Best Microsoft Defender for Business Alternatives in 2026
The top Microsoft Defender for Business alternatives are Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security, Bitdefender Total Security and ESET HOME Security: 15 antivirus software our editors would look at instead of Microsoft Defender for Business, in our ranking order.
Microsoft Defender for Business: A focused endpoint security subscription with EDR and centralized controls for small businesses. Where it falls short: the listed price requires annual billing.
Switching from Microsoft Defender for Business? For most antivirus software buyers the best Microsoft Defender for Business alternative is Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security, built for small businesses with advanced endpoint needs. Avast One has a free plan, which Microsoft Defender for Business does not.
Why People Look for a Microsoft Defender for Business Alternative
- The listed price requires annual billing
- Coverage is limited to 300 users and five devices per user
- Server protection is available only as an add-on
- No free plan — 5 of the alternatives below have it
- Device limit: 5 devices — up to 100 devices with Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallBitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security9.3
Small businesses with advanced endpoint needs
Visit Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security - Best free optionAvast One8.5
Has a free plan (Microsoft Defender for Business has none)
Visit Avast One - Most device limitBitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security9.3
100 devices
Visit Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security
All 15 Microsoft Defender for Business Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forSmall businesses with advanced endpoint needs
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Device limit: 100 devices vs 5 devices
A paid endpoint security suite for small businesses needing layered protection and central control.
- Ransomware protection
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Bitdefender -
Best forFamilies wanting multi-device security
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Device limit: 25 devices vs 5 devices
A broad security suite for families protecting PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets.
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Bitdefender -
Best forHouseholds needing tiered device protection
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Device limit: 15 devices vs 5 devices
A tiered household security suite with strong protection and privacy features.
- Parental controls
- Ransomware protection
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit ESET -
Best forEnterprise teams using Fortinet infrastructure
A broad endpoint security client for teams already invested in Fortinet infrastructure.
- Ransomware protection
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Fortinet -
Best forSingle-device users wanting a full security suite
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Device limit: 10 devices vs 5 devices
A broad security suite for one device, with VPN and password management included.
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Kaspersky -
Best forUsers wanting Kaspersky protection with add-ons
Cross-platform Kaspersky protection with VPN, password management, and family controls on Premium.
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Kaspersky -
Best forBroad protection with a free starting option
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Free plan
- Device limit: 30 devices vs 5 devices
A broad consumer security suite with free essentials and paid privacy and identity tools.
- Ransomware protection
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Avast One -
Best forUsers wanting bundled antivirus and identity tiers
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Device limit: 10 devices vs 5 devices
A paid security suite combining antivirus, privacy tools, backup, and identity protection.
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Norton -
Best forSmall businesses needing broad security features
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Device limit: 25 devices vs 5 devices
A broad small-business security suite covering up to 25 devices and Windows Server.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit ESET -
Best forCore antivirus with anti-phishing and scam tools
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Free plan
A focused antivirus suite for three devices with useful web and ransomware defenses.
- Ransomware protection
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Bitdefender -
Best forUsers prioritizing malware and web protection
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Free plan
- Device limit: 20 devices vs 5 devices
A paid antivirus suite with broad malware, web, ransomware, and privacy protection.
- Ransomware protection
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Malwarebytes -
Best forIdentity-focused multi-device protection
A paid security suite for buyers who want antivirus and identity tools across multiple devices.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit F-Secure -
Best forFree Windows antivirus protection
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Free plan
A free Windows antivirus with always-on protection and ransomware controls.
- Ransomware protection
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forFree Windows-native security
- Better than Microsoft Defender for Business:
- Free plan
A free Windows-native security suite covering malware, ransomware, networks, and device controls.
- Ransomware protection
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forManaged business endpoint security
A broad business security suite for organizations that need centralized endpoint control.
- Ransomware protection
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Trend Micro
Microsoft Defender for Business Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Microsoft Defender for Business?
Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security: #2 in our Antivirus Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A paid endpoint security suite for small businesses needing layered protection and central control.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Defender for Business?
Yes. Avast One, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Malwarebytes Premium, Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Windows Security have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Microsoft Defender for Business alternatives?
The listed price requires annual billing; Coverage is limited to 300 users and five devices per user; Server protection is available only as an add-on.
Which Microsoft Defender for Business alternative has the most device limit?
Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security, with 100 devices.
How do I switch from Microsoft Defender for Business?
Export your data from Microsoft Defender for Business (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Defender for Business.
How to Switch from Microsoft Defender for Business
- Export your data from Microsoft Defender for Business (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Defender for Business.
Microsoft Defender for Business vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Protection scope | Device limit | Supported platforms | Ransomware protection | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Defender for Business | No | $3/user/mo | Complete security | 5 devices | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | 9.4 |
| 1 | Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security | No | Complete security | 100 devices | Windows, Linux, macOS | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Bitdefender Total Security | No | $59.99/device/yr | Complete security | 25 devices | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | ESET HOME Security | No | Complete security | 15 devices | Windows, macOS, Android | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 4 | FortiClient | No | Complete security | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Yes | 8.9 | ||
| 5 | Kaspersky Plus Internet Security | No | Complete security | 10 devices | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Kaspersky Antivirus | $54.99/yr | Complete security | 3 devices | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 7 | Avast One | Yes | Complete security | 30 devices | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 8 | Norton 360 | No | $94.99/yr | Complete security | 10 devices | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | ESET Small Business Security | No | Complete security | 25 devices | Windows, Windows Server, macOS, Android, iOS | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | Yes | $24.99/yr | Internet security | 3 devices | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | Malwarebytes Premium | Yes | Complete security | 20 devices | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 12 | F-Secure Total | No | $69.99/yr | Complete security | 5 devices | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | 8.0 |
| 13 | Microsoft Defender Antivirus | Yes | Antivirus | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 14 | Windows Security | Yes | Free | Complete security | Windows 10, Windows 11 | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 15 | Trend Micro Worry-Free Services | No | Complete security | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- Microsoft Defender for Business vs Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security
- Microsoft Defender for Business vs Bitdefender Total Security
- Microsoft Defender for Business vs ESET HOME Security
- Microsoft Defender for Business vs FortiClient
- Microsoft Defender for Business vs Kaspersky Plus Internet Security
- Microsoft Defender for Business vs Kaspersky Antivirus
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update