Small businesses are not too small to be hacked. In fact, 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, and 60% of small businesses that suffer a major cyberattack go out of business within 6 months. The good news: most attacks exploit basic security gaps that affordable tools can close.
We compared the best cybersecurity tools for small businesses on what they protect, ease of use, and price.
Quick Comparison
| Software | Best For | Starting Price | Free Plan | Protects Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Password | Password management | $3/user/mo | Yes (personal) | Weak/reused passwords |
| Malwarebytes | Endpoint protection | $5/device/mo | Yes (limited) | Malware, ransomware, phishing |
| Cloudflare | Website security | Free (basic) | Yes | DDoS, bots, web attacks |
| Huntress | Managed detection & response | $12/device/mo | No | Advanced threats, persistence |
| Guardz | All-in-one SMB security | $1/user/mo | No | Multiple threats |
1. 1Password — Best Password Management
The most common way hackers get in? Reused passwords. 1Password generates, stores, and autofills strong, unique passwords for every account. If every employee uses 1Password, your biggest attack vector is eliminated.
Pros:
- Generates strong, unique passwords for every account
- Autofills passwords across browsers and devices
- Secure sharing of passwords within teams
- Two-factor authentication built in
- Watchtower alerts for breached passwords
- Emergency kit for account recovery
- Works on every platform (Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux)
- Family plan included for business users
- Good onboarding for team adoption
Cons:
- Requires employee adoption (if they don’t use it, it doesn’t work)
- Monthly cost per user adds up for large teams
- Can’t prevent all phishing (humans still click)
- Not a full security solution (just passwords)
Pricing: Business $8/user/mo; Teams Starter $20/mo (up to 10 users)
Best for: Every business, regardless of size. Password management is the single most effective security upgrade you can make.
2. Malwarebytes — Best Endpoint Protection
Malwarebytes catches what traditional antivirus misses — ransomware, zero-day exploits, and phishing attacks. It’s lightweight, doesn’t slow down your computer, and is designed for businesses that don’t have a dedicated IT team.
Pros:
- Catches ransomware, malware, and phishing that traditional AV misses
- Lightweight — doesn’t slow down your computer
- Real-time protection for endpoints
- Cloud-based management console
- Good for businesses without dedicated IT
- Remediation tool (fixes infected machines)
- Works alongside existing antivirus
- Good reporting and threat visibility
Cons:
- Not a full MDR (managed detection and response) solution
- No website security features
- Free version is scan-only (no real-time protection)
- Business pricing requires contacting sales
- Doesn’t protect against all social engineering attacks
- Needs to be installed on every device
Pricing: Teams $5/device/mo; Enterprise custom
Best for: Small businesses that need endpoint protection without managing a complex security stack.
3. Cloudflare — Best Website Security
If your business has a website, Cloudflare protects it. The free plan includes DDoS protection, bot filtering, and an SSL certificate. The paid plans add a web application firewall, rate limiting, and page rules. For most small businesses, the free plan is enough.
Pros:
- Free plan includes DDoS protection and SSL
- Content delivery network (faster website loading)
- Web application firewall (Pro plan)
- Bot filtering and rate limiting
- DNS-level security
- Analytics on traffic and threats
- Easy setup (change DNS nameservers)
- Scales from small business to enterprise
Cons:
- Doesn’t protect endpoints (computers, phones)
- Doesn’t protect email (need separate tool)
- Free plan has limited firewall rules
- Pro plan ($20/month) needed for WAF
- DNS changes can be intimidating for non-technical users
- Customer support limited on free plan
Pricing: Free; Pro $20/month; Business $200/month; Enterprise custom
Best for: Any business with a website. The free plan is a no-brainer.
4. Huntress — Best Managed Detection and Response
Huntress provides managed detection and response (MDR) — a team of security professionals monitors your endpoints 24/7 and responds to threats. If you don’t have a security team (and most small businesses don’t), Huntress is like having one on retainer.
Pros:
- 24/7 threat monitoring by human analysts
- Catches persistent threats that automated tools miss
- Managed remediation (they fix it, not just alert you)
- Lightweight agent that doesn’t slow down devices
- Good for businesses without IT security staff
- Monthly threat reports
- Incident response included
- Works alongside existing antivirus
Cons:
- Most expensive option on this list
- Overkill for very small businesses (under 5 employees)
- Requires agent installation on every device
- Not a full security suite (pair with 1Password and Cloudflare)
- No website or email protection
- Minimum contract may apply
Pricing: Starting at $12/device/month (minimum 10 devices)
Best for: Businesses with 10+ endpoints that want professional threat monitoring without hiring a security team.
The Security Stack Every Small Business Needs
You don’t need every tool. But every small business needs these basics:
Tier 1 — Essential (Under $50/month for 5 employees):
1. 1Password ($8/user/month) — Eliminate weak passwords
2. Cloudflare Free — Protect your website
3. Malwarebytes Free — Scan endpoints for malware
Tier 2 — Protected (Under $100/month for 5 employees):
1. 1Password ($8/user/month) — Password management
2. Malwarebytes Teams ($5/device/month) — Real-time endpoint protection
3. Cloudflare Pro ($20/month) — Website firewall
Tier 3 — Fully Protected (Under $200/month for 10 employees):
1. 1Password ($8/user/month) — Password management
2. Malwarebytes Teams ($5/device/month) — Endpoint protection
3. Cloudflare Pro ($20/month) — Website security
4. Huntress ($12/device/month) — Managed threat detection
What About Email Security?
Email is the #1 attack vector for small businesses. Phishing, business email compromise, and malicious attachments all arrive in your inbox. The tools above don’t cover email specifically.
Email security options:
- Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 include built-in spam and phishing protection (good enough for most small businesses)
- Proofpoint or Mimecast add advanced email security ($3-5/user/month)
- DMARC setup (free) prevents email spoofing — ask your IT provider to configure it
For most small businesses, the built-in protection in Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 is sufficient. Add Proofpoint if you’re in a high-target industry (finance, healthcare, legal).
How to Choose
1. What’s your biggest security concern?
Weak passwords → 1Password. Malware/ransomware → Malwarebytes. Website attacks → Cloudflare. Advanced threats → Huntress.
2. What’s your budget?
Under $50/month → 1Password + Cloudflare Free. Under $100/month → 1Password + Malwarebytes + Cloudflare. Under $200/month → Full stack.
3. Do you have a security team?
No → Huntress (they are your security team). Yes → 1Password + Malwarebytes + Cloudflare.
4. What’s your risk level?
Low (simple website, no sensitive data) → Tier 1. Medium (customer data, financial transactions) → Tier 2. High (healthcare, finance, legal) → Tier 3.
Our Top Pick
Start with 1Password and Cloudflare Free. These two tools close the biggest security gaps (weak passwords and website attacks) for under $10/user/month. Add Malwarebytes for real-time endpoint protection when budget allows. Add Huntress when you need professional threat monitoring.
Cybersecurity isn’t about buying every tool — it’s about closing the biggest gaps first. Start with passwords and website protection, then layer on additional security as your business grows.
SoftDecide helps churches, nonprofits, and small organizations find the right software. Our comparisons are independently researched. We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page — at no extra cost to you.