7 best MDR software for enhanced threat detection in 2026

In 2026, there are a wide range of cybersecurity software available. These include EDR, XDR, SIEM, antivirus, and vulnerability management, to name a few. Besides these, there is also managed detection and response (MDR) software, which is either partially or completely handled by the vendor rather than by the customer.

Rather than needing to have cybersecurity professionals internally, MDR providers have cybersecurity expert teams who keep your IT infrastructure safe. These tools have many benefits, like access to a team of cybersecurity experts and 24/7 threat monitoring.

To assist you in selecting an MDR software, we have reviewed the best options available. Before that, let’s look at what MDR software exactly is, the types available, and why you need one.

The 7 best MDR software for 2026

After reviewing and comparing the best MDR software in 2026, these are the ones we recommend:

1. Atera – Best IT management platform with integrated MDR
2. ThreatDown – Suitable for endpoint protection and MDR
3. Webroot – Budget-friendly MDR solution
4. ESET Managed Detection & Response – Simple MDR with strong antivirus capabilities
5. Cynet – Standard XDR platform with optional MDR
6. CrowdStrike Falcon – Ideal AI-accelerated MDR
7. SentinelOne Vigilance – Standard MDR with near real-time remediation

Below is a more detailed breakdown of each of these.

1. Atera – Best IT management platform with integrated MDR

If you’re looking for an all-in-one IT management tool that integrates with the top MDR solutions, Atera is the right choice. Atera’s MDR integrations include Webroot, Bitdefender, Cynet, and ESET. Here’s what each of them is used for:

• Webroot: Combines real-time monitoring and incident response, with 24/7 human threat hunting. 
• Bitdefender: A full MDR service, monitored 24/7 by over 285 security analysts and threat hunters. 
• Cynet: An all-in-one XDR platform that includes MDR services. Users get access to 24/7 threat monitoring, alerts, and remediation instructions.
• ESET: EDR and MDR services through the ESET PROTECT product. It combines endpoint protection with 24/7 expert oversight.
• ThreatDown

Using Atera, enterprises can access our built-in capabilities for endpoint management and use the MDR integrations to protect against advanced threats further.

Features and capabilities

Atera integrates with the leading MDR software, but also has built-in features for keeping your IT environment secure. These features include:

• Real-time monitoring and alerting: Monitor your endpoints in real time and receive alerts if there are potential issues in your system.
• AI agents: Use Atera’s AI agents and let them take care of up to 40% of your IT workload. Free your IT team to focus on strategic work instead of repetitive issues. 
• Integrated MDR: Integrate Atera with the leading MDR solutions for additional threat detection and incident response.
• IT automation: Automate tasks like patch management and scripting through Atera’s IT automation.
• Reporting and analytics: Make better decisions and comply with industry regulations through customizable reports.
• Remote access: Access devices remotely for remote configuration.

Unlike most IT management tools out there, Atera enables IT to run autonomously through its AI agents. Our AI agents are there to work alongside you, whether you’re dealing with resolving issues, handling tickets, fixing scripts, or optimizing systems.

Customer reviews and ratings

Atera’s G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (830+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on G2:

• “Atera’s integrations with third-party tools mean we can connect our existing systems without any hassle. The platform is incredibly easy to use and implement,” a G2 user says.

• “Atera’s integrations with third-party tools, like Acronis for backups, have been a lifesaver for our organization,” a G2 user says.

Capterra rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (430+ reviews)

What Atera users are saying on Capterra:

• “I love Atera’s integration of AI within the ticketing and scripting. It makes everything easier to do and helps you out whenever you forget that one command to make progress,” a Capterra user says.

• “Atera is helping us solve tickets in a very short space of time using their Copilot in the PSA. It analyzes tickets, suggests solutions, and helps respond professionally,” a Capterra user says.

Atera pricing plans

Atera’s pricing is based on pay-per-technician, which differs from most MDR and RMM pricing plans. This means that you can manage unlimited devices/endpoints at a fixed monthly cost.

Below are Atera’s tailored pricing plans for IT departments and MSPs.

Atera pricing plans for IT departments: 

• Professional: $149 per month, per technician
• Expert: $189 per month, per technician
• Master: $219 per month, per technician
• Enterprise: Custom quotation; contact sales to get pricing

Atera pricing plans for MSPs:

• Pro: $129 per month, per technician
• Growth: $179 per month, per technician
• Power: $209 per month, per technician
• Superpower: Custom quotation; contact sales to get pricing

2. ThreatDown – Suitable for endpoint protection and MDR

For security teams of small organizations, ThreatDown is a threat detection and remediation tool with 24/7 security analyst monitoring. The security analyst leverage ThreatDown’s EDR capabilities, which help to identify suspicious threats, respond by isolating users and networks, and returning endpoints to healthy state.

ThreatDown is known for being easy to use and quick to onboard new endpoints. It can be integrated with Atera for more robust IT management tools.

G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (1,030+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: n/a

ThreatDown Pricing:

• As part of the Elite plan, ThreatDown’s MDR pricing plans start from $990/year for 10 devices

All of the ThreatDown pricing plans require you to have a minimum of 5 endpoints.

3. Webroot – Budget-friendly MDR solution

Webroot assists security teams in protecting their IT infrastructure through 24/7 cybersecurity expert monitoring. It’s known as one of the most affordable MDR solutions out there, making it ideal for SMBs with more limited budget.

Webroot users get access to key MDR capabilities, like asset visibility, multi-point threat detection, and response. It also comes with risk and compliance reporting, which helps to meet standards like HIPAA, PCI, ISO, and NIST.

As with ThreatDown, Webroot integrates with Atera for more comprehensive IT management.

G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (520+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (210+ reviews)

Webroot Pricing:

• The MDR licenses for businesses start at $150. Based on the number of endpoints and users you have, the price goes up.

4. ESET Managed Detection & Response – Simple MDR with strong antivirus capabilities

ESET operates its own global telemetry and threat intelligence network, which uses 100M+ sensors, 11 R&D centers, and decades of experience. ESET experts monitor active malware groups and provide 24/7 protection, with detection and response times as low as 20 minutes.

Users can choose from two MDR plans, MDR Service and MDR Ultimate Service. MDR Service is for basic-level monitoring, while the Ultimate Service offers more customized threat hunting and expert assistance.

Additionally, ESET is available in our integrations library and is a part of Atera’s antivirus integrations.

G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars (800+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars (1000+ reviews)

ESET MDR Pricing:

• MDR Service: The pricing is based on a custom quotation
• MDR Ultimate Service: The pricing is based on custom quotation

5. Cynet – Standard XDR platform with optional MDR

Cynet is an XDR cybersecurity platform, which includes advanced endpoint protection and EDR. Their team of threat analysts and security researchers offers an optional 24/7 MDR service. According to Cynet, this is what you can expect from it:

• 24/7 security monitoring
• Continuous management of incoming alerts
• On-demand file analysis
• Remediation instructions
• Proactive search for hidden threats

For additional endpoint management, Cynet integrates with Atera. 

G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars (200+ reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars (5 reviews)

Cynet Pricing:

• Elite: $7/month, per endpoint, including MDR
• All in one: $10/month, per endpoint, including MDR

6. CrowdStrike Falcon – Ideal AI-accelerated MDR

CrowdStrike Falcon is mainly known as an XDR solution for security teams, but it also provides an MDR service. The service includes round-the-clock protection from threats through detection, disruption, and eradication.

The MDR service is improved by Falcon Adversary OverWatch, which is CrowdStrike’s AI-powered tool. The AI tool is capable of 24/7 cross-domain threat hunting and remediation on real-time threat intelligence. CrowdStrike Falcon is one of the most popular MDR solutions, yet one of the most expensive.

G2 rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars (290+ reviews)

Capterra rating: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars (40+ reviews)

CrowdStrike Falcon pricing:

• CrowdStrike Falcon offers four pricing plans, but MDR is only included on the most expensive Falcon Complete plan. Its pricing is based on a custom quotation.

7. SentinelOne Vigilance – Standard MDR with near real-time remediation

SentinelOne advertises itself as the fastest MDR on the planet. It offers 24/7 monitoring of threats in your environments and promises a 30-minute mean time to detect and respond to incidents. To comply with regulations, customers have access to documentation and reporting.

Unlike most MDR services, SentinelOne publicly offers warranty protection of up to $1M if any ransomware attack successfully breaches its defenses.

G2 Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 stars (6 reviews)

Capterra Rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars (90+ reviews)

SentinelOne Vigilance Pricing:

• SentinelOne offers five pricing plans, but the MDR services are only available on the two most expensive, Commercial and Enterprise. The pricing plans for them start at $229.99/endpoint. 

IT management with integrated cybersecurity and MDR

At Atera, we understand the importance of a strong, unified platform that integrates MDR with broader IT security strategies. For this reason, Atera’s IT management platform offers built-in IT security features, such as real-time monitoring and response, and integrates with the best MDR solutions for further security.

This way, enterprises can detect and respond to threats, while monitoring devices, deploying patches, and automating routine IT tasks, all within a single workflow.

What’s best, many parts of these tasks can be automated, thanks to Atera’s Agentic AI technology. Atera’s Robin empowers users to self-solve IT issues and becomes a personal AI tech for every employee, while the AI Copilot works alongside technicians, expanding their human capabilities and expertise.

Interested in learning more? Get in touch with our sales team to discuss your needs further. Or, try the built-in features and integrations yourself by signing up for Atera’s 30-day free trial.

What is MDR software?

MDR software is a cybersecurity service that combines technology and human expertise to monitor cloud environments, networks, and endpoints against potential threats.

Unlike EDR, MDR solutions are implemented and managed by a third-party provider. These providers monitor your network 24/7, investigate threats, and continuously remediate security risks.

Types of MDR software

MDR software uses a variety of technologies that power the threat detection and response process. Here are the three main technologies used:

1. Managed endpoint detection and response (EDR)

While there are differences between EDR and MDR, EDR software can be a subcategory of MDR software. EDR stands for endpoint detection and response and is specifically designed to detect, respond to, and mitigate threats targeting endpoints.

EDR tools, alongside IoT monitoring software, monitor devices such as laptops, servers, desktops, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices in real time

2. Managed network detection and response (NDR)

NDR tools specialize in monitoring network traffic and can detect anomalies through techniques like behavioral analytics and deep packet inspection. NDR tools create a baseline of normal network behavior and alert security teams when suspicious network traffic patterns deviate from this baseline.

3. Extended detection and response (XDR)

As the title “extended” suggests, XDR solutions help detect, investigate, and respond to threats across multiple layers of a company’s security stack, such as networks, endpoints, servers, and cloud applications.

Unlike EDR or NDR, XDR tools bring all of these elements together to work in a centralized platform. XDR solutions use AI to detect advanced persistent threats (APTs), which are difficult to detect with traditional mechanisms.

Why do you need MDR software?

More and more IT teams are implementing MDR software into their everyday IT operations, primarily because of the benefits they bring. 

We’ve outlined the five most important benefits MDR tools bring below.

1. Lower data breach costs

IBM’s 2024 Data Breach Report shows that the more AI and automation organizations use in IT management, the lower their average data breach costs are. The same applies to MDR solutions.

Data breaches cost organizations an average of $4.88 million in 2024, so the cost reductions achieved by automation and AI can be substantial. In some cases, the cost savings are reported to be up to $2.2 million.

2. Faster data breach resolution

Organizations using AI and automation can identify and contain data breaches nearly 100 days faster than those without. MDR software can help achieve this through the AI and automation features that are available. The faster a data breach is resolved, the lower the potential damage.

3. Threat analysis and real-time insights

Like Gartner describes, MDR software provides expertise and helps to focus less on the why and how and more on “what to do next.”

MDR providers use advanced tools to monitor your network activity 24/7, making sure that cybercriminals can’t exploit any gaps in your system. If they detect any potential threats, they will investigate and respond as quickly as in 20 minutes.

4. Access to expert knowledge

MDR software is managed by the provider’s team of cybersecurity experts, which means you get access to a team of skilled professionals. These experts monitor your network 24/7, detect any looming threats, and respond to them.

Knowledge from cybersecurity professionals can be especially useful for SMBs that lack the resources to build an in-house security team.

5. Compliance and reporting

Maintaining compliance should be one of the top priorities for organizations. While every industry has its own regulations, all require data protection and regular monitoring to make sure devices are protected from potential threats.

MDR providers simplify this by automating compliance reporting and ensuring your cybersecurity practices comply with PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA requirements.