Microsoft Forefront [EOL] vs VMware Carbon Black Endpoint comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Microsoft and Broadcom are both solutions in the Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) category. Additionally, 85% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 89% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Microsoft Forefront [EOL] and VMware Carbon Black Endpoint based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about SentinelOne, Microsoft, CrowdStrike and others in Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP).

To learn more, read our detailed Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) Report (Updated: October 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)

October 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Net...

Featured Reviews

ABHISHEK_SINGH

Senior Process Expert at A.P. Moller - Maersk

Gained full visibility and streamlined threat detection through behavior-based insights and AI integration

Initially, we got to have a lot of false positives when we onboarded, but nowadays it's quite smooth. We have fine-tuned our security policies and allowed different levels of policies to get rid of those false positives. Currently, we are getting a fairly good amount of incidents that are not false positives or benign, but actionable items. The process is streamlined. In the initial days, the operations used to get involved in a lot of benign and other activities, but now the process is streamlined. We are leveraging the auto-detection and remediation plans. The operations teams are now more involved in other business roles as well, not just looking into the logs and fetching out what's happening there. They have fixed a lot of things. Initially, they didn't have IAC code drift detection, cloud posture management, or security posture management, but they have those now. They purchased different vendors and did a merger with that. They have now Prisma Cloud that gets integrated and now they are working with Cortex Cloud. Everything that was negative has now been addressed, and the product altogether looks to be in a very better and mature shape now. Currently, it's more or less detecting the workloads with AI-based best practices. Since most organizations are consuming AI agents and other things, we are looking forward to seeing what other feature enhancements Palo Alto can support in that.

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it_user772620

Systems Consultant at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees

There is simplicity in the management of the product compared to its competitors

Web proxy services along with the integrated firewall VPN Intrusion prevention Malware inspection URL filtering The simplicity of managing the product compared to its competitors, like BIG-IP F5 and Citrix NetScaler The ease of deploying mobile functionality through the web proxy has…

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Paanob-Mahanarongchai

CTO at Microsoft

Improved incident investigation has supported response while core protection still needs progress

VMware Carbon Black Endpoint does not have easy integration, as there are many complexities with the Ribitava API, which is very deep. I rate this solution overall as a five or six on a scale from one to ten. I have integrated VMware Carbon Black Endpoint with other tools that are helpful. I think this solution should be targeted at small clients, because adoption will grow more with small businesses tomorrow.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"On a scale from one to ten, I would rate Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks a nine."

"It collects and caches and the knowledge of machine learning from different customers to take to the cloud, it makes it better to use for everybody, it allows for quick learning and updates and can, therefore, offer zero-day malware security, and this sharing of metadata helps make the solution very safe."

"Cortex XDR features advanced threat detection capabilities."

"The solution's most valuable feature is the user interface."

"The information the dashboard provides is very clear."

"It is easy to use."

"The stability of this product is very good."

"Cortex XDR's most valuable feature is its intelligence-based dashboards."

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks pros

"Product has been enough for our customers’ requirements."

"It cost us approx. US$250k to set up and is roughly US$200 day to day."

"The snort engine, which is the muscle behind the Sourcefire IPS technology, has always been a joy for me to work with."

"To date we have not had a virus infecting a desktop with Forefront installed - this is the main reason why we will not use another anti-virus solution."

"Our ROI is that we can provision users accounts within 30 minutes of them being put into the system."

"Performance wise, it's one of the most effective anti-virus solutions we have ever used."

"It has automated the entire user and group management process, thus reducing manual work and help desk cost to a great extent."

"The simplicity of managing the product compared to its competitors, like BIG-IP F5 and Citrix NetScaler, is a valuable feature."

"I rate Carbon Black CB Defense an eight out of ten for the ease of its initial setup."

"In our POC, we had 200 samples including ones that were available but not as popular and we received a 100% efficacy."

"The portal is easy to use and manage."

"It significantly speeds up incident response times by alerting analysts immediately upon detecting potential issues."

"Carbon Black Defense has a higher detection ratio because it's cloud-based and it also does a lookup to virus total."

"The product enables device controls, helping us protect the devices and prevent data leakages."

"What I like the most about it is the dynamic grouping, where you get to group endpoints based on setup criteria. That's pretty cool. I like the simplified policy management and simplified white-listing process."

"CB Defense is more powerful, and you can take more actions than others, and its security features and signatures are constantly updated, so it is more effective than other security solutions."

More VMware Carbon Black Endpoint pros

Cons

"It tends to do 99.9% of things. The only thing I'd like is single sign-on authentication into their cloud platform so that my users can be properly authenticated against it."

"The solution lags to the real-time scenarios here and there."

"There are some false positives. What our guys would have liked is that it would have been easier to manipulate as soon as they found a false positive that they knew was a false positive. How to do so was not obvious. Some people complained about it. The interface, the ESM, is not user-friendly."

"While using Cortex, I noticed some aspects that could be improved, such as increasing the synchronization speed between XDR and Xnor."

"Dashboards do not allow everyone to see what's happening."

"There's an overall lack of features."

"It would be good if they could make an exception for applications. Sometimes, it can be a bit of a challenge to make exceptions for certain applications that have been used as rogue."

"Currently, we are monitoring all USB drives and ports but we would like to improve our device control capabilities."

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks cons

"More out of box connectors and conducting awareness of the product along with more marketing."

"When using Forefront in a domain network, it is quite difficult to create the group policies needed for definition/engine updates using WSUS."

"One of the biggest pain points was that username changes were not automated and caused problems."

"Without a local Windows Update Server, the client seems to update very slowly and may take a lot of time."

"Pretty awful. A large initial investment with something that could have been done by one person full time over six years with less hassle."

"Web user interface from 1990s. Users laugh at it."

"The product has unfortunately reach its End-Of-Life (EOL) at Microsoft and is now replaced by several products."

"I’d personally like to see some additional customization capabilities in the reporting section."

"I'm not sure as to the logic of how we've decided to customize it. We've only really used it since February and therefore there may be more to do on that front. That's why it's hard to say if something is missing or if we just aren't utilizing it."

"The solution has to mature on container security and a lot of cloud environment security."

"The EDR portion could be better. I'm not a big fan, but it works."

"This product should be cheaper."

"I would like to see improvements made so that we can better see all of the processes."

"The feature set for the firewall needs improvement."

"The Mac support needs improvement, as it had next to none."

"Right now, I get a lot of what I call noise email alerts. All I hear from them is, "Well, we're working on it. We're working on it." Well, they've been working on it for four years now, and nothing has changed."

More VMware Carbon Black Endpoint cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"When we first bought it, it was a bit expensive, but it was worth it. The licensing was straightforward."

"In terms of the cost Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks is very expensive because we are a Mexican company and when you translate dollars to pesos the cost is very high. The solution is very expensive for Mexican companies. I understand that they have international prices, but I do not think it offsets the price enough for many companies in countries, such as Mexico. The amount it is reduced is not a massive percentage."

"The price of the solution could be reduced. I have customers that have voiced that the solution is good for the value but if I want to sell more of the solution the price reduction would help."

"Cortex XDR's pricing is ok."

"It's about $55 per license on a yearly basis."

"It has a yearly renewal."

"Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks is an expensive solution."

"The price of the solution is high for the license and in general."

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks pricing and cost advice

Information not available

"This is a really expensive product and we pay licensing fees on a yearly basis."

"The product is quite reasonable."

"The licensing cost is on the more expensive side, but I thought it was worth it because they did a good job. It was one of the vendors I truly didn't have to worry about too much until this latest upgrade."

"In terms of licensing costs, Carbon Black CB Defense was all associated with CROW and the services my company is using with them, so it came all-inclusive."

"Price-wise, VMware Carbon Black Endpoint is a highly-priced solution. Regarding the licensing cost of the solution, one needs to opt for an annual subscription."

"The cost is a considerable factor, but the benefit factor is the most important. When you compare it with other products, the price is high. Carbon Black will negotiate the price."

"The pricing is annually based and operates through another department than mine."

"The product’s price is less expensive than other vendors."

More VMware Carbon Black Endpoint pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

14%

Outsourcing Company

12%

Construction Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

No data available

Outsourcing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Construction Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	50
Midsize Enterprise	21
Large Enterprise	57

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	2
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	2

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	31
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	33

Questions from the Community

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto vs. Sentinel One

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto vs. SentinelOne SentinelOne offers very detailed specifics with regard to risks or attacks. ...

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Comparing CrowdStrike Falcon to Cortex XDR (Palo Alto)

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto vs. CrowdStrike Falcon Both Cortex XDR and Crowd Strike Falcon offer cloud-based solutions th...

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How is Cortex XDR compared with Microsoft Defender?

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a cloud-delivered endpoint security solution. The tool reduces the attack surface,...

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Ask a question

Earn 20 points

What to choose: an endpoint antivirus, an EDR solution or both?

I can recommend Carbon Black, an award-winning next-gen anti-virus (NGAV) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) s...

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What's the difference between Carbon Black CB Response and Carbon Black CB Defense?

Carbon Black offers two different levels of Endpoint Detection and Response. One is the VM Carbon Black Cloud Endpoin...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Carbon Black CB Defense?

My rating for the pricing of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint is that it is not cheap, but it is also not as inexpensive ...

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Comparisons

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 16% of the time

SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 5% of the time

CrowdStrike Falcon vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 4% of the time

Symantec Endpoint Security vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 3% of the time

Confluera vs Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

Compared 2% of the time

More Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks Competitors

ESET Endpoint Protection Platform vs Microsoft Forefront [EOL]

Compared 57% of the time

Symantec Endpoint Security vs Microsoft Forefront [EOL]

Compared 25% of the time

More Microsoft Forefront [EOL] Competitors

CrowdStrike Falcon vs VMware Carbon Black Endpoint

Compared 9% of the time

Fortinet FortiEDR vs VMware Carbon Black Endpoint

Compared 5% of the time

BlackBerry Cylance Cybersecurity vs VMware Carbon Black Endpoint

Compared 4% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs VMware Carbon Black Endpoint

Compared 4% of the time

Deep Instinct Prevention Platform vs VMware Carbon Black Endpoint

Compared 3% of the time

More VMware Carbon Black Endpoint Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks

November 2026

Download Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks product report

Buyer's Guide

Universal Access Gateways

October 2026

Download Microsoft Forefront [EOL] product report

Buyer's Guide

VMware Carbon Black Endpoint

October 2026

Download VMware Carbon Black Endpoint product report

Also Known As

Cyvera, Cortex XDR, Palo Alto Networks Traps

MS Forefront [EOL]

Carbon Black CB Defense, Bit9, Confer

Overview

Cortex XDR by Palo Alto Networks provides advanced threat detection with AI-driven endpoint protection and seamless integration, ensuring multi-layered security and automatic threat response.

Cortex XDR is designed to safeguard endpoints against malware and suspicious activities. It offers advanced threat detection and response capabilities using behavioral analysis, AI, and machine learning. It seamlessly integrates with security infrastructures, providing endpoint security, firewall integration, and enhanced visibility in both cloud-based and on-premises environments.

What are the key features of Cortex XDR?

Advanced Threat Detection: Uses AI and machine learning for proactive threat identification.
Multi-layered Security: Combines various security measures for comprehensive protection.
Endpoint Protection: Safeguards against malware and exploits.
Behavioral Analysis: Monitors suspicious activity for early detection.
Automatic Threat Response: Automates responses to neutralize threats.

What benefits should users expect?

Ease of Use: Simplifies security management with intuitive design.
Resource Efficiency: Minimizes impact on system resources.
Integration Capabilities: Works well with existing security setups.
Reduced Analyst Workload: Automates processes to decrease manual intervention.

Organizations in diverse sectors deploy Cortex XDR to protect against malware, leveraging its advanced threat detection capabilities. Its integration with existing security infrastructures appeals to those seeking comprehensive protection in both cloud and on-premises environments, providing enhanced visibility and threat intelligence.

Palo Alto Networks

Our agile methodology and our integration expertise brings you the best catalyst to craft solutions of exceptional quality and distinctive success.

Microsoft

VMware Carbon Black Endpoint uses behavioral analysis and cloud management to detect threats, stop suspicious activities, and ensure security with features like real-time monitoring and machine learning.

VMware Carbon Black Endpoint provides robust threat detection with centralized cloud management and behavioral analysis to prevent security breaches. Suitable for both cloud and on-premise environments, it enhances cybersecurity with seamless scaling, integrates with software for advanced threat hunting, and ensures policy management through application control.

What are the most important features of VMware Carbon Black Endpoint?

Behavioral Analysis: Identifies suspicious activities using behavior patterns.
Cloud Management: Centralizes security operations for efficiency.
Real-Time Monitoring: Offers continuous surveillance to catch threats early.
Machine Learning: Enhances threat detection with AI-driven insights.
Application Control: Manages policy enforcement easily.
Threat Hunting: Integrates with software for comprehensive analysis.

What benefits can be expected from VMware Carbon Black Endpoint?

Proactive Security: Prevents threats before they materialize.
Scalability: Adjusts to growing security needs effortlessly.
Improved Compliance: Helps maintain regulatory standards through advanced technologies.
Streamlined Management: Reduces time spent on security administration.

In industries like finance and healthcare, VMware Carbon Black Endpoint is implemented to secure sensitive data from cyber threats. It supports organizations in minimizing risks associated with malware and ransomware, protecting their endpoint environments through AI-driven detection and real-time monitoring.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

CBI Health Group, University Honda, VakifBank

EUROVIA CS, a. s., King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Public Education Devel, Bank Alfalah Ltd., CLEAResult, St. Lucie County Public Schools, Wiltshire Council

Netflix, Progress Residential, Indeed, Hologic, Gentle Giant, Samsung Research America

Buyer's Guide

Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)

October 2026

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