CrowdStrike vs Fortra: MDR Comparison 2026
CrowdStrike (EDR vendor) and Fortra (Services firm) take different approaches to managed detection and response. CrowdStrike requires its own security platform, while Fortra works with your existing tools. CrowdStrike targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; Fortra focuses on SMB, Mid-market, and Enterprise. CrowdStrike includes 4 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Network), compared to 5 for Fortra (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network).
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
CrowdStrike vs Fortra: Which Should You Choose?
Choose CrowdStrike if:
- •Enterprise organizations (200+ endpoints) wanting MITRE-validated detection speed
- •Teams comfortable with a single-vendor platform approach
- •Organizations that want fully autonomous remediation without approval workflows
- •Breach warranty matters to you (CrowdStrike offers one, Fortra does not)
Choose Fortra if:
- •Mid-market organizations needing strong compliance support
- •Healthcare organizations requiring HIPAA compliance MDR
- •Cloud-first companies on AWS, Azure, or hybrid environments
- •You need Identity coverage included in base pricing
Bottom line: CrowdStrike is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. Fortra is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between CrowdStrike and Fortra?
CrowdStrike is an EDR vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). Fortra is a Services firm that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SLA commitments differ: CrowdStrike offers Not disclosed, Fortra offers ≤15 minutes. CrowdStrike covers 4 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 5 for Fortra.
How do CrowdStrike and Fortra differ in response capabilities?
CrowdStrike supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and acts without approval. Fortra supports 5 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does CrowdStrike pricing compare to Fortra?
CrowdStrike pricing: $15-25/endpoint/month (estimates vary by deployment size) (200-seat minimum). Fortra pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. Watch for with CrowdStrike: Minimum 200-500 endpoints required — eliminates most SMBs; Requires CrowdStrike Falcon platform — cannot use with competing EDR. Watch for with Fortra: Managed services being acquired by LevelBlue (announced Jan 2026, deal pending close — no timeline disclosed); Post-transition contract terms, SLAs, and pricing under LevelBlue are unconfirmed.
Should I choose CrowdStrike or Fortra?
Choose CrowdStrike if: enterprise organizations (200+ endpoints) wanting MITRE-validated detection speed. Choose Fortra if: mid-market organizations needing strong compliance support. CrowdStrike is not ideal for sMBs with fewer than 200 endpoints (minimum requirement). Fortra is not ideal for organizations wanting long-term vendor stability — managed services transferring to LevelBlue (deal pending, no timeline disclosed).