ShadowHQ vs Microsoft Defender
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ShadowHQ
This app provides a secure backup for communications and critical information during emergencies like ransomware attacks or natural disasters. It ensures you can stay connected and access vital data when primary IT systems are unavailable.
- Backup communications
- Secure information storage
- Emergency preparedness
- Ransomware attack resilience
- Disaster recovery
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ShadowHQ is your backup communications and information platform for when ransomware attacks, natural disasters and other critical events take your primary IT systems and accounts offline.
Microsoft Defender
This app offers comprehensive online security for individuals and families, providing antivirus scanning, threat monitoring, and identity protection. It helps safeguard personal information by scanning the dark web and offers credit monitoring and identity theft restoration services.
- Antivirus scanning
- Threat monitoring
- Dark web scanning for identity threats
- Credit monitoring
- Identity theft restoration
- Anti-phishing protection
- Multidevice alerts
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Microsoft Defender is an online security app for your personal life[1]and work [2]. Use Microsoft Defender for individuals[1] at home and on the go to stay safer online. Defender is an easy-to-use app that helps keep you and your family one step ahead of threats. Microsoft Defender for individuals is available exclusively with a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription. All-in-one security app Protect your personal identity, and devices against malicious threats with antivirus scanning[3], threat monitoring[4], multidevice alerts, and expert guidance. Manage your security in one place ▪ Check the security status of your family’s devices and identity[5]. ▪ Get threat alerts, notifications, and recommended steps across your devices. ▪ Receive security tips and take recommended actions to improve your online security. Safeguard your family’s personal information ▪ Threats to your identity and personal identifying information[4] are continuously scanned on the dark web. ▪ Get credit monitoring with timely alerts and monthly credit reports.[6] ▪ Call an identity theft restoration expert anytime day or night if you need help. ▪ Get identity insurance coverage, up to USD1 million, to help cover legal and expert fees associated with restoration. Insurance coverage includes up to USD100,000 to recover lost funds.[7] Trusted device and data protection ▪ Anti-phishing protection for your and your family’s devices against new and existing threats [3]. ▪ Continuously scans for harmful links before you click on them to help protect you from malicious threats. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Microsoft Defender for Endpoint[2] is an industry-leading, cloud-powered endpoint security solution that helps to secure against ransomware, file-less malware, and other sophisticated attacks across platforms. 1. Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription required. Sign in with your Microsoft account. App is currently not available in certain Microsoft 365 Personal or Family regions. 2. If you are a member of a business or organization, login with your work or school email. Your school or business is required to have a valid license or subscription. 3. Does not replace existing malware protection on iOS and Windows devices. 4. Feature is available in the United States and US territories. 5. A one-time parent or legal guardian verification is required to receive dark web threat alert details for children. If the organizer’s family member is under 13, consent is not required to create and/or monitor a child’s identity. Consent is required to create and/or monitor identity of family members over 13 years of age. 6. Feature available in the United States and US territories. Credit score is a single bureau VantageScore 3.0 provided by Experian®. The monthly credit report is provided by Experian® using single bureau data. For users under the age of 18 or those without a credit history, credit score not included. Family organizers will not have the ability to onboard, view, and receive alerts related to family member credit monitoring. Your device's primary display language must be set to English. 7. The identity theft insurance is underwritten and administered by American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida, an Assurant company. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. Review the Summary of Benefits: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/microsoft-365/summary-of-benefits-for-itm.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: ShadowHQ at 100% against Microsoft Defender's 34%. ShadowHQ also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Microsoft Defender's advantage is chart position (#159 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Microsoft Defender sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. ShadowHQ asks for nothing beyond the download.
ShadowHQ ships an update every 3 weeks, Microsoft Defender every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ShadowHQ | Microsoft Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.7 (21K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 34.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 21K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | #159 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 70 MB | 159 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MobiStream Solutions | Microsoft Corporation |
Customer experience
ShadowHQ
Microsoft Defender
Bugs and requests
ShadowHQ
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Microsoft Defender
Reported bugs
3 issues- Login issues
- Unexpected app crashes
- Inconsistent behavior after updates
Requested features
3 requests- Dark mode support
- Customizable VPN settings
- Better integration with other apps
In-app purchases
ShadowHQ
No in-app purchases
Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$6.991 Month
- Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$9.991 Month
- Microsoft 365 Family1 Month trial$12.991 Month







