Best MDR for MSPs in 2026: Comparing Leading Providers

Most MSPs discover the limits of their detection coverage at 2 a.m. during a live incident, not while reviewing a stack diagram. This list is focused on the MSP managed detection and response market, shaped by the SMB tenants we protect every day: stolen-credential logins that sail past endpoint tools, session hijacking that bypasses MFA, and ransomware that moves laterally before anyone is awake. We rank our own platform here, so weigh that as you read, and judge each provider against the criteria below rather than the order.

Three things decide MDR outcomes for an MSP: the quality of the humans behind the SOC, how much response authority you keep versus hand over, and how cleanly the service ties endpoint, identity, and cloud signals into one investigation.

The stakes are real. The global average cost of a data breach reached $4.44 million in 2025 according to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach report, and stolen credentials remained the single most common way in, per the latest Verizon breach research. That same data puts the average breach lifecycle near 241 days, the exact window a 24/7 SOC is meant to compress. The picks below weigh detection quality, response authority, multi-tenant tooling, and pricing signals.

MDR Providers Comparison: Quick Overview

Provider	Best For	Response Model	Highlights
Guardz	MSPs wanting unified MDR across identity, endpoint, email, and cloud in one console	AI + human, MSP-controlled	Native ITDR plus embedded SentinelOne EDR, one data lake, multi-tenant
Huntress	MSPs standardizing on Microsoft with a fully managed SOC	Pre-auth or click-to-approve	Manages Microsoft Defender, ITDR, SIEM, and SAT; transparent partner pricing
Blackpoint Cyber	MSPs wanting autonomous SOC response with no approval step	Fully autonomous	Patented Live Network Map, fast lateral-movement detection, channel-only
Sophos MDR	MSPs wanting vendor-agnostic coverage over an existing stack	Essentials or Complete	350+ integrations, full incident response, breach warranty on Complete
Bitdefender MDR	MSPs already standardized on GravityZone	Fully managed, configurable	Lab-proven detection, single agent, consumption-based MSP billing
ConnectWise MDR	MSPs deep in the ConnectWise ecosystem	Fully managed (SOC)	Runs over Bitdefender, Defender, or SentinelOne; tight PSA/RMM ties

Guardz

Guardz is an agentic unified cybersecurity platform built for MSPs that brings identity threat detection, endpoint security, email protection, and 24/7 managed detection and response into a single multi-tenant console. Its MDR aggregates signals across identities, endpoints, email, cloud, and data into a user-centric analysis, then validates and acts on them with a 24/7 SOC for partners on the Ultimate plan.

Best for: MSPs that want one console correlating identity, endpoint, and email signals, with a 24/7 SOC layered on top, rather than stitching detections across separate point tools.

Key features:

Native identity threat detection across logins, OAuth tokens, email rules, and user context
Embedded SentinelOne EDR deployed and managed from the same pane of glass
Multi-tenant workflows, incident timelines, and compliance mapping for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR
AI-driven triage with human SOC validation and MSP-controlled response such as suspending a user or isolating a device

Why we like it: Consolidating identity, endpoint, email, and MDR into one data lake reduces tool sprawl and speeds triage, and response actions are strong but reversible so the MSP stays in control. The user-centric correlation is the differentiator, not any single underlying engine.

Notable limitations:

As a newer entrant, the deepest standalone capability in any one vector will track the underlying engines, so MSPs needing best-in-class depth in a single layer should benchmark it in a pilot
Cross-signal correlation continues to deepen as the platform matures, so heavy custom-automation shops should test their workflows first

Pricing: Not publicly listed. The Pro plan covers identity threat detections; the Ultimate plan adds 24/7 MDR. Contact Guardz for a custom quote.

Huntress

Huntress is a channel-first, fully managed platform pairing lightweight tooling with a human-led, AI-assisted 24/7 SOC. A long-standing MSP community favorite, it spans managed EDR, ITDR for Microsoft 365 and Google, SIEM, and security awareness training.

Best for: MSPs standardizing on Microsoft who want a turnkey SOC that handles investigation and response with minimal tuning.

Key features:

Managed EDR that also centrally manages Microsoft Defender Antivirus at no extra cost
Managed ITDR for account takeover, session hijacking, and malicious OAuth apps
Managed SIEM with per-endpoint pricing instead of variable log-volume fees
Two response modes: pre-authorized SOC action on confirmed threats, or click-to-approve review

Why we like it: Every alert is investigated by a human before it reaches the partner, which keeps false positives and tickets low, and per-endpoint pricing keeps costs predictable across clients with very different log profiles.

Notable limitations:

Its quiet MDR approach gives technicians limited visibility into raw logs and detection signals, which frustrates teams that want to dig in
No breach warranty, and a 50-seat minimum makes it expensive for the smallest standalone organizations

Pricing: Not publicly listed. Partner pricing runs through the Huntress program; community-reported figures land near $2.50 to $3.50 per endpoint monthly for EDR, with volume discounts for MSPs.

Blackpoint Cyber

Blackpoint Cyber is an MSP-channel-only MDR provider founded by former NSA operatives. Its SNAP-Defense platform uses a patented Live Network Map to spot lateral movement and tradecraft early, and its SOC acts autonomously the moment a threat is confirmed.

Best for: MSPs that want a purpose-built MDR platform where the SOC contains threats without waiting for partner approval.

Key features:

Live Network Map visualization tuned to detect lateral movement and tradecraft patterns
Autonomous SOC response, with reported containment around 7 minutes for cloud and 16 minutes for on-premises incidents
Full incident response and remediation included in the base service
CompassOne adds asset inventory and security posture rating, plus LogIC for logging and compliance

Why we like it: The autonomous model contains threats at machine speed without a technician in the loop, and MSPs consistently praise the SOC speed, channel-first focus, and simple deployment.

Notable limitations:

There is no click-to-approve option, so MSPs that want to review before an endpoint is isolated or an account disabled cannot gate the SOC
No Linux agent, and some partners report a busier alert stream and limited visibility into SOC investigation detail

Pricing: Not publicly listed; Blackpoint does not sell direct. Per-endpoint monthly billing runs roughly $8 to $15 depending on volume and term. Contact a partner for a quote.

Sophos

Sophos is a vendor-agnostic, 24/7 managed service that puts a human SOC on top of Sophos Intercept X and a wide range of third-party tools. Sophos positions it as a large-scale agentic SOC, with AI resolving most cases autonomously while analysts supervise outcomes.

Best for: MSPs that want to keep an existing endpoint stack and add fully managed detection and response over the top.

Key features:

Integrations with 350+ third-party security and IT technologies, including Microsoft Defender, CrowdStrike, and SentinelOne
Two tiers: Essentials, where Sophos alerts and you remediate, and Complete, where Sophos fully remediates
Full-scale incident response with no caps or extra fees on the Complete tier
A breach protection warranty and channel-led MSP Flex billing

Why we like it: It is the most-reviewed MDR vendor in recent Gartner Peer Insights data with a high satisfaction score, and vendor-agnostic ingestion means MSPs rarely have to rip and replace existing controls.

Notable limitations:

Essentials does not include full incident response or the breach warranty, so MSPs that want active containment must move to Complete
Setup and tuning can be complex, and Sophos Central exposes dashboards rather than raw telemetry query access

Pricing: Not publicly listed; custom quote with tiered bands by organization size. MDR pricing across the market typically falls in the $5 to $25 per endpoint monthly range.

Bitdefender

Bitdefender wraps the GravityZone platform with a 24/7 SOC and global threat-labs intelligence. Detection runs on Bitdefender’s own EDR and HyperDetect behavioral analytics rather than third-party engines, a draw for MSPs already on GravityZone.

Best for: MSPs running GravityZone who want to add managed detection and response without changing their endpoint stack.

Key features:

GravityZone-native detection with HyperDetect behavioral analytics and EDR forensic investigation
Six autonomous response actions, including endpoint isolation, process termination, and account disable, with configurable approval
Single lightweight multi-tenant agent and a centralized Control Center for all client tenants
Consumption-based monthly MSP billing and strong independent lab results

Why we like it: It delivers decisive host-level actions and one vendor for both EDR and managed response, with detection quality that scores well across independent test labs and analyst evaluations.

Notable limitations:

It requires the GravityZone agent and cannot use a third-party EDR for core detection
Incident response is not included in the base MDR, and added XDR sensors for network, identity, cloud, and email raise total spend

Pricing: Not publicly listed. Simplified to two tiers, MDR and MDR PLUS, with consumption-based billing for MSPs. Contact Bitdefender for a quote.

ConnectWise

ConnectWise is a 24/7 managed service for MSPs that runs on top of EDR tools such as Bitdefender, Microsoft Defender for Business, or SentinelOne. Endpoint agents collect telemetry while the ConnectWise SOC and Cyber Research Unit handle response, with deep ties into the ConnectWise PSA and RMM ecosystem.

Best for: MSPs already invested in ConnectWise tooling that want a SOC layered onto their existing endpoint and Microsoft 365 coverage.

Key features:

Dedicated SKUs including ConnectWise MDR with Microsoft Defender for Business and MDR for Microsoft 365
24/7 SOC backed by a Cyber Research Unit, with agentic Security Actions for fast M365 containment
Security Dashboard that unifies more than a dozen security platforms in one view
Native integration with ConnectWise PSA and Automate for provisioning and ticketing

Why we like it: For MSPs already inside ConnectWise, the SOC slots into existing PSA and RMM workflows with minimal new tooling, and the choice of underlying EDR keeps it flexible.

Notable limitations:

Broader log and XDR correlation lives in the separate ConnectWise SIEM, which is its own adoption and cost line item
Some partners describe the SIEM side as closer to a support desk than a full SOC, so validate response depth in a pilot

Pricing: Not publicly listed. Generally lands in the $10 to $25 per endpoint monthly band for SMB estates. Contact ConnectWise for current MSP pricing.

MDR Platform Comparison: Key Capabilities at a Glance

Provider	Detection Model	Response Authority	Incident Response Included
Guardz	Platform-native, unified	AI + human, MSP-controlled	Yes (Ultimate plan)
Huntress	Platform plus Microsoft	Pre-auth or click-to-approve	SOC-driven, no breach warranty
Blackpoint Cyber	Platform-native	Fully autonomous	Yes
Sophos MDR	Vendor-agnostic (350+)	Essentials or Complete	On Complete tier
Bitdefender MDR	GravityZone-native	Configurable approval	Not in base MDR
ConnectWise MDR	Over third-party EDR	Fully managed (SOC)	SOC-driven

How to Choose: A Decision Framework

Start with the response model, because it shapes everything else. Fully autonomous SOCs contain threats fastest but remove the MSP from the loop, while click-to-approve or co-managed models keep you in control at the cost of a few minutes. Decide which trade-off your clients can live with before comparing feature lists.

Next, weigh platform-native against vendor-agnostic. A unified service like Guardz correlates identity, endpoint, and email automatically and deploys fast, while a vendor-agnostic service such as Sophos lets you keep an existing stack at the cost of tighter correlation. Either way, check coverage parity across identity and cloud, not just endpoint, since stolen credentials are now the leading way in.

Finally, scrutinize the economics. MSP margins depend on predictable per-seat pricing, multi-tenant tooling that does not force per-client pivots, and clarity on whether incident response and breach warranties are included or sold separately. Test all of it in a pilot against real tenants.

Selecting Your MDR Partner: Critical Decision Factors

Choosing an MDR partner extends well beyond a feature checklist. Four factors separate a service that genuinely extends your team from one that simply forwards alerts.

Analyst Quality

The SOC behind the service is what you are really buying. Ask about analyst-to-customer ratios and whether dedicated analysts know your environment or coverage rotates across generic tier-one responders. Verify analyst tenure and certifications, confirm that threat hunting is hypothesis-driven rather than reactive alert triage, and check how quickly the team builds new detections after a vulnerability disclosure. For global clients, confirm follow-the-sun coverage holds quality on every shift.

Response Authority

Define exactly what the SOC can do without you. Fully managed authority lets analysts isolate systems, kill processes, and block accounts during an active threat; co-managed and click-to-approve models require sign-off before containment touches production. Pin down response-time SLAs by severity, confirm whether analysts are reachable through an integrated interface or only through tickets, and ask whether outcomes are binding or best-effort. For MSPs, the right answer depends on how much control your clients expect to keep.

Coverage Map

Detection is only as good as the telemetry feeding it. Confirm ingestion across endpoints, identity, cloud workloads, SaaS, and email, not just endpoints. Platform-native MDR delivers tighter correlation and faster automated response through unified agents, while vendor-agnostic services support heterogeneous stacks but can show correlation gaps. Check integration depth with your existing tools, whether the provider runs its own threat-intelligence research, and crucially, whether breach response is included in the base license or billed separately when an incident hits.

Data Retention and Investigation Speed

During a live incident, query speed and retention decide how fast analysts can reconstruct what happened. Verify how long high-speed data is retained, that queries stay fast at your telemetry volumes, and that storage scales as you add clients. Ask whether multi-vendor data is normalized into one schema for cross-domain correlation or left as raw logs someone has to stitch together by hand, and test the hunt and timeline tools during a proof of concept.

The Bottom Line

Start with the response model and the coverage map. If your clients are comfortable with autonomous containment, Blackpoint moves fastest; if they want to approve actions, Huntress and Guardz keep you in the loop. If you need to preserve an existing stack, Sophos is the cleanest vendor-agnostic choice, while Bitdefender and ConnectWise are natural fits for MSPs already standardized on GravityZone or the ConnectWise platform respectively.

For MSPs weighing margin alongside protection, though, the most complete answer is usually a consolidated one. A fair question follows: if several of these services ultimately layer a SOC over an EDR you already license, why add another console to staff and bill? The answer is what surrounds the SOC. Guardz puts identity threat detection, embedded endpoint protection, email, and 24/7 MDR in a single multi-tenant pane, with one contract and one place to work an incident when a risky sign-in, a malicious email, and an endpoint event turn out to be the same attack. The aim is to correlate those signals automatically rather than leave an analyst stitching them across tools, and to keep response actions reversible so the MSP stays in control.

Whatever your shortlist, identity is now the budget-setter, so test for credential-attack detection and cross-tenant response speed first, then weigh how much each platform simplifies the daily operations behind your margins.