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Security & Cybersecurity · head to head

ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

ESET NOD32 Antivirus logo

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Security & Cybersecurity

Essential antivirus protection

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint logo

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Security & Cybersecurity

Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint actually diverge.

Attributes where ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint differ
AttributeESET NOD32 AntivirusMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint
Starting price$39.99/yearOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsDesktopWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded19921975

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 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 request

No 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.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus review

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.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint review

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.
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