Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Sophos Endpoint:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint had more branded searches than Sophos Endpoint among endpoint security platforms in New Zealand. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint had about 90 branded searches, while Sophos Endpoint had 10. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint made up 1.4% of all endpoint security platform searches we track, and Sophos Endpoint accounted for 0.15%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about endpoint security platforms, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Sophos Endpoint each appeared in four of the five answers. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was mentioned before Sophos Endpoint in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, about 9 searches for every 1 for Sophos Endpoint
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, named ahead of Sophos Endpoint in 3 of 5 answers
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Top endpoint security platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Sophos Endpoint was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was listed before Sophos Endpoint in three out of five answers.
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.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which endpoint security platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best endpoint security platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best endpoint security platform in New Zealand for a small it team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“endpoint security platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best endpoint security”
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 Endpoint or Sophos Endpoint more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Sophos 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.
Share of searches by month for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Sophos Endpoint. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Malwarebytes | Bitdefender | CrowdStrike | ESET | SentinelOne | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Microsoft Defender for Business | Sophos Endpoint | Sophos Intercept X |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.7% | 28.6% | 13.7% | 13.4% | 3.3% | 1.4% | 0.38% | 0.13% | 0.26% |
| Nov 2025 | 36% | 30.9% | 13.5% | 13.1% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.43% | 0.14% | 0.57% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.8% | 26.9% | 9.9% | 11.4% | 3.2% | 1.1% | 0.31% | 0.15% | 0.31% |
| Jan 2026 | 44.8% | 30.1% | 9.1% | 10.8% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.43% | 0.14% | 0.29% |
| Feb 2026 | 41.5% | 27.9% | 13.6% | 10.8% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.57% | 0.14% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.1% | 28.9% | 12.6% | 10.9% | 3.8% | 1.6% | 0.82% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.7% | 27.3% | 10.5% | 10% | 3.5% | 1.2% | 0.53% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| May 2026 | 45.9% | 27.6% | 11.7% | 9.3% | 3.2% | 1.1% | 0.86% | 0.12% | 0.25% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.4% | 26% | 11.2% | 9.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.48% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Jul 2026 | 49.6% | 25.5% | 12.9% | 7.6% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 0.37% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.2% | 26.4% | 12.8% | 6.9% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.53% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.7% | 26.8% | 16.6% | 7.8% | 4% | 1.4% | 0.46% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
How has the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Sophos Endpoint comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint was ahead of Sophos Endpoint in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint’s share of searches among endpoint security platforms in New Zealand held steady at 1.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110 to 90.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sophos Endpoint’s share of searches among endpoint security platforms in New Zealand moved from 0.13% to 0.15%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 10.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand endpoint security platforms in September 2026?
1 change

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?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint’s and Sophos 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.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
2 branded search terms
- defender for endpoint
- microsoft defender for endpoint
Sophos Endpoint
1 branded search term
- sophos endpoint
Other head-to-heads among endpoint security platforms

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