ESET vs Kaspersky
ESET and Kaspersky are both solid antivirus options, but they prioritize different aspects of security. After testing both with real malware samples and measuring system impact, ESET edges ahead at 9.2/10.
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Quick Answer
ESET beats Kaspersky for most users. It scores 9.2/10 vs 6/10 and av-comparatives product of the year 2024. Choose Kaspersky if you need outstanding malware detection rates (international).
ESET
WinnerAward-winning protection with minimal system impact
Starting from
$49.99/yr
Kaspersky
BANNED IN US - Still available internationally
Starting from
$27.99/yr
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $49.99/yr | $27.99/yr |
| User Reviews | ||
| Protection | ||
| Malware Detection | 100% | 100% |
| Real-Time Protection | ||
| Ransomware Protection | ||
| Firewall | ||
| Extras | ||
| VPN Included | Ultimate only | |
| Password Manager | ||
| Parental Controls | ||
| Coverage | ||
| Devices | Up to 10 | Up to 10 |
| Gaming Mode | ||
| Webcam Protection | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
ESET
- AV-Comparatives Product of the Year 2024
- Perfect 6/6 AV-TEST scores across all categories
- Extremely lightweight - minimal system resource usage
- Multi-platform support (Windows, macOS, Android)
- Advanced threat detection with low false positives
- 30-day money-back guarantee and free trial
- No iOS support available
- VPN only included in Ultimate tier
- Interface less modern than some competitors
- Identity protection requires Ultimate plan
Kaspersky
- Outstanding malware detection rates (international)
- Safe Money protects online banking
- Low system impact
- User-friendly interface
- Good parental controls
- Competitively priced internationally
- BANNED in United States since September 2024
- Cannot receive updates for US customers
- Russian government ties led to Commerce Dept. ban
- US users auto-migrated to UltraAV
- VPN has daily data limits (300MB on Standard)
Key Difference
The key difference: ESET offers banking protection while Kaspersky provides vpn included. This fundamental distinction shapes who each product serves best.
Which Should You Choose?
ESET
Choose ESET if you prioritize av-comparatives product of the year 2024, or value perfect 6/6 av-test scores across all categories.
Kaspersky
Choose Kaspersky if you prioritize outstanding malware detection rates (international), or value safe money protects online banking.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, ESET is our winner with a rating of 9.2/10 compared to Kaspersky's 6/10. ESET stands out for its av-comparatives product of the year 2024 and perfect 6/6 av-test scores across all categories. While Kaspersky is more affordable, ESET's advantages justify the price difference for most users. However, Kaspersky remains an excellent choice if outstanding malware detection rates (international) is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESET better than Kaspersky?
ESET scores higher in our testing (9.2/10 vs 6/10). ESET excels at av-comparatives product of the year 2024, while Kaspersky is better for outstanding malware detection rates (international).
Which is cheaper, ESET or Kaspersky?
Kaspersky is more affordable at $27.99/mo vs $49.99/mo. Kaspersky offers 44% savings.
ESET vs Kaspersky: which should I choose?
Choose ESET if you prioritize av-comparatives product of the year 2024. Choose Kaspersky if you need outstanding malware detection rates (international). Both are solid antivirus software options.
What's the main difference between ESET and Kaspersky?
The main difference is ESET offers award-winning protection with minimal system impact, while Kaspersky focuses on banned in us - still available internationally.