Expel vs Rapid7: MDR Comparison 2026
Expel (Pure-play MDR) and Rapid7 (EDR vendor) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Expel works with your existing tools, while Rapid7 requires its own security platform. Expel targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; Rapid7 focuses on SMB, Mid-market, and Enterprise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Expel vs Rapid7: 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
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
- •Breach warranty matters to you (Rapid7 offers one, Expel does not)
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with Expel)
Bottom line: Rapid7 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 Rapid7?
Expel is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). Rapid7 is an EDR vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack).
How do Expel and Rapid7 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. Rapid7 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 Rapid7.
How does Expel pricing compare to Rapid7?
Expel pricing: Starting at $11,640/year; custom quotes based on environment. Rapid7 pricing: Starting ~$17/asset/month; $30,000-$150,000+/year for enterprise deployments. 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 Rapid7: Requires Rapid7 Insight Agent on at least 80% of supported assets; Enterprise tier significantly more expensive than Essentials.
Should I choose Expel or Rapid7?
Choose Expel if: mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI. Choose Rapid7 if: mid-market to enterprise organizations wanting full data transparency alongside MDR. Expel is not ideal for organizations wanting a single-vendor platform-native MDR (Expel requires existing security tools). Rapid7 is not ideal for small organizations with fewer than 100 assets seeking budget MDR.