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Head-to-head · IoT Security Software

Microsoft Defender for IoT vs CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Microsoft Defender for IoT #1 in IoT Security Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Microsoft
CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT #3 in IoT Security Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request · 15-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Contact CrowdStrike

Microsoft Defender for IoT leads on 0 checks, CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMicrosoft Defender for IoT · 9.3/10
  • Free trialonly CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT
  • Most featuresCrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT · 5 of 5

Microsoft Defender for IoT scores higher on our rubric for iot security software: 9.3 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

On deployment options, Microsoft Defender for IoT gives you Hybrid where CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT offers Cloud.

Microsoft Defender for IoT is the better fit for organizations standardizing OT security on Microsoft. CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise IT/OT teams.

  • Microsoft Defender for IoT fits best

    Organizations standardizing OT security on Microsoft

  • CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT fits best

    Mid-market and enterprise IT/OT teams

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 Microsoft Defender for IoT 9.3/10 Visit ↗ CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.1
Ranking #1 in IoT Security Software #3 in IoT Security Software
Best for Organizations standardizing OT security on Microsoft Mid-market and enterprise IT/OT teams
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request · 15-day trial
Free plan — —
Free trial — 15 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows Web, Windows, Linux
Support Docs Phone
Integrations 3 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Microsoft Defender for IoT 4/5 · CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT 5/5
IoT asset discovery ✓ ✓
Industrial OT coverage ✓ ✓
Threat detection ✓ ✓
Device segmentation Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Incident response ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment options Hybrid Cloud
Our review
Pros
  • Discovers IoT and OT assets with protocol and communications context.
  • Combines passive and active agentless monitoring with OT-aware threat detection.
  • Offers virtual-machine or physical sensors, with cloud or local management.
  • Discovers managed and unmanaged OT assets without intrusive scans
  • Adds ICS context, including hardware details and Purdue level
  • Monitors device communications and segmentation policies
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales, and licensing varies by tier and site or device count.
  • There is no permanent free plan; the Enterprise IoT offer is a free trial.
  • Listed support channels are limited to documentation.
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Deployment is cloud-only
  • The stated company-size fit is mid-market and enterprise
Our verdict

Microsoft Defender for IoT monitors enterprise IoT and industrial environments, including ICS and OT networks. It is intended for security leaders, OT security administrators, industrial engineers, risk managers, and SOC analysts who need…

Read the review →

CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT extends the Falcon platform into operational technology, industrial control systems and IoT environments. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise teams that need shared visibility across IT and OT, particularly…

Read the review →
  1. Microsoft Defender for IoTIoT Security Software 9.3Pricing on request
  2. CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoTIoT Security Software 9.1Pricing on request · 15-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Microsoft Defender for IoT — where it wins

    • Discovers IoT and OT assets with protocol and communications context.
    • Combines passive and active agentless monitoring with OT-aware threat detection.
    • Offers virtual-machine or physical sensors, with cloud or local management.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales, and licensing varies by tier and site or device count.
    • There is no permanent free plan; the Enterprise IoT offer is a free trial.
    • Listed support channels are limited to documentation.

  • CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT — where it wins

    • Discovers managed and unmanaged OT assets without intrusive scans
    • Adds ICS context, including hardware details and Purdue level
    • Monitors device communications and segmentation policies

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • Deployment is cloud-only
    • The stated company-size fit is mid-market and enterprise
  • Microsoft Defender for IoT9.3/10 · Pricing on request

    Agentless OT monitoring and threat response for organizations using Microsoft security tools.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
  • CrowdStrike Falcon for XIoT9.1/10 · Pricing on request · 15-day trial

    A cloud-based OT security offering for unified asset visibility, risk prioritization and threat protection.

    Contact CrowdStrikeFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IoT security software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update