Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Kaspersky Total Security
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Security & Cybersecurity
Essential antivirus protection
- From
- $39.99/year
- Rated
- -
Kaspersky Total Security
Security & Cybersecurity
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: ESET NOD32 Antivirus the advertised price applies to the first term only, and renewal reverts to the official list price; Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- They diverge on capability: ESET NOD32 Antivirus covers Antivirus & Antispyware, Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Kaspersky Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | ESET NOD32 Antivirus | Kaspersky Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $39.99/year | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Desktop | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1992 | 1997 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Antivirus & Antispyware
- Exploit Blocker
- Advanced Machine Learning
- Anti-Phishing
- UEFI Scanner
- Script-Based Attack Protection
- Ransomware Shield
- Gamer Mode
Only in Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
- Desktop support
- English language support
- German language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Antivirus and anti malware protection for home Windows, macOS and Android devicesnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Blocking phishing and ransomware on personal computersnot Kaspersky Total Security
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Internet Securitynot ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Parental Controlnot ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- The advertised price applies to the first term only, and renewal reverts to the official list price
- Any saving shown is the difference between the introductory price and that list price rather than an ongoing discount
- Device coverage is chosen at purchase and priced accordingly, so protecting another machine means changing the licence
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
Pricing, plan by plan
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
$39.99/year- NOD32 Antivirus$39.99/year
- 1 Device
- Antivirus & Antispyware
- Anti-Phishing
- Internet Security$49.99/year
- 1 Device
- All NOD32 features
- Firewall
- Smart Security Premium$59.99/year
- 1 Device
- All Internet Security features
- Password Manager
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
Which should you pick?
Choose ESET NOD32 Antivirus if
- You need antivirus & antispyware.
- You work on Desktop.
- You also want exploit blocker.
Choose Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Kaspersky Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. ESET NOD32 Antivirus starts at $39.99/year and Kaspersky Total Security at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Kaspersky Total Security?
- Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39.99/year for ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Free for Kaspersky Total Security.
- Does ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Kaspersky Total Security run on more platforms?
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus runs on Desktop. Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Yes. Kaspersky Total Security has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ESET NOD32 Antivirus starts at $39.99/year.
- What is ESET NOD32 Antivirus best used for?
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus is most often used for antivirus and anti malware protection for home windows, macos and android devices, blocking phishing and ransomware on personal computers. Of those, antivirus and anti malware protection for home windows, macos and android devices and blocking phishing and ransomware on personal computers are not what Kaspersky Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can ESET NOD32 Antivirus do that Kaspersky Total Security cannot?
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus covers Antivirus & Antispyware, Exploit Blocker, Advanced Machine Learning, Anti-Phishing. Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. Both handle Cloud deployment, Desktop support, English language support, German language support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
Source