Ontinue vs Secureworks: MDR Comparison 2026
Ontinue (Microsoft-ecosystem) and Secureworks (Services firm) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Ontinue requires its own security platform, while Secureworks works with your existing tools. Ontinue targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; Secureworks focuses on Mid-market and Enterprise. Ontinue includes 5 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network), compared to 4 for Secureworks (Endpoint, Cloud, Identity, Network).
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Ontinue vs Secureworks: 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
- •You need SaaS coverage included in base pricing
Choose Secureworks if:
- •Organizations valuing deep threat intelligence (CTU now part of Sophos X-Ops, still actively publishing)
- •Companies needing OT/ICS MDR coverage (Dragos, Claroty, Nozomi, SCADAfence integrations)
- •Financial services organizations needing FFIEC-examined technology service provider
Bottom line: Ontinue is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. Secureworks is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Ontinue and Secureworks?
Ontinue is a Microsoft-ecosystem that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). Secureworks is a Services firm that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). SLA commitments differ: Ontinue offers Not disclosed, Secureworks offers ≤1 hour. Ontinue covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 4 for Secureworks.
How do Ontinue and Secureworks 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. Secureworks supports 4 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, network containment, account disable, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable.
How does Ontinue pricing compare to Secureworks?
Ontinue pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. Secureworks pricing: PeerSpot community reports: ~$60K-$320K+/year depending on environment. One user: initial $160-170/endpoint negotiated to $110/endpoint. Another: ~$70 USD/agent/year with volume discounts. Available on AWS and Azure Marketplaces.. Watch for with Ontinue: Requires Microsoft E5 or Defender licenses as prerequisite; Microsoft Sentinel consumption costs are separate. Watch for with Secureworks: Sophos acquisition completed Feb 2025 — Taegis integration into Sophos Central underway, long-term platform consolidation likely; ~6% workforce reduction (~380 roles) in Feb 2025 post-acquisition — analyst continuity should be verified.
Should I choose Ontinue or Secureworks?
Choose Ontinue if: organizations heavily invested in Microsoft E5/Defender ecosystem. Choose Secureworks if: enterprise organizations wanting open XDR with existing CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender, SentinelOne, or Carbon Black EDR investments. Ontinue is not ideal for organizations using non-Microsoft EDR (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne). Secureworks is not ideal for enterprise organizations concerned about Sophos's SMB/mid-market heritage and whether Taegis enterprise investment continues.