# ESET PROTECT vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Comparison --- ## AI Generated Summary - **G2 reviewers report** that ESET PROTECT excels in central management capabilities, allowing users to easily monitor and manage client devices from a single interface. This feature is particularly praised for its ability to keep antivirus software up to date and manage device compliance effectively. - **Users say** Microsoft Defender for Endpoint integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem, making it a convenient choice for organizations already using Microsoft 365 and Azure. This integration enhances automated response capabilities, which many find invaluable for a comprehensive defense strategy. - **Reviewers mention** that ESET PROTECT has a higher overall satisfaction score, reflecting its strong performance in areas like malware detection and web control. Users appreciate features like application blocking and endpoint monitoring, which help maintain security and restrict unwanted access. - **According to verified reviews** , Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is noted for its clean user interface and solid performance, with minimal impact on device speed. However, some users feel that it requires a bit of a learning curve to fully utilize its features. - **G2 reviewers highlight** that ESET PROTECT offers a more user-friendly setup process, with many users finding the onboarding experience intuitive and straightforward. This contrasts with some feedback on Microsoft Defender, where users noted that initial setup could be more complex. - **Users appreciate** the quality of support provided by ESET PROTECT, often mentioning responsive customer service and helpful resources. In comparison, while Microsoft Defender for Endpoint also receives positive remarks for support, some users feel it could be improved in terms of responsiveness. | | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 970 | 310 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (45.6% of reviews) | Enterprise (38.5% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | Contact Us | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### ESET PROTECT Pros: - Ease of Use (94 reviews) - Protection (78 reviews) Cons: - Learning Curve (32 reviews) - Difficult Configuration (31 reviews) ### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Pros: - Ease of Use (20 reviews) - Threat Detection (18 reviews) Cons: - Compatibility Issues (8 reviews) - Complexity (8 reviews) --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 9.3 (838 reviews) | 8.6 (249 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 9.0 (839 reviews) | 8.6 (255 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 8.8 (577 reviews) | 8.5 (165 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 8.5 (417 reviews) | 8.6 (156 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 8.9 (777 reviews) | 8.5 (239 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.9 (407 reviews) | 8.6 (152 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.7 (827 reviews) | 9.2 (248 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### ESET PROTECT #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: ESET PROTECT Advanced Price: Contact Us Description: Best-in-class endpoint protection against ransomware & zero-day threats. Cross-platform solution with easy-to-use cloud or on-prem management, server security, advanced threat defense, and full disk encryption. Key Features: - Console - Server Security - Modern Endpoint Protection [Browse all 5 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/eset-protect/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial No information available --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Endpoint Protection Platforms | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | 9.2/10 | 287 | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | 8.6/10 | 26 | #### Administration | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Compliance** | 9.3 (225 reviews) | 8.8 (23 reviews) | | **Web Control** | 9.2 (228 reviews) | 8.3 (22 reviews) | | **Application Control** | 9.1 (224 reviews) | 8.7 (23 reviews) | | **Asset Management** | 9.0 (216 reviews) | 8.6 (22 reviews) | | **Device Control** | 9.1 (223 reviews) | 8.8 (21 reviews) | #### Functionality | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **System Isolation** | 9.1 (221 reviews) | 9.0 (22 reviews) | | **Firewall** | 9.2 (228 reviews) | 8.5 (22 reviews) | | **Endpoint Intelligence** | 9.2 (226 reviews) | 8.9 (23 reviews) | | **Malware Detection** | 9.3 (247 reviews) | 8.6 (22 reviews) | #### Analysis | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Automated Remediation** | 9.1 (224 reviews) | 8.5 (23 reviews) | | **Incident Reports** | 9.2 (220 reviews) | 8.5 (22 reviews) | | **Behavioral Analysis** | 8.9 (88 reviews) | 8.3 (21 reviews) | ### Malware Analysis Tools | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | 9.5/10 | 100 | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### Detection | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Malware Detection** | 9.6 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Compliance Monitoring** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | | **Threat Alerting** | 9.5 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Analysis | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Malware Evaluation** | 9.6 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Sandboxing** | 9.0 (78 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Threat Intelligence** | 9.5 (82 reviews) | Not enough data | | **File Analysis** | 9.5 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Response | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Response Automation** | 9.4 (83 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Malware Removal** | 9.5 (85 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Protection** | 9.5 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Generative AI | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | 9.8/10 | 37 | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### Detection & Response | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Response Automation** | 9.8 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Threat Hunting** | 9.8 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rule-Based Detection** | 9.7 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Real-Time Detection** | 9.9 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Management | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Extensibility** | 9.8 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Workflow Automation** | 9.9 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Unified Visibility** | 9.7 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Analytics | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Threat Intelligence** | 9.7 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning** | 9.5 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Collection** | 9.7 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI - Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | 9.7 (25 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Proactive Assistance** | 9.8 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | 9.9 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Services - Extended Detection and Response (XDR) | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Managed Services** | 9.9 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | ### Managed Detection and Response (MDR) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | 9.6/10 | 32 | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### Platform Features | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **24/7 support** | 9.2 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Proactive report alerts** | 9.8 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Application control** | 9.6 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Proactive threat hunting** | 9.7 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Rapid response time** | 9.7 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Customizeable reports** | 9.8 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Managed Services** | 9.5 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Automation Capabilities | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Automated remediation** | 9.8 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Automated investigation** | 9.6 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | | **AI Agents** | 8.8 (23 reviews) | Not enough data | ### Antivirus | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | 6.1/10 | 40 | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | 8.0/10 | 57 | #### Generative AI | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | 6.0 (39 reviews) | 8.0 (52 reviews) | | **AI Text Summarization** | 6.1 (40 reviews) | 8.0 (52 reviews) | ### Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | 9.9/10 | 35 | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### Services - Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Managed Services** | 9.9 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | ### Cloud Security | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | N/A | N/A | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### Cloud Visibility | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Data Discovery** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cloud Registry** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Cloud Gap Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Security | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Data Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Data loss Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Identity | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **SSO** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Governance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **User Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Endpoint Protection | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **ESET PROTECT** | N/A | N/A | | **Microsoft Defender for Endpoint** | N/A | N/A | #### System Control | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Device Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Web Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Application Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Asset Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **System Isolation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Vulnerability Prevention | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Endpoint Intelligence** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Firewall** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Malware Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | #### Security Management | Feature | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Incident Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Security Validation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Compliance ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (3):** [Endpoint Protection Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/endpoint-protection-platforms), [Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/endpoint-detection-response-edr), [Antivirus Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/antivirus) **Unique to ESET PROTECT (4):** [Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/extended-detection-and-response-xdr-platforms), [Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/managed-detection-and-response-mdr), [Malware Analysis Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/malware-analysis-tools), [Patch Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/patch-management) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 44.2% | 27.1% | | **Mid-Market** | 45.6% | 34.4% | | **Enterprise** | 10.2% | 38.5% | ### By Industry #### ESET PROTECT - **Information Technology and Services:** 13.3% - **Computer Software:** 5.5% - **Construction:** 4.5% - **Computer & Network Security:** 3.9% - **Internet:** 3.6% - **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.9% - **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.9% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 2.8% - **Education Management:** 2.7% - **Staffing and Recruiting:** 2.4% - **Other:** 55.4% #### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - **Information Technology and Services:** 25.5% - **Computer & Network Security:** 14.1% - **Financial Services:** 6.0% - **Computer Software:** 6.0% - **Telecommunications:** 2.3% - **Banking:** 2.3% - **Computer Networking:** 2.0% - **Airlines/Aviation:** 1.7% - **Education Management:** 1.7% - **Consumer Services:** 1.7% - **Other:** 36.6% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to ESET PROTECT - [CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/crowdstrike-falcon-endpoint-protection-platform/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (427 reviews) - [ThreatDown](https://www.g2.com/products/threatdown/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1084 reviews) - [Sophos Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-endpoint/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (827 reviews) - [Check Point Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (284 reviews) - [SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/sentinelone-singularity-endpoint/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (201 reviews) - [Bitdefender GravityZone XDR](https://www.g2.com/products/bitdefender-gravityzone-xdr/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (85 reviews) - [Symantec End-user Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-end-user-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (553 reviews) - [Webroot Business Endpoint Protection](https://www.g2.com/products/webroot-business-endpoint-protection/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (532 reviews) - [WatchGuard Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (123 reviews) - [FortiClient](https://www.g2.com/products/forticlient/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (274 reviews) ### Alternatives to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - [Sophos Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-endpoint/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (827 reviews) - [CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/crowdstrike-falcon-endpoint-protection-platform/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (427 reviews) - [Trellix Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/trellix-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (327 reviews) - [Check Point Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (284 reviews) - [SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint](https://www.g2.com/products/sentinelone-singularity-endpoint/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (201 reviews) - [ThreatDown](https://www.g2.com/products/threatdown/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1084 reviews) - [Bitdefender GravityZone XDR](https://www.g2.com/products/bitdefender-gravityzone-xdr/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (85 reviews) - [Cisco Secure Endpoints](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-endpoints/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (27 reviews) - [Cortex XDR](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xdr/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (53 reviews) - [Symantec End-user Endpoint Security](https://www.g2.com/products/symantec-end-user-endpoint-security/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (553 reviews) --- ## Top Discussions ### ESET PROTECT - Title: [Does ESET nod32 protect against malware?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-eset-nod32-protect-against-malware) — 2 comments > **Top comment:** "Yes" - Title: [How can I backup the encryption key?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-can-i-backup-the-encryption-key) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Hi Mahmoud - here's some information from ESET's online help that can hopefully walk you through the backup process: ..." - Title: [Is ESET an antivirus?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-eset-an-antivirus) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "It sure is! works great too" - Title: [What is ESET protect?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-eset-protect) — 1 comment, 2 upvotes > **Top comment:** "Computer security software" - Title: [Is ESET nod32 antivirus any good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-eset-nod32-antivirus-any-good) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Good" ### Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - Title: [can i use this for my video games?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32645-can-i-use-this-for-my-video-games) — 2 comments, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "if you are using Xbox, then all software's are certified by Microsoft, so no need the virus scan " - Title: [What is Endpoint Defender?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-endpoint-defender) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "In general terms, "Endpoint Defender" could potentially refer to a category of cybersecurity solutions designed to protect individual devices (endpoints)..." - Title: [Which feature in Microsoft Defender for endpoint?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-feature-in-microsoft-defender-for-endpoint) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "Comprehensive protection: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides protection against a wide range of threats, including viruses, malware, ransomware, and..." - Title: [when scheduled scan starts it consume 100% CPU, can you kindly provide solution for it.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/37198-when-scheduled-scan-starts-it-consume-100-cpu-can-you-kindly-provide-solution-for-it) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "Method I: Ensure that no other Adware, Antimalware or Antivirus software is installed or not fully removed Method II: Prevent Windows Defender from scanning..." --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/eset-protect-vs-microsoft-defender-for-endpoint)