Critical Start vs Expel: MDR Comparison 2026
Critical Start (MDR provider) and Expel (Pure-play MDR) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Critical Start works with your existing tools, while Expel works with your existing tools. Critical Start targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; Expel focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Critical Start vs Expel: 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)
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with Expel)
Choose Expel if:
- •Mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI
- •Tech-forward security teams that value transparency and want to see every SOC action
- •Multi-cloud and hybrid environments needing broad integration coverage
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Bottom line: Critical Start (MDR provider) and Expel (Pure-play MDR) serve different buyer profiles. Your decision depends on whether you prioritize Critical Start's technology-agnostic mdr with tbr deterministic alert auto-resolution, 100+ integrations, ot/ics s... or Expel's strong transparency and integration breadth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Critical Start and Expel?
Critical Start is a MDR provider that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Expel is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SLA commitments differ: Critical Start offers ≤15 minutes, Expel offers Not disclosed.
How do Critical Start and Expel 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. Expel 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 Expel?
Critical Start pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. Expel pricing: Starting at $11,640/year; custom quotes based on environment. 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 Expel: Threat hunting is NOT included in base MDR -- it is an add-on service; Price increases announced for 2025.
Should I choose Critical Start or Expel?
Choose Critical Start if: mid-market to large enterprises wanting technology-agnostic MDR that works with their existing security stack. Choose Expel if: mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI. Critical Start is not ideal for sMBs or budget-conscious organizations — enterprise-focused pricing not publicly disclosed. Expel is not ideal for organizations wanting a single-vendor platform-native MDR (Expel requires existing security tools).