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Best EDR for Small Business 2026 - Affordable Endpoint Protection That Works
Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, but most EDR pricing guides focus on enterprise deployments with thousands of endpoints. This guide is specifically for organizations with under 100 endpoints that need real protection without enterprise budgets. We rank the most affordable EDR options, explain which features actually matter at small scale, and help you choose the right solution for your budget and risk profile.
Budget EDR Options Ranked by Cost
| Solution | Cost (50 endpoints) | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender for Business | $0-$1,800/yr* | EDR (basic) | M365 Business Premium users |
| Bitdefender GravityZone | ~$1,000/yr | EPP + EDR | Budget-conscious, Windows-heavy |
| Sophos Intercept X | ~$1,850/yr | EPP + EDR | Mixed environments, MSP-managed |
| Huntress | ~$1,800/yr | Managed EDR | No security staff, want monitoring |
| CrowdStrike Falcon Go | ~$3,000/yr | EDR (premium) | Premium protection, max 100 devices |
* Microsoft Defender for Business is $0 additional if included with M365 Business Premium ($22/user/month). Standalone is $3/user/month ($1,800/year for 50 users).
Why Small Businesses Need EDR in 2026
The days when cybercriminals only targeted large enterprises are over. 43% of cyberattacks now target small businesses, and ransomware attacks on SMBs have increased 150% since 2022. Attackers know that small businesses often have weaker security controls and are more likely to pay ransoms because they cannot afford extended downtime. The average cost of a small business data breach ranges from $120,000 to $200,000 - a devastating blow that many small businesses never recover from.
Beyond the direct threat, cyber insurance providers now require EDR as a minimum control for policy approval. Without EDR, you may face insurance denial, premium increases of 20-50%, or ransomware coverage exclusions. For most small businesses, the $1,000-$3,000 annual cost of EDR is negligible compared to the potential financial impact of a security incident. See our EDR for Cyber Insurance guide for specific insurer requirements.
Free and Open-Source Options
If your budget is truly zero, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into every Windows installation for free - but this is basic antivirus, not EDR. For free EDR-like capabilities, Wazuh is an open-source security monitoring platform that provides file integrity monitoring, threat detection, and compliance reporting. However, Wazuh requires significant technical expertise to deploy, configure, and maintain. For most small businesses without dedicated IT staff, the time investment in managing Wazuh exceeds the cost of a commercial EDR subscription.
Use our EDR Cost Calculator to estimate costs for your specific endpoint count and see how different vendors compare at small business scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best EDR for small business?
For budget-conscious small businesses, Bitdefender GravityZone ($20/endpoint/year) and Sophos Intercept X ($28/endpoint/year) offer the best value. If you already have Microsoft 365, Defender for Endpoint may be included in your license. For small businesses wanting managed detection without in-house security staff, Huntress provides affordable MDR starting around $3/endpoint/month.
How much should a small business spend on EDR?
A small business with 50 endpoints should budget $1,000-$5,000/year for EDR. At the low end, Bitdefender GravityZone costs about $1,000/year for 50 endpoints. At the mid-range, Sophos Intercept X costs about $1,850/year. CrowdStrike Falcon Go is $3,000/year. Factor in $2,000-$5,000 for initial implementation if you need professional help deploying.
Does a small business really need EDR?
Yes, increasingly. 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. Ransomware attacks on small businesses have increased 150% since 2022. Cyber insurance providers now require EDR for policy approval. The average cost of a small business data breach is $120,000-$200,000 - many cannot survive that. EDR at $1,000-$3,000/year is a small price for business continuity.
Is Microsoft Defender free for small business?
Microsoft Defender for Business is included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium ($22/user/month). If you already pay for Business Premium, you have basic EDR at no additional cost. The free Microsoft Defender Antivirus built into Windows is NOT the same - it is basic antivirus without EDR capabilities. Standalone Defender for Business costs $3/user/month if purchased separately.
What is the cheapest EDR solution?
The cheapest commercial EDR is Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security at approximately $20/endpoint/year. The cheapest option overall is Microsoft Defender for Business if you already have M365 Business Premium (included). For free open-source options, Wazuh provides basic EDR-like capabilities but requires significant technical expertise to deploy and manage.