ESET Review
Award-winning protection with minimal system impact
Overall Rating
Based on our testing
Quick Answer
ESET scores 9.2/10 in our testing. It's best for av-comparatives product of and perfect 6/6 av-test. Key strength: AV-Comparatives Product of the Year 2024. Main weakness: No iOS support available.
Quick Summary
ESET is AV-Comparatives' Product of the Year 2024, known for its lightweight footprint and excellent detection rates. The Slovak-based security company offers multi-layered protection with minimal system impact, making it ideal for users who want top-tier security without sacrificing performance.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- 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
What could be better
- No iOS support available
- VPN only included in Ultimate tier
- Interface less modern than some competitors
- Identity protection requires Ultimate plan
Typical Promotions
- •30% off first year
- •Multi-year discounts
- •Black Friday deals up to 50% off
Best time to buy: Black Friday or holiday season
ESET Pricing
- 3 devices
- Password manager
- File encryption
- Advanced threat detection
- 3 devices
- Antivirus protection
- Safe banking
- Anti-phishing
- 5 devices minimum
- Unlimited VPN
- VPN for router
- Identity protection
- Ransomware remediation
Key Features
ESET In-Depth Review
ESET is ESET is AV-Comparatives' Product of the Year 2024, known for its lightweight footprint and excellent detection rates. The Slovak-based security company offers multi-layered protection with minimal system impact, making it ideal for users who want top-tier security without sacrificing performance. With an overall rating of 9.2/10 based on our testing, it stands as one of the top options in the antivirus software space.
Key Findings
- AV-Comparatives Product of the Year 2024: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of ESET.
- Perfect 6/6 AV-TEST scores across all categories: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of ESET.
- Extremely lightweight - minimal system resource usage: This stands out in our testing as a key strength of ESET.
Performance & Speed
In malware detection tests, ESET achieved near-perfect scores against both known and zero-day threats. System impact during scans was minimal.
Features & Functionality
ESET includes real time protection, ransomware protection, firewall, password manager. The feature set is comprehensive and well-implemented, covering most user needs without unnecessary bloat. We particularly appreciated av-comparatives product of the year 2024.
Pricing & Value
ESET pricing starts at $49.99/month. The premium pricing is justified if you need the advanced features, but may be overkill for basic use cases.
Ease of Use
ESET's interface is intuitive and well-designed. New users should feel comfortable within minutes of signing up. There's room for UX improvements, but core functionality is accessible.
Our Testing Methodology
Our testing used live malware samples from MalwareBazaar, measured detection rates against zero-day threats, and benchmarked system performance impact. We tested scanning speeds, false positive rates, and the effectiveness of real-time protection across common threat vectors.
- Users who prioritize av-comparatives product of the year 2024
- Those seeking a premium, reliable solution
- Users who can't accept no ios support available
- Budget-restricted users who need a more affordable option
The Bottom Line
ESET is an excellent choice that we confidently recommend. It excels in av-comparatives product of the year 2024 while offering strong value at $49.99/month.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. Our editorial content is independent and unbiased. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links. Read our full disclosure
- Best Antivirus for Windows PCTop-rated virus protection for Windows 10 & 11
- Best Antivirus for MacSecurity software designed for macOS
- Best Antivirus for AndroidMobile security for Android phones and tablets
- Best Antivirus for iPhoneiOS security and privacy protection
- Best Antivirus for FamiliesProtect all your family's devices with parental controls
- Best Antivirus for BusinessEnterprise endpoint protection and management
- Best Antivirus for StudentsAffordable protection for laptops and devices
- Best Antivirus for GamingLightweight protection that won't slow down your games
- Best Antivirus for Ransomware ProtectionAdvanced protection against ransomware attacks
- Best Antivirus for Phishing ProtectionBlock scam emails and fake websites
- Best Antivirus for Identity ProtectionDark web monitoring and identity theft protection
- Best Antivirus with VPNSecurity suites with built-in VPN
- Best Lightweight AntivirusMinimal system impact for older computers
- Best Antivirus with FirewallComplete protection with advanced firewall
- Best Free Antivirus SoftwareQuality virus protection that costs nothing
- Best Cheap Antivirus SoftwarePremium protection under $30/year
ESET FAQ
How much does ESET cost?
ESET starts at $49.99/mo for the Essential plan. They also offer Premium ($89.99/mo), Ultimate ($179.99/mo).
Is ESET worth it in 2025?
ESET scores 9.2/10 in our testing. AV-Comparatives Product of the Year 2024. However, no ios support available.
What are the pros and cons of ESET?
Pros: AV-Comparatives Product of the Year 2024; Perfect 6/6 AV-TEST scores across all categories; Extremely lightweight - minimal system resource usage. Cons: No iOS support available; VPN only included in Ultimate tier; Interface less modern than some competitors.
Is ESET safe to use?
ESET is a legitimate antivirus software service. We recommend reviewing their privacy policy for full details.