ESET PROTECT vs Microsoft Defender for Business (2026)
Our verdict
ESET PROTECT vs Microsoft Defender for Business: on our data-weighted scoring, ESET PROTECT edges ahead (8.3 vs 8.2/10). ESET PROTECT starts at Custom quote and is best for teams wanting lightweight, reliable endpoint protection; Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo and is best for smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr. Choose ESET PROTECT for the stronger overall track record; consider Microsoft Defender for Business if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
| ESET PROTECT | Microsoft Defender for Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Custom quote | $3/user/mo |
| Pricing model | per device | per user |
| Free trial / tier | 30 days | yes |
| Best for | Teams wanting lightweight, reliable endpoint protection | SMBs already on Microsoft 365 wanting bundled EDR |
| Deployment | Cloud + on-prem | Cloud |
| G2 rating | 4.6/5 (800) | 4.4/5 (300) |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 8.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
ESET PROTECT
Pros
- Very light agent
- Reliable detection
- Flexible deployment
Cons
- EDR is higher tier
- Quote pricing
- Smaller US channel
Affiliate link: ESET PROTECT may pay us a commission if you sign up through this link. It never affects our data-driven ranking.
Microsoft Defender for Business
Pros
- Cheap if you have M365
- Solid detection
- Per-user (covers multiple devices)
Cons
- Best within Microsoft ecosystem
- Licensing nuances
- Tuning needed
Visit Microsoft Defender for Business →
Affiliate link: Microsoft Defender for Business may pay us a commission if you sign up through this link. It never affects our data-driven ranking.
Choose ESET PROTECT if…
You need teams wanting lightweight, reliable endpoint protection. See the ESET PROTECT pricing and review.
Choose Microsoft Defender for Business if…
You need smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr. See the Microsoft Defender for Business pricing and review.
In depth
Pricing: ESET PROTECT vs Microsoft Defender for Business
ESET PROTECT bills on a per device model from Custom quote (30 days trial), while Microsoft Defender for Business uses a per user model from $3/user/mo (yes trial). Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.
Features & deployment
ESET PROTECT ships 5 headline capabilities (Lightweight AV, EDR (Inspect), Full-disk encryption, Cloud console) and deploys Cloud + on-prem. Microsoft Defender for Business ships 5 (EDR for SMB, Next-gen AV, Threat & vulnerability mgmt, Auto-investigation), deploying Cloud.
Ratings & verdict
ESET PROTECT holds 4.6/5 (800 G2 reviews); Microsoft Defender for Business holds 4.4/5 (300 G2 reviews). On our data-weighted score, ESET PROTECT edges ahead (8.3 vs 8.2/10). Pick Microsoft Defender for Business instead when smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr. See ESET PROTECT alternatives or Microsoft Defender for Business alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
- ESET PROTECT vs Microsoft Defender for Business: which is better?
- ESET PROTECT vs Microsoft Defender for Business: on our data-weighted scoring, ESET PROTECT edges ahead (8.3 vs 8.2/10). ESET PROTECT starts at Custom quote and is best for teams wanting lightweight, reliable endpoint protection; Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo and is best for smbs already on microsoft 365 wanting bundled edr.
- Is ESET PROTECT cheaper than Microsoft Defender for Business?
- ESET PROTECT starts at Custom quote and Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo (see the pricing rows for models and limits).