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ESET Endpoint Encryption vs Microsoft BitLocker comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 27, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

ESET Endpoint Encryption
Ranking in Endpoint Encryption
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
15
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft BitLocker
Ranking in Endpoint Encryption
1st
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
66
Ranking in other categories
Mobile Data Protection (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of ESET Endpoint Encryption is 16.5%, down from 16.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft BitLocker is 34.6%, down from 40.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Endpoint Encryption Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft BitLocker34.6%
ESET Endpoint Encryption16.5%
Other48.9%
Endpoint Encryption
 

Featured Reviews

Roman Danel - PeerSpot reviewer
Performs well, does not slow down the computer, and protects emails
The quality of protection is very important. The tool must also not slow down the computer. The quality of the user interface and the way the solution is updated must also be considered. The updates depend on certain situations. People who want to use the solution must check how it is working, check the memory, and the processes that are run. We must check if there are any unwanted features. For example, some antivirus tools install other services that are not necessary, and they are frequently updated. It won’t be a problem for a user who has a computer with more RAM, but it will be difficult to use it on an old computer with less RAM. The IT department uses remote features. Sometimes, they change some configurations remotely. Overall, I rate the tool a nine out of ten.
Ibrahin Gamal - PeerSpot reviewer
Data protection improves while users adapt to user access complexities
Recovery options are useful with Microsoft BitLocker. When we get the recovery key from Microsoft, people who we show how BitLocker works did not know the facts about BitLocker. When we tell them about recovery keys, it is very difficult for them to get to the users who have issues in their PCs and do not have the knowledge. When IT asked about the scenario, it was difficult for them. They needed something where they could go to the administration portal to unlock the PC for the user, but we tell them that when a user asks for a recovery key, it consists of 32 numbers to unlock their PC. They observed cost savings after implementing Microsoft BitLocker because they requested BitLocker with System Center. They found that it did not have a high cost, as it is a built-in feature in Windows. When they asked about other solutions, it was very expensive for large numbers in other corporates or organizations. They were very satisfied with Microsoft BitLocker with System Center Configuration Manager.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The Remote Administrator is the most valuable feature that ESET offers for us. Centralized management of our ESET environment is what I like about the Remote Administrator."
"The most valuable feature of ESET Endpoint Encryption is the high level of encryption protection."
"The initial setup is easy."
"The most valuable feature is that everything is done on the server."
"The tool does not slow down the computer."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption works as an antivirus system."
"The most valuable feature of ESET Endpoint Encryption is its rate of capturing viruses and malware."
"The setup is getting easier."
"It holds significant value as it reduces the need for extensive IT management to handle security across networks and environments"
"It seemed easy, straightforward, and secure."
"It's a straightforward solution for encryption."
"Microsoft BitLocker can be used to ensure that stolen PCs or laptops do not lose their data."
"The product is stable."
"It is free and native to the OS. We don't have to worry about upgrades or maintaining the product. You encrypt the disk, and you save the recovery key. That's it. The person puts their password in, and after that, it is up to them. If they forget their password, they have to bring it in to get it unlocked."
"It is an encryption tool and provides security."
"It is easy to use. It is usually easy to recover someone's privacy. The manageability is much easier than McAfee. I think that Microsoft is a leader in this area. We are in the Microsoft school so our judgment of McAfee will be a little bit unfair as we recommend Microsoft all the time because of the easy manageability and support. I think that McAfee is designed for a different customer and every time we open a ticket with their support, it takes a very, very long time. The main difference is just the manageability and support. In terms of the solution itself or the functionality, I know that McAfee is very strong, but manageability and support, for us, is much more important. It's strengthens the solution for us."
 

Cons

"Integration with central management needs improvement."
"My problem is that there's a technical glitch and they don't have a fix for it. It's not working with the latest version of Windows, which is a problem."
"I would like more robust reporting as part of the Remote Administrator."
"There should be more frequent updates."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption needs to improve pricing and security."
"From an admin perspective, the solution's UI could be more user-friendly."
"I would like to see better compatibility with mobile devices."
"The solution should have better synchronization with active directory users and passwords for use in the encryption."
"The management of the product could be made a little easier."
"We recently found some stability issues with Microsoft BitLocker."
"More customization options would have been nice, such as password selection, actions when the screen is locked, etc."
"It needs a management console."
"The solution’s user interface could be improved."
"The solution could be improved if it was more user friendly."
"It's possible that the time it takes to pull items in to BitLocker could be reduced a bit."
"In future releases, I would like to see a feature where I can have a view of each device that has BitLocker to see if these machines are encrypted or not. So, I just want a view or a dashboard that can tell us so that I can remediate and add BitLocker to those systems or devices."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is neither very expensive, nor cheap. Overall it is affordable and there is a long term arrangement between our company and the solution providers for license."
"The National University System dedicates 500 of their 5000 licenses to us, which is $14/yr per device. Most companies are paying $99 or $120 per device a year."
"The pricing is mid-ranged and could be more cost-effective."
"Instead of installing ESET on each machine at each location, we just do it remotely. This has been a time saver for us."
"Licensing costs are on a yearly basis."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption is moderately priced."
"There are some inexpensive products compared to ESET Endpoint Encryption, but they lack the essential features."
"On a scale of one to ten, where one is the lowest and ten is the highest, I rate its pricing a two."
"It operates on a subscription model on an annual basis."
"It is a totally free solution."
"I think it's reasonably priced because I've never heard any complaints from my company about its costs."
"It is free. It is enabled as part of the operating system. Once you have an operating system license, you're licensed for Bitlocker."
"BitLocker is already in Windows 10 and its price has already been "paid"."
"BitLocker is included in our license and doesn't cost us anything extra."
"The solution is expensive."
"On a scale from one to ten, where one is expensive and ten is cheap, I rate the solution's pricing an eight out of ten."
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Answers from the Community

TK
Jan 11, 2022
Jan 11, 2022
Are you in a regulated industry? If so using the native BitLocker is not enough to prove compliance. You will need to use something like BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) which is part of MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) or another tool that will manage Bitlocker and give you proof the device is encrypted in the event of a lost or stolen device. You also need to enforc...
See 2 answers
MB
Jan 11, 2022
I guess the solution depends upon a couple of things for us and how we currently approach this for our clients.   We have both in place around a variety of small clients. As 99% of our systems have Windows Pro, they have BitLocker, therefore this would now be the first choice.   However, if the client requires centralised management and control we would then advise ESET.  And that is the core to this for us, if they need central management, control, recovery - ESET every time.   If it is just encryption and there is no need to control/recover and a simple reformat would work (and loss of history/data is not an issue), then BitLocker is ok.
James OConnor - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 11, 2022
Are you in a regulated industry?  If so using the native BitLocker is not enough to prove compliance.  You will need to use something like BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) which is part of MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) or another tool that will manage Bitlocker and give you proof the device is encrypted in the event of a lost or stolen device.  You also need to enforce secure password management, user training on passwords and regular password changes. If you have Microsoft 365 Business premium you have additional controls over Bitlocker; or, M365 E3/E5, Windows Enterprise E3/E5 all have MDOP... Other Bitlocker management can be found with SOPHOS and I believe TrendMicro as well. Another tool to consider, especially for laptops, is ABSOLUTE software.  It is built into the BIOS of the major laptop brands and just needs the key to activate it... Also, ESET is a quality product for encryption.  It gives you additional options for less than some of the Microsoft alternatives.   BitLocker is just not FREE if you are in a regulated industry since it needs management to truly be secure the device and prove compliance. I hope some of this helps.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Comms Service Provider
12%
Government
9%
Retailer
8%
Government
10%
Computer Software Company
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business10
Midsize Enterprise5
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business35
Midsize Enterprise10
Large Enterprise25
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with ESET Endpoint Encryption?
My problem is that there's a technical glitch and they don't have a fix for it. It's not working with the latest version of Windows, which is a problem. My hands are kind of tied.
What should one take into account when replacing PGP with Microsoft BitLocker?
Beware to make backup of useful data, then use reverse decryption policy from Symantec panel/McAfee ePO to decrypt the DE partitions while it is sometimes more straightforward and faster to reinsta...
Would you choose Microsoft BitLocker or McAfee Complete Data Protection?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive encryption and successfully fulfills regulatory needs in terms of data protection....
How does Microsoft BitLocker compare with Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive encryption and it successfully fulfills regulatory needs in terms of data protecti...
 

Also Known As

No data available
BitLocker, MS BitLocker
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

CCS Media Limited, Mercury Engineering, Unigarant, Pinewood Healthcare
ACV, Proaxis Therapy, Choice Hotels International, adnymics GmbH, Intermedia, NMBS/SNCB
Find out what your peers are saying about ESET Endpoint Encryption vs. Microsoft BitLocker and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.
868,759 professionals have used our research since 2012.