Comparison · Updated October 2026 · We design, deploy and support both
Bitdefender GravityZone vs Microsoft Defender for Business:which is right for your business?
A side-by-side look at price, protection, servers, consoles and day-to-day admin for companies in Oman, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Compare for your team
Three quick questions, then your details.
The short answer
Bitdefender GravityZone vs Microsoft Defender for Business comes down to your platform.
Defender for Business covers up to five devices per user and is already in Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Copilot. GravityZone suits mixed or non-Microsoft estates, many servers, or firms wanting an on-premise console. Gulf Infotech deploys and supports both across the Middle East.
What we compared
- Microsoft Defender for Business
Microsoft Defender for Business
Compared on this page
Bitdefender GravityZone
Compared on this page
Kaspersky Next
Compared on this page
Disclosure
Gulf Infotech is a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work and deploys and supports Bitdefender. We are vendor-neutral: we deploy and support both, and recommend the one that fits.
Verdict
The short verdict
Choose Microsoft Defender for Business
If you run Microsoft 365, have up to 300 users, and want EDR at a low per-user price managed from the same portal as your email and devices. If you already pay for Business Premium, you already own it.
Learn more: Bitdefender GravityZone for businessChoose Bitdefender GravityZone
If you have many servers or Linux machines, are not on Microsoft 365, want a console on your own server, or want managed detection (MDR) from the vendor.
Learn more: Bitdefender GravityZone for businessPick one per device
Each laptop runs one full endpoint product; if you own both, we decide which one each device group keeps.
Book an endpoint security review: Book an endpoint security review
Side by side
How do Bitdefender and Microsoft Defender compare on price?
| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Business |  Bitdefender GravityZone |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing unit | Microsoft Defender for BusinessPer user, up to 5 devices per user | Bitdefender GravityZonePer device |
| Price | Microsoft Defender for BusinessQuoted per user, or included in Business Premium with Copilot | Bitdefender GravityZoneQuoted per device and package |
| Included in another plan | Microsoft Defender for BusinessYes, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, with or without the Copilot add-on (Business Premium with Copilot $32.00, the more cost-effective way to add Copilot)Yes, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, with or without the Copilot add-on (Business Premium with Copilot OMR 12.416, the more cost-effective way to add Copilot)Yes, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, with or without the Copilot add-on (Business Premium with Copilot AED 117.76, the more cost-effective way to add Copilot)Yes, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, with or without the Copilot add-on (Business Premium with Copilot QAR 116.48, the more cost-effective way to add Copilot)Yes, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, with or without the Copilot add-on (Business Premium with Copilot SAR 120.00, the more cost-effective way to add Copilot) | Bitdefender GravityZoneNo |
| Servers | Microsoft Defender for BusinessWindows and Linux servers need an extra licence (Defender for Business servers add-on, $3.00 per server per month, up to 60 servers)Windows and Linux servers need an extra licence (Defender for Business servers add-on, OMR 1.164 per server per month, up to 60 servers)Windows and Linux servers need an extra licence (Defender for Business servers add-on, AED 11.04 per server per month, up to 60 servers)Windows and Linux servers need an extra licence (Defender for Business servers add-on, QAR 10.92 per server per month, up to 60 servers)Windows and Linux servers need an extra licence (Defender for Business servers add-on, SAR 11.25 per server per month, up to 60 servers) | Bitdefender GravityZoneIncluded in the device count; packages include file servers up to set limits |
| User or company limit | Microsoft Defender for BusinessUp to 300 users | Bitdefender GravityZoneNo user cap; online purchase up to 100 devices, larger by quote |
Converted from the USD list prices at 1 USD = 0.388 OMR · 3.68 AED · 3.64 QAR · 3.75 SAR, for reference. VAT is extra where it applies.
Converted from the USD list prices at 1 USD = 0.388 OMR · 3.68 AED · 3.64 QAR · 3.75 SAR, for reference. VAT is extra where it applies.
Converted from the USD list prices at 1 USD = 0.388 OMR · 3.68 AED · 3.64 QAR · 3.75 SAR, for reference. VAT is extra where it applies.
Converted from the USD list prices at 1 USD = 0.388 OMR · 3.68 AED · 3.64 QAR · 3.75 SAR, for reference. VAT is extra where it applies.
Prices as of October 2026 · per user per month, billed annually (annual upfront commitment) · exclude VAT (Oman and UAE 5%, Saudi Arabia 15%, Bahrain 10%, Qatar and Kuwait none). Both products are quoted for your requirement; a 25-user firm with laptops and phones is covered for up to 125 devices on Defender for Business.
Takeaway:for user-heavy offices with several devices per person, Defender's per-user model is hard to beat on price. For server-heavy or device-heavy estates with few named users, per-device GravityZone pricing can work out better.
Side by side
How do features, servers and management compare?
| Feature | Microsoft Defender for Business | Bitdefender GravityZone |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Microsoft Defender for BusinessNext-generation antivirus, attack surface reduction, firewall and antivirus settings for Windows | Bitdefender GravityZoneEndpoint protection, Network Attack Defense, ransomware mitigation, web and content control |
| EDR | Microsoft Defender for BusinessIncluded (optimised for small businesses) | Bitdefender GravityZoneFrom Business Security Enterprise |
| Automated response | Microsoft Defender for BusinessAutomated investigation and remediation, automatic attack disruption | Bitdefender GravityZoneDepends on package |
| XDR | Microsoft Defender for BusinessNot listed for Defender for Business | Bitdefender GravityZoneDefense XDR package |
| Managed detection (MDR) | Microsoft Defender for BusinessNot included | Bitdefender GravityZoneMDR PLUS package |
| Vulnerability or risk management | Microsoft Defender for BusinessCore vulnerability management | Bitdefender GravityZoneRisk Management, from Business Security |
| Patch management | Microsoft Defender for BusinessNot listed | Bitdefender GravityZoneAdd-on |
| Disk encryption | Microsoft Defender for BusinessNot listed | Bitdefender GravityZoneAdd-on (full disk encryption) |
| Operating systems | Microsoft Defender for BusinessWindows, macOS, iOS, Android; servers with add-on | Bitdefender GravityZoneWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS |
| Console | Microsoft Defender for BusinessCloud only (Microsoft Defender portal) | Bitdefender GravityZoneCloud or on-premise virtual appliance |
| Works with | Microsoft Defender for BusinessMicrosoft 365 and Intune, or standalone | Bitdefender GravityZonePlatform-neutral |
Strengths
It is the cheapest serious EDR for Microsoft 365 companies, and for Business Premium customers it costs nothing extra. It plugs straight into Intune for device policies and into the Microsoft Defender portal alongside email alerts from Defender for Office 365. Automated investigation and remediation and automatic attack disruption act on common attacks without waiting for an admin. For a 20 to 150 user office on Microsoft 365, it is usually our first recommendation.
Microsoft Defender for Business- Licensing unitPer user, up to 5 devices per user
- PriceQuoted per user, or included in Business Premium with Copilot
- Included in another planYes, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, with or without the Copilot add-on (Business Premium with Copilot $32.00, the more cost-effective way to add Copilot)
In detail
Where does Bitdefender GravityZone win?
GravityZone is platform-neutral, so it fits companies on Google Workspace, mixed Windows, macOS and Linux estates, and server rooms with more machines than users. You can run the console on your own server as a virtual appliance, which some regulated firms require. Its packages scale up to XDR and to MDR PLUS, where Bitdefender's own team watches your alerts, which helps when you have no one to do it in-house. Patch management and full disk encryption add-ons keep endpoint tasks in one console.
Side by side
What about Kaspersky?
We design, deploy and support Kaspersky too, and many GCC companies still run it. The main differences for buyers in 2026:
| Feature | Bitdefender GravityZone | Microsoft Defender for Business | Kaspersky Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictions to check | Bitdefender GravityZoneNone known to us | Microsoft Defender for BusinessNone known to us | Kaspersky NextBanned for US customers since 2024; German BSI warning (2022) |
| Console | Bitdefender GravityZoneCloud or on-premise | Microsoft Defender for BusinessCloud | Kaspersky NextCloud or on-premise (Kaspersky Security Center) |
| Best for | Bitdefender GravityZoneMixed and server-heavy estates | Microsoft Defender for BusinessMicrosoft 365 companies | Kaspersky NextExisting Kaspersky estates without group or customer restrictions |
See Kaspersky Endpoint Security for business for the details.
In detail
How hard is it to switch?
Switching endpoint products is typically a few days of work for a small office, done in batches. We inventory devices, deploy the new agent to a pilot group, remove the old product, then roll out to everyone and confirm each device reports in. Moving to Defender is simplest when devices are already enrolled in Intune. Moving to GravityZone needs a console set up first. Time it before your current licence expires so you do not pay twice for long. These durations are estimates: they depend on your number of users, the complexity, your current setup, the requirements of the new platform and the availability of your team and decision-makers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Defender for Business good enough for a small business?
For most small businesses on Microsoft 365, yes. It includes next-generation antivirus, EDR, automated investigation and remediation and automatic attack disruption, built from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Included in Business Premium with Copilot, or quoted on its own, it is good value. Choose GravityZone instead if you have many servers or are not on Microsoft 365.
Is Bitdefender better than Microsoft Defender?
Neither is better for everyone. Bitdefender GravityZone is stronger when you need an on-premise console, Linux coverage without extra licences, or managed detection from the vendor. Microsoft Defender for Business is stronger value for Microsoft 365 companies and is managed in the same portal as email security. We pick based on your platform, servers and who will watch the alerts.
Can we use Bitdefender with Microsoft 365?
Yes. Bitdefender protects the devices, and Microsoft 365 handles email and files, so they work side by side. If you pay for Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you already own Defender for Business, so running Bitdefender as well means paying twice for endpoint protection. We check whether the extra features justify that before you renew.
Does Microsoft Defender for Business protect servers?
Yes, with extra licences. Defender for Business covers Windows and macOS laptops and desktops plus iOS and Android devices, up to five per user. Windows and Linux servers need the Defender for Business servers add-on, which Microsoft lists at $3.00 per server per month for up to 60 servers, and we supply it in every country. GravityZone includes servers in its device count, which is why server-heavy companies often find Bitdefender simpler to license.
Which is cheaper for a 50-person company?
Usually Microsoft Defender for Business. It covers up to five devices per user, so 50 users cover up to 250 devices, and it is already included if you buy Business Premium with Copilot. Both are quoted for your requirement: Defender per user, Bitdefender per device, so compare once you count laptops, phones and servers.
Bitdefender or Kaspersky?
For a new purchase we usually recommend Bitdefender or Microsoft Defender, because Kaspersky is banned for US customers and was the subject of a German government warning. If you already run Kaspersky and no parent company, customer or regulator restricts it, renewing is a valid business choice. We support all three.
Not sure which one fits?
Tell us your user count, devices, servers and whether you use Microsoft 365, and we will recommend one and send a quote.
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