Best Microsoft Defender for SQL Alternatives in 2026
The top Microsoft Defender for SQL alternatives are Onam Database Security, DataSunrise and LevelBlue AppDetectivePRO: 15 database vulnerability scanners our editors would look at instead of Microsoft Defender for SQL, in our ranking order.
Microsoft Defender for SQL: A focused choice for assessing and protecting SQL workloads across hybrid environments. Where it falls short: focused on SQL databases rather than broad database coverage.
Switching from Microsoft Defender for SQL? For most database vulnerability scanners buyers the best Microsoft Defender for SQL alternative is Onam Database Security, built for hybrid database security teams.
Why People Look for a Microsoft Defender for SQL Alternative
- Focused on SQL databases rather than broad database coverage
- Requires a paid plan; there is no free plan
- Exact pricing is not presented as a numeric starting price
- No free plan — 8 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallOnam Database Security9.4
Hybrid database security teams
Visit Onam Database Security - Best free optionOnam Database Security9.4
Has a free plan (Microsoft Defender for SQL has none)
Visit Onam Database Security - Most database platformsOnam Database Security9.4
8 platforms
Visit Onam Database Security
All 15 Microsoft Defender for SQL 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.
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Best forHybrid database security teams
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.5
A hybrid database scanner combining posture checks, privilege analysis, and compliance reporting.
- Compliance templates
- Cloud databases
- Agentless scanning
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Onam Security -
Best forLarge enterprises needing broad database coverage
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.5
Broad database security with vulnerability assessment, monitoring, masking, and compliance automation.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit DataSunrise -
Best forAgentless hybrid vulnerability assessment
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.5
A focused hybrid scanner for database risk, privileges, compliance, and remediation tracking.
- Compliance templates
- Cloud databases
- Agentless scanning
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit LevelBlue -
Best forFree on-premises database assessments
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.5
A free, read-only Oracle assessment tool with deep controls and focused Windows coverage.
- Agentless scanning
- Privilege analysis
- Remediation guidance
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit DATAPLUS -
Best forOpen-source SQL Server compliance scanning
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.5
A focused open-source scanner for SQL Server compliance, evidence, and remediation.
- Compliance templates
- Agentless scanning
- Remediation guidance
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit SQLTriage -
Best forSQL Server teams needing rights analysis
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.5
Detailed SQL Server rights analysis with compliance checks, scorecards, and monitoring.
- Compliance templates
- Cloud databases
- Agentless scanning
8.6/10★★★★☆Try IDERA SQL Secure -
Best forOracle database security programs
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.5
Oracle-focused database assessments, auditing, masking, and SQL Firewall management.
8.5/10★★★★☆Try Oracle Data Safe -
Best forPostgreSQL security teams
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.5
A focused Linux scanner for PostgreSQL controls, configuration, access, and compliance checks.
- Compliance templates
- Privilege analysis
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit PGDSAT -
Best forFree SQL Server benchmark assessments
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.5
A free SQL Server assessment tool with more than 80 configurable benchmark checks.
- Compliance templates
- Cloud databases
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forBroad enterprise database assessments
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.5
A broad database assessment system for discovery, risk analysis, and remediation guidance.
- Privilege analysis
- Remediation guidance
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit DBSec -
Best forDatabase vulnerability and threat operations
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.5
A broad database security platform for vulnerability, activity, access, and compliance operations.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Trellix -
Best forPosture-focused hybrid database teams
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.5
A hybrid, posture-focused platform for database discovery, scoring, compliance, and remediation.
- Cloud databases
- Agentless scanning
- Remediation guidance
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit GuardOne -
Best forFree database permission analysis
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.5
A focused, agentless scanner for analyzing database permissions and access paths.
- Cloud databases
- Agentless scanning
- Privilege analysis
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit DBX -
Best forLow-cost Linux database exposure defense
- Better than Microsoft Defender for SQL:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.5
A low-cost Linux defense layer for exposed database ports and authentication attacks.
- Remediation guidance
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Defensia -
Best forOracle-led audit and database firewall programs
A broad Oracle-led database security suite for auditing, firewalling, and compliance.
- Compliance templates
- Cloud databases
- Agentless scanning
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Oracle
Microsoft Defender for SQL Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Onam Database Security: #1 in our Database Vulnerability Scanners ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A hybrid database scanner combining posture checks, privilege analysis, and compliance reporting.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Yes. Onam Database Security, Omega DB Scanner Standalone, SQLTriage, Oracle Data Safe and PGDSAT have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Microsoft Defender for SQL alternatives?
Focused on SQL databases rather than broad database coverage; Requires a paid plan; there is no free plan; Exact pricing is not presented as a numeric starting price.
Which Microsoft Defender for SQL alternative has the most database platforms?
Onam Database Security, with 8 platforms.
How do I switch from Microsoft Defender for SQL?
Export your data from Microsoft Defender for SQL (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 SQL.
How to Switch from Microsoft Defender for SQL
- Export your data from Microsoft Defender for SQL (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 SQL.
Microsoft Defender for SQL vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | Cloud databases | Privilege analysis | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Microsoft Defender for SQL | No | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 1 | Onam Database Security | Yes | $22/unit/mo | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | DataSunrise | No | Hybrid | 9.2 | |||
| 3 | LevelBlue AppDetectivePRO | No | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Omega DB Scanner Standalone | Yes | Free | On-premises | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 5 | SQLTriage | Yes | Free | On-premises | 8.7 | ||
| 6 | IDERA SQL Secure | No | $647/unit/yr | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | Oracle Data Safe | Yes | 8.5 | ||||
| 8 | PGDSAT | Yes | Free | On-premises | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Free SQL Server Compliance Benchmark Tool | Yes | Free | Hybrid | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | DBSec Database Security Assessment System | Yes | 8.2 | ||||
| 11 | Trellix Database Security | Hybrid | 8.0 | ||||
| 12 | GuardOne | Hybrid | Yes | 7.9 | |||
| 13 | DBX | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | ||
| 14 | Defensia Database Security | Yes | €9/unit/mo | Hybrid | 7.7 | ||
| 15 | Oracle Audit Vault and Database Firewall | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | 7.4 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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