Best EDR Tools for Detecting Fileless Attacks in 2026

As we enter 2026, cyber threats are becoming more advanced. Traditional security tools like antivirus software are no longer enough to overcome these challenges. One of the difficult threat types existing today is fileless attacks. 

These attacks do not rely on malicious files, making them harder to detect with traditional signature-based defenses. Instead, they exploit legitimate system tools and memory processes of your business to hide and carry out malicious activities.

This is why Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools are essential. EDR solutions are designed to monitor endpoint behavior in real time, spot suspicious activity, and take action before an attack can cause serious damage.

In this blog post, we explore what EDR is, why businesses need it, and the best EDR tools in 2026 that are effective at detecting and stopping fileless attacks.

What is EDR?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity technology that continuously monitors endpoint activities, such as laptops, desktops, servers, and mobile devices, to detect suspicious behavior that might indicate a threat.

Rather than simply scanning for known malware signatures, EDR looks at how software interacts with the system and flags unusual actions.

With EDR, security teams can:

• Track events in real time across many endpoints
• Analyze behavior to find hidden threats
• Respond quickly by isolating or stopping malicious activity
• Investigate the source of suspicious events to prevent them from spreading further

EDR systems are particularly useful against advanced threats because they focus on behavioral patterns rather than just known threat libraries. These capabilities make EDR tools more effective against fileless malware that hides in system processes and memory. Organizations evaluating EDR solutions often want to understand how these tools identify threats that never touch the disk. 

To explore this in more detail and see how modern security platforms detect and stop memory-based attacks in real-world scenarios, readers can refer to our in-depth guide.

Also read: How to Detect Fileless Malware with Modern Security Tools

Best EDR Tools for Detecting Fileless Attacks

When evaluating EDR tools, it’s important to look at how each tool detects complex threats like fileless attacks, how easy it is to use, and whether it integrates well with your existing systems. Below is the list of some of the best EDR tools that you can use for fileless attack detection in 2026, outlining their strengths and weaknesses.

Cortex from Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR is a powerful EDR platform that integrates endpoint, network, and cloud data into a unified security model. It uses behavioral analytics and machine learning to detect threats that evade traditional controls. Cortex’s ability to correlate events across different systems gives it strong visibility into complex attacks, including fileless techniques.

Pros:

• Strong multi-layer detection combining endpoint, network, and cloud telemetry.
• Excellent behavioral analytics that spot unusual patterns.
• Root cause analysis and detailed investigation tools.

Cons:

• Pricing is typically higher and requires a custom quote, which may not suit small businesses or enterprises.
• Advanced features often require deeper technical expertise to use fully.

Best For: Large enterprises or organizations with complex multi-layer environments.

CrowdStrike Endpoint Security

CrowdStrike Falcon is one of the most widely adopted EDR platforms, known for its cloud-native architecture and strong threat intelligence. It uses AI and global telemetry to identify malicious behavior in real time, even when attackers use living-off-the-land techniques common in fileless attacks.

Pros:

• Cloud-native design means minimal local infrastructure and lightweight agents.
• Threat Graph technology provides deep insight into activity across all endpoints.
• High detection accuracy and strong analytics for identifying complex threats.
  

Cons:

• Premium pricing may be a barrier for small businesses.
• Higher tiers are needed for advanced features like full threat hunting.

Best For: Medium to large enterprises and organizations with dedicated security teams.

SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint

SentinelOne Singularity is known for autonomous detection and response. It combines XDR and EDR capabilities with a highly automated approach, meaning it can respond to threats with minimal human intervention. Its AI-driven detection is strong against both file-based and fileless threats, and it offers rollback capabilities for self-healing in ransomware scenarios.

Pros:

• Automated response capabilities reduce manual workload.
• Rollback and remediation features help quickly recover from incidents.
• High ratings for ease of use and automation.

Cons:

• Can be costly, especially at higher licensing tiers.
• Some advanced features may be complex for teams new to EDR.

Best For: Organizations with small security teams that require high automation.

Sophos Intercept X Endpoint

Sophos Intercept X combines traditional endpoint protection with deep learning and EDR capabilities. It emphasizes ransomware and exploit prevention, with behavior-based detection that helps catch fileless attacks. Its synchronized security feature also allows coordination between different security layers.

Pros:

• Easy to manage and deploy, especially for smaller IT teams.
• Strong anti-ransomware and exploit protection.
• User-friendly interface and centralized management.

Cons:

• Less advanced threat hunting depth compared to larger enterprise platforms.
• Full benefits may depend on using additional Sophos services.

Best For: SMBs and mid-market companies looking for comprehensive protection without complexity.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a strong choice for businesses already invested in Microsoft 365 and Azure. It integrates deeply with Windows and Microsoft security services, using behavioral analytics, threat intelligence, and automated response to manage threats across platforms.

Pros:

• Exceptional integration with Microsoft products.
• Cost-effective if your organization already uses Microsoft licenses.
• Good cross-platform support with centralized administration.

Cons:

• Some features require Microsoft expertise for optimal setup.
• Can be resource-intensive on older systems.

Best For: Organizations that rely on Microsoft infrastructure and want a unified security environment.

Symantec Endpoint Security (Broadcom)

Symantec’s EDR capabilities are part of a broader endpoint security platform that uses layered defenses and threat intelligence. Its deception-based techniques and risk scoring help trap sophisticated threats before they escalate.

Pros:

• Comprehensive protection with detailed threat intelligence.
• Strong options for deception and isolation to catch stealth threats.
• Flexible deployment options.

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for setup and tuning.
• Less third-party integration compared with some competitors.

Best For: Larger organizations that want a multi-layered security approach.

How to Choose the Right EDR Solution for Your Business

Selecting an EDR tool involves thoughtful consideration of your organization’s needs, resources, and security maturity. For businesses evaluating cybersecurity solutions Dubai, it is especially important to consider factors such as compliance requirements, cloud adoption, ease of integration with existing IT infrastructure, and the availability of automated response capabilities. 

Organizations should prioritize EDR platforms with strong behavioral analytics and AI-driven detection, as these are more effective against fileless attacks and modern threat techniques. Here are some key factors to weigh as you make your choice:

1. Detection Depth: Look for tools with strong behavioral analytics and AI detection, as these are more effective against fileless attacks.
2. Ease of Use: If your team is small or less experienced, prioritize solutions with automation and intuitive dashboards.
3. Integration: Tight integration with your current infrastructure (such as cloud platforms or SIEM systems) makes deployment easier and improves effectiveness.
4. Scalability: Consider whether the tool can grow with your organization as your endpoint count increases.
5. Response Capabilities: Tools that offer automated response and remediation help reduce incident impact and support teams with limited security personnel.

Modern EDR is not one-size-fits-all. For example, a large enterprise with a dedicated security operations center might prefer CrowdStrike or Cortex XDR for depth and advanced capabilities. Meanwhile, a smaller company using Microsoft tools might find Defender for Endpoint to be both cost-effective and sufficiently robust.

Conclusion

Fileless attacks are increasingly common because they bypass traditional signature-based defenses. To protect against these stealthy threats, businesses need advanced Endpoint Detection and Response tools that can monitor behavior, identify anomalies, and respond quickly.

In 2026, the top EDR solutions include Cortex XDR, CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne Singularity, Sophos Intercept X, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and Symantec Endpoint Security. Each of these tools has strengths and trade-offs. Enterprises with complex environments may benefit from Cortex XDR or CrowdStrike Falcon, while smaller teams might prefer the automation and simplicity of SentinelOne or Sophos. Microsoft Defender is a strong choice for organizations already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem, and Symantec is ideal for teams seeking layered, intelligence-driven defenses.

By evaluating your business needs, technical resources, and threat landscape, you can choose an EDR solution that not only defends against fileless attacks but also strengthens your overall security posture.