Expel vs Huntress: MDR Comparison 2026
Expel (Pure-play MDR) and Huntress (MSP-channel) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Expel works with your existing tools, while Huntress requires its own security platform. Expel targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; Huntress focuses on SMB and Mid-market. Expel includes 5 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network), compared to 3 for Huntress (Endpoint, SaaS, Identity).
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Expel vs Huntress: Which Should You Choose?
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 need Cloud and Network coverage included in base pricing
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Choose Huntress if:
- •MSPs wanting a channel-first MDR partner with multi-tenant management and volume pricing
- •SMBs needing affordable, enterprise-grade MDR with minimal overhead (deploys in 30 minutes)
- •Microsoft 365-heavy environments needing integrated identity threat detection (ITDR with 3-min MTTR)
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with Expel)
Bottom line: Huntress is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. Expel is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Expel and Huntress?
Expel is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Huntress is a MSP-channel that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). Expel covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 3 for Huntress.
How do Expel and Huntress differ in response capabilities?
Expel supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable. Huntress supports 4 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, account disable, file quarantine) and approval is configurable.
How does Expel pricing compare to Huntress?
Expel pricing: Starting at $11,640/year; custom quotes based on environment. Huntress pricing: Estimated ~$2.50-$3.50/endpoint/month for EDR (community-reported). Not officially published. Volume discounts decrease price. (50-seat minimum). Watch for with Expel: Threat hunting is NOT included in base MDR -- it is an add-on service; Price increases announced for 2025. Watch for with Huntress: 50-endpoint minimum for standard plan; under 50 requires sales engagement; Each product (EDR, ITDR, SIEM, SAT) priced separately — full stack costs add up.
Should I choose Expel or Huntress?
Choose Expel if: mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI. Choose Huntress if: mSPs wanting a channel-first MDR partner with multi-tenant management and volume pricing. Expel is not ideal for organizations wanting a single-vendor platform-native MDR (Expel requires existing security tools). Huntress is not ideal for enterprise organizations needing deep SIEM integration with existing Splunk/Sentinel/Chronicle.