Brandwave

CrowdStrike vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, CrowdStrike had more branded searches than Microsoft Defender for Endpoint among endpoint security platforms in New Zealand. CrowdStrike had about 1,090 branded searches, while Microsoft Defender for Endpoint had 90. CrowdStrike made up 16.6% of all endpoint security platform searches we track, and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint accounted for 1.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about endpoint security platforms, CrowdStrike appeared in all five answers and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in four. CrowdStrike was mentioned before Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in four out of five answers.

Among endpoint security platforms in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

CrowdStrike, about 12 searches for every 1 for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

CrowdStrike 1.1K searchesMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint 90 searches

Who does AI mention more?

CrowdStrike, mentioned in every answer we collected

CrowdStrike in 5 of 5Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

CrowdStrike, named ahead of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in 4 of 5 answers

CrowdStrike first in 4Microsoft Defender for Endpoint first in 1

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Top endpoint security platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, CrowdStrike appeared in all five answers. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. CrowdStrike was listed before Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. CrowdStrike1st
  2. SentinelOne2nd
  3. Microsoft Defender for Business3rd
  4. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint4th
  5. Bitdefender5th
  6. Sophos Intercept X6th
  7. Sophos Endpoint7th
  8. ESET8th
  9. Malwarebytes–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • CrowdStrike5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SentinelOne4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sophos Endpoint4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bitdefender3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Microsoft Defender for Business2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sophos Intercept X2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • ESET1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Malwarebytes0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about endpoint security platforms

5 answers

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 CrowdStrike or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for CrowdStrike and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine endpoint security platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

CrowdStrike and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint among endpoint security platforms in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMalwarebytesBitdefenderCrowdStrikeESETSentinelOneMicrosoft Defender for EndpointMicrosoft Defender for BusinessSophos EndpointSophos Intercept X
Oct 202538.7%28.6%13.7%13.4%3.3%1.4%0.38%0.13%0.26%
Nov 202536%30.9%13.5%13.1%3.7%1.7%0.43%0.14%0.57%
Dec 202546.8%26.9%9.9%11.4%3.2%1.1%0.31%0.15%0.31%
Jan 202644.8%30.1%9.1%10.8%3%1.3%0.43%0.14%0.29%
Feb 202641.5%27.9%13.6%10.8%3.7%1.4%0.57%0.14%0.29%
Mar 202641.1%28.9%12.6%10.9%3.8%1.6%0.82%0.12%0.23%
Apr 202646.7%27.3%10.5%10%3.5%1.2%0.53%0.13%0.13%
May 202645.9%27.6%11.7%9.3%3.2%1.1%0.86%0.12%0.25%
Jun 202648.4%26%11.2%9.1%3.1%1.4%0.48%0.12%0.12%
Jul 202649.6%25.5%12.9%7.6%2.6%1.1%0.37%0.12%0.12%
Aug 202648.2%26.4%12.8%6.9%3.4%1.5%0.53%0.13%0.13%
Sep 202642.7%26.8%16.6%7.8%4%1.4%0.46%0.15%0.15%

How has the CrowdStrike and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand endpoint security platforms in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, CrowdStrike gained share of searches among endpoint security platforms in New Zealand, from 12.8% to 16.6%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint in New Zealand fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 110 to 90 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CrowdStrike’s and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint’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.

CrowdStrike

2 branded search terms

  • crowdstrike
  • crowdstrike falcon

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

2 branded search terms

  • defender for endpoint
  • microsoft defender for endpoint

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among endpoint security platforms

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