License & Subscription Issues

Compare Microsoft Entra ID and Defender for Office 365 Plans

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants a detailed comparison between Microsoft Entra ID Plans (1, 2, F1, F2) and Defender for Office 365 Plans (1 and 2).

Product: Microsoft Office 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Evaluating Microsoft 365 licensing tiers to understand advanced security, threat tracking, and identity protection features.
Observed behavior: Seeking clarification on the specific feature differences and frontline licensing equivalents among various Microsoft security and identity plans.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative access to the Microsoft 365 admin center or Azure portal to review your organization's current licensing entitlements before making any changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Evaluate Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1, Plan 2, and Frontline Variants

Understand the identity protection and governance differences between the various Entra ID plans.

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) offers different tiers of identity and access management based on your organizational security needs.

Identify Plan 1 features

Review Entra ID Plan 1, which includes standard identity management features such as Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and basic Conditional Access.

Identify Plan 2 additions

Note that Entra ID Plan 2 introduces advanced security capabilities over Plan 1, including advanced identity protection, robust identity governance, and Privileged Identity Management (PIM).

Understand Frontline Licenses (F1/F2)

Recognize that F1 and F2 are specific licensing variants designed for frontline workers. They offer tailored feature sets for shift workers and are not direct, feature-for-feature equivalents of the standard Entra ID Plan 1 and Plan 2.

Licensing Matrix: Always consult the official Microsoft licensing matrix to see the most up-to-date feature availability for F1 and F2 licenses.

Solution 2

Compare Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 and Plan 2

Identify the advanced threat investigation and response features added in the higher-tier Defender plan.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Cost-Effective Productivity Suite?

While Microsoft 365 requires complex licensing tiers for advanced security and identity, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative for your everyday document creation and editing needs.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the suite.
3. Start creating: Open WPS Office to immediately start creating, editing, and collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Free and lightweight office suite with no complex licensing tiers to manage.Familiar, easy-to-use tabbed interface for seamless migration from Microsoft Office.Includes built-in advanced PDF editing, conversion, and cloud collaboration tools.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mix Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1 and Plan 2 licenses in the same tenant?

Yes, Microsoft allows you to assign different licenses to different users based on their specific security and administrative needs within the same organizational tenant.

Do F1 and F2 licenses include Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1?

F1 and F2 licenses include specific, tailored identity features for frontline workers, but they do not provide the exact same comprehensive feature set as a full standalone Entra ID Plan 1 or Plan 2 license.

How can I check which Defender for Office 365 plan my organization has?

You can view your active licenses by logging into the Microsoft 365 admin center with administrative credentials, navigating to 'Billing', and selecting 'Your products' to view your current subscriptions.

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