# Microsoft Defender for Identity vs Obsidian ITDR: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Microsoft Defender for Identity](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-for-identity) is a commercial [identity threat detection and response](https://cybersectools.com/categories/itdr) solution by [Microsoft](https://cybersectools.com/companies/microsoft). [Obsidian ITDR](https://cybersectools.com/tools/obsidian-itdr) is a commercial [identity threat detection and response](https://cybersectools.com/categories/itdr) solution by [Obsidian Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/obsidian-security). 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 Identity](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-for-identity) Best for: Microsoft shops with on-premises Active Directory It leads this list because most companies still run on-premises Active Directory, and this product watches it from the inside while feeding the same Defender incidents your analysts already work. If you are a Microsoft shop, it is often the shortest path to identity detection. If your endpoint and SOC stack is not Microsoft, weigh how much of that value carries over. From [Best ITDR Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-itdr-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best ITDR Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-itdr-solutions) picks Microsoft Defender for Identity, CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen Identity Security, SentinelOne Singularity Identity Security and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Microsoft Defender for Identity | Obsidian ITDR | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Identity Threat Detection and Response | Identity Threat Detection and Response | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Hybrid | Cloud | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Microsoft | Obsidian Security | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Microsoft Defender for Identity | Obsidian ITDR | |---|---|---| | Active Directory | Yes | – | | Attack Detection | Yes | – | | Microsoft | Yes | – | | MITRE ATT&CK | – | Yes | ### Core features **Microsoft Defender for Identity** 8 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Obsidian ITDR** 8 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Microsoft Defender for Identity** 5 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Obsidian ITDR** 5 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 Identity](https://cybersectools.com/tools/microsoft-defender-for-identity) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options. - [Obsidian ITDR](https://cybersectools.com/tools/obsidian-itdr) fits if you want a cloud product. ## Microsoft Defender for Identity vs Obsidian ITDR FAQ Common questions when comparing Microsoft Defender for Identity vs Obsidian ITDR for identity threat detection and response. ### What is the difference between Microsoft Defender for Identity and Obsidian ITDR? **Microsoft Defender for Identity**: Identity threat detection and response solution for Active Directory. Built by Microsoft. **Obsidian ITDR**: SaaS ITDR platform for detecting & responding to identity threats. Built by Obsidian Security. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Microsoft Defender for Identity and Obsidian ITDR? **Microsoft Defender for Identity** is made by Microsoft. **Obsidian ITDR** is made by Obsidian Security. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Microsoft Defender for Identity a good alternative to Obsidian ITDR? Often, yes. Microsoft Defender for Identity and Obsidian ITDR are both Identity Threat Detection and Response products. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Microsoft Defender for Identity vs Netwrix Identity Threat Detection & Response](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-identity-vs-netwrix-identity-threat-detection-and-response) - [Microsoft Defender for Identity vs Semperis AI-Powered Identity Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-identity-vs-semperis-ai-powered-identity-security) - [Microsoft Defender for Identity vs SentinelOne Singularity Identity Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-identity-vs-sentinelone-singularity-identity-security) - [Obsidian ITDR vs Netwrix Identity Threat Detection & Response](https://cybersectools.com/compare/netwrix-identity-threat-detection-and-response-vs-obsidian-itdr) - [Obsidian ITDR vs Semperis AI-Powered Identity Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/obsidian-itdr-vs-semperis-ai-powered-identity-security) - [Obsidian ITDR vs SentinelOne Singularity Identity Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/obsidian-itdr-vs-sentinelone-singularity-identity-security) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Microsoft Defender for Identity alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender-for-identity) - [See all Obsidian ITDR alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/obsidian-itdr) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/microsoft-defender-for-identity-vs-obsidian-itdr 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-identity.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Microsoft Defender for Identity and Obsidian ITDR: 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