ESET vs. Microsoft

Microsoft’s pricing is changing. ESET’s value isn’t.

With ESET, you get full-featured protection, transparent pricing, and flexible deployment without the complexity or cost creep.

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Why businesses choose ESET over Microsoft

 

Superior protection

Excellent protection rates in tests
 

100%

ESET

99.6%

Microsoft

Always be ahead of threats

ESET is prevention first and uses proactive defense. We stop threats before they can cause any damage and harm your business.

High online malware protection rate according to AV-Comparatives test. Source

Prevention & Response

Strong technical protection and proven value for enterprises

98%

ESET

N/A

Microsoft did not participate

Proven protection in independent testing

AV-Comparatives conducted the 2025 Endpoint Prevention and Response (EPR) Test, designed to reflect real-world attack chains, including techniques such as phishing, lateral movement, data exfiltration, and abuse of legitimate tools.

Source

Better end-user rating

Higher overall satisfaction, according to customers

#1

ESET

#7

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Get the best value for money

ESET PROTECT delivers better value and lives up to its promises. Customers are satisfied with its feature set and gave us a higher overall rating compared to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. 

Comparison of overall rating on G2. Source

Transparent Pricing, Predictable Value

Unlike Microsoft, which is eliminating volume discounts and introducing unpredictable cost hikes, ESET offers transparent, consistent pricing across all tiers. Whether you're a small business or enterprise, you get full-feature protection without hidden fees or forced upgrades.

No surprise renewals or forced migrations.

Predictable budgeting with flat-rate licensing.

No dependency on cloud-only models. ESET supports hybrid and air-gapped environments.

Compare ESET vs. Microsoft

 

Prevention

Proactive defense, minimizing security risks with multiple layers of prevention technologies.

  • Next-generation antivirus
  • Protection against ransomware attacks
  • Disk encryption and management
  • Server Protection
  • Sandbox
  • Office 365 security and Google Workspace apps security
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Patch management
  • Anti-phishing
  • Web control
  • Secure browser
  • Firewall control
  • Mobile Device Management and Threat Defense

Detection

Light on resources and effective in detecting malware, thanks to many accurate detection capabilities.

  • Ransomware shield
  • Brute-force attack protection
  • UEFI/ Registry/ WMI Inspection
  • Network attack protection
  • Botnet protection
  • DNA detections

Ecosystem

Suitable for companies of any size, without seat limits. Cloud, on-prem, and air-gapped deployment options available from the entry-level tier.
 

  • Proprietary ransomware remediation technology
     
  • Protection does not depend on online connection
  • One console to manage your security
  • Simple to deploy, with robust setting options and rules
  • Security is our first and only focus

Prevention

Proactive defense, minimizing security risks with multiple layers of prevention technologies.

  • Next-generation antivirus
  • Protection against ransomware attacks
  • Disk encryption and management
  • Server Protection
  • Sandbox
  • Office 365 security and Google Workspace apps security
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Patch management
  • Anti-phishing
  • Web control
  • Secure browser
  • Firewall control
  • Mobile Device Management and Threat Defense

Detection

Light on resources and effective in detecting malware, thanks to many accurate detection capabilities.

  • Ransomware shield
  • Brute-force attack protection
  • UEFI/ Registry/ WMI Inspection
  • Network attack protection
  • Botnet protection
  • DNA detections

Ecosystem

Suitable for companies of any size, without seat limits. Cloud, on-prem, and air-gapped deployment options available from the entry-level tier.
 

  • Proprietary ransomware remediation technology
     
  • Protection does not depend on online connection
  • One console to manage your security
  • Simple to deploy, with robust setting options and rules
  • Security is our first and only focus

Microsoft

Prevention

Less efficient defense leaving open gaps for cybercriminals and requires additional costs.

  • Next-generation antivirus
  • Protection against ransomware attacks
  • Disk encryption and management
  • Server Protection
  • Sandbox
  • Office 365 security
     
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Patch management
  • Anti-phishing
  • Web control
  • Secure browser
  • Firewall control
  • Mobile Device Management and Threat Defense

Detection

Resource intensive and less effective in detecting malware.  

  • Partially blocks ransomware
  • Brute-force attack protection
  • UEFI/ Regstry/ WMI Inspection
  • Network attack protection
  • Botnet protection
  • DNA detections

Ecosystem

Limited to 300 seats, forcing you to purchase more expensive tiers if your company outgrows this number. Cloud-only deployment makes it unsuitable for companies with strict security needs.

  • Reliant on manual restoration of legacy Volume Shadow Copy backups
  • Protection relies heavily on online connection
  • Complex navigation, multiple consoles
  • Complex to deploy and manage, missing granular control or additional customization options
  • Security is one of Microsoft's many revenue streams

Prevention

Less efficient defense leaving open gaps for cybercriminals and requires additional costs.

  • Next-generation antivirus
  • Protection against ransomware attacks
  • Disk encryption and management
  • Server Protection
  • Sandbox
  • Office 365 security
     
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Patch management
  • Anti-phishing
  • Web control
  • Secure browser
  • Firewall control
  • Mobile Device Management and Threat Defense

Detection

Resource intensive and less effective in detecting malware.  

  • Partially blocks ransomware
  • Brute-force attack protection
  • UEFI/ Regstry/ WMI Inspection
  • Network attack protection
  • Botnet protection
  • DNA detections

Ecosystem

Limited to 300 seats, forcing you to purchase more expensive tiers if your company outgrows this number. Cloud-only deployment makes it unsuitable for companies with strict security needs.

  • Reliant on manual restoration of legacy Volume Shadow Copy backups
  • Protection relies heavily on online connection
  • Complex navigation, multiple consoles
  • Complex to deploy and manage, missing granular control or additional customization options
  • Security is one of Microsoft's many revenue streams

Simply activate
and protect

Address your cybersecurity talent shortage and reduce the cost of implementation and management. Ensure superior protection and take advantage of our broad range of security services including managed detection and response, and US-based support.

View offering and pricing

Simply activate and protect

Address your cybersecurity talent shortage and reduce the cost of implementation and management. Ensure superior protection and take advantage of our broad range of security services including managed detection and response, and US-based support.

View offering and pricing

"ESET PROTECT is very good and easy to use."

IT Director, Industry: Finance (non-banking), Company Size: <50M USD
Gartner Peer Insights Review

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