Expel vs Ontinue: MDR Comparison 2026
Expel (Pure-play MDR) and Ontinue (Microsoft-ecosystem) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Expel works with your existing tools, while Ontinue requires its own security platform. Expel targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; Ontinue focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Expel vs Ontinue: 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 want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Choose Ontinue if:
- •Organizations heavily invested in Microsoft E5/Defender ecosystem
- •Teams wanting Microsoft Teams as primary SOC communication channel
- •Mid-market and enterprise needing fast onboarding on Microsoft stack
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with Expel)
Bottom line: Ontinue 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 Ontinue?
Expel is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Ontinue is a Microsoft-ecosystem that is platform-native (requires their own security stack).
How do Expel and Ontinue 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. Ontinue supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable. Incident response is not included with Expel and included with Ontinue.
How does Expel pricing compare to Ontinue?
Expel pricing: Starting at $11,640/year; custom quotes based on environment. Ontinue pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. 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 Ontinue: Requires Microsoft E5 or Defender licenses as prerequisite; Microsoft Sentinel consumption costs are separate.
Should I choose Expel or Ontinue?
Choose Expel if: mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI. Choose Ontinue if: organizations heavily invested in Microsoft E5/Defender ecosystem. Expel is not ideal for organizations wanting a single-vendor platform-native MDR (Expel requires existing security tools). Ontinue is not ideal for organizations using non-Microsoft EDR (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne).