Elastic Defend

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.9 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan · 14-day trial
• Best for
  Teams wanting endpoint EDR with a free plan
• Free plan
  Yes
• Facts checked
  24 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Free plan includes endpoint protection capabilities
  • Investigate alerts with process trees, timelines, and endpoint telemetry
  • Respond by isolating hosts or terminating processes

• Where it doesn't

  • Verified endpoint coverage is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Capabilities vary by subscription or project tier
  • Serverless pricing is usage-based and depends on workload

Our verdict on Elastic Defend

Elastic Defend is an endpoint protection integration managed through Elastic Agent and Fleet, for security teams monitoring Windows, macOS, and Linux hosts. It detects and prevents malware, ransomware, memory threats, and malicious behavior, then sends endpoint telemetry to Elastic Security for analysis. Its free plan makes it relevant to teams seeking endpoint EDR without starting with a paid plan, while cloud-hosted and self-managed deployments can fit different operating preferences.

The investigation workflow draws on process, file, and network activity, with alerts presented alongside process trees and timelines. Teams can collect memory snapshots and forensic artifacts, then take response actions including host isolation and process termination. Centralized endpoint policy management through Fleet connects agent oversight with the detection and response workflow. These capabilities give Elastic Defend scope beyond malware blocking, particularly for teams that need context to investigate an alert and contain activity from the same environment.

Elastic Defend is part of Elastic Security, and the available capabilities depend on the subscription or project tier. Serverless pricing is usage-based and depends on workload; the endpoint estimator provides estimates rather than fixed plan prices. That makes plan and workload fit worth evaluating before choosing a deployment. Teams already considering Elastic Security, or those that value endpoint forensics and response alongside prevention, should consider it. Organizations requiring endpoint coverage beyond Windows, macOS, and Linux should look at alternatives with broader verified operating-system support.

Elastic Defend pricing

Elastic Defend fact sheet

Alternatives to Elastic Defend

• Check Point Harmony EndpointBroad endpoint defense for organizations that need protection and response in one suite.9.3
• PAPalo Alto Networks Cortex XDREndpoint prevention paired with cross-domain detection, investigation, and response.9.2
• KNKaspersky NextEndpoint protection with EDR, patching and cloud or on-premises management.9.1

See all Elastic Defend alternatives →

Elastic Defend vs the competition

• EDElastic Defend vs Check Point Harmony Endpoint
• EDPAElastic Defend vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR
• EDKNElastic Defend vs Kaspersky Next
• EDEPElastic Defend vs ESET PROTECT Enterprise
• EDFElastic Defend vs FortiEndpoint
• EDElastic Defend vs Microsoft Defender for Business

Compare Elastic Defend with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 9 Oct 2026 · How we research and update