Microsoft Defender for IoT vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security comparison

Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks are both solutions in the IoT Security category. Microsoft is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.4, while Palo Alto Networks is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.4. Microsoft holds a 8.4% mindshare in IS, compared to Palo Alto Networks’s 6.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Palo Alto Networks users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Defender for IoT

Read 6 Microsoft Defender for IoT reviews

1,792 Views
806 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Palo Alto Networks IoT Secu...

Read 11 Palo Alto Networks IoT Security reviews

1,506 Views
1,506 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Defender for IoT

Palo Alto Networks IoT Secu...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 3, 2025

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security and Microsoft Defender for IoT are solutions in the IoT security market. Palo Alto Networks focuses on advanced threat prevention with strong integration into existing systems, while Microsoft Defender has an edge with its comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities.

Features: Palo Alto Networks IoT Security offers advanced threat prevention, seamless integration, and enhanced device visibility. Microsoft Defender for IoT provides advanced threat detection, AI-driven analytics, and compatibility with Microsoft environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service:Palo Alto IoT Security is recognized for its straightforward deployment and excellent customer service. Microsoft Defender for IoT, though possibly requiring a more complex setup, benefits from integration with Microsoft ecosystems and might need additional resources.

Pricing and ROI: Palo Alto's setup cost is deemed reflective of its support infrastructure, offering a favorable ROI for those prioritizing integrated threat prevention. Microsoft Defender for IoT may present a higher initial cost but offers a significant ROI with thorough threat detection and security analytics.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Defender for IoT vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for IoT vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

February 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Defender for IoT

Ranking in IoT Security

5th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Operational Technology (OT) Security (6th), Microsoft Security Suite (24th)

Palo Alto Networks IoT Secu...

Ranking in IoT Security

3rd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the IoT Security category, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender for IoT is 8.4%, down from 9.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is 6.6%, down from 7.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

IoT Security Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Palo Alto Networks IoT Security	6.6%
Microsoft Defender for IoT	8.4%
Other	85.0%

IoT Security

Featured Reviews

Luis Gabriel Mieles Benavides

Cloud Architect at Sonda S.A.

Security monitoring has become proactive and threat hunting is now faster and more precise

The best features of Microsoft Defender for IoT are that it is easy to find where the intruder is and easy to capture and hunt intruders. When I need to send a full scan for a device, it is straightforward. I have worked with Symantec, which is an antivirus, and McAfee, where I send full scans in a similar way to how I do it in Azure Defender, and it is equally easy. I can take actions with the device, such as disconnecting it, turning it off, or sending an alarm. The integration with Azure Defender and Azure Sentinel is seamless because they are from the same company. They capture intruders, viruses, worms, and everything else easily, and I can fix problems quickly. I use the network visibility features daily to manage connected assets. Currently, I am closing a case with Mutual Asesorías where they have a computer with intruders attempting to force brute capture the password. I can see how the intruder tried to do this, and my work involves closing the IP origin in this case.

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Engineerinfosec67

Presale Engineer at Westcon-Comstor

Recognizing and classifying devices with AI and machine learning boosts security without extra network controls

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security integrates with a cloud-based engine that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning for device recognition and classification based on traffic types. This adaptability, which does not rely strictly on a static database, allows for identifying a wider range of devices. The behavior-based identification of devices enhances the capabilities of security controls, extending the network security platform's recognition capacity without deploying a separate network access control system.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The best features of Microsoft Defender for IoT are that it is easy to find where the intruder is and easy to capture and hunt intruders."

"As a cybersecurity consultant, the best part of Microsoft Defender for IoT is the capability to integrate with other tools such as Microsoft Sentinel and receive real-time alerts from the product."

"It is manageable and integrates with other Microsoft products, which is crucial for me."

"Mainly, it is manageable and integrates with other Microsoft products, which is crucial for me."

"I believe it is best suited for cloud services and is unmatched by other cloud security solutions."

"The graphics and analysis in Microsoft Defender for IoT are very representative."

"I find Microsoft Defender very effective in vulnerability management and it provides good attack reduction, making it a next-generation protection solution."

"Some advantages of Microsoft Defender for IoT are that it's easy to install on any OS, and you can create any custom use cases easily."

"From a security standpoint, it provides a comprehensive range of standard security features that align with our requirements."

"The key strength of Palo Alto firewalls lies in their application-based approach, offering a much finer level of control compared to traditional firewalls."

"I like the threat information, and we can share the logging data with Cortex Data Lake."

"This solution has been most valuable for establishing a VPN and implementing allow/deny rules. It has also enabled us to create security policies. It is an easy solution to customise when it comes to creating templates and pulling reports."

"Palo Alto is valued for its GlobalProtect feature, which offers a range of security options, including user ID mapping and VPNs."

"I like the Cortex Data Lake integration with security automation."

"It is simple to use. We just need to enable features and then configure IoT policies."

"I find Palo Alto Networks IoT Security to be highly responsive, and its separate management and data planes are a major advantage."

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security pros

Cons

"Customer service and support from Microsoft are costly. The execution by engineers is expensive, and the service is neither free nor toll-free, making it less accessible for customers."

"Microsoft Defender for IoT is not scalable. If you want to monitor another industrial network, you need an additional server, making it less scalable."

"The only improvement I see is that some detection explanations are vaguely provided by Microsoft, resulting in generic IoT detections that alert me to an issue yet don't specify what's wrong."

"There are a few limitations with Microsoft Defender for IoT. We raised concerns with the product team because they don't capture all the information regarding command execution or processes executed on certain endpoints."

"The documentation for Microsoft Defender for IoT is lacking. There are no clear steps or guidance, and updates are frequent, which adds to the confusion."

"The only improvement I see is that some detection explanations are vaguely provided by Microsoft, resulting in generic IoT detections that alert me to an issue yet don't specify what's wrong."

"The primary area that needs improvement is compatibility with the latest IoT technologies."

"I had to call the support because there were some devices that were not showing up."

"The reporting for this solution could be improved. The logs we receive are only saved for one week. We would like to have the database timeframe increased to a month or two for historical reporting as well as increased storage capabilities to support this data and reporting."

"The cost is still high and licensing is still complex."

"Palo Alto Networks IoT Security's reporting capabilities are less comprehensive and robust than those provided by Cisco."

"While not overly complex, its usability could be enhanced, making it a more intuitive experience for everyone."

"More application signatures are required."

"There can be more automation in terms of security and detection. It is already good."

"The support is in line with Palo Alto Networks services for other products but needs improvement."

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"The successful migration trend suggests that Palo Alto provides a superior cost-benefit ratio for firewall solutions."

"The initial investment is substantial, but the renewal costs make it financially unsustainable."

"The pricing for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security is a bit high."

"While Palo Alto Networks IoT Security might cost more than some competitors, its features and effectiveness justify the price tag."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

14%

Computer Software Company

14%

Energy/Utilities Company

Financial Services Firm

Performing Arts

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Defender for IoT?

I find that Microsoft Defender for IoT itself is affordable.

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What needs improvement with Microsoft Defender for IoT?

I don't think I have any recommendation on improvements for Microsoft Defender for IoT because we don't use it too extensively. There are a few limitations with Microsoft Defender for IoT. We raise...

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What is your primary use case for Microsoft Defender for IoT?

Clients mainly use Microsoft Defender for IoT for unfamiliar sign-in attempts and Microsoft Defender EDRs. We are using use cases for unfamiliar sign-in and malicious activity, such as user sign-in...

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What needs improvement with Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

One thing I communicated to them is that they need to provide a managed update for their IoT devices.

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What is your primary use case for Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

I use it for one of my customers, and my role is to help my customer with the solution. They use it for their IoT devices in the field, and they have a lot of sensors out there for their heating eq...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Palo Alto Networks IoT Security?

The pricing is not that bad. I would rate this solution an 8 out of 10.

See all answers

Comparisons

Nozomi Networks vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 22% of the time

Claroty Platform vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 14% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 9% of the time

Azure Sphere vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 9% of the time

Palo Alto Industrial OT Security vs Microsoft Defender for IoT

Compared 6% of the time

More Microsoft Defender for IoT Competitors

Armis vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 31% of the time

Nozomi Networks vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 16% of the time

Phosphorus Cybersecurity vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 15% of the time

Azure Sphere vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 13% of the time

Forescout Platform vs Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

Compared 6% of the time

More Palo Alto Networks IoT Security Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for IoT

January 2026

Download Microsoft Defender for IoT product report

Buyer's Guide

Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

January 2026

Download Palo Alto Networks IoT Security product report

Also Known As

Azure Defender for IoT

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Defender for IoT offers advanced security designed to protect IoT environments from sophisticated threats. Its deep integration with Azure reinforces security across devices and networks.

Microsoft Defender for IoT provides scalable threat detection and security intelligence tailored for IoT devices. Leveraging cloud-powered analytics, it ensures protection against emerging threats while supporting diverse device landscapes. The platform's compatibility with Azure Sentinel offers robust security operations and management capabilities.

What are the core features of Microsoft Defender for IoT?

Threat Intelligence: Provides real-time insights and threat detection using cloud-powered analytics.
Device Management: Simplifies the monitoring and management of IoT devices across networks.
Integrated Security: Seamlessly integrates with Azure Sentinel for comprehensive security operations.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Improved Security Posture: Strengthens the protection of IoT ecosystems against cyber threats.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces the complexities and costs associated with managing IoT security.
Scalability: Supports growth and adaptation to expanding IoT networks.

In manufacturing, Microsoft Defender for IoT aids in maintaining operational efficiency by preventing unauthorized access to industrial control systems. Healthcare providers utilize it to protect sensitive patient data transmitted through connected devices. Retailers benefit from secure management of inventory systems and customer data across smart devices.

Microsoft

Introducing comprehensive IoT Security solutions tailored for enterprises, healthcare, and industrial operations. Safeguard every device, visible or unseen, with Zero Trust security protocols, ensuring protection against known and unknown threats. With rapid 15X faster deployment times, Enterprise IoT Security, Medical IoT Security, and Industrial OT Security streamline operations, allowing teams to prioritize security over setup. Seamlessly integrate with Palo Alto Networks ML-Powered NGFWs or Prisma Access for swift implementation, making your infrastructure IoT-aware within minutes. Eliminate blind spots across existing IT and security solutions with playbook-driven, built-in integrations, and simplify cloud delivery for deployment across any architecture without the need for multiple sensors or network redesign. Protect your assets and ensure uninterrupted operations with our comprehensive IoT security solutions.

Palo Alto Networks

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender for IoT vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

February 2026

Free Report: Microsoft Defender for IoT vs. Palo Alto Networks IoT Security

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