AirMDR vs CrowdStrike: MDR comparison 2026
AirMDR is a AI-native MDR that works with your existing tools. CrowdStrike is a Platform vendor that requires its own security platform. AirMDR targets SMB and Mid-market organizations; CrowdStrike serves Mid-market and Enterprise. AirMDR includes 5 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network), compared to 4 for CrowdStrike (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Network).
Key differences at a glance
Full comparison
Which should you choose?
Choose AirMDR if:
- •SMBs and mid-market companies (100-1000 employees) priced out of traditional MDR
- •Teams with existing EDR/SIEM tools who want AI-augmented triage without replacing their stack
- •Buyers comfortable betting on a seed-stage vendor in exchange for aggressive pricing and trial terms
- •You need Identity coverage included in base pricing
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Choose CrowdStrike if:
- •Enterprise organizations (200+ endpoints) wanting MITRE-validated detection speed with autonomous remediation
- •Teams comfortable with a single-vendor platform approach who want deep integration over flexibility
- •Regulated industries needing independently validated detection metrics and a breach warranty
- •Breach warranty matters to you (CrowdStrike offers one, AirMDR does not)
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with AirMDR)
Bottom line: CrowdStrike is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. AirMDR is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between AirMDR and CrowdStrike?
AirMDR is an AI-native MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). CrowdStrike is a Platform vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). AirMDR covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 4 for CrowdStrike.
How do AirMDR and CrowdStrike differ in response capabilities?
AirMDR supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable. CrowdStrike supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and acts without approval. Incident response is not included with AirMDR and included with CrowdStrike.
How does AirMDR pricing compare to CrowdStrike?
AirMDR pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. CrowdStrike pricing: $15-25/endpoint/month (estimates vary by deployment size) (200-seat minimum). Watch for with AirMDR: No published pricing. Requires sales contact despite targeting SMBs who typically prefer self-serve.; Annual contract required. No month-to-month option mentioned.. Watch for with CrowdStrike: Minimum 200-500 endpoints required, eliminates most SMBs; Requires CrowdStrike Falcon platform, cannot use with competing EDR.
Should I choose AirMDR or CrowdStrike?
Choose AirMDR if: sMBs and mid-market companies (100-1000 employees) priced out of traditional MDR. Choose CrowdStrike if: enterprise organizations (200+ endpoints) wanting MITRE-validated detection speed with autonomous remediation. AirMDR is not ideal for enterprises requiring a proven vendor track record and extensive customer references. CrowdStrike is not ideal for sMBs with fewer than 200 endpoints (minimum requirement) or budget-conscious buyers.