Microsoft Defender EASM is a commercial external attack surface management solution by Microsoft. Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse is a commercial external attack surface management solution by Palo Alto Networks. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.
What our shortlists say about each one.
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, Fall 2026
Best for: Large companies wanting automated fixes for exposures
It earns a place because it goes past listing exposures, since automated playbooks close them without a ticket, which suits a large company with a sprawling footprint. It fits mid-market and enterprise teams. Agree up front which fixes the playbooks may run on their own, because automatic changes to live assets need an owner.
From Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business, Fall 2026
Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze.
Discovers and monitors external-facing assets and vulnerabilities
Active attack surface mgmt solution for discovering & remediating unknown risks
See more solutions in this category, or build a security stack from your picks.
Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.
Microsoft Defender EASM fits if you are a small business.
Common questions when comparing Microsoft Defender EASM vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse for external attack surface management.
Microsoft Defender EASM: Discovers and monitors external-facing assets and vulnerabilities, built by Microsoft.
Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse: Active attack surface mgmt solution for discovering & remediating unknown risks, built by Palo Alto Networks.
The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.
Microsoft Defender EASM is made by Microsoft. Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse is made by Palo Alto Networks. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.
Often, yes. Microsoft Defender EASM and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse are both External Attack Surface Management products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.
Need the answer fast? Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business picks Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse, Microsoft Defender EASM, Google Mandiant Attack Surface Management and 4 more.See the shortlist