Barracuda Networks vs Sophos: MDR Comparison 2026
Barracuda Networks (MSP-channel) and Sophos (Services firm) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Barracuda Networks works with your existing tools, while Sophos works with your existing tools. Barracuda Networks targets SMB, Mid-market, and Enterprise organizations; Sophos focuses on SMB, Mid-market, and Enterprise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Barracuda Networks vs Sophos: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Barracuda Networks if:
- •MSPs needing a white-label/managed XDR for SMB clients
- •SMBs that don't have a security team and want turnkey coverage
- •Organizations using Microsoft 365 and needing email + endpoint coverage
Choose Sophos if:
- •SMBs and mid-market organizations seeking an all-in-one MDR with inclusive IR
- •Organizations with diverse, multi-vendor security stacks needing broad integration support
- •Companies wanting straightforward pricing with predictable costs
- •Breach warranty matters to you (Sophos offers one, Barracuda Networks does not)
Bottom line: Barracuda Networks (MSP-channel) and Sophos (Services firm) serve different buyer profiles. Your decision depends on whether you prioritize Barracuda Networks's purpose-built for the msp channel or Sophos's 350+ vendor integrations, inclusive full-scale incident response with no caps, $1m breach warrant....
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Barracuda Networks and Sophos?
Barracuda Networks is a MSP-channel that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Sophos is a Services firm that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SLA commitments differ: Barracuda Networks offers ≤1 hour, Sophos offers ≤15 minutes.
How do Barracuda Networks and Sophos differ in response capabilities?
Barracuda Networks supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable. Sophos supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does Barracuda Networks pricing compare to Sophos?
Barracuda Networks pricing: ~$14.50/endpoint/year (3-year endpoint); ~$8–$20/user/month depending on coverage scope. Minimum 25 licenses. (25-seat minimum). Sophos pricing: Custom quote required; tiered pricing bands (10-24, 25-49, 50-99, etc.) (10-seat minimum). Watch for with Barracuda Networks: Security logs not available for download — limits forensic independence; MSP-focused pricing may differ from direct enterprise pricing. Watch for with Sophos: MDR Essentials does NOT include breach warranty or full incident response — those require MDR Complete; Linux server protection requires separate Sophos Workload Protection subscription.
Should I choose Barracuda Networks or Sophos?
Choose Barracuda Networks if: mSPs needing a white-label/managed XDR for SMB clients. Choose Sophos if: sMBs and mid-market organizations seeking an all-in-one MDR with inclusive IR. Barracuda Networks is not ideal for enterprises wanting full data access and log export capabilities. Sophos is not ideal for large enterprises needing deep, custom detection engineering.