In short: Harmony Endpoint vs Microsoft Defender comes down to approach and licensing. Harmony Endpoint (Check Point Endpoint Security) is a separate per-endpoint subscription with sandboxing, file sanitisation and ransomware file restoration in every edition. Defender for Endpoint is built into Windows and bundled in some Microsoft 365 licences. Both cover EDR; the right choice depends on your licences, team and risk.
Two different starting points
Most UK organisations evaluating Harmony Endpoint already run Microsoft 365, so the real question is whether to rely on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or to add a specialist product.
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is Microsoft's endpoint security platform. Its antivirus engine, Microsoft Defender Antivirus, is part of Windows, and its signals feed the Microsoft Defender portal, where they are correlated with identity, email and cloud alerts. It comes as Plan 1 (included in Microsoft 365 E3, or standalone), Plan 2 (included in Microsoft 365 E5 and E5 Security) and Microsoft Defender for Business for small and medium-sized businesses. Plans 1 and 2 do not include server licences.
- Harmony Endpoint, renamed Check Point Endpoint Security in March 2026, is a single agent combining endpoint protection, EDR and XDR, sold in Advanced, Complete and Elite packages and managed in the Check Point Portal. Check Point describes its approach as prevention-first.
Neither is simply better. The comparison below sets out the differences that matter when you choose.
Feature and approach comparison
| Area | Harmony Endpoint | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Separate subscription per protected endpoint; Advanced, Complete or Elite plus optional add-ons | Plan 1 in Microsoft 365 E3 or standalone; Plan 2 in Microsoft 365 E5 and E5 Security; Defender for Business for SMBs. Servers need separate server licences |
| Prevention | Anti-malware, Behavioural Guard, anti-exploit and anti-bot, plus Threat Emulation (sandboxing) and Threat Extraction (file sanitisation) in every edition | Next-generation protection in Microsoft Defender Antivirus, cloud-delivered protection, attack surface reduction rules, network and web protection |
| Ransomware | Behavioural anti-ransomware with automatic restoration of encrypted files from a protected backup | Ransomware mitigation through controlled folder access and attack surface reduction rules |
| Browser protection | Zero-phishing, URL filtering and corporate password reuse detection via the browser component | Web threat protection and web content filtering |
| EDR | Forensics reports, MITRE ATT&CK mapping and threat hunting in every edition | Plan 1 offers manual response actions such as isolating a device; full EDR, automated investigation and advanced hunting come with Plan 2 |
| XDR | Infinity XDR for Endpoint with Playblocks automation in Elite or as an add-on, across Check Point products | Microsoft Defender XDR correlates endpoint, identity, email and cloud app signals |
| Disk and media encryption | Full disk encryption (including managed BitLocker and FileVault) and removable media encryption in Complete and Elite | BitLocker and FileVault, usually managed through Intune |
| Data loss prevention | Endpoint DLP in Elite or as an add-on; Check Point currently documents it for EU, US, India, Australia and UAE tenants, not UK-region tenants | Microsoft Purview endpoint DLP, part of Microsoft's compliance licensing |
| Vulnerability and patching | Posture management with automated patching of third-party applications in Elite or as an add-on | Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management, with patching usually handled through Intune or Windows Update |
| Console | Check Point Portal, shared with Check Point email, network and SASE products; cloud, on-premises or MSSP management | Microsoft Defender portal, integrated with Intune and Microsoft Sentinel |
| Platforms | Windows, Windows Server, macOS, Linux, VDI and terminal servers | Windows, Windows Server, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS |
Where each one fits
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint tends to fit when:
- you already hold Microsoft 365 E5 or E5 Security, so Plan 2 is paid for
- your team works in the Microsoft Defender portal, Intune and Microsoft Sentinel every day
- you want endpoint alerts correlated with Entra ID sign-ins and Exchange Online mail in one Microsoft view
- you prefer fewer vendors over a specialist layer
Harmony Endpoint tends to fit when:
- you are on Microsoft 365 E3, which includes Plan 1, and want full EDR without moving every user to E5
- you want sandboxing, file sanitisation and ransomware file restoration on the endpoint, whichever Microsoft 365 plan you hold
- you already use Check Point firewalls, Harmony Email and Collaboration or Harmony SASE, and want one console and shared threat intelligence from ThreatCloud AI
- you want encryption, patching and DLP from the same endpoint agent (Elite)
- you want on-premises management, or to be managed by a service provider across tenants
- you want a different vendor's detection from the one built into the operating system, as a deliberate layering choice
Licensing cost is often the deciding factor, and it depends on your current Microsoft agreement. We compare both on your real numbers in a quote.
Running Harmony Endpoint and Defender together
You can, as long as only one product provides real-time antivirus protection. Microsoft documents how Defender Antivirus behaves alongside another product:
- Windows clients not onboarded to Defender for Endpoint: when Harmony Endpoint becomes the primary antivirus, Defender Antivirus moves to disabled mode automatically. On Windows 11 with Smart App Control turned on, Microsoft notes it may show passive mode instead.
- Windows clients onboarded to Defender for Endpoint: Defender Antivirus runs in passive mode. Defender's EDR keeps scanning and reporting, and EDR in block mode can remediate what it finds, while Harmony Endpoint provides the primary protection. Microsoft asks you to add Defender for Endpoint to the other product's exclusion list, and the reverse applies too.
- Windows Server: Defender Antivirus does not step aside automatically. Check Point requires it to be turned off before installing Harmony Endpoint on Windows Server 2016 and later; if you keep the server onboarded to Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft's alternative is to set passive mode explicitly before onboarding.
Running two EDR sensors doubles the alerts to triage and the policies to maintain, so we only recommend it with a clear reason, such as keeping Defender telemetry in Microsoft Sentinel during a transition. For mail, the equivalent question is answered on our Avanan vs Microsoft Defender for Office 365 page.
How we help you decide
Forever Systems supplies both Microsoft 365 and Check Point, so we have no reason to push one. We usually:
- review your Microsoft 365 licences, devices and current Defender configuration
- run a short Harmony Endpoint pilot in Detect mode alongside your existing set-up
- compare detections, workload for your team and the total licence cost
- recommend one primary product and, if Harmony Endpoint wins, plan the deployment
Contact us for a side-by-side review. For the wider Microsoft picture, see our Microsoft 365 security guide.
How Forever Systems supplies and supports Check Point Harmony
We supply and support the whole Check Point Harmony suite, now marketed as Check Point Workspace Security, for UK organisations: from a single product to endpoint, email, SaaS, mobile, browser and SASE together, with Check Point MDR if you want round-the-clock cover.
- Scoping and licensing: the right products, editions and plans for your users, devices and risk, and a clear view of what the old Harmony names now mean
- Proof of value: trial deployments that show what Harmony finds in your own mailboxes, devices and traffic
- Deployment: endpoint agents and policies, the Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace connection, mobile roll-out through your MDM, browser extensions and SASE access policies
- Migration: moving from another endpoint, email or VPN product, or from Harmony Connect to Harmony SASE
- Ongoing support: policy tuning, alert triage, upgrades and renewals, managed in the Check Point Portal
Forever Systems Ltd is an independent IT and cyber security provider. We will always recommend what fits, including other options if Harmony is not right for you.
Want a Check Point Harmony quote, trial or renewal review?
Tell Forever Systems what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
Is Harmony Endpoint better than Microsoft Defender?
Neither is better in every case. Harmony Endpoint includes sandboxing, file sanitisation and ransomware file restoration in every edition and suits Check Point estates. Defender for Endpoint suits organisations already licensed for Plan 2 and invested in Microsoft's security tools. A pilot on your own devices is the fairest test.
Can I run Harmony Endpoint and Microsoft Defender at the same time?
Yes, with one product as the primary antivirus. Defender Antivirus switches to disabled or passive mode on Windows clients; on Windows Server you need to turn it off or set passive mode yourself. Configure exclusions in both products.
Do I need Harmony Endpoint if I have Microsoft 365 Business Premium?
Not necessarily. Business Premium includes Microsoft Defender for Business, which already gives you endpoint protection and EDR. Some organisations add Harmony Endpoint for sandboxing, ransomware file restoration, Check Point integration or encryption and patching from one agent. We will compare both for your estate.
Which Microsoft 365 licences include Defender for Endpoint?
Microsoft says Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3, and Plan 2 in Microsoft 365 E5 and E5 Security. Microsoft Defender for Business is the version for small and medium-sized businesses. Plans 1 and 2 do not cover servers, which need separate server licences such as Defender for Servers.
Does Harmony Endpoint work with Microsoft Intune and Entra ID?
Yes. Check Point lists Intune and Jamf as deployment integrations and supports Microsoft Entra ID for importing users and groups into policy.