Ontinue vs ReliaQuest: MDR Comparison 2026
Ontinue (Microsoft-ecosystem) and ReliaQuest (Pure-play MDR) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Ontinue requires its own security platform, while ReliaQuest works with your existing tools. Ontinue targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; ReliaQuest focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise. Ontinue 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
Ontinue vs ReliaQuest: Which Should You Choose?
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
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
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Bottom line: Ontinue is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. ReliaQuest is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Ontinue and ReliaQuest?
Ontinue is a Microsoft-ecosystem that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). ReliaQuest is a Pure-play MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SLA commitments differ: Ontinue offers Not disclosed, ReliaQuest offers ≤15 minutes. Ontinue covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 6 for ReliaQuest.
How do Ontinue and ReliaQuest differ in response capabilities?
Ontinue 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.
How does Ontinue pricing compare to ReliaQuest?
Ontinue pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. ReliaQuest pricing: $172,500 average annual; up to $1,200,000 for large deployments. $5,000 per additional integrated technology.. Watch for with Ontinue: Requires Microsoft E5 or Defender licenses as prerequisite; Microsoft Sentinel consumption costs are separate. Watch for with ReliaQuest: High minimum contract value (enterprise-focused); Additional technology integrations add cost quickly.
Should I choose Ontinue or ReliaQuest?
Choose Ontinue if: organizations heavily invested in Microsoft E5/Defender ecosystem. Choose ReliaQuest if: large enterprises with complex multi-vendor security stacks. Ontinue is not ideal for organizations using non-Microsoft EDR (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne). ReliaQuest is not ideal for sMBs with limited security budgets.