Best EDR for Small Business 2026
EDR does not have to be expensive. For SMBs under 100 endpoints, the right choices start at $4.50 per device per month. Here are the three best options with honest assessments.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1
Already paying for M365? You likely have this. Activate it in Microsoft Intune. Strong NGAV + attack surface reduction with zero additional licence cost.
Plan 1 is NGAV, not full EDR. Full EDR (Plan 2) requires M365 E5 or E5 Security add-on.
Sophos Intercept X Advanced
Designed for non-specialists. Sophos Central console is the easiest management interface in the EDR market. Deep learning engine provides strong detection. Add Sophos MDR later if you need managed coverage.
Threat intelligence less deep than CrowdStrike. No autonomous rollback on macOS (Windows only).
SentinelOne Singularity Core
Autonomous response (STAR) automatically rolls back ransomware and kills malicious processes without analyst action. Best for SMBs that cannot respond to alerts quickly. One-click remediation.
Slightly steeper management learning curve than Sophos. Minimum purchase requirements may apply through resellers.
Annual EDR Cost for Small Businesses
| Platform | 10 devices | 25 devices | 50 devices | 100 devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender P1 (in M365 BP) | $2,640/yr | $6,600/yr | $13,200/yr | $26,400/yr |
| Sophos Intercept X Advanced | $540/yr | $1,350/yr | $2,700/yr | $5,400/yr |
| SentinelOne Core | $720/yr | $1,800/yr | $3,600/yr | $7,200/yr |
| Microsoft Defender P2 (standalone) | $624/yr | $1,560/yr | $3,120/yr | $6,240/yr |
| CrowdStrike Falcon Pro | $1,000/yr | $2,500/yr | $5,000/yr | $9,999/yr |
M365 Business Premium includes email, Teams, Office apps and EDR Plan 1 — not just EDR. Compare total value when evaluating.
Small Business EDR FAQ
What is the best EDR for a small business with under 50 endpoints?
For small businesses with under 50 endpoints, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 (included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at $22/user/month) is the most cost-effective starting point. If you already pay for M365 Business Premium, you have NGAV and attack surface reduction at no extra cost. For full EDR capabilities, Sophos Intercept X Advanced at approximately $4.50/device/month provides the best balance of protection and operational simplicity for SMBs. SentinelOne Core (~$6/device/month) is a strong alternative if autonomous response is a priority, though it requires slightly more security expertise to operate.
Is EDR affordable for a business with 10-25 employees?
Yes. For a 25-employee business with 25 endpoints, Sophos Intercept X Advanced costs approximately $1,350 per year ($54/device/year). Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 costs $1,560 per year ($62.40/user/year) standalone, or is included free in Microsoft 365 E5 Security. SentinelOne Core costs approximately $1,800 per year ($72/device/year). These are fully viable budget lines for small businesses. The misconception that EDR is enterprise-only comes from the pricing of premium platforms like CrowdStrike, which is genuinely expensive at under 100 endpoints.
Do small businesses actually need EDR or is antivirus sufficient?
Small businesses are actively targeted in 2026 - they represent easier targets than enterprises but often hold valuable data (customer records, financial information, intellectual property). Ransomware attacks on businesses under 250 employees increased significantly between 2022 and 2025. Traditional antivirus does not detect fileless malware, ransomware that disables AV before executing, or supply chain attacks. If you hold customer data, employee records, or are subject to any compliance requirement (GDPR, PCI, HIPAA), EDR or at minimum NGAV is necessary. The cost is typically less than one hour of business disruption from a ransomware incident.
Can a small business manage EDR without a dedicated security team?
Yes, with the right platform. Sophos Intercept X is designed for management by IT generalists rather than security specialists. SentinelOne's autonomous response (STAR) handles most incidents automatically without analyst intervention. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint integrates with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft 365 Defender, which most IT administrators already have some familiarity with. If your business has no security expertise at all, consider Sophos MDR Complete ($11-15/endpoint/month) or a managed IT provider who includes EDR management in their service package. The managed option is often more cost-effective than the incident response bill after a breach.