Calculate endpoint protection requirements with real-world detection rates, performance impact, and Q3 2025 pricing. Compare 15 leading EDR vendors across detection efficacy, resource usage, and response capabilities. Built from analyzing 500+ EDR deployments.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is your first line of defense against modern threats. EDR continuously monitors endpoints (workstations, servers, mobile devices) for malicious activity, detects sophisticated attacks that bypass antivirus, and provides rapid investigation and response capabilities to contain threats before they spread.
EDR goes beyond signature-based antivirus to detect fileless malware, zero-days, and living-off-the-land attacks using behavioral analysis, machine learning, and indicators of attack (IoAs). Catch threats traditional AV misses.
Full endpoint telemetry collection: process execution, file modifications, registry changes, network connections, DLL injections, PowerShell activity. Reconstruct entire attack chains from initial compromise to lateral movement.
Isolate compromised endpoints from the network with one click. Remote shell access for investigation. Automated threat hunting across your entire estate. Rollback ransomware changes. Stop breaches in minutes, not days.
Leverage vendor threat intelligence feeds and community detections. Automated threat hunting searches known TTPs across all endpoints. Integration with MITRE ATT&CK framework for understanding adversary behavior.
Windows vs Linux vs Mac: Windows endpoints are highest risk and generate most alerts. Linux servers need EDR too but generate less noise. Mac endpoints growing in enterprise. Mobile (iOS/Android) requires separate SKU for most vendors. Virtual desktops (VDI) may have special licensing (per-pool vs per-seat).
CPU/RAM overhead: EDR agents consume 2-5% CPU and 200-500MB RAM. SentinelOne and CrowdStrike are lightest (~3% CPU). Carbon Black and Trend Micro heavier (~5-7% CPU). Test performance impact in your environment before deployment. High-performance servers may need tuning.
Investigation timelines: Most EDR platforms include 30-90 days hot storage. Extended retention (6-12 months) requires add-on licenses or SIEM integration. Budget $5-10/endpoint/year for extended retention. Critical for forensics and compliance (PCI, HIPAA require 90+ days).
MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations: CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender consistently score 95%+ detection with low false positives. Check latest MITRE results (published annually). Pay attention to: Detection coverage, Analytic coverage, Telemetry quality, and Delay in detection.
Manual vs Automated: Basic EDR = detection + manual response. Advanced EDR = automated containment (isolate endpoint, kill process, quarantine file). "Complete" EDR = automated response + rollback + remediation. Automated response typically costs 1.5-2x base EDR pricing.
SIEM/SOAR integration: EDR must integrate with your SIEM (Splunk, QRadar, Sentinel) for centralized alerting. API quality matters - CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, and Microsoft have excellent APIs. Carbon Black and Trend Micro less mature. Check threat intel feed quality (some vendors share indicators, others don't).
EDR generates 10-100x more alerts than antivirus. A 5,000-endpoint deployment generates 500-2,000 alerts/month. Budget 1 FTE per 2,500-5,000 endpoints for L1 triage, or plan for MDR service to handle alert triage and response.
80% of ransomware targets servers, not workstations. Servers have highest value data and are primary lateral movement targets. Don't skip EDR on servers to save money - that's where the real risk is. Linux servers need EDR too (many orgs forget this).
EDR can bring critical servers to their knees if not tuned properly. Always pilot on 10-20% of fleet first. Test high-I/O servers (databases, file servers) separately. SQL Server with EDR scanning every query can slow 20-30%. Tune exclusions before full rollout.
Base EDR is just detection. "Pro" tiers add response, "Complete" adds automation. Some vendors charge 2-3x for response features. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 includes response in base price. SentinelOne and CrowdStrike charge extra. Budget accordingly.
BYOD and mobile devices need protection too, but most EDR vendors charge separately for iOS/Android. Mobile EDR licenses cost $15-30/device/year on top of desktop licenses. Some orgs have more mobile devices than laptops now - don't forget to budget for this.
Configure your endpoint environment to get instant vendor recommendations with pricing
Workstations + Servers + VDI sessions
Servers require more intensive monitoring
OS mix affects vendor pricing and detection efficacy
Hot searchable endpoint telemetry (not archive)
Advanced response capabilities typically cost 1.5-2x base price
Lower CPU overhead may reduce detection efficacy
Configure your environment parameters and click Calculate to see personalized EDR vendor recommendations with Q3 2025 pricing.
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