We analyzed top DLP software based on around 20 features. With the results of our benchmark testing, here is the top 9 endpoint protection software and their capabilities:
Top 9 endpoint protection software comparison
Features
| Product | Data obfuscation | File shadowing | Sandboxing |
|---|---|---|---|
Trellix Endpoint Security (ENS) | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
ThreatDown Endpoint Protection | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
WeBroot Endpoint Protection | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
FortiClient | integrated | ❌ | ✅ |
Sophos Intercept X: Next-Gen Endpoint | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
SentinelOne Singularity Platform Enterprise | integrated | ✅ | integrated |
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | ✅ | ✅ | integrated |
CylanceEndpoint by BlackBerry | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Symantec Endpoint Security Complete | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Review, ratings, and prices
| Product | Total number of reviews* | Average score* | Number of employees** |
|---|---|---|---|
Trellix Endpoint Security (ENS) | 3,591 | 4.3 | 5,000 |
ThreatDown Endpoint Protection | 1,613 | 4.3 | 719 |
WeBroot Endpoint Protection | 532 | 4.4 | 276 |
FortiClient | 485 | 4.3 | 14,229 |
Sophos Intercept X: Next-Gen Endpoint | 480 | 4.5 | 4,686 |
SentinelOne Singularity Platform Enterprise | 226 | 4.8 | 2,622 |
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | 213 | 4.4 | 244,900 |
CylanceEndpoint by BlackBerry | 156 | 4.4 | 2,969 |
Symantec Endpoint Security Complete | 25 | 4.3 | 13,212 |
* Based on the total number of reviews and average ratings (on a 5-point scale) from Gartner, G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius software review platforms as of March 13, 2024.
** Other licensing terms, such as the minimum quantity of licenses needed, are not taken into account; features and prices are in accordance with the selected tiers/packages: The price for
- ThreatDown Endpoint Protection Ultimate (with mobile security add-on) is for 5 devices annually.
- WeBroot Endpoint Protection is for 5 devices and an annual subscription.
See the definitions for common and differentiating features.
Here is a comparison of prices & packages of DLP tools.
Top 9 endpoint protection software analyzed
This section provides a user-reviewed product analysis with a focus on endpoint protection software solutions from sites such as G2, Gartner, Capterra, and TrustRadius. Pros and cons from user reviews are only chosen if several users bring up the same issue.
1. Trellix Endpoint Security (ENS)
Trellix provides data, network, and email security to its clients, in addition to extended endpoint detection and security (XDR). The CEO of the company at present is Bryan Palma, who serves as COO and president of BlackBerry.
Pros
- Integration: Reviewers claim the product is well integrated with 3rd party applications.1
- Advanced threat detection capabilities
Cons
- Utilization of system resources: Though the software offers comprehensive endpoint protection, it is found to be resource intensive by multiple reviewers.2
- Complex setup, requiring expert configuration
Source: Gartner
2. ThreatDown Endpoint Protection
Malwarebytes established TreatDown, a brand of IT security solutions. It provides endpoint security-focused IT security solutions.
Pros
- Ease of use: Most of the users find the software easy to implement.
- Advanced malware protection
Cons
- Customer support: Multiple reviewers mention that support could be better because it takes time to get a response from it.
- Limited reporting features
Source: G2
3. WeBroot Endpoint Protection
Webroot was founded in 2007. It produces security solutions for endpoints and e-mails, as well as DNS protection.
Pros
- Utilization of system resources: The program is claimed to be found lightweight in comparison to other products in the market.
Cons
- User experience: Widgets on the management console are claimed to lack reliability.
- Limited advanced security features compared to competitors
Source: G2
4. FortiClient by Fortinet
Fortinet was founded in 2002 by brothers Ken Xie and Michael Xie in California, United States. The company delivers its customers IT security solutions focused on network and endpoint protection.
Pros
- Compatibility and integration: The program is claimed to offer good functionality with other operating systems and with other applications found in the Fortinet portfolio.
Cons
- Updates: Multiple reviewers mention that updates can upset the workflow.
- Lacks reporting tools
5. Sophos Intercept X: Next-Gen Endpoint
Sophos Intercept X is a Santa Fe-based product from Line-Securesoft that focuses on endpoint security and threat intelligence.
Pros
- Web protection: Most of the reviewers praise the software’s web protection capabilities.
- Comprehensive EDR capabilities
Cons
- Training: Multiple user reviews mention that the software asks for a steep learning curve.
- Can be resource-intensive on some systems
Source: G2
6. SentinelOne Singularity Platform Enterprise
SentinelOne was founded in 2013 in California, United States. The cofounder and CEO of the company is Tomer Weingarten. The company has products directed at endpoint security solutions in its portfolio.
Pros
- Behavior based analytics: This feature has been praised by multiple reviewers.
- AI-powered security automation
Cons
- False positives: Many reviewers dislike the occurrence of false positives.
- High cost, making it less suitable for smaller businesses
Source: Gartner
7. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in New Mexico, United States. Applications like Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Purview, as well as hardware like HoloLens, are produced by the technology collaboration.
Pros
- EDR & deployment: The cloud-based deployment of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and its EDR capabilities have been appreciated by many reviewers.
- Seamless integration with Windows systems
Cons
- Reporting: The reporting feature is found to be uncustomizable and confusing by some reviewers.
Source: G2
8.CylanceEndpoint by BlackBerry
Cylance Inc. was established in California, United States, and was later acquired by mobile phone producer BlackBerry. The company offers its customers cybersecurity solutions.
Pros
- Antivirus (AV) system: The antivirus functionality of the software has been found satisfactory by multiple reviewers.
- Strong malware detection capabilities
Cons
- Policy management: The configuration and deployment of policies are found to be cumbersome for multiple reviewers.
Source: Gartner
9. Symantec Endpoint Security Complete
Broadcom, Inc. is the owner of the Symantec brand, which offers a variety of hardware and software options. Cybersecurity products for server and endpoint security are available under the Symantec brand.
Pros
- Firewall & scalability: Users express content with the product’s firewall capabilities, such that they claim network security is intact. Also, the software is found to be easy to scale up based on the number of users.
Cons
- Utilization of system resources: Despite providing thorough endpoint protection, the program is found to be resource-intensive by several reviewers.
- Difficult initial setup
Source: TrustRadius
How we evaluate endpoint protection software
To assess endpoint protection solutions, we use a structured approach:
- Defining requirements: Understanding business needs and compliance requirements.
- Researching options: Analyzing vendor credibility and feature sets.
- Testing in a sandbox: Deploying in controlled environments to test security effectiveness.
- Usability & compatibility testing: Ensuring smooth integration with existing systems.
- Security benchmarking: Comparing software performance against industry standards.
- Real-world testing: Simulating cyberattacks to measure response effectiveness.
- Gathering user feedback: Collecting insights from IT teams and security professionals.
By following these steps, we ensure that the recommended endpoint protection solutions provide comprehensive security for modern businesses.
Common features of endpoint protection software
- Antivirus & anti-malware: Detects and removes threats such as ransomware, Trojans, and worms.
- Firewall protection: Monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic.
- Endpoint security & response (EDR): Provides real-time monitoring and analysis.
- Web 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.
- Data Encryption: Secures sensitive data from unauthorized access.
- Policy management: Defines security rules for endpoint usage.
- Central management console: Provides an interface for IT administrators to monitor security across all devices.
Differentiating features of endpoint protection software
Below are some additional features that a group of selected endpoint security solutions offers or integrates with.
- Data obfuscation, also called data masking, makes sensitive data indiscernible to unauthorized users and endpoints while authorized users can still read it. This helps prevent vulnerable data, such as personal information (PI), from spreading.
- File shadowing allows to store data that is uploaded, transferred, written, or, more generally, interacted with at a point in time by endpoints. The volume of data that is duplicated helps to collect information about user behavior.
- Sandboxing lets IT professionals run and test applications in an isolated environment so that resources stay unaffected and safe. Sandboxing regarding endpoint protection software helps to point security holes by testing and mimicking potential endpoint behavior.
FAQ
1. What counts as an endpoint?
The term endpoint includes not just gadgets but all exit points of data. E-mails, storage devices such as USBs and HDDs, computers, mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, and smart watches, and more generally, IoT devices capable of sending and receiving data are examples of endpoints.
2. Are endpoint security and antivirus the same?
Antivirus software is an important component of endpoint security. Endpoint security software encompasses a broader set of tools and techniques aimed at protecting endpoints from a wider range of threats.
Antivirus software uses signature-based and specifically focuses on identifying, preventing, and removing malicious software (such as viruses, worms, trojans, etc.) from individual devices (endpoints), such as computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
Endpoint security, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses a range of security measures designed to protect endpoints within a network from various types of security threats. For more: Endpoint Security vs. Antivirus: What To Choose?
3. What is the difference between endpoint management and endpoint security?
The two approaches differ in purpose and activities. While the software market for endpoint management and security does offer overlapping features, endpoint management software and endpoint security are different, as portrayed below.
Purpose
Endpoint management: Focus on managing endpoints by making use of administrative tools such that all endpoints are working intact in a secure environment.
Endpoint security: Focus on the security of endpoints such that endpoints are adversely affected by malicious software, insider threats, and data leakage.
Activities
Endpoint management: Endpoint management involves tasks such as software deployment, patch management, inventory tracking, remote troubleshooting, configuration management, and policy enforcement. For more: Top 10 Endpoint Management Software Based on 12K+ Reviews
Endpoint security: Endpoint security involves implementing various security measures and controls, including antivirus software, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, encryption, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and security policies. For more: main components of enpoint protection solutions
Overlapping features
Endpoint management software may include endpoint security software as inherently or excluding. Because endpoint management aims at managing endpoints and their sustainability in terms of their security, most endpoint management solutions on the market offer joint products.
4. What is the difference between endpoint security and a firewall?
Endpoint security focuses on protecting individual devices from security threats, while a firewall focuses on controlling and monitoring network traffic to protect the network infrastructure as a whole. Both are essential components of a layered cybersecurity strategy designed to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats.
External Links
- 1. “Industry best “. Capterra. Accessed: 15/March/2024.
- 2. “Good Endpoint Protection “. Gartner. Accessed: 15/March/2024.
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