1. What is endpoint security software?

Endpoint security software protects devices connected to a network from cyber threats. This includes computers, servers, mobile devices, and IoT equipment. The software monitors device activity, blocks malicious actions, and prevents unauthorized data transfers.

2. How does endpoint security differ from antivirus?

Antivirus software focuses on detecting and removing malware using signature matching. Endpoint security includes antivirus capabilities and additional controls such as device control, data loss prevention, firewall management, and application control. Modern endpoint security platforms also provide EDR capabilities to investigate and respond to security incidents.

3. What is EDR, and why is it important?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) provides continuous monitoring and recording of endpoint activity. Security teams use EDR to investigate security incidents, understand attack methods, and respond to threats. EDR tools collect telemetry data from endpoints, analyze it for suspicious behavior, and provide forensic capabilities for incident response.

4. Can endpoint security software prevent ransomware?

Endpoint security platforms use multiple techniques to prevent ransomware, including behavioral analysis to detect encryption activity, blocking suspicious processes, and monitoring network traffic. Some solutions include automated rollback capabilities that restore encrypted files to their pre-attack state. However, no solution provides absolute protection, so organizations should combine endpoint security with backup systems and user training.

5. How does DLP work in endpoint security?

Data Loss Prevention monitors data as it moves across channels such as email, USB drives, cloud storage, and web browsers. The software scans content for sensitive information patterns (credit card numbers, social security numbers, custom data types) and applies policies that block, encrypt, or alert on unauthorized transfers. Organizations define what constitutes sensitive data and specify how it can be shared.

Cybersecurity Identity & Access Endpoint Management

Top 9 Endpoint Security Software in 2026

Cem Dilmegani

updated on Jan 30, 2026

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Endpoint security software secures devices such as computers, mobile phones, and servers against cyber threats. Organizations use these tools to prevent malware infections, block unauthorized access, and protect sensitive data across their networks.

We analyzed the top endpoint management and DLP software across approximately 20 features. With the results of our benchmark testing, here are the top 9 endpoint security software and their capabilities:

Endpoint security features

Product	OS support	Patch management	Network access control	Enforced encryption	AI threat hunting	Automated rollback
NinjaOne	Windows, macOS, Linux	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
CrowdStrike Falcon	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
SentinelOne Singularity	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅
Trellix Endpoint Security	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Sophos Intercept X	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
Trend Micro Apex One	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Kaspersky Endpoint Security	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌
Bitdefender GravityZone	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌

Customers have links and are placed at the top in lists without numerical criteria.

See the definitions for common and differentiating features.

Reviews & Ratings of top endpoint security software

Source: B2B review platforms

Analysis of vendors

1. NinjaOne

NinjaOne combines endpoint security with IT management tools in a unified platform. The solution targets MSPs and internal IT teams that need backup, patch management, and security monitoring in a single console.

Pros:

Users report that the unified dashboard reduces tool switching
Patch deployment automation receives positive feedback
The platform handles multiple client environments from one interface

Cons:

Multiple reviewers mention the learning curve for new users
Some users note that reporting customization options are limited
Setting up for complex environments requires time investment

Choose NinjaOne for complete endpoint security that saves time and reduces complexity.

2. CrowdStrike Falcon

CrowdStrike Falcon provides cloud-native endpoint security with AI-driven threat detection. The platform uses behavioral analysis to identify attacks without requiring signature updates.

Pros:

Users highlight the platform’s detection accuracy
The agent’s low resource footprint is mentioned frequently
Threat intelligence updates provide context for detected threats

Cons:

Several reviewers note that the pricing is high for smaller organizations
False positive tuning requires security expertise
Some users report that the interface has a steep learning curve

3. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is integrated with Windows systems and extends to macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Organizations using Microsoft 365 can manage endpoint security alongside other Microsoft services.

Pros:

Users with Microsoft ecosystems report seamless integration
The platform requires minimal additional infrastructure
EDR capabilities receive positive feedback from reviewers

Cons:

Multiple users find that reporting tools lack customization
Non-Windows device support is described as less comprehensive
Some reviewers mention that alert tuning takes time

4. SentinelOne Singularity

SentinelOne uses AI for autonomous threat detection and response. The platform can automatically isolate infected devices and roll back malicious changes without requiring human intervention.

Pros:

Users report that the automated response capabilities reduce incident response time
The rollback feature is frequently mentioned as valuable
Detection accuracy receives consistent positive feedback

Cons:

Multiple reviewers note that false positives require tuning
Pricing is described as high compared to alternatives
Some users report that the initial configuration is complex

5. Trellix Endpoint Security

Trellix provides endpoint security and integrates with network and email security products. The platform uses machine learning for threat detection and includes EDR capabilities.

Pros:

Users report that integration with other Trellix products works well
Threat detection capabilities receive positive feedback
The platform provides detailed forensic data for investigations

Cons:

Multiple reviewers mention that the software uses significant system resources
Setup and configuration require expertise
Some users note that the management console interface is dated

6. Sophos Intercept X

Sophos Intercept X combines traditional antivirus with EDR and ransomware protection. The platform includes deep learning and exploit-prevention capabilities.

Pros:

Users frequently mention the web protection capabilities
Ransomware rollback feature receives positive feedback

Cons:

Multiple users note that the learning curve is steep
Some reviewers report that the software can be resource-intensive
Several users mention policy management complexity

7. Trend Micro Apex One

Trend Micro Apex One provides endpoint security with EDR and user activity monitoring. The platform includes vulnerability scanning and patch management.

Pros:

Users report that the vulnerability scanning is thorough
Patch management capabilities receive positive feedback
The platform provides detailed reporting options

Cons:

Several reviewers note that the agent can impact system performance
Some users mention that the interface feels outdated
Initial deployment is described as complex by multiple reviewers

8. Kaspersky Endpoint Security

Kaspersky provides endpoint security with behavior-based detection and application control. The platform includes encryption and patch management capabilities.

Pros:

Users highlight the malware detection accuracy
Application control policies are described as flexible
The platform’s performance impact is reported as low

Cons:

Multiple reviewers note that reporting capabilities are limited
Some users report that policy deployment can be slow
Cloud management console features lag behind on-premise solutions

9. Bitdefender GravityZone

Bitdefender GravityZone uses machine learning for threat detection and includes risk analytics. The platform provides centralized management for physical, virtual, and cloud endpoints.

Pros:

Users report low false positive rates
The agent’s minimal performance impact is mentioned frequently
Detection accuracy receives consistent positive feedback

Cons:

Several reviewers note that the reporting interface could be improved
Some users report that the initial configuration is complex
Policy deployment to large numbers of endpoints can be slow

Common features of endpoint security software

Antivirus & anti-malware: Detects and removes threats, including ransomware, Trojans, and worms.
Firewall protection: Monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Endpoint security & response (EDR): Provides real-time monitoring and analysis.
Web filtering and protection: Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts.
Email security: Scans emails for threats like malware and phishing.
Device control: Prevents unauthorized USBs and external devices from accessing the system.
Policy management: Defines security rules for endpoint usage.
Central management console: Provides an interface for IT administrators to monitor security across all devices.
Reporting and compliance: Pre-built and custom reports for security posture assessment, incident tracking, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Multi-platform support: Protection for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices, though feature parity varies by vendor.

Differentiating features of endpoint security software

Below are some additional features that selected endpoint security solutions offer or integrate with.

Multi-Platform Operating System Support: While all modern endpoint security solutions support Windows, macOS, and Linux, comprehensive multi-platform support extends to mobile devices (iOS and Android) with feature parity across operating systems. Most vendors provide full protection for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, though Windows typically receives the most complete feature set. Some platforms, such as NinjaOne and Endpoint Protector, focus exclusively on desktop and server operating systems.
Integrated Patch Management: Some platforms integrate patch management directly into their security console, allowing organizations to identify, prioritize, and deploy updates alongside threat monitoring. This eliminates the need for separate patching tools and ensures vulnerabilities are remediated quickly, which is critical because unpatched systems remain a primary attack vector.
Network Access Control: Integration with network infrastructure enables platforms to automatically quarantine infected devices. Endpoints that fail security checks can be isolated from the network until remediation is complete.
Enforced Encryption: Certain solutions can mandate encryption for specific file types or storage devices. The endpoint agent encrypts data automatically before it leaves the device, ensuring protection even if the storage medium is lost or stolen.
AI-Powered Threat Hunting: Some platforms use artificial intelligence to proactively search for threats across the environment. This goes beyond automated detection by allowing security teams to query historical data and identify hidden threats.
Automated Rollback: A few platforms can reverse changes made by malware or ransomware attacks. The system restores affected files to their pre-infection state without requiring backup restoration.

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Principal Analyst

Cem Dilmegani

Principal Analyst

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Cem has been the principal analyst at AIMultiple since 2017. AIMultiple informs hundreds of thousands of businesses (as per similarWeb) including 55% of Fortune 500 every month.

Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE and NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and resources that referenced AIMultiple.

Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.

He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.

Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

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