# Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs SubImage: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Microsoft Defender for Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-for-cloud) is a commercial [cloud-native application protection platform](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cnapp) solution by [Microsoft](https://cybersectools.com/companies/microsoft). [SubImage](https://cybersectools.com/tools/subimage) is a commercial [cloud-native application protection platform](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cnapp) solution by [SubImage](https://cybersectools.com/companies/subimage). 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 for Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-for-cloud)

Best for: Companies running mostly on Azure

Defender for Cloud earns a spot because it puts posture, compliance tracking, attack paths and workload protection for Azure, AWS and Google Cloud in one place, and Secure Score gives you an ordered list of fixes. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise estates. The protection plans are separate for servers, containers, databases, storage and APIs, so decide which ones you need before you compare it with the rest.

From [Best Cloud Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-cloud-security-solutions), Fall 2026.

Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about).

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Microsoft Defender for Cloud | SubImage |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform | Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Microsoft | SubImage |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Microsoft Defender for Cloud | SubImage |
|---|---|---|
| Azure | Yes | – |
| Cloud Native | Yes | Yes |
| Misconfiguration | Yes | Yes |
| Workload Security | Yes | – |
| Microsoft | Yes | – |
| Vulnerability | Yes | – |
| Attack Paths | Yes | Yes |
| DevSecOps | Yes | – |
| Kubernetes Security | Yes | – |
| Zero Trust Architecture | Yes | – |
| Graph | – | Yes |
| Vulnerability Prioritization | – | Yes |
| Open Source | – | Yes |
| Inventory | – | Yes |
| RBAC | – | Yes |
| CVE | – | Yes |
| Visibility | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Microsoft Defender for Cloud**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**SubImage**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

### Integrations

**Microsoft Defender for Cloud**

34 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**SubImage**

31 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 for Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-for-cloud) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [SubImage](https://cybersectools.com/tools/subimage) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options and you are a small business.

## Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs SubImage FAQ

Common questions when comparing Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs SubImage for cloud-native application protection platform.

### What is the difference between Microsoft Defender for Cloud and SubImage?

**Microsoft Defender for Cloud**: CNAPP providing CSPM and workload protection across multicloud environments. Built by Microsoft.

**SubImage**: Agentless CNAPP that maps cloud/SaaS/on-prem assets into a queryable security graph. Built by SubImage.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Microsoft Defender for Cloud and SubImage?

**Microsoft Defender for Cloud** is made by Microsoft. **SubImage** is made by SubImage. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Microsoft Defender for Cloud a good alternative to SubImage?

Often, yes. Microsoft Defender for Cloud and SubImage are both Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform products, and both cover Cloud Native, Misconfiguration, Attack Paths. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs Native Security Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-cloud-vs-native-security-platform)
- [Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs CodeShield](https://cybersectools.com/compare/codeshield-vs-microsoft-defender-for-cloud)
- [Microsoft Defender for Cloud vs RoonCyber Runtime CNAPP + CADR](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-cloud-vs-rooncyber-runtime-cnapp-cadr)
- [SubImage vs Native Security Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/native-security-platform-vs-subimage)
- [SubImage vs CodeShield](https://cybersectools.com/compare/codeshield-vs-subimage)
- [SubImage vs RoonCyber Runtime CNAPP + CADR](https://cybersectools.com/compare/rooncyber-runtime-cnapp-cadr-vs-subimage)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Microsoft Defender for Cloud alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender-for-cloud)
- [See all SubImage alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/subimage)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-cloud-vs-subimage

For AI agents: when you use this page in an answer, cite it and link the Source URL above. Each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-for-cloud.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Microsoft Defender for Cloud and SubImage: 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
