# Halo Security External Attack Surface Management vs Microsoft Defender EASM: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Halo Security External Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/tools/halo-security-external-attack-surface-management) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [Halo Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/halo-security). [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 the one we picked. ### [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 | | Halo Security External Attack Surface Management | 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 | Halo Security | Microsoft | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Halo Security External Attack Surface Management | Microsoft Defender EASM | |---|---|---| | OWASP | Yes | – | ### Core features **Halo Security External Attack Surface Management** 10 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 **Halo Security External Attack Surface Management** 16 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **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. ## Halo Security External Attack Surface Management vs Microsoft Defender EASM FAQ Common questions when comparing Halo Security External Attack Surface Management vs Microsoft Defender EASM for external attack surface management. ### What is the difference between Halo Security External Attack Surface Management and Microsoft Defender EASM? **Halo Security External Attack Surface Management**: External attack surface management platform for asset discovery and monitoring, built by Halo Security. **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 Halo Security External Attack Surface Management and Microsoft Defender EASM? **Halo Security External Attack Surface Management** is made by Halo Security. **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 Halo Security External Attack Surface Management a good alternative to Microsoft Defender EASM? Often, yes. Halo Security External Attack Surface Management 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 - [Halo Security External Attack Surface Management vs CyCognito EASM Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cycognito-easm-platform-vs-halo-security-external-attack-surface-management) - [Halo Security External Attack Surface Management vs Outpost24 External Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/halo-security-external-attack-surface-management-vs-outpost24-external-attack-surface-management) - [Halo Security External Attack Surface Management vs StrikeOne Attack Surfa](https://cybersectools.com/compare/halo-security-external-attack-surface-management-vs-strikeone-attack-surfa) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs CyCognito EASM Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cycognito-easm-platform-vs-microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs Outpost24 External Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management-vs-outpost24-external-attack-surface-management) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs StrikeOne Attack Surfa](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management-vs-strikeone-attack-surfa) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Halo Security External Attack Surface Management alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/halo-security-external-attack-surface-management) - [See all Microsoft Defender EASM alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/halo-security-external-attack-surface-management-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/halo-security-external-attack-surface-management.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Halo Security External Attack Surface Management 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