# Bitdefender vs ESET for antivirus software

Bitdefender and ESET are closely matched for core workflows. Both support windows protection, macos protection, android protection, ios protection, and real-time malware protection. Bitdefender has confirmed web protection, password manager, and parental controls. ESET has confirmed free trial.

## Key decision points

- ESET has confirmed free trial; free trial is not yet confirmed for Bitdefender.
- Bitdefender has confirmed web protection; web protection is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- Bitdefender has confirmed password manager; password manager is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- Bitdefender has confirmed parental controls; parental controls is not yet confirmed for ESET.

## Choose Bitdefender if…

- Choose Bitdefender if confirmed web protection matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- Choose Bitdefender if confirmed password manager matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for ESET.
- Choose Bitdefender if confirmed parental controls matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for ESET.

## Choose ESET if…

- Choose ESET if confirmed free trial matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for Bitdefender.

## Platforms

| Feature | Bitdefender | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Windows protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html)) |
| macOS protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Android protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html)) |
| iOS protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html)) |

## Features

| Feature | Bitdefender | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Real-time malware protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Ransomware protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Phishing protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Web protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Not confirmed |
| Firewall | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| VPN included | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Password manager | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Not confirmed |
| Dark web monitoring | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Parental controls | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Not confirmed |
| Webcam protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Microphone protection | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/)) |
| Sandboxing | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare)) | Not confirmed |

## Capacity

| Feature | Bitdefender | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of devices | 25 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Not confirmed |

## Pricing

| Feature | Bitdefender | ESET |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free trial | Not confirmed | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.eset.com/us/home/protection-plans/)) |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family)) | Not confirmed |

## Evidence

- **Bitdefender — Windows protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Operating systems covered: macOS | iOS | Linux | Windows.”
- **ESET — Windows protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html. Evidence: “ESET NOD32 Antivirus ✔”
- **Bitdefender — macOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Operating systems covered: macOS | iOS | Linux | Windows.”
- **ESET — macOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Available also for macOS”
- **Bitdefender — Android protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Operating systems covered: macOS | iOS | Linux | Windows.”
- **ESET — Android protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html. Evidence: “ESET Mobile Security     ✔”
- **Bitdefender — iOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Operating systems covered: macOS | iOS | Linux | Windows.”
- **ESET — iOS protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.eset.com/home_eset/en-US/products_features.html. Evidence: “ESET Mobile Security     ✔”
- **Bitdefender — Real-time malware protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Antimalware”
- **ESET — Real-time malware protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Real-time antivirus protection Our security shields you from more than just viruses, protecting against malware, ransomware, spyware, phishing, and more.”
- **Bitdefender — Ransomware protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Ransomware Mitigation”
- **ESET — Ransomware protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Real-time antivirus protection Our security shields you from more than just viruses, protecting against malware, ransomware, spyware, phishing, and more.”
- **Bitdefender — Phishing protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Antiphishing”
- **ESET — Phishing protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Real-time antivirus protection Our security shields you from more than just viruses, protecting against malware, ransomware, spyware, phishing, and more.”
- **Bitdefender — Web protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Web Threat Protection”
- **Bitdefender — Firewall:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Firewall”
- **ESET — Firewall:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Firewall, Wi-Fi and network shield Filter unwanted content, secure access to your network, and test your home router and smart devices for vulnerabilities.”
- **Bitdefender — VPN included:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “Unlimited VPN Traffic Keep your internet connections private & secure with VPN.”
- **ESET — VPN included:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Unlimited VPN Traffic Shield your connection and prevent unwanted tracking—anytime, anywhere.”
- **Bitdefender — Password manager:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “Password Manager Ultra-secure, feature-rich password manager.”
- **Bitdefender — Dark web monitoring:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “Continuous Dark Web Monitoring We constantly scan the web (including dark web) for unauthorized leaks of personal data and give real-time alerts”
- **ESET — Dark web monitoring:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Dark web scanning Scanning thousands of websites, including those on the Dark Web, blogs and other data sources to detect the illegal trading of your personal information.”
- **Bitdefender — Parental controls:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “Parental Control Bitdefender Parental Control helps parents manage kids’ online activities with internet time limits, content filtering, location tracking, and clear activity reports—ensuring a safe, balanced digital life.”
- **Bitdefender — Webcam protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “Shield yourself and loved ones from intrusive eyes and ears with robust Webcam and Microphone Protection.”
- **ESET — Webcam protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Lock and track missing devices, secure access to your webcam, and monitor microphone activity for enhanced privacy and control.”
- **Bitdefender — Microphone protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “Shield yourself and loved ones from intrusive eyes and ears with robust Webcam and Microphone Protection.”
- **ESET — Microphone protection:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/. Evidence: “Lock and track missing devices, secure access to your webcam, and monitor microphone activity for enhanced privacy and control.”
- **Bitdefender — Sandboxing:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/business/compare. Evidence: “Sandbox Analyzer to safely analyze potential threats in a cloud-hosted sandbox”
- **Bitdefender — Number of devices:** 25. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “Protect up to 5 people and 25 devices”
- **ESET — Free trial:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.eset.com/us/home/protection-plans/. Evidence: “Free 30-day trial No credit card required”
- **Bitdefender — Money-back guarantee:** 30. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/consumer/family. Evidence: “30 days money back guarantee.”