# CyCognito EASM Platform vs Microsoft Defender EASM: side-by-side comparison (2026) [CyCognito EASM Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cycognito-easm-platform) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [CyCognito](https://cybersectools.com/companies/cycognito). [Microsoft Defender EASM](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [Microsoft](https://cybersectools.com/companies/microsoft). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about each one. ### [CyCognito EASM Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cycognito-easm-platform) Best for: Teams wanting discovery plus active testing It earns a place because discovery and active testing come in one product, so findings arrive already checked and not as a raw asset list. That suits mid-market and enterprise teams that want proof before they assign work. Testing live assets needs their owners on board, so settle scan cadence and scope before you turn it on. From [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions), Fall 2026. ### [Microsoft Defender EASM](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) Best for: Microsoft shops adding external asset discovery It belongs here if you already pay for Microsoft security, because discovered assets can move into Defender for Cloud and Copilot in Azure turns plain questions into inventory searches. It fits companies from small to enterprise. Its features center on discovery and flagging, so ask whether you also need active testing to prove which exposures are real. From [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions) picks Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse, Microsoft Defender EASM, Google Mandiant Attack Surface Management and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | CyCognito EASM Platform | Microsoft Defender EASM | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | External Attack Surface Management | External Attack Surface Management | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud | | Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | CyCognito | Microsoft | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | CyCognito EASM Platform | Microsoft Defender EASM | |---|---|---| | Network Discovery | Yes | – | | Inventory | Yes | – | | Shadow AI | Yes | – | | Vulnerability Prioritization | Yes | – | | Continuous Testing | Yes | – | | Security Validation | Yes | – | | Attack Paths | Yes | – | | Reconnaissance | Yes | – | | OWASP | Yes | – | | Visibility | Yes | – | ### Core features **CyCognito EASM Platform** 7 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Microsoft Defender EASM** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **CyCognito EASM Platform** No integrations listed. **Microsoft Defender EASM** 4 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Microsoft Defender EASM](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) fits if you are a small business. ## CyCognito EASM Platform vs Microsoft Defender EASM FAQ Common questions when comparing CyCognito EASM Platform vs Microsoft Defender EASM for external attack surface management. ### What is the difference between CyCognito EASM Platform and Microsoft Defender EASM? **CyCognito EASM Platform**: EASM platform that discovers, attributes, and actively validates external assets and risks, built by CyCognito. **Microsoft Defender EASM**: Discovers and monitors external-facing assets and vulnerabilities, built by Microsoft. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes CyCognito EASM Platform and Microsoft Defender EASM? **CyCognito EASM Platform** is made by CyCognito. **Microsoft Defender EASM** is made by Microsoft. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is CyCognito EASM Platform a good alternative to Microsoft Defender EASM? Often, yes. CyCognito EASM Platform and Microsoft Defender EASM are both External Attack Surface Management products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [CyCognito EASM Platform vs Attaxion](https://cybersectools.com/compare/attaxion-vs-cycognito-easm-platform) - [CyCognito EASM Platform vs Vulneri ASM](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cycognito-easm-platform-vs-vulneri-asm-attack-surface-management) - [CyCognito EASM Platform vs Cylana EASM](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cycognito-easm-platform-vs-cylana-easm) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs Attaxion](https://cybersectools.com/compare/attaxion-vs-microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs Vulneri ASM](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management-vs-vulneri-asm-attack-surface-management) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs Cylana EASM](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cylana-easm-vs-microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) ## Alternatives to each - [See all CyCognito EASM Platform alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/cycognito-easm-platform) - [See all Microsoft Defender EASM alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/cycognito-easm-platform-vs-microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/cycognito-easm-platform.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on CyCognito EASM Platform and Microsoft Defender EASM: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md