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MetaDefender vs Symantec Content Analysis comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 15, 2026

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

MetaDefender
Ranking in Anti-Malware Tools
6th
Average Rating
9.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.2
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) (16th), Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIP) (7th), Cloud Detection and Response (CDR) (6th)
Symantec Content Analysis
Ranking in Anti-Malware Tools
50th
Average Rating
7.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.1
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Anti-Malware Tools category, the mindshare of MetaDefender is 2.1%, up from 1.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Content Analysis is 0.8%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Anti-Malware Tools Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
MetaDefender2.1%
Symantec Content Analysis0.8%
Other97.1%
Anti-Malware Tools
 

Featured Reviews

Pavan Ingaleshwar - PeerSpot reviewer
Soc Analyst at ISECURION
Multi-engine analysis has strengthened file security and now stops hidden threats in attachments
I think scanning time can sometimes be a bit slow for larger files, and the user interface could be improved. The licensing cost is somewhat high for smaller organizations like ours, so these are my personal suggestions for improvement. They should consider integrating live threat intelligence data so that if any attachment is detected in a security environment somewhere in the world, it could show where else this file has been delivered. I would rate MetaDefender an eight out of ten, primarily because it experiences slight delays in scanning larger files, and both the user interface and pricing could be optimized.
Mel Stevenson - PeerSpot reviewer
Security Consultant at DXC Technology
The solution can be used for malware scanning, but its alerting and reporting could be improved
We use Symantec Content Analysis for malware scanning. Symantec Content Analysis is used to scan for viruses The solution's alerting and reporting are basic and could use some improvement. I have been working with Symantec Content Analysis since 2006. I rate Symantec Content Analysis an eight…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"MetaDefender has positively impacted my organization by reducing the risk of file-based attacks, which has significantly improved our overall defense against phishing and malware delivery techniques."
"MetaDefender is 100% stable, making it one of the best cybersecurity solutions we offer, which provides confidence in promoting and recommending it to others."
"The effectiveness of the solution in blocking or sanitizing any content based on our policies is excellent."
"For one of my clients, a major bank in Turkey, they reported saving approximately 30 percent of their SOC time on analyzing emails since implementing MetaDefender."
"OPSWAT is the best alternative."
"The best feature of MetaDefender is that it can isolate USB devices from the connected network, blocks malware and unsafe files, and ensures all endpoints follow security policy, so that my organization remains safe and reduces the risk of these threats."
"MetaDefender is 100% stable, making it one of the best cybersecurity solutions we offer, which provides confidence in promoting and recommending it to others."
"Overall, MetaDefender is a strong solution for file security, especially for handling email attachments and downloadable files."
"We use Symantec Content Analysis for malware scanning."
 

Cons

"The main improvement needed is pricing because, as an enterprise solution, smaller partners do not often receive the attention they deserve."
"Some capabilities are lacking in reporting because we do not have full statistics that are easy for users to understand."
"While MetaDefender's mail gateway already gives fewer false positives, there is still room for improvement in reducing those even further."
"I think scanning time can sometimes be a bit slow for larger files, and the user interface could be improved."
"What I would like to see improved in MetaDefender includes reducing the high cost of the license, as the pricing is very high."
"The licensing cost is somewhat high for smaller organizations like ours, so these are my personal suggestions for improvement."
"The UI can be more user-friendly, and initial steps and policy tuning take some time."
"The main improvement needed is pricing because, as an enterprise solution, smaller partners do not often receive the attention they deserve."
"The solution's alerting and reporting are basic and could use some improvement."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We bought a three-year license, and that was pretty expensive. We agreed that it was really worth buying. It could be cheaper, but we understand that quality comes at a price."
"Symantec Content Analysis is a very expensive solution."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
19%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Healthcare Company
10%
Construction Company
8%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business6
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise4
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MetaDefender?
I do not find it cost-effective, as the costing is high.
What needs improvement with MetaDefender?
I am not using the expanded file type and archive coverage feature because I was unaware of it. I am not using the enhanced reporting and audit visibility features, and I am unsure about them. Rega...
What is your primary use case for MetaDefender?
The use cases for MetaDefender involve checking an endpoint, such as a laptop or USB, to ensure that they are safe, clean, and meet security policy before they connect to the network. I can use it ...
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Also Known As

OPSWAT MetaDefender, MetaDefender Core
Symantec Content & Malware Analysis, Symantec Content and Malware Analysis
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
OLFA, Ricoh, McKesson, COTA, ABS-CBN, Finastra, KAKUDAI, SGN, Caravel, KORAMIS, Snapper, Budapest Bank, Rockwell Automation
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, SentinelOne, Check Point Software Technologies and others in Anti-Malware Tools. Updated: May 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.