# Microsoft Defender EASM vs Puredns: 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). [Puredns](https://cybersectools.com/tools/puredns) is a free [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution. 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, Mandiant Attack Surface Management and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Microsoft Defender EASM | Puredns | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Free | | Category | External Attack Surface Management | External Attack Surface Management | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | GitHub stars | – | 1,982 | | Last commit | – | Nov 2024 | | Company | Microsoft | – | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Microsoft Defender EASM | Puredns | |---|---|---| | Security Research | – | Yes | ### Core features **Microsoft Defender EASM** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Puredns** No features listed. ### Integrations **Microsoft Defender EASM** 4 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Puredns** No integrations listed. ## 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 want a cloud product. - [Puredns](https://cybersectools.com/tools/puredns) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup, you need a free product and you want an open-source product. ## Microsoft Defender EASM vs Puredns FAQ Common questions when comparing Microsoft Defender EASM vs Puredns for external attack surface management. ### What is the difference between Microsoft Defender EASM and Puredns? **Microsoft Defender EASM**: Discovers and monitors external-facing assets and vulnerabilities. Built by Microsoft. **Puredns**: A fast domain resolver and subdomain bruteforcing tool. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Microsoft Defender EASM and Puredns? **Microsoft Defender EASM** is made by Microsoft. **Puredns** is open-source with 1,982 GitHub stars. 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 Puredns? Often, yes. Microsoft Defender EASM and Puredns are both External Attack Surface Management products. Key differences: Microsoft Defender EASM is Commercial while Puredns is Free, Puredns is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Microsoft Defender EASM vs Assetnote Exposure Engine](https://cybersectools.com/compare/assetnote-exposure-engine-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) - [Puredns vs Assetnote Exposure Engine](https://cybersectools.com/compare/assetnote-exposure-engine-vs-puredns) - [Puredns vs Outpost24 External Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/outpost24-external-attack-surface-management-vs-puredns) - [Puredns vs StrikeOne Attack Surfa](https://cybersectools.com/compare/puredns-vs-strikeone-attack-surfa) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Microsoft Defender EASM alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management) - [See all Puredns alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/puredns) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-external-attack-surface-management-vs-puredns 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 Puredns: 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