Expel vs ReliaQuest: MDR Comparison 2026
Expel and ReliaQuest are both categorized as Pure-play MDRs, but differ in execution. Expel works with your existing tools and targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations. ReliaQuest works with your existing tools and focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise. Expel includes 5 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network), compared to 6 for ReliaQuest (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network, OT/ICS).
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Expel vs ReliaQuest: 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 ReliaQuest if:
- •Large enterprises with complex multi-vendor security stacks
- •Organizations wanting to keep existing SIEM/EDR investments
- •Security teams needing AI-driven automation at scale
- •You need OT/ICS coverage included in base pricing
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with Expel)
Bottom line: ReliaQuest offers broader coverage (6 surfaces vs. 5). Expel may suit teams that need depth over breadth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Expel and ReliaQuest?
Expel is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). ReliaQuest is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SLA commitments differ: Expel offers Not disclosed, ReliaQuest offers ≤15 minutes. Expel covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 6 for ReliaQuest.
How do Expel and ReliaQuest 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. ReliaQuest 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 ReliaQuest.
How does Expel pricing compare to ReliaQuest?
Expel pricing: Starting at $11,640/year; custom quotes based on environment. ReliaQuest pricing: $172,500 average annual; up to $1,200,000 for large deployments. $5,000 per additional integrated technology.. 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 ReliaQuest: High minimum contract value (enterprise-focused); Additional technology integrations add cost quickly.
Should I choose Expel or ReliaQuest?
Choose Expel if: mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI. Choose ReliaQuest if: large enterprises with complex multi-vendor security stacks. Expel is not ideal for organizations wanting a single-vendor platform-native MDR (Expel requires existing security tools). ReliaQuest is not ideal for sMBs with limited security budgets.