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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
7.4
Number of Reviews
66
Ranking in other categories
Mobile Data Protection (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of ESET Endpoint Encryption is 18.5%, up from 15.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft BitLocker is 36.9%, down from 39.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
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 setup is getting easier."
"The usability is the most valuable feature."
"The solution's UI is user-friendly. Even a non-technical person can use it."
"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."
"I have used it in the past because it works quite well for encryption."
"The initial setup is easy."
"It is very secure and we have finally decided to use this after a thorough check. The interface is easy to navigate."
"Microsoft BitLocker can be used to ensure that stolen PCs or laptops do not lose their data."
"It comes bundled with other Microsoft solutions."
"It seemed easy, straightforward, and secure."
"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 most valuable feature is the authentication process which is very fast."
"The initial setup is very simple."
"There's a lot of manageability within the solution. This is very helpful."
"We use Microsoft BitLocker for our endpoints, including laptops."
 

Cons

"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."
"The solution should have better synchronization with active directory users and passwords for use in the encryption."
"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."
"The overall compatibility of the device is an area where the solution lacks."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption needs to improve pricing and security."
"I would like to see better compatibility with mobile devices."
"The solution could improve by having a centralized GUI for management."
"The solution’s user interface could be improved."
"The only thing that could be slightly improved is the occasional stability issue."
"Microsoft BitLocker needs to be an all-inclusive solution. For example, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) cryptoprocessor is required to use Bitlocker with your computer which keeps Bitlocker from adoption beyond Windows."
"Instead of integrating with a third party, Microsoft BitLocker should have its own mechanism to safeguard the systems when they are not accessible for a long time."
"For improvement, as it is now, I do not have any support from anyone. There should be a web interface to manage BitLocker. But for now, all I do is just install a new product on the user's machine and create it. I would like to be able to see everything that is happening, even if it is just through a web interface. I would also like to be able to see how many users are provisioned, which users are using BitLocker, and how to disable or enable it. That's what I would like to see."
"There are options which could be implemented to make it a little more like PGP Whole Disk Encryption."
"BitLocker should be available on standard Windows. We need to spend money on a Pro license to get BitLocker because it's essential to protect our customers' data. We don't want that to fall into the wrong hands."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There are some inexpensive products compared to ESET Endpoint Encryption, but they lack the essential features."
"Licensing costs are on a yearly basis."
"The pricing is mid-ranged and could be more cost-effective."
"We paid for an annual subscription, and it was reasonable."
"On a scale of one to ten, where one is the lowest and ten is the highest, I rate its pricing a two."
"Instead of installing ESET on each machine at each location, we just do it remotely. This has been a time saver for us."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption is moderately priced."
"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."
"Microsoft BitLocker's pricing is fair; I rate it a four out of ten."
"Microsoft BitLocker is a free feature when you are using Microsoft solutions."
"Microsoft BitLocker's pricing is included in the Microsoft license, and you don't have to pay an additional fee for it."
"I think it's reasonably priced because I've never heard any complaints from my company about its costs."
"It is a totally free solution."
"The cost of this solution is bundled in with part of the subscription for the Microsoft Cloud. We have users subscribed to Enterprise E5 and it comes with E5"
"The solution is priced low. I would rate the product's pricing one out of ten."
"It operates on a subscription model on an annual basis."
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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
9%
Government
11%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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: July 2025.
865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.