• HOME
  • CATEGORIES

    • CATEGORIES

    • Browse All Categories
  • FOR VENDORS

    • FOR VENDORS

    • Log In to Vendor Portal
    • Get Started
  • REVIEWS

    • REVIEWS

    • Write a Review
    • Product Reviews
    • Vendor Directory
    • Product Comparisons
  • GARTNER PEER COMMUNITY™
  • GARTNER.COM
  • Community GuidelinesListing GuidelinesBrowse VendorsRules of EngagementFAQPrivacyTerms of Service
    ©2026 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.
    All rights reserved.
  • Categories

    • Loading categories...

      Browse All Categories

      Loading markets...

  • For Vendors

    • Log In to Vendor Portal 

    • Get Started 

  • Write a Review

Join / Sign In
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Microsoft Defender for Identity
Logo of Microsoft Defender for Identity

Microsoft Defender for Identity

byMicrosoft
in
4.4
Market Presence: Insider Risk Management Solutions, Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)

Overview

Product Information on Microsoft Defender for Identity

Updated 14th October 2025

What is Microsoft Defender for Identity?

Microsoft Defender for Identity is a software designed to help organizations detect and investigate advanced identity-related threats within on-premises Active Directory environments. It provides real-time monitoring and analysis of user activities, behaviors, and permissions to identify potential security risks such as compromised accounts, lateral movement, and reconnaissance efforts. The software uses data from Active Directory signals and network traffic to pinpoint suspicious actions and provide actionable insights for security operations teams. Its integration with broader security platforms allows streamlined incident response and supports investigations by enabling visibility into identity-based attacks targeting businesses.

Microsoft Defender for Identity Pricing

Microsoft Defender for Identity software adopts a subscription-based pricing model, typically offered per user per month. The pricing structure may vary depending on features, deployment size, and the integration with other Microsoft security solutions. Licenses are generally available as part of Microsoft 365 security packages or can be purchased separately with different tiers based on organizational requirements.

Overall experience with Microsoft Defender for Identity

BOARD GOVERNANCE MANAGER AND EXECUTIVE A
Gov't/PS/ED <5,000 Employees, Education
FAVORABLE

“Limited Customization Available For Advanced Users But Generally User-Friendly Experience”

4.0
Nov 19, 2025
It was light on our system resources and integrated well. Overall, a great experience with this product.
IT Security & Risk Management Associate
50M - 250M USD, Manufacturing
CRITICAL

“User-Friendly Interface Noted, Yet Gaps Remain in Effective Spam Blocking”

3.0
Jun 30, 2025
It is a good Antispam but can't block all SPAM/Phishing emails with the base configuration, you need to implement more rules to make Defender more accurate

About Company

Company Description

Updated 11th August 2023

Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft is dedicated to advancing human and organizational achievement. Microsoft Security helps protect people and data against cyberthreats to give peace of mind.

Company Details

Updated 25th March 2024
Company type
Public
Year Founded
1975
Head office location
Redmond, Washington, United States
Number of employees
10000+
Annual Revenue
30B+ USD
Website
https://microsoft.com

Do You Manage Peer Insights at Microsoft?

Access Vendor Portal to update and manage your profile.

Key Insights

A Snapshot of What Matters - Based on Validated User Reviews

User Sentiment About Microsoft Defender for Identity
Reviewer Insights for: Microsoft Defender for Identity
Deciding Factors: Microsoft Defender for Identity Vs. Market Average
Performance of Microsoft Defender for Identity Across Market Features

Microsoft Defender for Identity Likes & Dislikes

Like

Very easy to run on the system, it wasn't a big drag. It integrated very nicely into the rest of our Microsoft products. It was incredibly user friendly and made sense to people familiar with Microsoft suite.

Like

It is really user friendly and easy to use, for the base configuration you just need to bind the license to the user.

Like

Broad range of captured data makes customising the product very easy

Dislike

It gave a few false positives upon the initial set up though these started going away with fine tuning. There was some limited customization for advanced users but that was fine for most of us. Some of our IT said it was a heavy load during set up.

Dislike

Never could set it in the right way. It was like something was always missing.

Dislike

Microsoft support is no longer something to rely on as they follow a script and do not take in the real issues

Top Microsoft Defender for Identity Alternatives

Logo of Varonis Data Security Platform
1. Varonis Data Security Platform
4.7
(259 Ratings)
Logo of Proofpoint Insider Threat Management
2. Proofpoint Insider Threat Management
4.6
(115 Ratings)
Logo of Incydr
3. Incydr
4.6
(68 Ratings)
View All Alternatives

Peer Discussions

Microsoft Defender for Identity Reviews and Ratings

Showing data for 99 ratings and reviews for Insider Risk Management Solutions market. View all 155 ratings and reviews across markets for a complete picture.

4.4

(99 Ratings)

Rating Distribution

5 Star
43%
4 Star
48%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Why ratings and reviews count differ?

Customer Experience

Evaluation & Contracting

4.3

Integration & Deployment

4.5

Service & Support

4.3

Product Capabilities

4.5

Filter Reviews
Sort By:
Most helpful
Last 12 Months
Star Rating
Reviewer Type
Reviewer's Company Size
Reviewer's Industry
Reviewer's Region
Reviewer's Job Function
  • BOARD GOVERNANCE MANAGER AND EXECUTIVE A
    Gov't/PS/Ed
    Education
    Review Source

    Limited Customization Available For Advanced Users But Generally User-Friendly Experience

    4.0
    Nov 19, 2025
    It was light on our system resources and integrated well. Overall, a great experience with this product.
  • It Associate
    10B+ USD
    Banking
    Review Source

    Built-In and Custom Detections Offer Extensive Control but Support Lacks Depth

    4.0
    Jan 13, 2026
    Powerful product with a wide range of built in detections and custom detections
  • IT MANAGER
    <50M USD
    IT Services
    Review Source

    Easy Integration Offers Visibility Into Activities But Initial Setup Is Complex

    5.0
    Oct 14, 2025
    Integration is very easy and user friendly, Incident investigation process is good.
  • Account Supervisor
    <50M USD
    Healthcare and Biotech
    Review Source

    Real Time Alerts Enhance Threat Detection in Microsoft Defender for Identity

    5.0
    Jul 14, 2025
    Overall my experience has been excellent. Microdoft Defender for Identity is a powerful took that provides deep visability into potential identity threats with real time alerts!
  • IT Security & Risk Management Associate
    1B-10B USD
    IT Services
    Review Source

    Effective Identity Threat Detection Tool for Microsoft-Centric Environments

    4.0
    Jun 26, 2025
    It has been pretty reliable in helping us monitor and detect identity-based threats across our environment. What works for me is that it runs mostly in the background and doesn't interfere with day-to-day work, but when it catches something, it's usually worth looking into. What doesn't work for me is that sometimes the alerts are a bit vague, and you need extra tools to investigate deeper.
...
Showing Result 1-5 of 129

Recommended Gartner Research

  • Market Guide for Insider Risk Management Solutions

Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences, and should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply.


Software reviews and ratings for EMMS, BI, CRM, MDM, analytics, security and other platforms - Peer Insights by Gartner
Community GuidelinesListing GuidelinesBrowse VendorsRules of EngagementFAQsPrivacyTerms of Use

©2026 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

All rights reserved.