# Microsoft Defender vs FairWind HSEQ

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FairWind HSEQ at none against Microsoft Defender's 3. FairWind HSEQ also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Microsoft Defender's advantage is ratings volume (22K vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Microsoft Defender sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. FairWind HSEQ asks for nothing beyond the download.

FairWind HSEQ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Microsoft Defender has 22K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Microsoft Defender ships an update every 2 weeks, FairWind HSEQ every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Microsoft Defender | FairWind HSEQ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-defender-security/id1526737990/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fairwind-hseq/id1571299301/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **22K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#186** | — |
| Size | 161 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Microsoft Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/298856275) | [Trond Hansen](https://appshunter.io/developer/516846212) |

## What reviewers say

### Microsoft Defender

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microsoft-defender-security/id1526737990)

**Currently charting:** #186 Top Free · Business, #190 Top Grossing · Business (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** Antivirus scanning, Threat monitoring, Dark web scanning for identity threats, Credit monitoring, Identity theft restoration, Anti-phishing protection, Multidevice alerts

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $6.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | $9.99 | per month |
| Microsoft 365 Family | $12.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast
- 🔒 Security
- 👍 Ease of use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 🔍 Excessive data usage
- 🤖 Compatibility problems
- ⚠️ Disruptive to other apps

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues
- Unexpected app crashes
- Inconsistent behavior after updates

**Requested features**

- Dark mode support
- Customizable VPN settings
- Better integration with other apps


### FairWind HSEQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fairwind-hseq/id1571299301)

Streamline incident and accident reporting with this mobile tool. It also offers digital checklists, risk assessments, and access to governing documents.

**Highlights:** Incident and accident reporting, Digital checklists, Risk assessments, Access to governing documents

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Microsoft Defender free?

Microsoft Defender is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is FairWind HSEQ free?

FairWind HSEQ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Microsoft Defender or FairWind HSEQ?

FairWind HSEQ is rated higher. Microsoft Defender averages 4.7 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while FairWind HSEQ averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Microsoft Defender or FairWind HSEQ have ads?

Neither Microsoft Defender nor FairWind HSEQ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Microsoft Defender or FairWind HSEQ?

Microsoft Defender ships an update every 2 weeks, and FairWind HSEQ every 6 weeks. Most recently, Microsoft Defender was updated on October 17, 2026 and FairWind HSEQ on October 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*