AirMDR vs Darktrace: MDR comparison 2026
AirMDR is a AI-native MDR that works with your existing tools. Darktrace is a Platform vendor that requires its own security platform. AirMDR targets SMB and Mid-market organizations; Darktrace serves Mid-market and Enterprise. AirMDR includes 5 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network), compared to 1 for Darktrace (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 Endpoint and Cloud and SaaS and Identity coverage included in base pricing
Choose Darktrace if:
- •Critical infrastructure and industrial environments needing OT/ICS security with protocol-agnostic detection
- •Security teams comfortable with autonomous response technology and willing to invest tuning time for optimal detection
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with AirMDR)
Bottom line: Darktrace 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 Darktrace?
AirMDR is an AI-native MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Darktrace is a Platform vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). AirMDR covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 1 for Darktrace.
How do AirMDR and Darktrace 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. Darktrace supports 3 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, network containment, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does AirMDR pricing compare to Darktrace?
AirMDR pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. Darktrace pricing: Not published. Reviewers report pricing in the upper market segment.. 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 Darktrace: Full coverage (endpoint, cloud, email, OT) requires multiple separate modules that increase total cost significantly; High false positive rates require internal analyst time for tuning despite the MDR service.
Should I choose AirMDR or Darktrace?
Choose AirMDR if: sMBs and mid-market companies (100-1000 employees) priced out of traditional MDR. Choose Darktrace if: mid-market and enterprise organizations wanting AI-powered threat detection with autonomous response across diverse attack surfaces. AirMDR is not ideal for enterprises requiring a proven vendor track record and extensive customer references. Darktrace is not ideal for sMBs or budget-conscious buyers. Premium pricing, no trial, and no published pricing transparency..