MDR vs EDR 2026 - Cost Comparison, When to Choose Each, and How They Work Together
The difference between MDR and EDR is simple: EDR is the software, MDR is the software plus a team of analysts who run it for you. But the cost implications of this distinction are enormous. EDR costs $3-15 per endpoint per month. MDR costs $15-50. On the surface, EDR looks far cheaper. But EDR without skilled analysts monitoring and responding to alerts is like buying a burglar alarm with no monitoring service - it generates noise that nobody acts on. This page breaks down the true total cost of ownership for both approaches with real numbers.
MDRCost.com is an independent pricing guide. We are not affiliated with CrowdStrike, Arctic Wolf, SentinelOne, Sophos, Huntress, Expel, or any MDR vendor. Pricing data is compiled from public sources, partner channels, and verified buyer reports. Always request a direct quote for your specific environment.
EDR vs MDR - Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | EDR (Self-Managed) | MDR (Fully Managed) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | $3-15/endpoint/month | $15-50/endpoint/month (includes software) |
| Analyst Staff Required | Yes - 2-6 for 24/7 coverage | No - included in service |
| Annual Cost (500 endpoints) | $18K-90K software + $380K+ staff | $90K-300K all-inclusive |
| Coverage Hours | Depends on your staffing | 24/7/365 standard |
| Alert Response Time | Depends on your team | 1-8 hours (SLA-backed) |
| Threat Hunting | Only if your team does it | Included with most vendors |
| Time to Value | Weeks to months (hiring + training) | Days to weeks |
| Scalability | Linear staff growth required | Subscription scales automatically |
| Customisation | Full control over detection rules | Limited to vendor capabilities |
| Compliance Evidence | You generate your own reports | Vendor provides compliance-ready reports |
The Hidden Cost of EDR: Analyst Salaries
The fundamental issue with comparing EDR and MDR on subscription price alone is that EDR requires people to operate effectively. A typical mid-market EDR deployment generates hundreds of alerts per day. Without trained analysts to triage these alerts, investigate true positives, and respond to confirmed threats, the EDR becomes an expensive alert generator that nobody monitors. This is exactly how most breaches happen - the EDR detected the threat but nobody responded in time.
Total Cost of Ownership: 500 Endpoints
EDR + In-House Team
MDR (Fully Managed)
Even the most expensive MDR (CrowdStrike at $270K/year) costs less than running a basic in-house security team ($443K+). The savings are most dramatic for mid-market organisations where MDR provides enterprise-grade security at a fraction of the in-house cost.
Decision Framework: When to Choose EDR vs MDR
Choose EDR When...
- You already have an established 24/7 security operations team with analyst capacity to handle additional alert volume from the EDR
- Your organisation has more than 2,000 endpoints where the per-endpoint economics of in-house staff become favourable compared to per-endpoint MDR pricing
- You need deep customisation of detection rules, response playbooks, and integration with proprietary internal systems that a managed service cannot accommodate
- You are in a regulated industry where security operations must be performed by employees with specific clearances or certifications that external analysts cannot hold
- Your security maturity is high enough that the primary value of EDR is the technology, not the monitoring - your team can effectively utilise the tool
Choose MDR When...
- You do not have a dedicated security operations team and cannot justify hiring 4-6 analysts for 24/7 coverage at $80,000-130,000 each
- Your organisation has fewer than 2,000 endpoints where MDR is more cost-effective than in-house staff on a per-endpoint basis
- You need to achieve 24/7 security monitoring quickly - MDR deploys in days while building an in-house SOC takes 6-12 months
- Cyber insurance requires documented 24/7 monitoring with SLA-backed response times that your current team cannot provide
- Your existing security team is overwhelmed with alerts and you need to offload the monitoring burden to focus on strategic security projects
Important: MDR Includes EDR
You do not need to buy EDR and MDR separately. Most MDR services deploy their own EDR agent as part of the managed service. CrowdStrike Falcon Complete includes the full Falcon EDR/XDR suite. Arctic Wolf includes their proprietary agent. Huntress includes their managed EDR agent. The one exception is Expel, which is designed to layer on top of your existing EDR deployment. If you are comparing costs, compare the total MDR price against the total cost of EDR software plus the analysts to run it.
Deep dive into EDR-only pricing at edrcost.com. Compare CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender, Sophos, and other EDR platforms with independent pricing data.
MDR vs EDR FAQ
What is the difference between MDR and EDR?
EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) is security software that monitors your devices for threats. It costs $3-15 per endpoint per month but requires trained analysts to review alerts and respond. MDR (Managed Detection and Response) includes the EDR software plus a team of security analysts who monitor your environment 24/7 and respond to threats on your behalf. MDR costs $15-50 per endpoint per month but eliminates the need for in-house security staff. The one-line summary: EDR is the tool, MDR is the tool plus the people who run it.
Is MDR more expensive than EDR?
The subscription cost of MDR is higher than EDR. EDR runs $3-15 per endpoint per month while MDR runs $15-50. However, EDR requires security analysts to be effective, and those analysts cost $80,000-150,000 per year each. For 24/7 coverage, you need 5-6 analysts. When you factor in staffing costs, the total cost of ownership for EDR plus analysts often exceeds MDR for organisations with fewer than 2,000 endpoints. MDR is effectively a way to outsource those analyst salaries at a lower total cost.
Does MDR replace EDR?
MDR includes EDR. Most MDR services deploy their own EDR agent as part of the managed service. CrowdStrike Falcon Complete includes Falcon EDR, Arctic Wolf includes their proprietary agent, and Huntress includes their managed EDR agent. You do not need to buy separate EDR and MDR. The exception is Expel, which works with your existing EDR deployment rather than replacing it. If you already have EDR and want to add management, Expel is worth evaluating.
When should I choose EDR over MDR?
Choose EDR alone when you have an existing security operations team with 24/7 capability, your team has the expertise to investigate and respond to alerts, you have more than 2,000 endpoints where the per-endpoint economics favour in-house staff, or you need deep customisation of detection rules that a managed service cannot provide. If you answer no to any of these conditions, MDR is likely the better investment.
What is the total cost of ownership for EDR vs MDR at 500 endpoints?
For 500 endpoints, EDR software alone costs roughly $18,000-90,000 per year. Add 4 security analysts for basic 24/7 coverage at $95,000 average salary each ($380,000) plus tools and overhead ($50,000), and the total EDR TCO reaches $448,000-520,000 per year. MDR for the same 500 endpoints costs $90,000-300,000 per year with no additional staffing required. The savings range from $148,000 to $430,000 per year depending on the MDR vendor selected.
Can I use both EDR and MDR together?
You typically do not need both because MDR includes EDR. However, some organisations use a layered approach where they run their own EDR during business hours and rely on MDR for after-hours and weekend coverage. Expel MDR is designed for this hybrid model since it works on top of your existing EDR deployment. Another common hybrid is keeping in-house analysts for routine monitoring while using MDR for advanced threat hunting and incident response escalation.