CrowdStrike vs Rapid7: MDR Comparison 2026
CrowdStrike and Rapid7 are both categorized as EDR vendors, but differ in execution. CrowdStrike requires its own security platform and targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations. Rapid7 requires its own security platform and focuses on SMB, Mid-market, and Enterprise. CrowdStrike includes 4 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Network), compared to 5 for Rapid7 (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network).
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
CrowdStrike vs Rapid7: 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
Choose Rapid7 if:
- •Mid-market to enterprise organizations wanting full data transparency alongside MDR
- •Security teams that want to retain query access to their own data
- •Organizations needing active remediation without a fully outsourced model
- •You need Identity coverage included in base pricing
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Bottom line: Rapid7 offers broader coverage (5 surfaces vs. 4). CrowdStrike may suit teams that need depth over breadth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between CrowdStrike and Rapid7?
CrowdStrike is an EDR vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). Rapid7 is an EDR vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). CrowdStrike covers 4 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 5 for Rapid7.
How do CrowdStrike and Rapid7 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. Rapid7 supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does CrowdStrike pricing compare to Rapid7?
CrowdStrike pricing: $15-25/endpoint/month (estimates vary by deployment size) (200-seat minimum). Rapid7 pricing: Starting ~$17/asset/month; $30,000-$150,000+/year for enterprise deployments. Watch for with CrowdStrike: Minimum 200-500 endpoints required — eliminates most SMBs; Requires CrowdStrike Falcon platform — cannot use with competing EDR. Watch for with Rapid7: Requires Rapid7 Insight Agent on at least 80% of supported assets; Enterprise tier significantly more expensive than Essentials.
Should I choose CrowdStrike or Rapid7?
Choose CrowdStrike if: enterprise organizations (200+ endpoints) wanting MITRE-validated detection speed. Choose Rapid7 if: mid-market to enterprise organizations wanting full data transparency alongside MDR. CrowdStrike is not ideal for sMBs with fewer than 200 endpoints (minimum requirement). Rapid7 is not ideal for small organizations with fewer than 100 assets seeking budget MDR.