In depth

In Depth

Pricing

Microsoft wins on transparency and cost predictability at $3/user/month when bundled with M365. Webroot requires a sales conversation, but its per-endpoint model can be attractive for MSPs deploying across hundreds of machines without per-user licensing overhead.

Features & Deployment

Microsoft Defender for Business ships as a cloud-native EDR built for M365 environments. You get next-gen antivirus, threat & vulnerability management, automated investigation, and deep integration with Microsoft’s security graph. The per-user license covers multiple devices per person, which is efficient for hybrid workforces. However, it’s optimized for the Microsoft ecosystem—expect friction if your stack is multi-vendor.

Webroot Business Endpoint Protection prioritizes efficiency over depth. Its agent footprint is famously tiny, scans run fast, and cloud management is straightforward. The journaling and rollback feature (letting you undo malware changes) is a notable differentiator. DNS protection is optional. It’s purpose-built for MSPs who need lightweight coverage across many endpoints without heavyweight resource consumption. The tradeoff: EDR capabilities are shallower, and detection performance lags leading competitors in independent tests.

Deployment: Both are cloud-managed and quick to roll out. Microsoft requires M365 integration; Webroot works anywhere.

Ratings & Verdict

Webroot’s higher G2 score reflects strong user satisfaction among its core MSP audience. Microsoft’s score reflects broader SMB use but also licensing confusion complaints.

Verdict: Choose Microsoft Defender for Business if you’re already committed to M365 and want integrated EDR without juggling another vendor relationship. Choose Webroot if you’re an MSP, need minimal agent overhead, or operate in mixed-vendor environments. They serve different masters—Microsoft for integrated Microsoft shops, Webroot for lean, distributed deployments.