Microsoft Defender XDR vs Zscaler Client Connector comparison

Microsoft and Zscaler are both solutions in the Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) category. Microsoft is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.4, while Zscaler is ranked #33 with an average rating of 8.7. Microsoft holds a 2.6% mindshare in EDR, compared to Zscaler’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 98% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Zscaler users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Defender XDR

Read 106 Microsoft Defender XDR reviews

10,762 Views
5,704 Comparison Views

98% willing to recommend

Zscaler Client Connector

Read 5 Zscaler Client Connector reviews

765 Views
750 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Defender XDR

Zscaler Client Connector

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 8, 2026

Microsoft Defender XDR and Zscaler Client Connector are prominent competitors in the security solutions category. Microsoft Defender XDR has a slight edge due to its seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystems, whereas Zscaler Client Connector is strong in cloud-native architecture, perfect for hybrid work environments.

Features: Microsoft Defender XDR offers advanced threat detection with AI capabilities, integrated threat intelligence, and comprehensive endpoint protection. Its strong integration with Windows makes it ideal for organizations utilizing Microsoft tools. Zscaler Client Connector provides robust web security, zero-trust access, and seamless cloud connectivity, focusing on protecting remote workforces and cloud applications.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Defender XDR could enhance its cross-platform support and offer more intuitive interfaces for non-Microsoft systems. The need for smoother integration with other ecosystems is noticeable. Zscaler Client Connector can improve its user interface for easier navigation and reduce dependency on internet speed for optimal performance. Some users have reported issues with VPN-like connections, suggesting room for enhancement in user connectivity.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Defender XDR benefits from seamless deployment within Microsoft environments, easing transitions for existing users. Customer support is efficient for users within the Microsoft ecosystem. Zscaler Client Connector offers quick cloud deployment with minimal infrastructure requirements, simplifying operations for mixed-platform environments. Support for non-Microsoft products is robust, making it a versatile choice for diverse IT landscapes.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Defender XDR provides competitive pricing, especially appealing with bundled services for Microsoft clients. Its integration efficiencies enhance ROI. Zscaler Client Connector, despite higher costs, justifies them with advanced security features focused on cloud adaptability, supporting long-term ROI. The decision often depends on the preference for initial Microsoft environments savings versus investing in strong cloud security foundations.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Zscaler Client Connector Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Zscaler Client Connector

December 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 881,733 peers since 2012

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 XDR

Ranking in Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

7th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

106

Ranking in other categories

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) (4th), Microsoft Security Suite (5th)

Zscaler Client Connector

Ranking in Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

33rd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) category, the mindshare of Microsoft Defender XDR is 2.6%, down from 3.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Zscaler Client Connector is 0.6%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Defender XDR	2.6%
Zscaler Client Connector	0.6%
Other	96.8%

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Featured Reviews

Kunle Oluwadiya

House security operator at Cypress Creek Renewables

Advanced threat hunting saves significant time in tracking and responding to incidents

Microsoft Defender XDR could be improved with a lower price. My main suggestion would essentially be what Copilot is providing, which is a single pane of glass, so I don't have to go to different windows. That's just a workflow consideration for me. It would be great to have all the information centralized into one particular data app. If I need to open up extra ones, I can, however, I would appreciate a future where everything I need is right there on one single pane of glass. Beyond that, there's really nothing else I see that I would want Microsoft to improve.

Read full review

Dimitrios Arvanitakis

IT Support Admin at Kuehne+Nagel

Client activity has been monitored efficiently through in-depth log analysis and traffic filtering

I use the Zscaler speed test, and it is very nice. We use some logs from Zscaler Client Connector to collect data and see what is happening, such as if there is an interruption or something. There is a specific tunnel version that we have to use because, depending on the internet provider, some of them have lower speed, so we have some issues. This is because of the provider, not from Zscaler. We use Office 365 services and Office applications, and because some connections are slow and they do not have full coverage from the internet provider, we have some issues. If the speed is slow for Zscaler Client Connector connection, then we have issues because if the speed is not good, then Zscaler Client Connector goes down. This may be because they put some policy. Of course, if you use Office 365 services such as Outlook, the minimum bandwidth is 5 megabits and more, so this causes issues if the users do not have a good remote connection. This depends on the companies and the users, so they need to fix it. This is not from us or our company. It is very useful, and the logs are very helpful. When we go to logs, we understand what is happening.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Many people don't realize that Microsoft Azure, Exchange Online, and the security and compliance portal all sync together. For instance, within the Azure portal you can set security restrictions and policies to help secure your tenants... The good part of it is that these products have already been integrated. When you sign on as an admin you have global admin rights and that gives you access to all these features."

"Microsoft 365 Defender is a good solution and easy to use."

"The attack simulation is excellent; initially, this feature wasn't very robust, but Microsoft improved what we could achieve with it. We can now customize our practice phishing emails and include our company logo, for example. Attack simulation also helps integrate with third-party solutions where applicable and provides an overview of our security architecture through testing. The summary includes areas for improvement in our protection and what steps we need to take to get there."

"The proactive remediation aspects and the surfacing of suspicious activity for investigation and escalation are the key aspects we appreciate most."

"Defender XDR can stop advanced attacks, like ransomware or business email compromise."

"The most valuable feature is the network security."

"The most valuable feature of all is the full integration with the rest of the software in the operating system and Office 365, as well as Microsoft SCCM. It is quite easy for us to work with the whole instance of Microsoft products. This integration improves the benefits of the whole suite of products."

"In Microsoft 365 vendor products, monitoring and connectivity across all Microsoft and third-party connectors enable viewing of all activity within those environments."

More Microsoft Defender XDR pros

"I'd rate the solution nine out of ten."

"It is very important to see what is happening between the user and the applications that we have, and to filter the traffic from outbound traffic and inside traffic."

"The best features of Zscaler Client Connector are that it gives the client a much more transparent experience, as they don't have to worry about connecting to a VPN."

"The real-time analytics feature in Zscaler Client Connector is another valuable feature called Digital Experience, or ZDX, which can easily identify the root cause of issues accessing public or internal resources and provide good analysis so relevant teams can quickly resolve them, making it a very good tool that helps customers."

"It is very useful, and the logs are very helpful; when we go to logs, we understand what is happening."

"It is very important to see what is happening between the user and the applications that we have, and to filter the traffic from outbound traffic and inside traffic."

"It is very useful, and the logs are very helpful; when we go to logs, we understand what is happening."

"Zscaler Client Connector is quite scalable, and I would rate its scalability as nine or ten out of ten."

More Zscaler Client Connector pros

Cons

"The data recovery and backup could be improved."

"We struggle sometimes with tier one support agents who give canned responses."

"Troubleshooting in Microsoft 365 Defender can be inefficient."

"Just like in any solution, the price can always be cheaper."

"The web filtering solution needs to be improved because currently, it is very simple."

"I'd like to see a wider solution that includes not only desktop devices but also other devices, such as servers, storage cabinets, switching equipment, et cetera."

"Defender also lacks automated detection and response. You need to resolve issues manually. You can manage multiple Microsoft security products from a single portal, and all your security recommendations are in one place. It's easy to understand and manage. However, I wouldn't say Defender is a single pane of glass. You still need to switch between all of the available Microsoft tools. You can see all the alerts in one panel, but you can't automate remediation."

"At times, when we have an incident email and we click on the link for that incident, it opens a pop-up, but there is nothing. It has happened a couple of times."

More Microsoft Defender XDR cons

"There is room for improvement regarding the price of Zscaler Client Connector, as it is one of the most expensive solutions available."

"If the speed is slow for Zscaler Client Connector connection, then we have issues because if the speed is not good, then Zscaler Client Connector goes down."

"Zscaler Client Connector is not low in cost; it is definitely on the higher side."

"There is a hard learning curve for Zscaler Client Connector; their support isn't the greatest all the time."

"If the speed is slow for Zscaler Client Connector connection, then we have issues because if the speed is not good, then Zscaler Client Connector goes down."

More Zscaler Client Connector cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The functionality is fantastic, but for medium and small-sized companies it's overpriced. It would be better if it were a little bit cheaper."

"It is 15 dollars per server per month. It is worth it, but it can be costly. It depends on the company's size."

"I find the pricing to be quite competitive, especially considering its inclusion in our E5 subscription, which provides a comprehensive set of functionalities."

"The bundling of software makes it easier to manage our setup, but Microsoft purposefully obfuscates this through marketing ploys to hide costs."

"Microsoft should provide lower-level licensing options. They should do it in such a way that even an individual could purchase a license, and it should be entirely flexible."

"I believe the pricing is fair and acceptable. I consider it to be reasonable and satisfactory."

"Defender XDR is included in the E5 license, but it's a bit too expensive."

"The solutions price is fair for what they offer."

More Microsoft Defender XDR pricing and cost advice

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

24%

Government

13%

Comms Service Provider

Marketing Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	47
Midsize Enterprise	25
Large Enterprise	38

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft 365 Defender?

Microsoft Defender XDR provides strong identity protection with comprehensive insights into risky user behavior and potential indicators of compromise.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft 365 Defender?

My experience with pricing, setup, costs, and licensing of Microsoft Defender XDR is tied to our E5 subscription, which is very straightforward for us. We also purchase the uplift for our mobile us...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft 365 Defender?

I am not aware of a mobile app that would be available for my team. With a single analyst, if she is ever away, it would be beneficial to have easier access. While she can use the web portal, the e...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Zscaler Client Connector?

Zscaler Client Connector is notably costly, with pricing rated at five out of ten in terms of affordability, reflecting the premium pricing of the solution.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Zscaler Client Connector?

Zscaler continues to strengthen the Zscaler Client Connector by introducing new features and expanding the platform’s capabilities. Their roadmap is mature, and in many areas they are ahead of comp...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Zscaler Client Connector?

I’m not working directly for Zscaler; I work with a partner organization as a Systems Integrator. Our work is not limited to Zscaler—we support multiple security and networking products. This inclu...

See all answers

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Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Microsoft Defender XDR

Compared 4% of the time

TrendAI Vision One vs Microsoft Defender XDR

Compared 4% of the time

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Compared 19% of the time

Tanium vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 12% of the time

Trellix Endpoint Security Platform vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 10% of the time

OpenText Endpoint Response vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 8% of the time

SentinelOne Singularity Complete vs Zscaler Client Connector

Compared 7% of the time

More Zscaler Client Connector Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender XDR

January 2026

Download Microsoft Defender XDR product report

Buyer's Guide

Zscaler Client Connector

January 2026

Download Zscaler Client Connector product report

Also Known As

Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Threat Protection, MS 365 Defender

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Defender XDR is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect against threats in the Microsoft 365 environment.

It offers robust security measures, comprehensive threat detection capabilities, and an efficient incident response system. With seamless integration with other Microsoft products and a user-friendly interface, it simplifies security management tasks.

Users have found it effective in detecting and preventing various types of attacks, such as phishing attempts, malware infections, and data breaches.

Watch the Microsoft demo video here: Microsoft Defender XDR demo video.

Microsoft

Zscaler Client Connector enhances network security by providing seamless access to applications, ensuring a safe and efficient digital experience. It is designed for businesses needing comprehensive protection and optimized resource access within a unified platform.

Organizations deploy Zscaler Client Connector to securely connect users to applications while maintaining robust data protection standards. It eliminates the need for traditional gateways by offering direct-to-cloud security, which enhances performance and reduces complexity. This solution is ideal for remote work environments where secure and efficient application access is required. It simplifies IT infrastructures, allowing businesses to scale without compromising security.

What are the key features of Zscaler Client Connector?

Zero Trust Access: Provides secure connectivity by validating user identities and context.
Cloud Firewall: Ensures robust protection by inspecting all traffic for potential threats.
Bandwidth Control: Manages network resources to optimize application performance.
Seamless User Experience: Integrates smoothly into existing environments with minimal disruption.
Comprehensive Visibility: Offers detailed analytics and reporting for informed decision-making.

What are the benefits users should expect?

Improved Security Posture: Strengthens defenses against cyber threats with advanced protocols.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces operational costs by streamlining IT management and reducing hardware dependencies.
Scalability: Easily adapts to organizational growth or changes in IT requirements.
Enhanced Productivity: Increases workflow efficiency by ensuring secure and rapid access to necessary applications.
Reduced Latency: Direct-to-cloud connectivity minimizes lag and improves user experience.

Zscaler Client Connector is widely adopted across industries such as finance, healthcare, and retail, where secure data transmission and compliance are critical. In finance, it supports secure transactions and data protection. For healthcare, it ensures HIPAA compliance, and in retail, it simplifies secure customer-facing services. Each industry benefits from tailored implementations that address specific security and connectivity challenges.

Zscaler

Sample Customers

Accenture, Deloitte, ExxonMobil, General Electric, IBM, Johnson & Johnson and many others.

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Zscaler Client Connector

December 2025

Free Report: Microsoft Defender XDR vs. Zscaler Client Connector

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