Documented product tests and assessments are pending. We therefore currently publish no scores or test winners. Selections use recorded product features.

2026

ESET vs Microsoft Defender

ESET and Microsoft Defender compared side by side: protection, performance, pricing, and features. Which antivirus suits you better?

ESET

ESET Home Security Essential is the top choice for users seeking a lean, high-performance security solution. The software barely taxes the system, making it excellent for gamers, freelancers, and older hardware. Protection levels are very high, even though the feature set is slimmer than Norton or Bitdefender. In return, renewal costs are more moderate than many competitors.

Recorded introductory priceCHF 37.90 Recorded renewal priceCHF 54.90 PlatformsWindows, Mac, Android

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Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed on every Windows PC and provides solid baseline protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. In independent tests, Defender now performs well and is often sufficient for users with cautious browsing habits. However, anyone who needs VPN, password manager, extended web protection, or parental controls should consider a paid suite. As a free reference point, Defender is the most important comparison benchmark.

Recorded introductory priceCHF 0.00 Recorded renewal priceCHF 0.00 PlatformsWindows

Our Verdict

Complete ratings are missing for an overall comparison.

Recorded overall rating: ESET —/10, Microsoft Defender —/10. The overall score is the average of six criteria.

Performance rating: ESET —/10, Microsoft Defender —/10. Higher points indicate a better rating for this criterion.

Prices are indicative. Check the current amount, currency, contract term and renewal conditions with the provider. Different contract terms are not directly comparable.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Listed features refer to the product range. They may require a different plan or an additional payment and may vary by platform. Check what your selected plan includes.

Criterion	ESET	Microsoft Defender
Real-time protection	In the product range	In the product range
Built-in VPN	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Password manager	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Anti-tracking / anti-phishing	In the product range	Not confirmed
Parental controls	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Identity protection	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Low system impact	In the product range	In the product range
Platforms	Windows, Mac, Android	Windows
Number of devices (standard licence)	3 devices	1 device
System impact in daily use	—	—

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Frequently asked questions about ESET vs Microsoft Defender

How are ESET and Microsoft Defender rated overall?

Complete ratings are missing for an overall comparison. Recorded overall rating: ESET —/10, Microsoft Defender —/10. The overall score is the average of six criteria.

How do their performance ratings compare?

Performance rating: ESET —/10, Microsoft Defender —/10. Higher points indicate a better rating for this criterion.

What should I check when comparing prices?

Prices are indicative. Check the current amount, currency, contract term and renewal conditions with the provider. Different contract terms are not directly comparable.

Does the plan include every listed feature?

Listed features refer to the product range. They may require a different plan or an additional payment and may vary by platform. Check what your selected plan includes.