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ESET Endpoint Encryption vs Microsoft BitLocker comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 2, 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
4th
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 January 2026, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of ESET Endpoint Encryption is 11.7%, down from 18.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft BitLocker is 23.6%, down from 41.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Endpoint Encryption Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft BitLocker23.6%
ESET Endpoint Encryption11.7%
Other64.7%
Endpoint Encryption
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer2674917 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager, Information Technology at a healthcare company with 201-500 employees
encryption works well but needs a fix for compatibility with the latest Windows version
I have used it in the past because it works quite well for encryption. It's better than trying to just use BitLocker, which is a pain from a management standpoint. It works up to this point. My issue is that I need to roll it out on new machines, and I can't get the application to work correctly. It's encrypted at rest, so I can't use the data if I'm not logged in correctly into the laptop with the correct user credentials.
Ibrahin Gamal - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Technology Specialist at ITE Corp
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

"I have used it in the past because it works quite well for encryption."
"The most valuable feature of ESET Endpoint Encryption is its rate of capturing viruses and malware."
"It is very secure and we have finally decided to use this after a thorough check. The interface is easy to navigate."
"The initial setup is easy."
"The setup is getting easier."
"The usability is the most valuable feature."
"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 product is easy to implement and configure."
"It seemed easy, straightforward, and secure."
"Integration with System Center Configuration Manager (C: and D: logical drives are encrypted before installing Windows via SCCM)."
"Being able to encrypt an entire hard disk has been most valuable."
"Microsoft BitLocker can be used to ensure that stolen PCs or laptops do not lose their data."
"Technical support is excellent."
"Whole Disk Encryption is great. BitLocker runs seamlessly during boot up."
"It's very straightforward to recover data. It's safe for us; in case of lost information, it provides multiple options to recover the data."
"The tool has improved the starting up of our notebooks and end-user devices."
 

Cons

"There should be more frequent updates."
"There could be an option for users to restart the system without a password."
"The overall compatibility of the device is an area where the solution lacks."
"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."
"The solution should have better synchronization with active directory users and passwords for use in the encryption."
"Sometimes the server console is very slow, so the performance could be improved."
"The product should be more responsive regarding feedback if it detects something in our infrastructure. I believe there's a backend that their engineers use to detect viruses in our system. We would appreciate it if they could promptly provide feedback and give us recommendations on how to better protect our infrastructure beyond their system. Additionally, we hope for improved integration with the other systems we currently use. It would be beneficial if they could collaborate to create something that facilitates integration between these systems."
"I would like to see better compatibility with mobile devices."
"The people at the first level of support refer you to articles that do not pertain to the problem at hand."
"I would recommend BitLocker only because of the economic side, not the technical side. If the features were included in the already existing licenses I would use it. If not, I would recommend other products."
"The solution should offer encryption for other items such as shared folders, removable media, etc."
"User profiles can be improved so that people can create their own passwords. It has one password per machine, which is a problem. We would prefer each user to have his or her own boot password. Each user can have a username and password or biometrics, such as fingerprints and iris scanner, integrated into the boot process, but I really can't see that coming anytime soon, if ever."
"It's possible that the time it takes to pull items in to BitLocker could be reduced a bit."
"They could improve cloud integration regarding attribute and encryption key management."
"I would like to see improvement in the solution's central management of passwords. Currently, we install it separately."
"It would be good if Microsoft offered improved recovery options or if it could automate the recovery options a bit."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"ESET Endpoint Encryption is moderately priced."
"The pricing is mid-ranged and could be more cost-effective."
"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."
"On a scale of one to ten, where one is the lowest and ten is the highest, I rate its pricing a two."
"We paid for an annual subscription, and it was reasonable."
"Licensing costs are on a yearly basis."
"There are some inexpensive products compared to ESET Endpoint Encryption, but they lack the essential features."
"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 solution is expensive."
"Microsoft BitLocker is a free feature when you are using Microsoft solutions."
"I think it's reasonably priced because I've never heard any complaints from my company about its costs."
"It operates on a subscription model on an annual basis."
"It is free. It is enabled as part of the operating system. Once you have an operating system license, you're licensed for Bitlocker."
"We didn't pay for additional licenses since the solution is built into Windows."
"BitLocker is already in Windows 10 and its price has already been "paid"."
"Microsoft BitLocker's pricing is included in the Microsoft license, and you don't have to pay an additional fee for it."
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Answers from the Community

AK
Manager, Information Technology at fish bros ltd
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
Customer Support Manager at M & M Information Technologies Limited
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
Sr. Solutions Sales Executive - Commercial/Charity/Healthcare/SMB Individual Contributor at Hypertec Direct
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
14%
Comms Service Provider
13%
University
8%
Government
8%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Computer Software Company
8%
 

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: December 2025.
881,082 professionals have used our research since 2012.