella9.2/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

  DNS-layer protection with policy controls for networks, users, devices, and roaming endpoints.

  Visit CiscoFull verdict →
• Microsoft Defender for Business7.9/10 · 30-day trial

  Affordable endpoint protection with EDR and ransomware response, billed annually.

  Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →