ESET
Antivirus, VPN and identity protection for homes and businesses
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Pricing
Paid
Free trial
Yes
Company
ESET
Platforms
What is ESET?
ESET makes security software for home users and businesses. The home plans (Essential, Premium and Ultimate) combine real-time antivirus, anti-phishing, a firewall and network shield, safe banking and browsing, and protection for smartphones and smart home devices. The higher tiers add things like unlimited VPN data, file encryption, ransomware file recovery and identity protection.
ESET says its AI-powered detection blocks malware, ransomware and phishing in real time, and that the software is light on system resources. Newer features scan AI chat responses for unsafe links and watch for suspicious behavior from AI tools and agents. The Ultimate plan adds VPN for Router, dark web scanning, credit report monitoring and identity recovery backed by $1M insurance.
For organizations, ESET sells the ESET PROTECT platform, and business trials are available on request. ESET cites more than 35 years of experience and 11 R&D centers, so it fits both households and companies of any size.
Key features
- Real-time AI-powered malware and ransomware detection
- Anti-phishing and safe banking browser mode
- Firewall, Wi-Fi and router vulnerability testing
- Unlimited VPN data with router VPN option
- File and USB encryption
- Ransomware file recovery with automatic backups
- Dark web scanning and credit report monitoring
- Scanning AI chat responses for malicious links
Use cases
Who it's for
Family device protection
Protect PCs, laptops, phones and smart TVs under one subscription, with lost-device tracking and webcam protection.
Safe online banking
Use the secured browser mode and anti-phishing to shop and bank without exposing card details.
Identity theft prevention
The Ultimate plan watches the dark web and credit reports and includes 24/7 recovery services with $1M insurance.
Business endpoint security
Organizations can deploy ESET PROTECT across their devices and request a business trial first.
ESET pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Nov 12, 2026. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
| Plan | Essential | Premium | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Varies by device countbilled yearly | Varies by device countbilled yearly | Varies by device countbilled yearly |
| AI chat security | Yes | Yes | — |
| Also |
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Get an email when ESET changes its prices
One mail per change, a stop link in each. Nothing else.
How ESET compares
- ESET has no free plan, while 1 of the 4 alternatives below has one.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EESET | — | — | — | — | ||
B Bitdefender | — | — | — | ESET vs Bitdefender | ||
N Norton | $1.67/mo | — | — | — | ESET vs Norton | |
N Norton | — | — | — | — | ESET vs Norton | |
| MMcAfee | — | — | — | — | — | ESET vs McAfee |
The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Vendor-reported 99.9% malware protection rate
- Small system footprint
- Higher home plans include unlimited VPN data
- Ultimate includes identity recovery with $1M insurance
Limitations
- Ultimate plan requires at least 5 devices
- Premium includes only 3 VPN connections for 1–10 devices
- Identity protection features are only in the top tier
ESET FAQ
What home plans does ESET offer?
Three: Essential, Premium and Ultimate. They are sold as yearly subscriptions priced by the number of devices.
Does ESET include a VPN?
Premium and Ultimate include unlimited VPN data. Ultimate also adds VPN for Router.
Which platforms are supported?
Windows, Mac, Android and Linux, plus protection for smart home and IoT devices.
Is there a trial for businesses?
Yes. Businesses can request a trial of ESET's business solutions.
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ESET
Paid
