Critical Start vs Truesec: MDR Comparison 2026
Critical Start and Truesec are both categorized as MDR providers, but differ in execution. Critical Start works with your existing tools and targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations. Truesec works with your existing tools and focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Critical Start vs Truesec: 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 Truesec if:
- •Companies wanting IR costs covered for breaches on monitored devices (MDR Black tier) — unique offering in market
- •Mid-market organizations wanting 72-hour rapid onboarding (MDR Core) vs. typical 2-4 week industry average
- •Critical infrastructure organizations needing OT/ICS MDR via Nozomi Networks partnership (announced Nov 2025)
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Bottom line: Both providers target similar markets. Compare their specific response actions, communication channels, and pricing structure to find the better fit for your environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Critical Start and Truesec?
Critical Start is a MDR provider that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Truesec is a MDR provider that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SLA commitments differ: Critical Start offers ≤15 minutes, Truesec offers Not disclosed.
How do Critical Start and Truesec 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. Truesec supports 5 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does Critical Start pricing compare to Truesec?
Critical Start pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. Truesec pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. 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 Truesec: No public pricing for any tier — requires sales engagement to get any estimate; IR is a separate retainer on Core and Enterprise tiers — only Black includes it.
Should I choose Critical Start or Truesec?
Choose Critical Start if: mid-market to large enterprises wanting technology-agnostic MDR that works with their existing security stack. Choose Truesec if: nordic enterprises (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland) wanting the largest regional SOC with local language support (Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, English). Critical Start is not ideal for sMBs or budget-conscious organizations — enterprise-focused pricing not publicly disclosed. Truesec is not ideal for uS-based organizations wanting a fully staffed local SOC (bulk of 330+ specialists in Europe, Stockholm SOC is primary monitoring center).