# Microsoft Defender EASM vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse: side-by-side comparison (2026) [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). [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse](https://cybersectools.com/tools/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [Palo Alto Networks](https://cybersectools.com/companies/palo-alto-networks). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about each one. ### [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. ### [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse](https://cybersectools.com/tools/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) 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](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 | | Microsoft Defender EASM | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | External Attack Surface Management | External Attack Surface Management | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Microsoft | Palo Alto Networks | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Microsoft Defender EASM | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse | |---|---|---| | Reconnaissance | – | Yes | ### Core features **Microsoft Defender EASM** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Microsoft Defender EASM** 4 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** 12 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. ## Microsoft Defender EASM vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse FAQ Common questions when comparing Microsoft Defender EASM vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse for external attack surface management. ### What is the difference between Microsoft Defender EASM and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse? **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. ### Who makes Microsoft Defender EASM and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse? **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. ### Is Microsoft Defender EASM a good alternative to Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse? 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. ## Related comparisons - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs DDactic Attack Surface Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ddactic-attack-surface-discovery-vs-microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs Censys Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/censys-attack-surface-management-vs-microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs Matos Automated Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cloudmatos-automated-attack-surface-management-vs-microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs DDactic Attack Surface Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ddactic-attack-surface-discovery-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Censys Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/censys-attack-surface-management-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Matos Automated Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cloudmatos-automated-attack-surface-management-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Microsoft Defender EASM alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) - [See all Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Microsoft Defender EASM and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse: 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