Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services provide organizations with expert security monitoring, threat detection, and response capabilities without building an in-house SOC. We evaluated leading providers on detection efficacy, response capabilities, and service quality.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Detection coverage: Threat detection breadth and accuracy
  • Response capabilities: Speed and effectiveness of threat containment
  • Technology stack: Quality of underlying platform and tooling
  • Analyst expertise: Team qualifications and threat intelligence
  • Customer experience: Onboarding, communication, reporting

1. CrowdStrike Falcon Complete

Score: 96/100

CrowdStrike’s MDR service leverages the industry-leading Falcon platform:

  • 24/7/365 monitoring by experienced OverWatch threat hunters
  • Mean time to respond under 10 minutes for critical threats
  • Full remediation authority with automated containment
  • Breach prevention warranty up to $1 million

Best for: Organizations wanting premium MDR backed by market-leading technology

2. Arctic Wolf

Score: 93/100

Arctic Wolf has emerged as a pure-play MDR leader:

  • Concierge Security Team model with dedicated analysts
  • Strong security operations platform built for MDR
  • Excellent vulnerability management integration
  • Competitive pricing for mid-market organizations

Best for: Mid-market organizations seeking dedicated security team experience

3. Secureworks Taegis ManagedXDR

Score: 91/100

Secureworks brings decades of security services expertise:

  • Deep threat intelligence from Counter Threat Unit research
  • Broad telemetry integration beyond endpoints
  • Strong incident response capabilities with IR retainer options
  • Flexible deployment models (managed, co-managed)

Best for: Organizations valuing threat intelligence and incident response expertise

4. Sophos MDR

Score: 89/100

Sophos offers accessible MDR with strong ransomware protection:

  • Integration with Sophos endpoint, firewall, and cloud products
  • Specialized ransomware hunting and containment
  • Good mid-market pricing
  • Breach protection warranty included

Best for: Sophos customers and mid-market organizations with ransomware concerns

5. Palo Alto Unit 42 MDR

Score: 88/100

Palo Alto’s MDR leverages Cortex XDR and Unit 42 threat research:

  • Industry-leading threat intelligence from Unit 42
  • Comprehensive XDR platform coverage
  • Strong cloud workload monitoring
  • Premium positioning with enterprise focus

Best for: Enterprises with significant Palo Alto investments

6. SentinelOne Vigilance

Score: 87/100

SentinelOne’s MDR service extends autonomous endpoint capabilities:

  • AI-assisted threat analysis augmenting human analysts
  • Fast response times with automated containment
  • Good value compared to premium competitors
  • Digital forensics capabilities included

Best for: SentinelOne customers wanting enhanced monitoring

7. Red Canary

Score: 86/100

Red Canary focuses on detection engineering excellence:

  • Transparent detection logic with detailed documentation
  • Strong integration ecosystem (multiple EDR vendors)
  • Effective threat hunting program
  • Good communication and customer experience

Best for: Organizations valuing detection transparency and flexibility

8. Expel

Score: 85/100

Expel differentiates with transparency and self-service capabilities:

  • Real-time visibility into analyst investigation workflow
  • Strong automation reducing mean time to investigate
  • Broad technology integration
  • Customer-friendly SLA terms

Best for: Organizations wanting visibility into MDR operations

9. Binary Defense

Score: 83/100

Binary Defense offers effective MDR with threat hunting focus:

  • Dedicated threat hunting teams
  • Good integration with major EDR platforms
  • Counterintelligence capabilities
  • Competitive mid-market pricing

Best for: Mid-market organizations prioritizing threat hunting

10. Deepwatch

Score: 81/100

Deepwatch provides flexible managed security:

  • Platform-agnostic approach
  • Good SIEM and cloud monitoring capabilities
  • Flexible service tiers
  • Growing customer base

Best for: Organizations with existing SIEM investments

Selecting an MDR Provider

Key questions to ask:

  1. What technology platforms do you support?
  2. What is your mean time to detect and respond?
  3. How do you handle remediation and containment?
  4. What certifications do your analysts hold?
  5. How is threat intelligence integrated?
  6. What reporting and metrics do you provide?