Expel vs SentinelOne: MDR Comparison 2026
Expel (Pure-play MDR) and SentinelOne (EDR vendor) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Expel works with your existing tools, while SentinelOne requires its own security platform. Expel targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; SentinelOne focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise. Expel includes 5 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network), compared to 3 for SentinelOne (Endpoint, Cloud, Identity).
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Expel vs SentinelOne: 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 SaaS and Network coverage included in base pricing
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Choose SentinelOne if:
- •Organizations already running SentinelOne Singularity wanting platform-native MDR without adding another vendor
- •Mid-market and enterprise organizations wanting $1M breach response warranty as financial backstop
- •Organizations valuing AI-first detection with Purple AI and Google Threat Intelligence integration
- •Breach warranty matters to you (SentinelOne offers one, Expel does not)
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with Expel)
Bottom line: SentinelOne 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 SentinelOne?
Expel is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SentinelOne is an EDR vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). SLA commitments differ: Expel offers Not disclosed, SentinelOne offers ≤1 hour. Expel covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 3 for SentinelOne.
How do Expel and SentinelOne 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. SentinelOne supports 5 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does Expel pricing compare to SentinelOne?
Expel pricing: Starting at $11,640/year; custom quotes based on environment. SentinelOne pricing: MDR add-on: ~$17-35/endpoint/year (standard) or ~$35-50/endpoint/year (Pro/Elite). Total: ~$197-280/endpoint/year for platform + MDR. Example: 1,000 endpoints x $35 MDR x 5 years = ~$175K MDR add-on cost.. 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 SentinelOne: Platform license ($69.99-$229.99/endpoint/year) is required BEFORE MDR — significant prerequisite cost; MDR pricing is a bolt-on fee separate from platform licensing — not shown on public pricing page.
Should I choose Expel or SentinelOne?
Choose Expel if: mid-market and enterprise organizations with existing security tool investments wanting to maximize ROI. Choose SentinelOne if: organizations already running SentinelOne Singularity wanting platform-native MDR without adding another vendor. Expel is not ideal for organizations wanting a single-vendor platform-native MDR (Expel requires existing security tools). SentinelOne is not ideal for organizations running CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender, or any non-SentinelOne EDR — platform-native lock-in.