Is Kaspersky a safe option, or should users opt for more trustworthy antivirus providers like ESET?

Kaspersky Antivirus

Kaspersky Antivirus has been a significant player in the cybersecurity industry for over two decades, boasting popularity and user-friendliness. However, the company’s reputation and security ties are more crucial than the bells and whistles of an antivirus app. Many users may have reservations about using products with such connections, particularly for personal cybersecurity.

Despite doubts regarding the company’s reputation and ties with Russian secret services, Kaspersky’s product claims to be good. Of course, the available features will heavily depend on the pricing plan selected, ranging from basic virus and malware protection to an extensive suite with many additional tools.

ESET Antivirus

ESET is widely regarded as one of the most secure antivirus products available, with users appreciating its comprehensive set of protection features, including anti-theft tools for lost or stolen devices, consistently high performance in independent lab tests, and a well-designed Android application.

Despite not being as well-known as competitors like Norton 360 or Bitdefender, ESET boasts over 100 million users across 200 countries, most of whom opt for the reliable ESET Internet Security plan, which includes all of the company’s best security features.

It’s not hard to see why ESET is so popular, but is it truly as effective as advertised? What features does it offer in terms of security, and what is its pricing structure? Our complete review of ESET antivirus will provide all the answers you need.

What are the pros and cons of Kaspersky and ESET antiviruses?

Pros of Kaspersky Antivirus:

  • The database is frequently updated to include the most recent viruses and threats.
  • It has a minimal impact on memory and system performance.
  • The system optimization feature is available.
  • It comes with TDSKILLER, which detects boot kits and rootkits.
  • It is user-friendly.
  • The antivirus has round-the-clock support via phone, chat, and email.

Cons of Kaspersky Antivirus:

Firstly, its pricing is on the higher end of the scale, which might not be ideal for budget-conscious consumers. Additionally, the higher-priced plans do not offer many exceptional features.

Furthermore, the entry-level plan is only available for Windows, which could limit its usefulness for users of other operating systems.

Moreover, the brand’s reputation has been affected by a 2017 scandal, and the company’s connections with Russia’s secret services may raise concerns about the privacy and security of user data.

Pros of ESET Antivirus:

  • Provides high-level protection
  • Has an excellent mobile security application for Android devices
  • Includes an anti-theft tool to track stolen devices
  • Features a useful home network security scanner.

Cons of ESET Antivirus:

  • Comes at a higher price point compared to Norton 360 or Kaspersky.
  • Lacks an iPhone app.
  • The cost of multi-device protection might be too high for some users.

Kaspersky vs. ESET Antivirus: What makes one antivirus better than the other?

Let’s compare both antiviruses based on certain factors, such as pricing, compatibility, and protection they provide.

  1. Pricing and Compatibility

When searching for an antivirus product, price is an important factor to consider. Many antivirus programs offer competitive pricing and huge discounts on your first sign-up.

Kaspersky offers a free antivirus program that protects against core common viruses and suspicious websites. The next tier up adds computer performance features to ensure that it does not slow down your computer.

Kaspersky Internet Security includes the added features of webcam protection and an encrypted browser, ensuring safe and secure online banking. Kaspersky Total Security includes parental controls, a password manager, and a file backup feature. Finally, the new Security Cloud program includes anti-ransomware, a VPN, mobile security, parental controls, and privacy tools.

ESET antivirus offers programs suitable for individual devices. This is great if you want to protect one device on Mac, Android, or Windows and don’t need the software for anything else.

Currently, ESET provides a 30-day free trial for all of its software, allowing users to test it out before purchasing. On the other hand, Kaspersky offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Both Kaspersky Total Security and ESET Security Premium are compatible with the major operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, and Android devices.

  1. Effectiveness Against Cyber Threats

Regarding malware protection, there is minimal difference between the two as both perform well. However, Kaspersky has a slight advantage in the second Real-Time Protection test, making it the winner in this category. Overall, both products have demonstrated their effectiveness in providing security solutions.

  1. Impact of Antivirus on PC Performance

Kaspersky’s full scan took 227 minutes to complete, significantly longer than ESET’s 68 minutes, but it scanned more items than ESET. ESET, however, does not offer a quick scan option and only provides full scans and custom advanced scans, making it impossible to compare the two programs for quick scan speed and system impact.

In terms of CPU utilization, Kaspersky had a slightly higher impact when there was no scan taking place at 46 percent, compared to ESET, which had a lower impact at 32 percent. However, the other tests indicated that ESET used fewer resources than Kaspersky, resulting in a slightly lower impact on the PC.

So, overall, ESET antivirus is the clear winner here.

If you are also looking forward to protecting your business from cyber threats and attacks, get in touch with us via WhatsApp at +971585811786 to buy ESET antivirus online.