Alternative to Sophos: prevention and management in one platform
Using Sophos Intercept X or Sophos MDR and looking for an alternative? Xcitium isolates unknown files with ZeroDwell and has RMM, patch management and a 24/7 SOC in the same platform. Spiredesk guides the switch in the Netherlands.
Why MSPs look for an alternative to Sophos
Sophos provides endpoint security with Intercept X, managed through Sophos Central, and Sophos MDR as a managed service. In February 2025 Sophos acquired Secureworks, including the Taegis XDR platform. Xcitium uses a different foundation: ZeroDwell runs unknown files in isolation until they are proven safe. RMM, patch management and helpdesk live in the same platform as the security.
What Xcitium does differently
Unknown files isolated
ZeroDwell runs unknown files in isolation until they are proven safe, so ransomware cannot cause damage, even when it is not yet known anywhere.
Management included
RMM, patch management, remote access and helpdesk live in the same platform as the security. No separate management tool or integration needed.
A SOC under your own brand
With SOCaaP you deliver a 24/7 SOC to your customers under your own name, without hiring analysts yourself.
Managed EDR with no hourly rate
The Xcitium SOC investigates incidents and steps in without charging by the hour.
Competitive pricing, no minimum
Competitive pricing per endpoint and no minimum purchase. You get a proposal in euros that fits your customer base.
Local distributor
Spiredesk is the official Xcitium distributor for the Netherlands: licences, demo environment, training and local support.
How the switch works
You are not on your own: Xcitium and Spiredesk help with the rollout. We agree in advance who does what and what it may cost.
- 01
Inventory
Together we map which customers, devices, policies and scripts you currently manage in Sophos.
- 02
Demo environment
You get an Xcitium environment to get to know the platform yourself.
- 03
Pilot with one customer
We start with one customer or a group of devices and test against criteria agreed in advance.
- 04
Rollout per customer
Xcitium helps with the rollout per customer. Device by device, Sophos comes off and Xcitium goes on, so two security products never run at the same time.
- 05
Wrap up
Once a customer has fully switched, you remove the old agent and cancel the licences at the next renewal.
Xcitium and Sophos side by side
Based on public information from both vendors (October 2026). We have tried to make this comparison as factual as possible. Spotted an error or has something changed? Let us know through the contact form and we will correct it.
| Component | Xcitium | Sophos |
|---|---|---|
| Endpoint security | EDR with ZeroDwell containment of unknown files | Intercept X |
| MDR and SOC | Managed EDR and SOC packages, also white label (SOCaaP) | Sophos MDR |
| XDR | Xcitium XDR for endpoint, network, cloud, identity and email | Sophos XDR and Taegis (through Secureworks) |
| RMM and patch management | Xcitium RMM with patching and remote access, in the same platform | No RMM; Sophos Central manages Sophos products |
When Sophos may suit you better
Switching is not the best choice for everyone. Stay with Sophos if:
- you also use Sophos firewalls and want to keep everything in Sophos Central;
- your team is fully built around Sophos and the switch does not outweigh the benefit;
- your contract with Sophos runs for a long time.
What Spiredesk does during the switch
As the official Xcitium distributor for the Netherlands, we are your point of contact from the first demo to the last customer. We help plan the order, assist with the first rollout and make sure your team knows the platform.
- ✓ Free demo and exploration
- ✓ Planning the switch per customer
- ✓ Help with the first rollout
- ✓ Training for your technicians
- ✓ Local support
Complete your coverage
ZeroDwell containment
Unknown files run in a virtual environment until it is clear whether they can be trusted.
ViewManaged EDR
24/7 SOC that monitors your endpoints, investigates and acts immediately.
ViewRMM
Monitoring, scripting and asset management with the same agent as your security.
ViewSOCaaP (SOC as a Platform)
Multi-tenant SOC platform to deliver SOC services under your own brand.
ViewFrequently asked questions
Can Sophos and Xcitium run side by side for a while?
Two security products on the same device can conflict. That is why we switch per customer: the old agent comes off and Xcitium goes on straight away. We plan that together with you.
Do we also have to replace our Sophos firewalls?
No. You can keep the firewalls and switch only the endpoint security. If you later want network security from Xcitium too, we look at that separately.
Does Xcitium help with the migration?
Yes. Xcitium helps MSPs with the rollout per customer. Spiredesk agrees with you and Xcitium who does what and in which order.
What does the switch cost?
That depends on the number of customers and devices and on what you do yourself. We make a proposal in advance, so there are no surprises.
Do we have to move all our customers at once?
No. Switching per customer is usually the safest approach, for example when their contract or licence is up for renewal.
Switching from Sophos to Xcitium?
In a short demo we show you how it works, discuss your situation and make a proposal. No obligation, in English or Dutch.
Product information: xcitium.com. Xcitium, ZeroDwell, OpenEDR and related logos are trademarks of Xcitium Inc.