Windows 10 Pro is the business version of Windows 10 that comes pre-installed on most PCs when you buy them from Dell, HP, Microsoft, etc. Windows 10 Enterprise however, is an add-on that sits on top of Windows 10 Pro for added security and mobile device management benefits. Windows 10 Enterprise can be purchased as a monthly subscription for $7 or $11 per user/month, similar to the other Office 365 licenses. There are two Windows 10 Enterprise licenses, they are called Windows 10 E3 and Windows 10 E5.
Do I need Windows 10 Enterprise?
Windows 10 Enterprise is basically the fanciest anti-malware / anti-virus on the planet (specifically the Windows 10 E5 license). Windows 10 E5 can operate on all your devices no matter the OS (Linux, macOS, Windows 10), will automatically clean up any virus/malware it finds, then will give you a report as to whose devices are causing problems and where the attacks came from. It really is beautiful, you don't have to do any work.
Windows 10 Enterprise Pricing
If you do not already have Windows 10 Pro pre-installed on your PC then you have 3 options for pricing:
- If you are on Windows 10 Home then you can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for $60 per device
- If you are upgrading from Windows 7 Pro then it's going to cost you $199 on the Microsoft website, but you can probably find it on Amazon for $99-$150
- If you're PC is old enough, maybe it's time to just use that money towards a new PC?
When it comes to Windows 10 Enterprise, there are two versions, 'E3' and 'E5'. And honestly, we think that only Windows 10 E5 is worth buying, don't even bother with E3. That's because E5 comes with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which you can learn more about and watch all the videos about it in our Windows 10 E3 vs E5 blog post.
In addition to buying Windows Enterprise 'a-la-carte' you can also buy them bundled in Microsoft 365 plans:
- Windows 10 E3 is bundled with Microsoft 365 E3 ($32 per user/month)
- Windows 10 E5 is bundled with Microsoft 365 E5 ($57.50 user/month)
Lastly, you can also buy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (previously called Microsoft Defender ATP) separate from Windows 10 E5, for $5.25 per user/mo.
Windows 10 Pro vs Enterprise Features
Windows 10 Enterprise has 37 additional features that Windows 10 Pro does not have. To see the extensive table with an explanation of each of those features (and see if they are relevant to you) check out the detailed Windows 10 Pro vs Enterprise table.
But the question is, do I need it? Yes for 2 reasons:
1. It integrates into the rest of the Microsoft tech stack. Having full control of everything IT under one roof and one admin center for your servers in Azure, users in Microsoft 365, and even managing their devices, their operating systems all in one place??? Sign me up.
2. If you're going to buy it, just pay the $4 extra for Windows 10 E5 simply for the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and the automatic rumination tool. If you get some sort of ransomware or malware, E5 will actually automatically take action and clean it up and remove it without you the IT person having to do anything, which really saves your butt, and one or two stressful all-nighters cleaning that up yourself.
With Enterprise clocking 37(!) additional features to Pro, it's no doubt which one we think the best but only you can decide what's right for your organization. Questions? Comments? Leave us yours in the comments below or, feel free to start at chat with Mocha the Office Pug. He's very knowledgeable 😉
