Comparing SentinelOne Singularity Control EDR and Webroot Business Endpoint Protection (EDR) involves evaluating their capabilities, performance, and suitability for different organizational needs. Both are endpoint security solutions, but they differ significantly in approach, features, and effectiveness. Below is a detailed comparison based on available information and analysis.
- Overview
- SentinelOne Singularity Control EDR:
- Part of the SentinelOne Singularity Platform, Singularity Control is a mid-tier package that includes advanced endpoint protection (EPP), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and additional security features like firewall control and device control.
- Leverages AI and machine learning for real-time threat detection, prevention, and autonomous response, focusing on both known and unknown threats, including fileless attacks and ransomware.
- Designed for organizations seeking robust, automated security with threat hunting and centralized management.
- Webroot Business Endpoint Protection (EDR):
- A lightweight, cloud-based endpoint security solution with EPP and basic EDR capabilities.
- Focuses on antivirus, malware protection, and heuristic AI for threat detection, with a small system footprint and fast deployment.
- Primarily targets small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and managed service providers (MSPs) due to its ease of use and integration with remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools.
- Key Feature Comparison
| Feature | SentinelOne Singularity Control EDR | Webroot Business Endpoint Protection (EDR) |
| Endpoint Protection (EPP) | Advanced EPP with AI-driven behavioral detection, ransomware protection, and firewall control. | Lightweight EPP with heuristic AI, antivirus, and malware protection. |
| EDR Capabilities | Robust EDR with real-time visibility, threat hunting, Storyline™ for attack context, and automated remediation. | Basic EDR with endpoint monitoring, limited threat hunting, and no advanced forensics. |
| Threat Detection | AI and ML detect known and unknown threats, including fileless attacks and APTs, using behavioral analysis. | Heuristic AI and cloud-based threat database; less effective against zero-day threats. |
| Response & Remediation | Autonomous response (kill, quarantine, rollback), one-click remediation, and detailed forensics. | Manual response with journaling to restore files; no autonomous remediation. |
| Threat Hunting | Proactive threat hunting with MITRE ATT&CK mapping and 365-day data retention. | Limited threat hunting; no mention of MITRE ATT&CK integration or extended data retention. |
| Integration | Integrates with SIEM, XDR, NDR, and cloud security; supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Kubernetes. | Integrates with RMM tools and cloud-based management; supports Windows, macOS, mobile. |
| Management | Centralized console with policy inheritance, SSO, MFA, and role-based access control. | Simple cloud-based console, ideal for MSPs, but less granular control. |
| System Performance | Low resource usage (~100MB memory, 200MB during scans); no significant performance impact. | Extremely lightweight with minimal resource usage; fast scans (~seconds). |
| Scalability | Scales well for enterprises with complex environments; supports multi-cloud compliance. | Best for SMBs; may struggle in large, complex deployments. |
| Additional Features | Device control, network attack surface management, cloud funnel for SIEM integration. | DNS filtering (optional), no advanced features like device or firewall control. |
- Strengths and Weaknesses
SentinelOne Singularity Control EDR
Strengths:
- Advanced Threat Detection: Uses AI-driven behavioral analysis and Storyline™ technology to correlate events and detect sophisticated threats like ransomware and fileless attacks in real time.
- Autonomous Response: Automatically isolates and remediates threats, reducing mean time to remediate (MTTR) without human intervention.
- Comprehensive EDR: Offers proactive threat hunting, detailed forensics, and 365-day data retention, making it ideal for security teams needing deep visibility.
- Scalability and Integration: Supports diverse environments (Windows, macOS, Linux, cloud) and integrates with XDR, SIEM, and other security tools for enterprise-grade security.
- High User Satisfaction: Rated 4.8 stars (1465 reviews) on Gartner Peer Insights, praised for effectiveness and support.
Weaknesses:
- Complexity: May be overkill for small businesses with limited security expertise or simpler needs.
- Cost: Likely more expensive than Webroot, though exact pricing is not publicly disclosed (requires contacting SentinelOne or partners like Pax8).
- Reporting and Configuration: Some users note room for improvement in reporting functionalities and configuration options for large-scale deployments.
Webroot Business Endpoint Protection (EDR)
Strengths:
- Lightweight and Fast: Minimal system footprint and rapid deployment/scans (seconds), ideal for resource-constrained devices.
- Ease of Use: Simple cloud-based management console, well-suited for SMBs and MSPs with limited IT resources.
- Cost-Effective: Likely more affordable for smaller organizations; integrates well with MSP tools like RMM for streamlined management.
- Conflict-Free: Can coexist with other security software, reducing the need to uninstall existing solutions.
Weaknesses:
- Limited EDR Capabilities: Lacks advanced threat hunting, autonomous response, and detailed forensics compared to SentinelOne.
- Weaker Threat Detection: Relies on heuristic AI and cloud-based signatures, less effective against zero-day or fileless threats.
- Scalability Issues: Not ideal for large enterprises or complex environments due to limited feature depth and scalability.
- Lower User Satisfaction: Rated 3.9 stars (198 reviews) on Gartner Peer Insights, with complaints about false positives and reliability (e.g., “license inactive” alerts).
- Outdated Approach: Often criticized as a traditional AV solution, not keeping pace with modern EDR/XDR requirements, especially for cyber insurance compliance.
- Performance and Effectiveness
- SentinelOne:
- Excels in third-party evaluations like MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK, consistently demonstrating high detection and response accuracy.
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- AI-driven approach reduces false positives and detects unknown threats, with Gartner noting EDR solutions like SentinelOne respond in ~15 minutes compared to hours for traditional AV.
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- Storyline™ technology automates attack context, reducing alert fatigue and enabling faster root cause analysis.
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- Users report significant reductions in malware infections (e.g., Microsoft’s 95% drop in infections with EDR).
- Webroot:
- Relies on heuristic AI and cloud-based threat recognition, which is effective for known threats but struggles with zero-day or advanced persistent threats (APTs).
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- Journaling feature restores files without reimaging, but lacks automated remediation, requiring manual intervention.
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- Users report issues with false positives and reliability, such as “inactive” alerts requiring reinstalls, which can increase management overhead.
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- Lacks participation in rigorous third-party tests like MITRE ATT&CK, making it harder to verify effectiveness against modern threats.
- Pricing and Availability
- SentinelOne Singularity Control:
- Pricing is not publicly disclosed; requires contacting SentinelOne or partners (e.g., Pax8, Exclusive Networks). Likely mid-to-high range due to advanced features.
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- Available in tiered packages (Core, Control, Complete), with Control offering a balance of EPP, EDR, and additional controls.
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- Higher cost may be justified for organizations needing enterprise-grade security and compliance (e.g., SOC 2, NIST, PCI-DSS).
- Webroot Business Endpoint Protection:
- Pricing is also not publicly available but is generally considered lower, targeting SMBs and MSPs. Contact Webroot or MSP partners (e.g., AppRiver) for quotes.
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- Offers flexible billing and integration with RMM tools, making it cost-effective for smaller organizations.
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- May not meet stringent cyber insurance requirements mandating EDR/MDR, as it’s seen as closer to traditional AV.
- User Feedback and Industry Perception
- SentinelOne:
- Highly rated (4.8/5 on Gartner Peer Insights) for its effectiveness, ease of use, and support. Users praise its autonomous response and threat hunting capabilities.
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- Preferred by enterprises and MSPs transitioning from legacy AV (e.g., Webroot) due to superior protection and compliance support.
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- Some criticism for complex management and support access for smaller clients (e.g., through Pax8 rather than direct).
- Webroot:
- Rated lower (3.9/5 on Gartner Peer Insights) with mixed reviews. Praised for simplicity and low resource usage but criticized for weak detection and reliability issues.
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- Users report frustration with false positives and management overhead, with some MSPs calling it “trash” or recommending its removal.
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- Seen as outdated by security professionals, with recommendations to switch to modern EDR solutions like SentinelOne or Huntress.
- Which Should You Choose?
- Choose SentinelOne Singularity Control EDR if:
- Your organization needs advanced EDR with proactive threat hunting, autonomous response, and detailed forensics.
- You operate in a complex environment with diverse endpoints (Windows, macOS, Linux, cloud) and require scalability.
- Compliance with standards like SOC 2, NIST, or PCI-DSS is critical.
- You’re transitioning from legacy AV and need a solution that meets cyber insurance EDR/MDR requirements.
- Budget allows for a premium solution with enterprise-grade features.
- Choose Webroot Business Endpoint Protection if:
- You’re a small business or MSP with limited IT resources and a tight budget.
- You prioritize simplicity, fast deployment, and minimal system impact over advanced EDR features.
- Your threat landscape is less complex, and you primarily need protection against known malware.
- You already use RMM tools and need seamless integration for endpoint management.
- Recommendation
SentinelOne Singularity Control EDR is the superior choice for most organizations due to its advanced AI-driven detection, autonomous response, and comprehensive EDR capabilities. It outperforms Webroot in detecting and responding to modern threats like ransomware, fileless attacks, and APTs, making it ideal for businesses prioritizing robust security and compliance. Its scalability and integration options also suit enterprises and growing organizations.
Webroot Business Endpoint Protection is better suited for small businesses or MSPs with basic security needs and budget constraints. However, its limited EDR capabilities and weaker detection make it less competitive against modern threats, and many users recommend switching to more advanced solutions like SentinelOne.
If you’re considering Webroot but need EDR for cyber insurance or advanced threats, SentinelOne is a worthwhile investment. For a definitive choice, request demos or proofs of concept (POCs) for both solutions in your environment to compare performance and usability.