# Alternatives to ESET

Light, configurable protection.

ESET ranks #3 of 9 in Antivirus software, with an Alt Score of 82. It is proprietary, sold by subscription and available on Windows, macOS and Android. 9 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/eset/
Category: Antivirus software

## Where ESET stands out

- **Firewall included** — 3 of 7 apps with a verified answer have this

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Home users, families, and small-to-large businesses that need protection against malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats across Windows, Mac, Android, and server environments.
- **What you get**: Multi-layered antivirus and endpoint protection built on ESET's LiveSense detection technology, combining signature-based scanning with machine learning and cloud-based threat analysis. Consumer tiers (NOD32 Antivirus, ESET HOME Security Essential/Premium/Ultimate) add VPN, encryption, and identity/dark-web monitoring. Business tiers (Entry, Advanced, Complete Protection) add server security, full disk encryption, mail security, vulnerability management, and optional managed detection and response (MDR/XDR).
- **How it works**: Install the ESET agent on a device or across an organization's endpoints and servers; it runs continuous real-time scanning and behavioral analysis to detect and block threats, with centralized management consoles for businesses to monitor and respond across all protected devices.

## Profile

- **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-10)
- **Pricing model**: Subscription (verified 2026-07-10)
- **Starts at**: ?
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Android
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-10)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [Bitdefender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/bitdefender.md) | 91 | ? | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 2 | [Avast](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avast.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 3 | [Malwarebytes](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/malwarebytes.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 4 | [Microsoft Defender](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/microsoft-defender.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 5 | [Norton](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/norton.md) | 82 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 6 | [AVG](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avg.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 7 | [Avira](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/avira.md) | 78 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| 8 | [ClamAV](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/clamav.md) | 46 | GPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Antivirus software checklist | ESET | Bitdefender | Avast | Malwarebytes | Microsoft Defender | Norton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Subscription | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Free | Subscription |
| Starts at | ? | $24.99/year | $49.99/year | $59.99/year | ? | $94.99 first year (Norton 360 Standard) |
| License | Proprietary | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Browser extension | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Independent lab scores (AV-TEST) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Real-time protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ransomware protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Performance impact | Yes | Yes | ? | Partial | Partial | Yes |
| Free tier | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| No data selling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Firewall included | Yes | Partial | Partial | ? | Yes | Yes |
| Ad-free experience | ? | Partial | Partial | Partial | ? | ? |

## Sources

Sources for ESET. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **Pricing model**: Subscription — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/protection-plans/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Price valid for the first term only.”
- **License**: Proprietary — <https://help.eset.com/eis/18/en-US/eula.html> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “The Software and all rights, without limitation including proprietary rights and intellectual property rights thereto are owned by ESET and/or its licensors.”
- **Platforms**: Windows, macOS, Android — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/smart-security-premium/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Windows, macOS and Android devices under one subscription”
- **Status**: active — <https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/news.html> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Release date: June, 2026”
- **Independent lab scores (AV-TEST)**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/about/newsroom/press-releases/eset-receives-top-product-awards-for-best-windows-antivirus-software-from-av-test-2/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “ESET's solutions scored a perfect 6 in the Protection category, which measures the protection against and detection of malware, including web and email threats.”
- **Real-time protection**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “24/7 real-time protection against malware, ransomware and viruses”
- **Ransomware protection**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Ransomware Shield detects and blocks threats that tries to lock you out of your own data.”
- **Performance impact**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Small System Footprint keeps your devices fast and responsive.”
- **Free tier**: No — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/free-trial/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: 30-day trial only; no permanent free tier.
  - Quote: “After your 30-day antivirus trial, there's no automatic billing and no hidden charges. You can choose to continue with paid Premium protection, switch to a different plan, or uninstall the software.”
- **No data selling**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/policy-hub/privacy/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “ESET does not sell personal information for monetary consideration.”
- **Web protection**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/antivirus/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Our secured browser mode boosts your privacy and helps avoid phishing scams.”
- **Cross-platform**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/smart-security-premium/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Windows, macOS and Android devices under one subscription”
- **Firewall included**: Yes — <https://www.eset.com/us/home/smart-security-premium/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Filter unwanted content, secure access to your network, and test your home router and smart devices for vulnerabilities.”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/