With sophisticated cyberattacks on the rise, businesses of all sizes require comprehensive security solutions to protect their endpoints and facilitate swift incident response and recovery. The top tools for solution providers seeking endpoint detection and response (EDR) prioritize AI-driven behavioral analytics, threat detection, risk scoring, and threat hunting, alongside standard features such as forensic analysis, vulnerability management, and endpoint visibility.
What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?
EDR tools are a frontline defense for endpoint security as they are software tools that combine real-time monitoring, data collection, and analysis to detect, investigate, and mitigate security incidents. These tools provide visibility into endpoint activities, enabling MSPs and IT teams to isolate compromised systems, remediate threats, and prevent future attacks.
- CrowdStrike: Best overall for pricing and intuitiveness
- SentinelOne: Best for AI-powered threat protection
- Rapid7: Best EDR solution for real-time analytics
- IBM: Best solution for enterprise-scale EDR
- Trend Micro: Best for advanced features and compatibility
- Syxsense: Best EDR tool for responsive support
Top Features to Look for in an EDR Tool
- Endpoint visibility: This provides complete visibility across all devices, ensuring you detect anomalies wherever they occur and eliminating blind spots in your environment.
- Vulnerability management: Important because it encompasses all capabilities for real-time scanning of known weaknesses and closing of attack vectors before they can be exploited.
- Forensic analysis: Enjoy detailed root‑cause timelines and attack‑chain visualizations. These features enable you to reconstruct incidents and strengthen your defenses against future breaches.
- AI‑powered threat detection: Take advantage of machine learning and analytics to identify suspicious patterns, reduce false positives, and produce high‑confidence alerts.
- Predictive risk scoring: Seek tools that are capable of automatically assessing endpoint risk levels based on threat intelligence, vulnerability data, and behavioral patterns.
- Real‑time AI‑driven threat hunting: These features enable you to proactively search for hidden threats before they can escalate using automated playbooks and continuous data analysis.
Why EDR is important for MSPs to offer in services
If you’re a solutions provider or MSP that manages networks across multiple client environments, especially in industries that handle sensitive data, like healthcare, finance, or government sectors, you should consider EDR tools. Businesses that experience a high volume of remote or hybrid work will benefit from the enhanced endpoint visibility and security provided by EDR tools. Additionally, MSPs looking to strengthen their security offerings should consider EDR as the foundation of their managed security services portfolio.
How to choose EDR tools
Selecting the right EDR tool varies based on your needs; however, some of the common factors to consider include:
- Capabilities: EDR tools need to offer comprehensive threat detection, real-time monitoring, and behavioral analytics. Solutions like SentinelOne, IBM, and Trend Micro lead in providing advanced detection mechanisms.
- Scalability: Organizations with larger or expanding infrastructures have scalability high up in their lists. IBM excels at supporting enterprise-level deployments with robust integration into larger IT environments.
- Integration capabilities: For businesses with established security stacks, compatibility is key. Trend Micro excels in this area, boasting extensive third-party integrations.
- Cost: The pricing structure is a significant consideration for any business. CrowdStrike is notable for its flexible pricing tiers that make it accessible to companies of all sizes.
- Ease of use: Ease of navigation and user-friendly dashboards are crucial for efficient security operations. A highly intuitive interface enables teams to respond quickly to threats.
- Customer support: Shortlist solutions that not only deliver your preferred support methods, but also have these methods rated highly by other customers.
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Top EDR tools comparison
See how the top tools compare across their top features and starting prices.
| Tool | Starting Price | Vulnerability Management | Forensic Analysis | Endpoint Visibility | Cross-platform Support | Sandboxing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdStrike | $59.99/device | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SentinelOne | $69.99/endpoint for 5-100 endpoints | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | ✔ |
| Rapid7 | $3.82/asset/month | ✔ | — | ✔ | ✔ | — |
| IBM | $303/month for 100+ endpoints | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | — |
| Trend Micro | Custom | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Syxsense | Custom | ✔ | — | ✔ | ✔ | — |
✔=Yes —= Limited
CrowdStrike
Best overall for pricing and intuitiveness
Overall rating: 4.4/5
- Cost: 4.6/5
- Core features: 4.3/5
- Customer support: 4.5/5
- Ease of use: 4.6/5
- AI-driven threat detection: 4.6/5
- Integration and compatibility: 4.2/5
CrowdStrike Falcon is our top endpoint detection and response (EDR) pick, known for its cloud-native architecture, ease of deployment, and advanced threat intelligence. With its simple, intuitive interface, variety of pricing options, and consideration for businesses of all sizes, its popularity is further enhanced. The platform offers flexible pricing plans that suit both small businesses and large enterprises. It also offers seamless cross-platform compatibility and advanced forensic analysis tools.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Intuitive, user-friendly interface | Higher starting price than some competitors |
| AI-powered real-time threat detection | Lacks advanced reporting in the basic package |
| Strong cross-platform support | Higher tiers require contacting sales for pricing |
| Comprehensive forensic analysis | Limited support for smaller enterprises’ customizations |
Pricing
- Falcon Go: $59.99 per device annually for a maximum of 100 devices
- Falcon Pro: $99.99 per device annually
- Falcon Enterprise: $184.99 per device annually
- Falcon Elite: Contact for quote
- Falcon Complete MDR: Contact for quote
Features
- AI-powered real-time threat detection: Provide real-time threat detection with low false positives using Falcon’s AI analytics.
- Automated incident response: Offer seamless response workflows with minimal manual input.
- Advanced forensic tools: Deliver in-depth root cause analysis and historical attack chain visualization, enabling detailed forensics.
- Custom detection rules: Customize detection rules to meet the specific security needs of your users.
Who should use CrowdStrike?
Providers that need a cost-effective and easy-to-deploy solution for endpoint security. Its modular pricing allows organizations to scale their security stack according to their current needs, making it a great fit for growing businesses or companies with evolving requirements.
Who should not use it?
Organizations that need extensive analytics and reporting out of the box may find the basic tiers insufficient. For a more comprehensive solution with advanced analytics, Rapid7 is a stronger alternative. It provides deeper threat insights and detailed reporting.
SentinelOne
Best for AI-powered threat protection
Overall rating: 4.1/5
- Cost: 3.4/5
- Core features: 4.3/5
- Customer support: 3.5/5
- Ease of use: 4.2/5
- AI capabilities: 4.7/5
- Integration and compatibility: 4.5/5
SentinelOne excels in AI-driven threat protection, offering fully autonomous endpoint protection with ActiveEDR. Its Singularity platform provides powerful behavioral AI capabilities that continuously analyze and respond to threats in real-time. This automation minimizes the need for manual intervention. With the ability to predict, prevent, and remediate attacks autonomously, SentinelOne’s offering is strong enough to sway teams seeking cutting-edge AI technology to bolster their security. The company also announced changes to its partner program in 2025.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Autonomous AI-driven threat detection and response | Has no free trial |
| Real-time analytics and incident response | Learning curve for small teams |
| Comprehensive OS support | Purple AI is only available in the 3 highest premium tiers |
| AI-powered forensics and behavioral analytics | Limited customization for entry-level plans |
Pricing
For 5-100 workstations:
- Singularity Core: $69.99 per endpoint
- Singularity Control: $79.99 per endpoint
- Singularity Complete: $179.99 per endpoint
- Singularity Commercial: $229.99 per endpoint
- Singularity Enterprise: Contact for quote
Features
- Purple AI: Autonomously scale protection across your enterprise through features like automatic detection of zero-day and advanced threats.
- ActiveEDR: Automate detection, response, and remediation using real-time AI-based tools.
- Threat hunting: Proactively seek out threats using SentinelOne’s behavioral AI analytics.
- Advanced forensics: Visualize and investigate incidents with a detailed root cause analysis and attack chain visualization.
Who should use SentinelOne?
SentinelOne is ideal for organizations that need autonomous, AI-powered threat detection in place of manual security operations. It’s worth considering for anyone who wants AI capabilities to predict and respond to cyber threats without human intervention.
Who should not use SentinelOne?
Businesses that require a straightforward, intuitive setup and a cost-effective solution may gravitate towards Rapid7, as it offers strong analytics without the higher complexity and cost associated with advanced AI-powered platforms like SentinelOne.
Rapid7
Best for real-time analytics
Overall rating: 3.9/5
- Cost: 3.7/5
- Core features: 3.9/5
- Customer support: 4.2/5
- Ease of use: 3.7/5
- Real-time analytics: 4.2/5
- Integration and compatibility: 4.3/5
Rapid7’s InsightIDR is recognized for its strong focus on real-time analytics, enabling rapid threat detection and incident response. User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) and network traffic analysis, ensuring security teams can identify and address threats rapidly. Rapid7 also offers extensive EDR features, which is a win for any organization that needs to improve its incident response times, as well as gain in-depth, real-time insights into potential risks and effectively manage diverse environments.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful real-time threat detection | Limited reporting in lower-tier plans |
| Excellent integration with third-party tools | Can be complex for smaller teams |
| Advanced user and entity behavior analytics | Higher price for smaller teams |
| Robust SIEM capabilities | Requires a learning curve for full feature usage |
Pricing
For environments with 250k assets:
- Essential: Begins at $3.82 per asset per month.
- Advanced: Starts at $6.36 per asset per month.
- Ultimate: begins at $8.21 per asset per month.
Features
- SIEM and EDR: Provide full SIEM capabilities combined with advanced endpoint detection.
- Network traffic analysis: Offer network visibility, intrusion detection, and data forensics for comprehensive threat insights.
- User and entity behavior analytics (UEBA): Continuously track and analyze user behavior to detect anomalies.
- Deception technology: Include decoy systems and traps to identify and mitigate attackers proactively.
Who should use Rapid7?
Rapid7 is ideal for businesses seeking a combination of advanced real-time analytics and high-level threat detection capabilities. Organizations that need deep user behavior analytics and continuous network monitoring will appreciate this tool.
Who should not use Rapid7?
Organizations that prioritize a more straightforward setup and extensive out-of-the-box reporting might find Rapid7’s InsightIDR to be rather challenging. For those focused on ease of use and simplicity, CrowdStrike would be a more natural alternative as it’s user-friendly and offers robust support.
IBM QRadar
Best for enterprise-scale EDR
Overall rating: 3.8/5
- Cost: 2.7/5
- Core features: 4.3/5
- Customer support: 4.3/5
- Ease of use: 3.3/5
- AI capabilities: 4.7/5
- Integration and compatibility: 3.8/5
IBM QRadar excels in offering an enterprise-scale EDR solution for handling complex environments. With its integration into the broader IBM QRadar Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) ecosystem, it delivers in-depth threat detection, investigation, and response across hybrid environments. QRadar is capable of managing massive volumes of security data and offering automated workflows. The platform leverages AI and machine learning through its Cyber Assistant, which autonomously manages alerts and reduces false positives.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful integration with SIEM and SOAR | Higher cost for smaller businesses |
| Scalable for large environments | Steep learning curve for beginners |
| Advanced threat detection capabilities | Complex setup process |
| Customizable AI-based analytics | Requires experienced security staff |
Pricing
IBM QRadar EDR offers scalable pricing based on the number of endpoints. It offers a pricing calculator on its website, and a minimum of 100 endpoints is estimated to cost $303 per month and $ 3,633 annually.
Features
- Cyber Assistant: Offer your users AI-powered alert management, reduce false positives, and enhance the efficiency of analysts.
- Custom detection strategies: Enable businesses to build and implement tailored detection models to meet their unique compliance needs.
- Ransomware prevention: Offer advanced protection to organizations and enable them to detect and prevent ransomware attacks in near real-time.
- Behavioral tree: Provide full attack visibility and visual storylines to aid analysts in fast triaging, response, and incident containment.
Who should use IBM QRadar?
IBM QRadar is ideal for large enterprises with complex security environments that require a highly scalable Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution. It offers extensive integration with other IBM security tools, which is particularly appealing to organizations that require an all-encompassing security ecosystem.
Who should not use IBM QRadar?
Small to mid-sized businesses with simpler security needs may find the complexity of QRadar prohibitive. A more intuitive option for smaller companies is CrowdStrike, which offers packages specifically tailored for small and mid-sized businesses.
Trend Micro
Best for advanced features and compatibility
Overall rating: 3.6/5
- Cost: 1.5/5
- Core features: 4.4/5
- Customer support: 3.4/5
- Ease of use: 3.6/5
- AI capabilities: 4.5/5
- Integration and compatibility: 4.5/5
Trend Micro offers a thorough EDR solution designed to provide advanced threat protection and automated detection capabilities. The platform is equipped with tools such as advanced machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect threats across all endpoints in real-time. Trend Micro also excels in forensic analysis, offering a comprehensive set of features to investigate the root cause of attacks while facilitating proactive threat hunting. It also delivers deep integration with cloud services and the ability to scale across large enterprises.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Advanced AI-based threat detection | Opaque pricing |
| Strong cloud and enterprise integration | Limited visibility in smaller deployments |
| Comprehensive forensic and root cause analysis | Some features require manual configuration |
| Proactive threat-hunting capabilities | Initial setup can be complex |
Pricing
Contact for specific pricing information, as pricing isn’t listed publicly.
Features
- Advanced machine learning: Leverage AI and machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent advanced threats across all endpoints.
- Behavioral analysis: Continuously monitor endpoint activities to identify potential attacks based on anomalous behavior.
- Forensic tools: Utilize advanced forensic capabilities to investigate and identify the root cause of cyber incidents.
- Proactive threat hunting: Supports manual and automated threat hunting across enterprise networks.
- Cloud integration: Deliver seamless integration with cloud services for users in hybrid environments.
Who should use Trend Micro?
If you consider advanced security features and deep integration capabilities as priorities, Trend Micro should top your shortlist. Additionally, businesses in highly regulated industries, such as healthcare and finance, will benefit from Trend Micro’s compliance management tools.
Who should not use Trend Micro?
Smaller organizations or those that want simplified security solutions with minimal configuration may feel overwhelmed by Trend Micro’s advanced features and integrations. For those seeking a more user-friendly platform that eliminates the need for extensive manual setup or integration complexities, SentinelOne, renowned for its intuitive interface and AI-based threat detection, would be a better fit.
Syxsense
Best for responsive support
Overall rating: 3.5/5
- Cost: 2.9/5
- Core features: 4/5
- Customer support: 4.8/5
- Ease of use: 3.5/5
- AI capabilities: 2.5/5
- Integration and compatibility: 3.5/5
Syxsense offers a unified endpoint and vulnerability management platform that distinguishes itself with responsive support, providing multi-channel assistance that includes email, live chat, and dedicated phone support. Its customers benefit from strong onboarding and training, as well as a simplified user interface, comprehensive documentation, and a dedicated customer support team, which further enhances the user experience and makes it easier for users to resolve issues quickly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unified security and endpoint management console | AI-based analytics are less advanced |
| Strong customer support and onboarding assistance | Can be costly for larger-scale deployments |
| Real-time vulnerability and patch management | Fewer third-party integrations |
| Intuitive user interface | Opaque pricing |
Pricing
Syxsense encourages prospective customers to contact them for a quote.
Features
- Patch management automation: Automate patch updates across devices to ensure systems remain up-to-date.
- Automated endpoint management: Provide comprehensive IT asset discovery, patch management, and feature updates.
- Syxsense Cortex: Enable no-code automation and orchestration to manage and remediate security threats efficiently.
- Zero trust security: Implement continuous, real-time security controls and vulnerability assessments for all endpoints.
Who should use Syxsense?
Syxsense is a worthy consideration for mid-sized organizations that prioritize responsive, comprehensive support. Teams that require hands-on assistance and a simple yet effective platform will benefit from Syxsense’s customer-first approach.
Who should not use Syxsense?
Larger enterprises with more complex security environments may find Syxsense’s feature set and AI capabilities rather limited. In this case, IBM QRadar offers a more scalable and feature-rich EDR solution tailored to enterprise needs.
Methodology
To identify the best endpoint detection and response tools, we evaluated each platform based on six weighted scoring categories, each with a maximum of five points. The highest-scoring tool in each category automatically became the criterion winner, and the solution with the best overall average across these categories was chosen as our overall winner.
We assigned the highest weight to core features, as functionality directly affects the platform’s ability to protect, detect, and respond to security incidents. This was followed by cost and then by AI capabilities, customer support, and integration and compatibility, with ease of use rounding out the scoring.
- Core Features (25%): We evaluated essential features, including real-time threat detection, vulnerability management, forensic analysis, endpoint visibility, and zero-day threat protection.
- Criterion winner: Trend Micro.
- AI capabilities (20%): This category assessed how well each tool incorporates AI-driven capabilities, including threat detection, automated triage, risk scoring, and real-time behavioral analysis.
- Criterion winner: Multiple winners.
- Cost (20%): We considered pricing transparency, the availability of free trials or demos, and the flexibility of pricing plans, including any hidden costs associated with integrations or advanced features.
- Criterion winner: CrowdStrike.
- Customer support (15%): This category assessed the availability and quality of customer support channels, including live chat, phone, and email. We also considered user feedback to gauge responsiveness and the quality of service.
- Criterion winner: Syxsense.
- Integration and compatibility (15%): This category focused on each platform’s ability to integrate with third-party tools (such as SIEM and SOAR), API support, cross-platform compatibility, and custom connectors.
- Criterion winner: Multiple winners.
- Ease of use (10%): We evaluated the platform’s intuitiveness and user-friendliness, considering aspects such as setup, navigation, and the availability of resources, including knowledge bases.
- Criterion winner: CrowdStrike.
Bottom line: MSPS need to offer advanced EDR solutions
For MSPs considering evolving into MSSPs, integrating effective EDR tools becomes crucial to handle the growing complexity of cyber threats, particularly in the face of increasing ransomware and zero-day attacks. Each tool we’ve reviewed offers unique features, ranging from AI-powered threat protection to real-time analytics, designed to approach endpoint security tailored to your specific use case. By determining the right solution, you can ensure you meet the security demands of your clients and keep your services competitive.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between EDR and MDR?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a software solution deployed directly on endpoints like laptops, servers, or mobile devices. EDR continuously collects telemetry, analyzes suspicious activity, and equips in‑house teams to investigate and contain threats.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR), by contrast, adds a 24×7 service on top of EDR technology. An MDR provider typically takes responsibility for alert triage, threat hunting, incident investigation, and response, freeing internal IT staff from routine monitoring and providing rapid, expert-driven remediation.
What EDR is best for SMBs?
Rapid7 is a great option for small and midsize businesses, as SMBs need a balance of effective protection with straightforward deployment and predictable pricing. Rapid7 offers transparent, asset‑based pricing starting at $3.82 per asset per month. This makes it cost-effective for businesses with a limited number of assets. It also delivers real‑time analytics, behavior tracking, and automated containment without heavy infrastructure overhead.
Although it can overwhelm very small teams, SentinelOne also provides a lightweight, single-agent EDR with autonomous AI detection, one-click rollback, and straightforward pricing starting at $69.99 per endpoint.
How can MSPs help businesses adopt EDR?
MSPs can help businesses adopt and operate EDR platforms by handling deployment and policy configuration across endpoints, integrating EDR with SIEM and SOAR systems, and ensuring consistent coverage across all endpoints. They can also offer MDR‑style services to monitor alerts around the clock and escalate only high‑priority incidents. Additionally, they can also execute predefined playbooks and produce audit‑ready reports that meet compliance mandates during incidents.
What are EDR and XDR tools?
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) focuses on detecting, investigating, and responding to threats on endpoints, including computers and mobile devices. XDR (Extended Detection and Response) expands this by integrating data from multiple security layers, including endpoints, networks, and servers, for broader threat visibility.
What is the best EDR?
Although the best EDR tool is dependent on your needs and use case, some of the top EDR solutions include CrowdStrike for its pricing and scalability, SentinelOne for its AI-powered threat protection, and IBM for its robust enterprise-scale capabilities. Each tool excels in different areas, making them suitable for varying business needs.