Most affordable endpoint protection for a company of fifty people

Lowest-cost option with clear US pricing: Microsoft Defender for Business. It’s $3 per user/month, paid annually—about $150/month or $1,800/year for 50 users before tax. It includes endpoint protection, EDR, vulnerability management, and automated investigation/remediation, and supports up to five devices per user. (microsoft.com)

If you already have Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Defender for Business is included—so check your licenses before buying it separately. (microsoft.com)

Another low-cost option is Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security. It’s aimed at small and midsize businesses and offers a free trial, but the vendor’s page directs buyers to purchase online or through a partner rather than showing a public 50-seat price. Get a quote for 50 endpoints and compare the annual total with Microsoft’s $1,800. (bitdefender.com)

My practical pick:

• If you have someone who can manage alerts and updates: compare Defender’s $3/user/month with a Bitdefender quote.
• If nobody will monitor security alerts, prioritize a managed detection-and-response service; the cheapest antivirus alone may leave you handling incidents yourself.

These estimates assume 50 users; the device count and whether you need server protection can change the quote.

Short answer: If you already pay for Microsoft 365 Business Premium, your endpoint protection is probably already included. If not, Microsoft Defender for Business is the cheapest solid standalone option at about $1,800 a year for 50 users. Bitdefender is the next-cheapest option with strong detection.

Options, cheapest first

• Microsoft Defender for Business: Microsoft lists it at $3.00 per user per month on an annual term, for organizations with up to 300 users, which works out to $36.00 per user per year. For 50 users that is roughly $1,800 a year. It is also included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, so check whether you already have that license before buying anything else.
• Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security: It is designed for organizations with 1 to 100 devices and no dedicated cybersecurity staff. One review notes that the entry-level Small Business Security plan starts at $324.99 per year for up to 10 devices, so confirm the price for your device count. Reviewers often describe it as affordably priced.
• ESET PROTECT: One roundup calls it best for minimizing endpoint resource usage, which helps on older laptops. Pricing is not public, so you will need a quote.
• Sophos Intercept X Advanced: A reseller listing shows $69.90 per endpoint for Intercept X Advanced, which is about $3,500 for 50 devices. It is pricier but strong on ransomware.

Budget benchmarks

• Across the market, entry-level antivirus starts at $30 a year per device and EDR at $36. Entry-level EDR with 24/7 human response starts near $99 per device.
• A caution: per-user prices look cheaper than they are for staff who use two machines. If your 50 people have about 100 devices, a per-device license roughly doubles the cost.

Things to decide before buying

1. Who responds to alerts? If nobody on your team can watch alerts, the cheapest product will only detect problems. Managed options cost more but include people who respond. One vendor's comparison notes that detection without response just means someone finds out about the breach later.
2. Per-user or per-device licensing? Count devices, not just staff.
3. Are you already paying for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace? Check your license tier first.

Vendor prices in these sources are list prices from 2026 and change often, so get quotes from two or three vendors or a local reseller before you commit. If you tell me your device count, whether you use Microsoft 365, and whether you have IT staff, I can narrow this to one recommendation.

For a company of 50 people, "affordability" depends on whether you have a dedicated IT team to manage security alerts or if you need a "set it and forget it" solution that includes 24/7 monitoring.

Here is a breakdown of the most cost-effective strategies and solutions for a business of your size.

1. The "Value" Choice for Microsoft Users

If your company already uses Microsoft 365 Business Premium, you may already be paying for Microsoft Defender for Business.

• Why it’s affordable: It is often included in your existing license, making it effectively "free" if you are already using that tier of Microsoft 365.
• Best for: Companies already deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Pros: Centralized management via Intune, enterprise-grade threat detection, and seamless integration.

2. Best for Lean Teams (Managed EDR)

For a 50-person company, the biggest hidden cost is not the software, but the human time required to monitor alerts. A "cheap" tool can become expensive if a breach occurs because no one was watching the console.

• Huntress Managed EDR: Widely considered the gold standard for small businesses. It is a "Managed EDR" service, meaning it includes a 24/7 human-led security team that monitors your environment and responds to threats for you.
• Cost: Typically priced per endpoint per month. While it may have a higher sticker price than basic antivirus, it is often more cost-effective than hiring or contracting a dedicated security analyst.

3. Best "Budget-Friendly" Standalone Solutions

If you have an IT person or managed service provider (MSP) who can handle alerts, these solutions offer strong protection at a lower price point:

• Bitdefender GravityZone: Highly regarded for its balance of strong, independent lab-tested protection and flexibility. It offers various SMB packages, allowing you to choose the level of EDR/XDR features that fit your budget.
• ESET PROTECT: Known for being lightweight and efficient, making it ideal if your employees are using older hardware or if you want to minimize system performance impact.
• Sophos Endpoint: Offers a robust, scalable platform with strong ransomware protection (CryptoGuard). They also offer an MDR (Managed Detection and Response) add-on if you eventually decide you need 24/7 expert monitoring.

Summary Pricing Considerations

• Per-Endpoint Pricing: Expect to pay between $5 and $30 per device per month for standard endpoint protection.
• Avoid "Over-Buying": You do not need top-tier enterprise XDR platforms (often $100+/endpoint) for a 50-person company. Focus on EPP (Endpoint Protection Platform) with built-in behavioral detection.
• The "Hidden" Cost: Always factor in the cost of management. If you do not have a dedicated security person, choose a Managed solution (like Huntress or Sophos MDR). The small premium you pay is significantly cheaper than the cost of a single ransomware incident.

Recommendation

1. Check your current licenses: See if you have Microsoft Defender for Business.
2. Evaluate your bandwidth: If you do not have someone watching the security dashboard 24/7, prioritize a Managed EDR service like Huntress. It provides the best return on investment by preventing breaches rather than just alerting you after the fact.

Most affordable option with publicly listed pricing: Microsoft Defender for Business at $3 per user per month, billed annually. For 50 people, that’s about $150/month or $1,800/year before tax. It covers up to five devices per user, supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and includes endpoint detection and response features. ¹¹³

If you already have Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Defender for Business is included, so you may not need a separate endpoint subscription. ²

Worth comparing: Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security is aimed at small and midsize businesses and supports desktops and servers, but its pricing depends on the number of devices and isn’t shown in the search results—get a quote before comparing total cost. ¹¹ Sophos also uses quote-based pricing. ⁷

Bottom line: Start by checking whether you already have Defender through Microsoft 365. If not, its listed $3/user price is a clear, low-cost benchmark. Remember to count devices and servers separately: Defender for Business allows up to five client devices per user, while servers require an additional license. ¹³