Cybersecurity · head to head
ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
ESET NOD32 Antivirus
Cybersecurity
Essential antivirus protection
- From
- $39.99/year
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Cybersecurity
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- They diverge on capability: ESET NOD32 Antivirus covers Antivirus & Antispyware, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | ESET NOD32 Antivirus | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $39.99/year | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Platforms | Desktop | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1992 | 1975 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Threat & vulnerability management
- Attack surface reduction
- Next-gen protection
- EDR
- Auto investigation
- Microsoft Threat Experts
- Threat analytics
- Secure score
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
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 Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Blocking phishing and ransomware on personal computersnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot ESET NOD32 Antivirus
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not 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
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 do not include server licenses; additional licensing required for server protection
- Specific feature differences between Plan 1 and Plan 2 require consulting Microsoft documentation
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
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review.
Which should you pick?
Choose ESET NOD32 Antivirus if
- You need antivirus & antispyware.
- You work on Desktop.
- You also want exploit blocker.
Choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if
- You need threat & vulnerability management.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want attack surface reduction.
Questions people ask
- Is ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. ESET NOD32 Antivirus starts at $39.99/year and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus starts at $39.99/year and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint at On request.
- Does ESET NOD32 Antivirus or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint run on more platforms?
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus runs on Desktop. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- 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 Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can ESET NOD32 Antivirus do that Microsoft Defender for Endpoint cannot?
- ESET NOD32 Antivirus covers Antivirus & Antispyware, Exploit Blocker, Advanced Machine Learning, Anti-Phishing. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. Both handle Cloud deployment.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ESET NOD32 Antivirus: Does ESET offer a free trial, and what do I get access to?
ESET offers a free 30-day trial with no credit card required. The trial includes full access to all features in the tier you choose before you commit to a paid subscription.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: How is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint priced?
Defender for Endpoint is bundled into Microsoft 365 enterprise subscriptions. Plan 1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3, and Plan 2 is included in Microsoft 365 E5. Individual pricing is not published separately.
SourceESET NOD32 Antivirus: What subscription contract lengths are available?
ESET offers subscription terms ranging from 1 to 10 years depending on the tier. Home Security Essential and Premium plans support 1-10 years, while Ultimate requires 5-10 years. Business plans also support multi-year terms.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint offer a trial?
Yes. A free trial is available for prospective customers to test the product before committing to a subscription.
SourceESET NOD32 Antivirus: Will my renewal price change after the first year?
ESET states that the advertised price is valid for the first term only. They send advance notification via email before renewal price increases occur, allowing you to decide whether to continue.
SourceMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint: What is the difference between Plan 1 and Plan 2?
Plan 1 (in E3) includes unified security tools, device controls, network protection, firewall, web/URL controls, APIs, SIEM connectors, and app controls. Plan 2 (in E5) adds endpoint detection and response, deception techniques, automatic attack disruption, exposure management, and threat intelligence.
SourceESET NOD32 Antivirus: How many devices can I protect on a single subscription?
You can customize the number of protected devices from 1-10 on most plans. Premium and Ultimate tiers include VPN access that varies by device count: Essential/Premium include 3-5 VPN devices, while Ultimate covers 10-25 VPN devices depending on total plan size.
SourceESET NOD32 Antivirus: Is there an extra charge to protect Android devices?
Android protection is available as an optional add-on at $5 per year per device, in addition to your main subscription cost.
SourceRelated pages
More on ESET NOD32 Antivirus
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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