Critical Start vs Cynet: MDR Comparison 2026
Critical Start and Cynet are both categorized as MDR providers, but differ in execution. Critical Start works with your existing tools and targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations. Cynet requires its own security platform and focuses on SMB and Mid-market.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Critical Start vs Cynet: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Critical Start if:
- •Mid-market to large enterprises wanting technology-agnostic MDR that works with their existing security stack
- •Organizations suffering from alert fatigue wanting TBR's deterministic auto-resolution to reduce noise
- •Companies needing OT/ICS monitoring alongside IT MDR (Claroty, Dragos, Nozomi integrations)
Choose Cynet if:
- •SMB and mid-market organizations with small security teams (1-5 people) wanting maximum coverage from a single platform
- •Budget-conscious buyers wanting published transparent pricing with MDR included at no extra cost
- •Organizations that weight MITRE ATT&CK platform evaluation results heavily (100%/100%/0 FP for 3 consecutive rounds)
Bottom line: Cynet is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. Critical Start is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Critical Start and Cynet?
Critical Start is a MDR provider that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Cynet is a MDR provider that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). SLA commitments differ: Critical Start offers ≤15 minutes, Cynet offers Not disclosed.
How do Critical Start and Cynet differ in response capabilities?
Critical Start supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable. Cynet supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does Critical Start pricing compare to Cynet?
Critical Start pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. Cynet pricing: Elite: $7/endpoint/month (EPP+EDR+CyOps MDR). All-in-One: $10/endpoint/month (adds NDR, UEBA, Deception, SOAR, SSPM). Verified on cynet.com/packages. (20-seat minimum). Watch for with Critical Start: No public pricing at all — requires sales call for any ballpark; OT/ICS monitoring and vulnerability management are separate purchases on top of base MDR. Watch for with Cynet: 20-endpoint minimum — $140/month floor for Elite, $200/month for All-in-One; 1-year auto-renewing contracts standard; combined with platform lock-in, exit is disruptive.
Should I choose Critical Start or Cynet?
Choose Critical Start if: mid-market to large enterprises wanting technology-agnostic MDR that works with their existing security stack. Choose Cynet if: sMB and mid-market organizations with small security teams (1-5 people) wanting maximum coverage from a single platform. Critical Start is not ideal for sMBs or budget-conscious organizations — enterprise-focused pricing not publicly disclosed. Cynet is not ideal for large enterprises with existing security stacks — Cynet requires replacing existing EDR with its own agent.