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Top 10 Best Managed Antivirus Software of 2026

Discover the top 10 best managed antivirus software. Compare features, find the best fit, and secure your system now.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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Managed antivirus software is critical for defending against evolving threats, requiring integrated protection and proactive response capabilities. The tools below—spanning cloud-native, AI-driven, and SMB-focused solutions—represent the pinnacle of managed endpoint security, offering diverse yet robust protection to meet modern organizational needs.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: CrowdStrike Falcon - Cloud-native endpoint protection platform delivering managed detection, response, and prevention against advanced threats.
  2. 2#2: SentinelOne Singularity - AI-powered autonomous endpoint protection with managed detection and response for comprehensive threat hunting and remediation.
  3. 3#3: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - Integrated endpoint detection and response solution with cloud-managed antivirus, EDR, and automated investigation capabilities.
  4. 4#4: Sophos Intercept X with MDR - Next-gen antivirus with managed detection and response services for synchronized security across endpoints and networks.
  5. 5#5: Bitdefender GravityZone - Cloud-managed endpoint security platform offering layered antivirus, risk analytics, and patch management for businesses.
  6. 6#6: Huntress Managed EDR - Managed endpoint detection and response service focused on MDR for SMBs with 24/7 threat hunting by security experts.
  7. 7#7: ESET PROTECT - Cloud-based management platform for antivirus, EDR, and endpoint security with remote monitoring and deployment.
  8. 8#8: Trend Micro Apex One - Unified endpoint protection with managed XDR capabilities for threat detection, correlation, and automated response.
  9. 9#9: Malwarebytes Nebula - Cloud console for managing antivirus, EDR, and remediation across endpoints with MSP-friendly deployment.
  10. 10#10: Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR - AI-driven extended detection and response platform with managed services for behavioral threat prevention and analytics.

We ranked these tools based on advanced features, detection accuracy, ease of management, and overall value, ensuring they deliver reliable, scalable protection across varying business environments.

Comparison Table

This comparison table explores key managed antivirus solutions, featuring tools like CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne Singularity, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and more, to help readers understand their core features, performance, and ideal use cases.

Cloud-native endpoint protection platform delivering managed detection, response, and prevention against advanced threats.

Features
9.8/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.4/10

AI-powered autonomous endpoint protection with managed detection and response for comprehensive threat hunting and remediation.

Features
9.8/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.7/10

Integrated endpoint detection and response solution with cloud-managed antivirus, EDR, and automated investigation capabilities.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.4/10

Next-gen antivirus with managed detection and response services for synchronized security across endpoints and networks.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10

Cloud-managed endpoint security platform offering layered antivirus, risk analytics, and patch management for businesses.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.1/10

Managed endpoint detection and response service focused on MDR for SMBs with 24/7 threat hunting by security experts.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.6/10

Cloud-based management platform for antivirus, EDR, and endpoint security with remote monitoring and deployment.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
8.5/10

Unified endpoint protection with managed XDR capabilities for threat detection, correlation, and automated response.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
7.8/10
Value
8.0/10

Cloud console for managing antivirus, EDR, and remediation across endpoints with MSP-friendly deployment.

Features
8.4/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
7.8/10

AI-driven extended detection and response platform with managed services for behavioral threat prevention and analytics.

Features
9.5/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.8/10
1
CrowdStrike Falcon logo

CrowdStrike Falcon

enterprise

Cloud-native endpoint protection platform delivering managed detection, response, and prevention against advanced threats.

Overall Rating9.6/10
Features
9.8/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.4/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered behavioral prevention engine that stops attacks in real-time without relying on signatures

CrowdStrike Falcon is a cloud-native endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform that delivers next-generation antivirus protection through AI-driven behavioral analysis and machine learning, preventing both known and zero-day threats. As a managed antivirus solution, it includes Falcon Complete, providing 24/7 expert-managed detection, response, and remediation services. This makes it a comprehensive security solution for organizations seeking enterprise-grade protection without building an in-house SOC.

Pros

  • Unmatched threat detection with top MITRE ATT&CK scores and low false positives
  • Lightweight single agent with cloud management for easy deployment and scalability
  • Fully managed services via Falcon Complete for rapid incident response

Cons

  • Premium pricing suitable mainly for mid-to-large enterprises
  • Steep learning curve for the advanced console despite intuitive design
  • Requires reliable internet for optimal cloud-based functionality

Best For

Large enterprises and organizations needing top-tier, fully managed endpoint protection against advanced persistent threats.

Pricing

Custom enterprise subscription starting at ~$60/endpoint/year for core AV (Falcon Prevent), up to $150+/endpoint/year for full managed EDR suite like Falcon Complete.

2
SentinelOne Singularity logo

SentinelOne Singularity

enterprise

AI-powered autonomous endpoint protection with managed detection and response for comprehensive threat hunting and remediation.

Overall Rating9.3/10
Features
9.8/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.7/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered autonomous rollback that restores endpoints to pre-attack state even after encryption

SentinelOne Singularity is an AI-driven endpoint protection platform offering next-generation antivirus, EDR, and managed detection and response (MDR) through Vigilance services. It excels in behavioral threat detection, autonomous remediation, and ransomware rollback without relying on traditional signatures. Designed for enterprises, it provides unified visibility across endpoints, cloud, and identities, with expert-managed services for hands-off protection.

Pros

  • Industry-leading AI behavioral detection with top MITRE ATT&CK scores
  • Autonomous response and ransomware rollback capabilities
  • Comprehensive managed services via Vigilance for reduced operational burden

Cons

  • Premium pricing that may not suit small businesses
  • Steeper learning curve for advanced console features
  • Occasional performance impact on resource-constrained endpoints

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises needing robust, AI-powered managed antivirus with expert oversight in complex IT environments.

Pricing

Quote-based; typically $60-120 per endpoint/year for Singularity Complete with MDR add-ons.

3
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint logo

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

enterprise

Integrated endpoint detection and response solution with cloud-managed antivirus, EDR, and automated investigation capabilities.

Overall Rating8.8/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.4/10
Standout Feature

AI-powered automated investigation and response that correlates threats across endpoints and cloud services

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is an enterprise-grade endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform that combines antivirus, threat hunting, and automated response capabilities to protect devices across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It leverages cloud-based AI and Microsoft’s vast threat intelligence for real-time malware detection, behavioral analysis, and attack surface reduction. As a managed antivirus solution, it integrates deeply with Microsoft 365 and Intune for centralized management and deployment.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem including Intune and Azure AD
  • Advanced EDR with AI-driven behavioral detection and automated remediation
  • Multi-platform support and always-updated cloud threat intelligence

Cons

  • Higher pricing for advanced features may deter SMBs
  • Steeper learning curve for non-Microsoft admins
  • Optimal performance requires heavy Microsoft infrastructure reliance

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises already invested in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem needing scalable endpoint protection.

Pricing

Subscription-based: Plan 1 (~$2.50/user/month for core AV/EDR), Plan 2 (~$5.20/user/month for advanced features); often bundled in Microsoft 365 E3/E5.

4
Sophos Intercept X with MDR logo

Sophos Intercept X with MDR

enterprise

Next-gen antivirus with managed detection and response services for synchronized security across endpoints and networks.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

24/7 human-led MDR with guaranteed response times

Sophos Intercept X with MDR is an advanced endpoint protection platform that leverages deep learning AI for next-generation antivirus, exploit prevention, and ransomware defense. The integrated Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service delivers 24/7 monitoring, threat hunting, and expert-led incident response by Sophos analysts. It provides comprehensive protection for endpoints, servers, and cloud workloads through a unified cloud console.

Pros

  • AI-driven threat detection with low false positives
  • 24/7 MDR for expert response and threat hunting
  • HitmanPro integration for additional malware scanning

Cons

  • Premium pricing for MDR component
  • Advanced features may overwhelm smaller teams
  • Deployment requires initial configuration effort

Best For

Mid-sized businesses and enterprises needing hands-off, expert-managed endpoint security without an internal SOC.

Pricing

Subscription-based starting at ~$56/user/year for Intercept X; MDR adds $30-50/user/year (custom quotes required).

5
Bitdefender GravityZone logo

Bitdefender GravityZone

enterprise

Cloud-managed endpoint security platform offering layered antivirus, risk analytics, and patch management for businesses.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.1/10
Standout Feature

Risk Analytics dashboard providing deep visibility into endpoint vulnerabilities, user behaviors, and attack surface reduction recommendations

Bitdefender GravityZone is a cloud-based endpoint security platform tailored for businesses, offering managed antivirus, EDR, patch management, and risk analytics in a single console. It leverages advanced machine learning and behavioral analysis for proactive threat detection and response across Windows, macOS, Linux, and virtual environments. Designed for MSPs and IT teams, it enables centralized control and scalability without on-premises hardware.

Pros

  • Exceptional malware detection with near-perfect scores in independent tests
  • Comprehensive security suite including EDR and automated patch management
  • Intuitive cloud console for multi-platform endpoint management

Cons

  • Pricing can be steep for small businesses with fewer endpoints
  • Advanced features require some training for full utilization
  • Reporting customization is less flexible than some competitors

Best For

Mid-sized businesses and enterprises needing robust, scalable endpoint protection managed centrally by IT or MSPs.

Pricing

Subscription-based starting at ~$15-25 per endpoint/year for basic plans, scaling up to $40+ for Elite tiers with EDR; custom quotes for volume.

6
Huntress Managed EDR logo

Huntress Managed EDR

enterprise

Managed endpoint detection and response service focused on MDR for SMBs with 24/7 threat hunting by security experts.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.6/10
Standout Feature

24/7 US-based SOC analysts providing hands-on threat hunting and remediation

Huntress Managed EDR is a cloud-based endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution with managed detection and response (MDR) services, focusing on threat hunting and rapid incident response rather than traditional antivirus prevention. It deploys a lightweight agent to monitor endpoints for advanced persistent threats, ransomware, and malware evasion techniques, complemented by 24/7 human analysts who investigate alerts and perform remediation. Designed primarily for MSPs and SMBs, it augments existing AV tools like Windows Defender with proactive hunting and host isolation capabilities.

Pros

  • Exceptional human-led threat hunting with low false positives
  • Rapid incident response including automated host isolation
  • Lightweight agent with minimal performance impact

Cons

  • Not a full replacement for traditional antivirus prevention
  • Requires integration with existing AV solutions
  • Pricing scales with endpoint count, potentially costly for large fleets

Best For

MSPs and SMBs needing expert-managed EDR to detect and respond to sophisticated threats beyond standard antivirus capabilities.

Pricing

Starts at $2.99 per endpoint per month for core MDR, with add-ons for ransomware rollback and patching; volume discounts for MSP partners.

7
ESET PROTECT logo

ESET PROTECT

enterprise

Cloud-based management platform for antivirus, EDR, and endpoint security with remote monitoring and deployment.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

LiveGrid cloud sandbox and threat intelligence for real-time global threat analysis and blocking

ESET PROTECT is a centralized management platform for ESET's endpoint security solutions, enabling IT admins and MSPs to deploy, monitor, and manage antivirus protection across desktops, servers, mobiles, and virtual environments from a single cloud or on-premises console. It offers real-time threat detection, automated policy enforcement, patch management, and detailed reporting to streamline security operations. With low system impact and high detection efficacy, it's designed for scalable protection in business environments.

Pros

  • Superior malware detection with minimal false positives
  • Lightweight agents that don't slow down endpoints
  • Comprehensive management tools including automation and multi-tenancy for MSPs

Cons

  • Console interface appears dated compared to competitors
  • Pricing requires custom quotes, lacking transparency
  • Some advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans

Best For

Mid-sized businesses and MSPs needing reliable, low-impact endpoint management without high resource demands.

Pricing

Custom quotes required; typically $28-$55 per endpoint per year depending on plan (Entry, Advanced, Complete) and volume.

8
Trend Micro Apex One logo

Trend Micro Apex One

enterprise

Unified endpoint protection with managed XDR capabilities for threat detection, correlation, and automated response.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
7.8/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Integrated virtual patching to protect against vulnerabilities without updates

Trend Micro Apex One is a robust endpoint security platform designed for businesses, providing comprehensive antivirus, anti-malware, ransomware protection, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities. It features a centralized management console for deploying policies across endpoints, monitoring threats in real-time, and automating responses. As a managed solution, it supports both on-premises and cloud deployments, integrating with Trend Micro's broader XDR ecosystem for enhanced visibility.

Pros

  • Advanced multi-layered protection including EDR and behavior analysis
  • Centralized console for efficient management of large deployments
  • Strong independent test scores from AV-Comparatives and MITRE

Cons

  • Steeper learning curve for initial configuration and customization
  • Higher resource consumption on endpoints compared to lighter alternatives
  • Pricing requires custom quotes and can be premium for smaller businesses

Best For

Mid-to-large enterprises needing scalable, feature-rich endpoint security with centralized management.

Pricing

Subscription-based per endpoint annually; typically $40-$60 per device/year for standard plans (custom enterprise quotes required).

9
Malwarebytes Nebula logo

Malwarebytes Nebula

enterprise

Cloud console for managing antivirus, EDR, and remediation across endpoints with MSP-friendly deployment.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
8.4/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

Multi-tenant Nebula Console for seamless client isolation and centralized oversight

Malwarebytes Nebula is a cloud-based endpoint security platform tailored for managed service providers (MSPs), offering antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), patch management, and vulnerability assessments. It provides centralized management through a multi-tenant console, enabling MSPs to monitor, remediate threats, and deploy updates across client endpoints efficiently. Nebula emphasizes behavior-based detection and automated remediation to minimize manual intervention.

Pros

  • Intuitive multi-tenant dashboard for MSPs
  • Strong malware remediation and rollback capabilities
  • Integrated patch management and vulnerability scanning

Cons

  • Limited support for mobile devices and Linux
  • Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors
  • Pricing scales less favorably for small MSPs

Best For

MSPs managing Windows and Mac endpoints for small-to-medium businesses seeking reliable cloud-based antivirus with management tools.

Pricing

Tiered MSP subscriptions (Core, Advanced, Complete) starting at ~$5 per endpoint/month, billed annually with volume discounts.

10
Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR logo

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR

enterprise

AI-driven extended detection and response platform with managed services for behavioral threat prevention and analytics.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

WildFire malware analysis integrated with real-time behavioral threat protection for proactive zero-day blocking

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR is an extended detection and response (XDR) platform that goes beyond traditional antivirus by integrating endpoint protection, network analysis, and cloud security into a unified managed solution. It leverages AI-driven behavioral analytics and machine learning to detect and prevent both known and zero-day threats in real-time, with automated response capabilities. As a managed antivirus service, it provides centralized visibility, threat hunting, and expert-managed operations for enterprise environments.

Pros

  • AI and ML-powered behavioral threat prevention stops zero-days effectively
  • Unified XDR platform with endpoint, network, and cloud integration
  • Scalable managed services with 24/7 expert monitoring

Cons

  • High enterprise-level pricing not ideal for SMBs
  • Complex interface requires training for full utilization
  • Deployment can be resource-intensive for smaller IT teams

Best For

Large enterprises and organizations needing comprehensive, managed XDR for advanced persistent threats.

Pricing

Custom subscription pricing, typically $60-120 per endpoint/year plus managed service fees; volume discounts for enterprises.

Conclusion

The top three tools—CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne Singularity, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint—lead a pack of robust managed antivirus solutions, each excelling in unique areas: cloud-native advanced protection, AI-driven autonomous response, and integrated cross-platform capabilities. Together, they highlight the evolving landscape of endpoint security, where tailored needs—from enterprise threat hunting to SMB simplicity—find exceptional support. No matter the use case, these tools set the standard for effective, managed protection.

CrowdStrike Falcon logo
Our Top Pick
CrowdStrike Falcon

Take the first step toward enhanced security: explore CrowdStrike Falcon to experience its unmatched cloud-managed threat prevention, or consider SentinelOne Singularity or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to align with your specific needs.