Microsoft Defender for Business vs Sophos Intercept X:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Microsoft Defender for Business had more branded searches than Sophos Intercept X among endpoint protection brands in New Zealand. Microsoft Defender for Business had about 30 branded searches, while Sophos Intercept X had 10. Microsoft Defender for Business made up 0.48% of all endpoint protection brand searches we track, and Sophos Intercept X accounted for 0.16%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about endpoint protection brands, Microsoft Defender for Business appeared in four of the five answers and Sophos Intercept X in three. Microsoft Defender for Business was mentioned before Sophos Intercept X in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Microsoft Defender for Business, about 3 searches for every 1 for Sophos Intercept X
Who does AI mention more?
Microsoft Defender for Business, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Sophos Intercept X in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Defender for Business, named ahead of Sophos Intercept X in 3 of 4 answers
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Top endpoint protection brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Defender for Business was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sophos Intercept X was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Microsoft Defender for Business was listed before Sophos Intercept X in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Defender for Business4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
CrowdStrike3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
SentinelOne3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sophos Intercept X3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
ESET2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Acronis1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Malwarebytes0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Fortinet0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about endpoint protection brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which endpoint protection brand should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best endpoint protection brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best endpoint protection brand in New Zealand for a small business?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“endpoint protection software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best endpoint protection”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Microsoft Defender for Business or Sophos Intercept X more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Microsoft Defender for Business and Sophos Intercept X by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine endpoint protection brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Microsoft Defender for Business, Sophos Intercept X. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Malwarebytes | Fortinet | CrowdStrike | ESET | SentinelOne | Acronis | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Microsoft Defender for Business | Sophos Intercept X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.4% | 19.9% | 14.3% | 14% | 3.5% | 5.7% | 1.5% | 0.4% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.1% | 21.6% | 14.4% | 13.9% | 3.9% | 5.3% | 1.8% | 0.45% | 0.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.1% | 17.6% | 10.6% | 12.3% | 3.5% | 4.1% | 1.2% | 0.33% | 0.33% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.9% | 18.2% | 10.2% | 12.1% | 3.3% | 4% | 1.4% | 0.48% | 0.32% |
| Feb 2026 | 45% | 18.7% | 14.9% | 11.8% | 4.1% | 3.1% | 1.6% | 0.63% | 0.31% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.9% | 18.8% | 13.8% | 12% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 1.8% | 0.9% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.3% | 15% | 11.9% | 11.3% | 3.9% | 3.5% | 1.4% | 0.6% | 0.15% |
| May 2026 | 49.5% | 18.7% | 12.7% | 10.2% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 1.2% | 0.94% | 0.27% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.8% | 22.3% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 3.2% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.49% | 0.12% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.2% | 15.3% | 14.3% | 8.5% | 2.9% | 3.1% | 1.2% | 0.41% | 0.14% |
| Aug 2026 | 52.5% | 17% | 14.1% | 7.6% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 0.58% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.9% | 19.2% | 17.6% | 8.2% | 4.2% | 3.7% | 1.5% | 0.48% | 0.16% |
How has the Microsoft Defender for Business and Sophos Intercept X comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Sophos Intercept X took it in November 2025, Microsoft Defender for Business took it in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Defender for Business’ share of searches among endpoint protection brands in New Zealand moved from 0.4% to 0.48%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 30.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sophos Intercept X’s share of searches among endpoint protection brands in New Zealand moved from 0.27% to 0.16%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 20 to 10.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand endpoint protection brands in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Sophos Intercept X in New Zealand fell 50% over 12 measured months, from 20 to 10 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Microsoft Defender for Business’ and Sophos Intercept X’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Microsoft Defender for Business
1 branded search term
- microsoft defender for business
Sophos Intercept X
1 branded search term
- sophos intercept x
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