No more typing reviews! Try our Samantha, our new voice AI agent.
reviewer800088 - PeerSpot reviewer
Partner at a media company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Jan 17, 2018
It is absolutely invisible once running
Pros and Cons
  • "We use ESET, which is pretty much perfect for us. It is also absolutely simple and automatic once setup."
  • "We have not picked up a bug yet, because we use ESET, which is a tried and proven system."
  • "It is absolutely invisible once running."
  • "It effectively catches unwanted stuff. It has saved our bacon over many years."

    What is our primary use case?

    Network security for an organization with around 20 networked computers with all users diving all over the internet for disparate interests. It is easy enough to pick up a bug, and we do not want one.

    How has it helped my organization?

    We have not picked up a bug yet, because we use ESET, which is a tried, proven system. 

    What is most valuable?

    We use ESET, which is pretty much perfect for us. It is also absolutely simple and automatic once setup. 

    It is absolutely invisible once running. It effectively catches unwanted stuff. It has saved our bacon over many years.

    What needs improvement?

    You have to buy it.

    Buyer's Guide
    ESET Endpoint Protection Platform
    May 2026
    Learn what your peers think about ESET Endpoint Protection Platform. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2026.
    893,438 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    Trial/evaluations only.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    No issues.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    No issues.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    No, we have not changed.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    ESET is perfect, if you can afford it.  

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    Not really.

    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    it_user762249 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Analista de Suporte - Consultor de TI at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
    Real User
    Oct 29, 2017
    Lightweight antivirus with heuristic scan, web filter, bi-directional firewall, and device restriction that works
    Pros and Cons
    • "The deployment and configuration of ESET Endpoint Security and ESET Remote Administrator are really simple, and easy to manage."
    • "The heuristic of ESET is not so effective in standard mode."

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuables features are that it is a lightweight antivirus with a lightweight heuristic scan, web filter, bi-directional firewall, and device restriction that works well.

    How has it helped my organization?

    As ESET is a lightweight antivirus and gives us the most useful features that we need on an endpoint, we are comfortable after installing it. You don't need to worry about the machine becoming slow after installing it, and there are other features to protect the user machine as well.

    What needs improvement?

    The heuristic of ESET is not so effective in standard mode. We have to implement some policies on it to have good protection against malware like Zero-Day and ransomware. I think that such policies should be implemented by default on the product or by the automatic updates.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    ESET is so stable, after you install the ESET Endpoint Security (endpoint) or the ESET Remote Administrator (ERA admin console) you will not have problems with bugs or the like, in the interfaces or features.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I have never needed to do this on an ESET product.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Here in Brazil, the support is not good. But if I contact the support in Argentina, which is the central service desk of Latin America, the support is very good.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    Yes, as a software distributor I also work with Sophos for example, and the cost-benefit of ESET is better than Sophos.

    How was the initial setup?

    The deployment and configuration of ESET Endpoint Security and ESET Remote Administrator are really simple, and easy to manage.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The cost-benefit of ESET, from my point of view, is really good for an antivirus for small and medium business.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    Yes, I evaluated Sophos, but I would have to upgrade the machines to install it on all PCs.

    What other advice do I have?

    It's a good antivirus for small and medium businesses. However, be careful with the policies; implementing best practices of ESET policies is necessary. Also make sure it is updated.

    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    ESET Endpoint Protection Platform
    May 2026
    Learn what your peers think about ESET Endpoint Protection Platform. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2026.
    893,438 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    it_user762252 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Product Manager at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
    Real User
    Oct 29, 2017
    Easy to use security solution, helps to secure connected devices against viruses
    Pros and Cons
    • "Easy to use security solution, helps to secure connected devices against viruses in the digital world."
    • "We have cooperated with ESET for many years and resell their products with orange branded versions that help us to create revenue of more than €3 million yearly."
    • "iOS compatibility for mobile security and parental control."
    • "iOS compatibility for mobile security and parental control."

    What is most valuable?

    Easy to use security solution, helps to secure connected devices against viruses in the digital world.

    What needs improvement?

    iOS compatibility for mobile security and parental control.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    Since 2008.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    None.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    None.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    Very good, very prompt responses. So far, frankly speaking, we have had more technical issues on our side than on the ESET side.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    ESET is a top Slovak company, renowned in the industry as is their solution. Previously I tried AVG and McAfee solutions, but did not feel my device was really secure.

    How was the initial setup?

    Straightforward.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    Pricing per month, for security services as apps in CEE pricing: up to €2 monthly is OK.

    With pricing around €5 per month you have to provide really strong value as it is already at the level of one quarter of a telco bill.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    Not really. By the time we started cooperation with ESET, their competitors didn’t even have local support in Slovakia.

    What other advice do I have?

    We have cooperated with ESET for many years. We resell their products with orange branded versions that help us to create revenue of more than €3 million yearly.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller.
    PeerSpot user
    it_user679446 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Senior Systems Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    Sep 3, 2017
    Management console enables managing all devices from a PC; good for a small business
    Pros and Cons
    • "If you are running a small business and don’t need an over-the-top product, ESET is a good product, cost-friendly and easy to manage for a small number of devices on the network, and phone support has been marvelous."
    • "Assuring all users that all types of malware/ransomware are covered (this is hard to do, I know)."

    What is most valuable?

    Management console, where you can manage all devices on the network from your PC.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Management console means I don’t have to physically go and update the PCs. I can check their status from my desktop.

    What needs improvement?

    Assuring all users that all types of malware/ransomware are covered (this is hard to do, I know).

    For how long have I used the solution?

    One and a half years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    No. Assuring all users that all types of malware/ransomware is covered...

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    No.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    An eight out of 10.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    Yes, we switched as ESET was easier to use, has management console functions, and the application is cost-friendly for a small business.

    How was the initial setup?

    Yes. Phone support provided was great and the GUI steps are easy to follow.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    If you are running a small business and don’t need an over-the-top product, ESET is a good product. Cost-friendly and easy to manage for a small number of devices on the network. Phone support has been marvelous.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    Yes, I looked at McAfee, Norton, and Malwarebytes.

    What other advice do I have?

    ESET is a good product. Cost-friendly and easy to manage for a small number of devices on the network. Phone support is great, and they always get back to you.

    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    PeerSpot user
    IS-Operations Security Analyst at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Top 5
    Aug 24, 2017
    The CLI Scanning is used for scanning our corporate storage (endpoint) for malware that our onboard scanner (MS Endpoint) misses.
    Pros and Cons
    • "Personal experience with the real-time scanner was excellent and we wanted to create a second layer of detection on our systems, without going through the expense and trouble of running a second AV on our systems."

      What is most valuable?

      The CLI Scanning is used for scanning our corporate storage (endpoint) for malware that our onboard scanner (MS Endpoint) misses.  

      Personal experience with the real-time scanner was excellent and we wanted to create a second layer of detection on our systems, without going through the expense and trouble of running a second AV on our systems.

      How has it helped my organization?

      On notification of a potential malware issue via FireEye, or PaloAlto, we launch a scan against the endpoint C$ share and the user's network drive.  

      Automatic cleaning is enabled, and often finds the malware the MSEPP has missed, plus additional malware.  

      We use app locker to prevent execution of downloaded malware so ESET is simply used to clean up after the fact.

      What needs improvement?

      From our perspective, no real issues with the application.  

      Personally, I use it on my desktop/laptop/tablet and have had no issues with signature or application updates.  

      I hope to convince our Application team to adopt it over our MSEPP solution but due to the difference in price, it's not likely.

      What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

      We haven't had any issues with deployment.

      What do I think about the stability of the solution?

      We haven't had any issues with stability.

      What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

      We haven't had any issues with scalability.

      Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
      PeerSpot user
      it_user388242 - PeerSpot reviewer
      it_user388242ICT Manager at a engineering company with 51-200 employees
      Vendor

      We use a cifs share for our file server, i mapped it to a standalone server and run scans over the weekend.

      it_user2535 - PeerSpot reviewer
      Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
      Consultant
      Oct 16, 2012
      In 3 years of use, there have been no infections. License fees are an issue.
      Pros and Cons
      • "The application runs in the background without a noticeable impact on my laptop."
      • "ESET requires a yearly license fee. That license fee is significant for SOHO users."

      Valuable Features:

      The application runs in the background without a noticeable impact on my laptop. In 3 years of use, there have been no infections (as far as I know...). The application is being put to the test, as about once a week I get a notification from ESET of another virus that was detected and quarantined. ESET's operation is in stark contrast to another popular security firewall that I tried 3 years ago before choosing ESET. That 'other' firewall noticeably slowed all other applications, forcing me to remove it.In anycase, my experience with ESET has been good so far.

      Room for Improvement:

      ESET requires a yearly license fee. That license fee is significant for SOHO users. Users considering a purchase should look at both performance and license pricing of the top vendors before making a decision. The ESET license price is discounted only if one is willing to purchase a 3-year license. That's a long time window for a PC, in my opinion.
      Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
      PeerSpot user
      it_user1143 - PeerSpot reviewer
      Network Manager at a tech company with 51-200 employees
      Real User
      Aug 8, 2012
      ESET Smart Security 5 is a powerful internet security suite
      Pros and Cons
      • "ESET Smart Security protects your computer against real world threats and malware attacks and provides added security layer with spam filtering, firewall and parental control."
      • "Malware detection is good but repairing is not always up to the mark."

      Valuable Features:

      Resource use is very impressive as it has smallest impact on CPU and RAM.Provided features are ThreatSense technology, Antispyware, Host-Based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS), Cloud-Enhanced Whitelisting, Antispam, Intelligent firewall, Gamer mode and Parental controls which are more than enough for appropriate security and protection.Control interface is clear and easy to use with main items available in the left had pane.SysInspector is available for advanced users to look at active processes, critical files, network connections and drivers to identify any unwanted programs affecting the system.

      Room for Improvement:

      Malware detection is good but repairing is not always up to the markInitial scan is slow

      Other Advice:

      ESET Smart Security protects your computer against real world threats and malware attacks and provides added security layer with spam filtering, firewall and parental control.
      Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
      PeerSpot user
      it_user1155 - PeerSpot reviewer
      Manager of eCommerce at a tech company with 51-200 employees
      Real User
      Jul 13, 2012
      powerful, but not the best level of protection against viruses
      Pros and Cons
      • "The program is classified among the first in the field of protection and the most competitive."
      • "It has a very inconvenient way of activating the beta NIS when you have to type in the key"

      Valuable Features:

      - guard against any threats that you are on social networks, in sailing, work, play online or exchange data via removable media. - The program is classified among the first in the field of protection and the most competitive. - Detects viruses and then destroys them professionally - saves battery for your laptop because it is not greedy with the RAM and CPU - protection for three PCs with just one license

      Room for Improvement:

      - problem with updating Zonealarm (at time) - vulnerability protection mode is only for 32-bits of architecture - difficult to uninstall - It has a very inconvenient way of activating the beta NIS when you have to type in the key

      Other Advice:

      I used Norton Internet Security Suite two years ago. I remarked that the improvement and protection tool, specifically in version 2012, should have included a professional panel, like putting in a restore point of the total system. It is not very greedy with the RAM and processor, which allows you to save battery.
      Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
      PeerSpot user
      it_user4401 - PeerSpot reviewer
      it_user4401Developer at a transportation company with 1,001-5,000 employees
      Vendor

      I used Eset Smart Security in the passed four years and two big cons are that initial scan took longer than expected and for me it was difficult to install first time.

      Buyer's Guide
      Download our free ESET Endpoint Protection Platform Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
      Updated: May 2026
      Buyer's Guide
      Download our free ESET Endpoint Protection Platform Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.