Deepwatch vs Expel: MDR Comparison 2026
Deepwatch and Expel are both categorized as Pure-play MDRs, but differ in execution. Deepwatch works with your existing tools and targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations. Expel works with your existing tools and focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Deepwatch vs Expel: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Deepwatch if:
- •Mid-market to enterprise organizations with existing Splunk, Google SecOps, or Microsoft Sentinel SIEM investments
- •Companies wanting a dedicated named team (Squad model) rather than rotating anonymous analysts
- •AWS-heavy environments leveraging Deepwatch's Level 1 MSSP Competency partnership
- •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
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 Deepwatch and Expel?
Deepwatch is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Expel is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools).
How do Deepwatch and Expel differ in response capabilities?
Deepwatch 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 Deepwatch pricing compare to Expel?
Deepwatch pricing: Average ~$220K/year; maximum ~$315K for large deployments (per Vendr data). Expel pricing: Starting at $11,640/year; custom quotes based on environment. Watch for with Deepwatch: Volume-based pricing means unexpected data growth can cause cost spikes; Three platform tiers (Core, Advanced, Enterprise) — critical response capabilities may be gated behind higher tiers. 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 Deepwatch or Expel?
Choose Deepwatch if: mid-market to enterprise organizations with existing Splunk, Google SecOps, or Microsoft Sentinel SIEM investments. Choose Expel if: mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI. Deepwatch is not ideal for sMBs or budget-constrained organizations — average $220K/year pricing is enterprise-oriented. Expel is not ideal for organizations wanting a single-vendor platform-native MDR (Expel requires existing security tools).