Comparison

Microsoft Defender vs Mode

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Microsoft Defender

This app offers comprehensive online security for individuals and families, protecting personal identity and devices from threats. It provides antivirus scanning, dark web monitoring, credit monitoring, and identity theft restoration services.

Highlights
  • Antivirus scanning
  • Threat monitoring
  • Multidevice alerts
  • Dark web scanning
  • Credit monitoring
  • Identity theft restoration
  • Anti-phishing protection
Read full description

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.

About

Mode

This app provides a secure, encrypted platform for workplace communication, including messaging, video calls, and file sharing. It features advanced security measures like end-to-end and post-quantum encryption, with administrative controls for data lifespan and content policies.

Highlights
  • End-to-End Encryption
  • Post-Quantum Security
  • Secure Data Storage on Device
  • Administration Portal
  • Data Lifespan Control
  • Redact & Revise Messages
  • Video & Voice Calling
Features
Read full description

*The Mode iOS app requires activation from a Mode administration portal OR from an existing account on another platform. *The Mode iOS app cannot be used without activation to a Mode administration portal. Keep team communication in the workplace secure. Mode offers a secure space for messaging, video calls, and file sharing - perfect for organizations prioritizing data security. As an all-in-one encrypted communication app controlled by an administration portal, Mode gives you everything you need to keep team collaboration secure at your organization. With Mode, you can take security to the next level: -End-to-End Encryption: Keep communication data between your team, and only your team. -Post-Quantum Security: Protect your data from future access by quantum computers. -Secure Data Storage on Device: No central database of organizational communication. -Administration Portal: Take control over user, communication, and data security policies across Mode. -Data Lifespan Control: Ensure that messages and files only exist as long as they need to. -Content lock: Keep messages and files from being exported from Mode. -Redact & Revise Messages: Edit or delete previously sent messages. -Password Protected: Only you have access to your app. Security, no matter how you need to stay in contact: -Messaging -File Sharing -Video Calling -Screen Sharing -Voice Calling -Voice Notes -Connect the Mode iOS app to your Mode account across multiple platforms. The Mode platform benefits entire teams or any critical group (like leadership, cybersecurity, legal, R&D, and more) by providing a dedicated secure channel for collaboration. -Critical Communication: Empower key teams with a secure channel for important discussions. -Enterprise Platform: Switch from consumer encrypted apps to an enterprise-ready platform with IT policy control. -Cyber Resilience: Ensure seamless operations during disaster recovery with trusted, out-of-band communication. -Small Teams, Big Security: Even small teams get enterprise-level secure communication. -Quantum readiness: Future-proof your data against attacks using quantum computers. Advanced Cryptography & Post-Quantum Readiness: Mode employs a multi-layered encryption scheme. It encrypts communication data with AES-GCM and strengthens it using an advanced implementation of elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman schemes with the CRYSTALS-Kyber post-quantum protocol. *The Mode iOS app requires activation from a Mode administration portal OR from an existing account on another platform. *The Mode iOS app cannot be used without activation to a Mode administration portal.

Screenshots

Microsoft Defender4 screens
Mode4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mode at none against Microsoft Defender's 3. Mode also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Microsoft Defender's advantage is ratings volume (22K vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mode 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Microsoft Defender ships an update every 2 weeks, Mode every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Microsoft Defender versus Mode: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMicrosoft DefenderMode
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (22K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings22K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
Best chart rank#173 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size162 MB182 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMicrosoft CorporationMode Software Inc.

Customer experience

Microsoft Defender

All ratings21,964 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews557 reviews
Positive33.8%
Neutral12.0%
Negative54.2%

Mode

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and 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

Mode

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Microsoft Defender

Subscriptions3
  • Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$6.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Personal1 Month trial$9.991 Month
  • Microsoft 365 Family1 Month trial$12.991 Month
None

Mode

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Microsoft Defender free?
Microsoft Defender is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mode free?
Mode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Microsoft Defender or Mode?
Mode is rated higher. Microsoft Defender averages 4.7 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while Mode averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Microsoft Defender or Mode have ads?
Neither Microsoft Defender nor Mode shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Microsoft Defender or Mode?
Microsoft Defender ships an update every 2 weeks, and Mode every 2 months. Most recently, Microsoft Defender was updated on November 13, 2026 and Mode on November 3, 2026.

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