Our Top Picks for 2024

CrowdStrike Falcon: Best overall

As the best overall, I recommend CrowdStrike Falcon. It’s a cloud-native solution that offers AI-powered protection, detection, and response capabilities across all attack surfaces in an organization. This includes endpoints, workloads, data, and identity, among others. As an endpoint detection and response solution, CrowdStrike excels with its Real Time Response system that grants users extensive visibility across an enterprise. This allows for commands that either collect essential security data or execute remediation actions to address threats.

SEE: The 8 Best Penetration Testing Tools for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Personally, I like how CrowdStrike has its own Charlotte AI generative AI assistant built into the platform. This enables personnel to create their own automated security workflows for faster response to events or threats. I also appreciate how the platform is designed for scalability and ease of management.

In terms of third-party assessments, CrowdStrike was named a Leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms. In addition, it was also recognized as a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Endpoint Security report for Q4 2023.

Why I chose CrowdStrike Falcon

I have CrowdStrike Falcon as my best overall due to its unified platform and approach to threat detection and remediation. It’s also on my list for being widely recognized, by both independent firms and real users, as a leader in the endpoint security space.

Pricing

This solution has plans for small business and enterprise use.

Small business

• Falcon Go: $4.99 per month per device.
• Falcon Pro: $8.33 per month per device.

Both require a minimum of five devices and a one-year contract.

Enterprise

• Falcon Pro: $8.33 per month per device.
• Falcon Enterprise: $15.42 per month per device.
• Falcon Elite: Contact sales for pricing.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint: Best for Microsoft environments

If your business primarily uses Microsoft software, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is my recommendation. It’s a cloud-powered EDR that brings automatic attack disruption against ransomware attacks; machine learning algorithms to detect threats or suspicious activity; and an extensive threat intelligence database that keeps up-to-date with emerging adversaries. Like CrowdStrike, MDE is a recognized EDR provider and was also named a Leader in the same 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant report for endpoint protection services.

SEE: Top 7 Cyber Threat Hunting Tools for 2024 (TechRepublic)

To me, it’s a clear pick for businesses interested in the Microsoft software suite since MDE is bundled with Microsoft’s 365 E5 software package.This includes almost all Microsoft Office programs, Power BI Pro, Microsoft Loop, and Visio.

Why I chose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

I chose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint because of its strong value for businesses already heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem or are planning to use Microsoft software.

Pricing

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint can be purchased via a Microsoft 365 enterprise plan. This bundle includes other services such as Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and Power BI, among others.

• Microsoft 365 E5 (no Teams) without Audio Conferencing: $54.75 per user per month.

Harmony Endpoint Protection: Best for comprehensive endpoint security

Formerly known as SandBlast Agent, Harmony EndPoint Protection is my pick for users who want a comprehensive endpoint protection solution. It automates tasks related to threat detection, investigation, and remediation and includes protection against ransomware, phishing, malware, and fileless attacks. Harmony also includes a unified agent for EPP, EDR, VPN, NGAV, data and web-browsing protection, as well as credential, behavioral, email, and URL protection.

SEE: The 6 Best Antivirus Software Options for Windows in 2024 (TechRepublic)

With six different Harmony Endpoint packages, I appreciate how it can cater to both small businesses and large enterprises. The solution is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux and can be run either on-premises, hybrid, or using a cloud service.

Why I chose Harmony Endpoint Protection

I picked Harmony Endpoint Protection due to its comprehensive approach to endpoint threat detection and remediation, which is ideal for any size business.

Pricing

This solution features three main subscription tiers: Basic, Advanced, and Complete. A 30-day free trial is available for up to 100 endpoints. For pricing information, contact the vendor.

Trellix Endpoint Security: Best for intelligence-led business protection

If threat intelligence is a priority, I suggest considering Trellix Endpoint Security. Known for its threat intelligence-driven approach, Trellix uses a combination of machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect and block threats. It employs dynamic machine learning, artificial intelligence, and multi-vector virtual execution for capturing and confirming zero-day and advanced threat variants. I especially commend how its XDR architecture is designed to adapt to the speed of threat actors and deliver advanced cyberthreat intelligence.

SEE: 6 Best Enterprise Antivirus Software Choices in 2024 (TechRepublic)

The solution also features Universal Access Control protections, host remediation, process tracking, and near real-time IoC capabilities. Trellix Endpoint Security is compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It’s available in multiple deployment options — as a standalone hardware appliance, a virtual appliance, or through cloud deployment.

Why I chose Trellix Endpoint Security

I chose Trellix Endpoint Security for its emphasis on intelligence-driven protection, which offers a more proactive defense than traditional endpoint security.

Pricing

Contact the vendor for a quote. A demo is also available on request.

Trend Micro Advanced Threat Protection: Best for port monitoring

Another solid solution I recommend is Trend Micro Advanced Threat Protection. Trend Micro provides real-time protection against advanced threats as well as helps enterprises carry out advanced sandbox analysis, threat sharing, and analytics. The solution includes its Deep Discovery Inspector, which monitors all ports and over 105 different network protocols to discover advanced threats.

SEE: 5 Best Endpoint Detection & Response Solutions for 2024 (TechRepublic)

To me, a noteworthy feature inclusion is Trend Micro’s Threat Sharing and Analytics, which enhance threat visibility and facilitate threat detection through standards-based sharing and event correlation. Trend Micro also features a managed XDR for alert monitoring, prioritization, threat investigation, and threat hunting. These features collectively provide comprehensive network protection, advanced sandbox analysis, and threat sharing and analytics.

Why I chose Trend Micro

Trend Micro Advanced Threat Protection marked its name on my list for its special attention to port monitoring across multiple network protocols.

Pricing

Trend Micro has four plans, and all offer a free 30-day trial period.

• Worry-free Service: Starts at $37.75 per year per user.
• Worry-free Service Advanced: Starts at $59.87 per year per user.
• XDR service: Contact the vendor for a quote.
• Co-managed XDR services: Contact the vendor for a quote.

Cortex XDR: Best for identity threat detection

For identity threat detection, I encourage users to check Palo Alto’s Cortex XDR. Cortex uses Next Gen Antivirus, host firewall, disk encryption, USB device control, and MITRE ATT&CK framework to ensure strong endpoint security. It analyzes data from various sources to prevent sophisticated attacks and is designed to keep devices safe whether they are online or offline.

With additional features like Zero Trust Network Access, Remote Browser Isolation, Data Center Security, and Intrusion Detection, Cortex XDR covers a wider spectrum of advanced threats — something I feel is essential in a modern ATP solution. Some of the threats include advanced malware, evasive threats, phishing, and IoT-based threats.

SEE: Why Your Business Needs Cybersecurity Awareness Training (TechRepublic Premium)

Enhanced by the eXtended Threat Hunting (XTH) data module, the platform helps security teams quickly detect and prevent threats. As an extra layer of security, its Cortex XSIAM and XDR have an identity threat detection and response module to prevent identity threats like hacked accounts and insider threats.

Why I chose Cortex XDR

I selected Cortex XDR because of its blend of identity threat detection, Next Gen Antivirus (NGAV), and advanced endpoint security. This helps it cover a wider range of attack surfaces for more comprehensive protection on sensitive data.

Pricing

Contact the vendor for a quote.

ESET Endpoint Security: Best for small and mid-sized businesses

For small to mid-sized businesses, ESET Endpoint Security is my top choice. Offered as a cloud-based and on-premises advanced security solution, ESET is designed to protect home and company PCs, file servers, and mobile devices from viruses, brute force attacks, and other attack vectors. Through a combination of cloud-powered threat hunting and machine learning, it prevents, detects, and automatically responds to malware threats.

As a recognized name in the world of advanced threat protection, ESET Endpoint Security includes a software firewall and a Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) that uses a predefined set of rules to identify and stop dubious activities. I personally like how it offers web access and email client protections to catch and block malicious downloads and harmful web pages.

Why I chose ESET

I chose ESET Endpoint Security for its multi-layered prevention-first approach to defense against ransomware, phishing, and email threats. It’s also easy to manage, which is ideal for small and mid-scale businesses.

Pricing

There are four main plans (Protection Tiers) and six add-ons (Additional Solutions), all billed annually. This pricing features their current discounted prices and their normal prices.

Sophos Intercept X: Best for new users

For newer users, I suggest Sophos Intercept X. It’s an AI and ML-powered ATP solution designed to halt a wide range of attacks. It utilizes web, application, and peripheral controls to minimize the attack surface and block common attack vectors. The software also features patented CryptoGuard technology, which detects and stops ransomware, including new variants and both local and remote ransomware attacks. Additionally, Intercept X enhances the basic protection available in Microsoft Windows by adding over 60 proprietary, pre-configured, and tuned exploit mitigations.

A highlight feature I found is Intercept X’s context-sensitive defenses that adapt in response to known and unknown threats. The solution also features Sophos Central, a cloud-based platform that makes it easy to set up and manage Sophos products. With recommended protection technologies enabled by default, new users can set things up without worrying about additional tuning.

Why I chose Sophos Intercept X

I picked Sophos Intercept X due to its recommendation engine, which enables users to utilize the solution out of the box and without the need for extensive technical configurations. This can prove highly beneficial to less experienced security professionals that are only starting to use advanced threat protection solutions.

Pricing

Sophos Intercept X comes with a 30-day free trial for its three plans: X Advanced, Advanced with XDR, and Advanced with MDR Complete. For specific pricing, contact the vendor for a quote.