{"question": "best endpoint protection software for small businesses", "category": "endpoint-protection-software", "category_name": "endpoint protection software", "audience": "small-businesses", "audience_name": "small businesses", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-10-05T21:45:18Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/endpoint-protection-software-small-businesses-2026-10-05", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/endpoint-protection-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "Bitdefender GravityZone", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Huntress", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Huntress Managed EDR", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Microsoft", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "Microsoft 365", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "Microsoft Defender", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Defender", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Plan 1", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Plan 2", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Microsoft 365 Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Microsoft 365 Business Premium", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Sophos Intercept X", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Sophos Intercept X Essentials", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 14, "brand": "ESET PROTECT", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 15, "brand": "ESET PROTECT Entry", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 16, "brand": "SentinelOne Singularity", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 17, "brand": "CrowdStrike", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 18, "brand": "CrowdStrike Falcon", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 19, "brand": "CrowdStrike Falcon Go", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 20, "brand": "Falcon Go", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://av-comparatives.org/tests/business-security-test-2026-march-june", "domain": "av-comparatives.org", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.capterra.com/endpoint-protection-software/s/small-businesses/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://capterra.com/p/229839/Huntress/", "domain": "capterra.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://en.prnasia.com/releases/apac/independent-testing-shows-which-business-security-products-actually-hold-up-when-it-matters-540761.shtml", "domain": "en.prnasia.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.peerspot.com/products/huntress-pros-and-cons", "domain": "peerspot.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.costbench.com/software/endpoint-security/bitdefender/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/software/endpoint-security/huntress/", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://costbench.com/best/endpoint-security-for-small-business", "domain": "costbench.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "## My short list\n\n**1. Bitdefender GravityZone (Small Business Security / Business Security Premium)** - My default recommendation for most small businesses. It consistently sits at or near the top of independent detection tests, the agent is light on older hardware, and it's the cheapest credible option per device - entry pricing is reportedly around $57/device/year for up to 30 endpoints. Single cloud console, no security analyst required to run it.\n\n**2. Huntress Managed EDR** - The one I'd name first if you have *no* IT security person, which describes most small businesses. It's a lightweight agent plus a real 24/7 human SOC that investigates and writes up alerts in plain English, and it also monitors Microsoft 365 for account takeover - the attack that actually hits companies your size. ~$9/endpoint/month direct, cheaper through an MSP. Caveat: direct purchase has been subject to a ~50-endpoint minimum, so under that you'd buy it via a managed IT provider. Rated 4.8/5 across ~889 Capterra reviews.\n\n**3. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 1/Plan 2** - If you're already on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you have P1 included; stop shopping and turn it on properly. Zero extra ", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}