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ESET suits people who want solid protection that doesn't slow an older PC, with optional VPN and identity tools in the higher tiers. It is a legitimate security company with more than 30 years in the business and strong independent lab results: AV-TEST gave ESET Security Ultimate top marks and a TOP PRODUCT award in every 2026 round, and AV-Comparatives ranked it third for low system impact in April 2026. Watch two things: it had more false alarms than most rivals in AV-Comparatives' March 2026 malware test, and many complaints are about automatic renewals, so set a reminder before your term ends.
Your options
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ESET This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review People who want proven antivirus that stays light on older or lower-powered computers, without paying for a large bundle.
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TotalAV This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative People who want an easy antivirus app across several phones and computers and will manage the renewal date themselves.
- Plans
- ESET HOME Security Essential, Premium and Ultimate; also NOD32 Antivirus and Mobile Security for Android1
- Price, 1 device
- Essential $49.99 a year; Premium $79.99; NOD32 Antivirus $39.99, as listed October 20261
- Price, 5 devices
- Essential $69.99; Premium $99.99; Ultimate $179.99 a year1
- Multi-year savings
- 15% off 2-year and 20% off 3-year terms on Essential and Premium1
- Refund
- 30-day return policy for a full refund on purchases from ESET North America; 30-day free trial before buying2
- AV-TEST 2026
- Protection 6/6 and Usability 6/6 in all four rounds; Performance 5.5 to 6; TOP PRODUCT each time3
- AV-Comparatives
- Performance April 2026: 3rd, impact score 4.2, ADVANCED+; Malware Protection March 2026: 99.93%, 16 false alarms, ADVANCED4
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Android and iOS; one subscription covers mixed devices1
Pros
- Top marks from AV-TEST in every 2026 round
- Low system impact in AV-Comparatives' performance test
- Prices listed openly by plan and device count
- 30-day free trial plus a 30-day refund window
- Covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS under one subscription
Cons
- More false alarms than most rivals in the March 2026 malware test
- No free version for computers
- VPN limited to 3 devices on Premium
- Identity protection only in the most expensive tier
- Complaints about auto-renewal
Best for: People who want proven antivirus that stays light on older or lower-powered computers, without paying for a large bundle.
Skip it if: You want a free option, a VPN on every device at a low price, or a longer refund window.
ESET vs. competitors
| Company | Price, 5 devices, first year | Renewal shown | AV-Comparatives performance, April 2026 | Money-back window | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESET HOME Security Essential | $69.99 | Not shown | Impact 4.2, ADVANCED+ | 30 days | Visit site |
| Norton 360 Deluxe | $49.99 | $124.99 a year | Impact 5.3, ADVANCED+ | 60 days | Visit site |
| Bitdefender Total Security | $59.99 | Not shown | Impact 9.6, ADVANCED+ | 30 days | Read review |
| McAfee Total Protection | $39.99 | $119.99 a year | Lowest impact in the test | Read review |
Antivirus software we reviewed
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ESET This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review BestGuide rating: 4.4 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want proven antivirus that stays light on older or lower-powered computers, without paying for a large bundle. -
TotalAV This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want an easy antivirus app across several phones and computers and will manage the renewal date themselves. -
AVG BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Windows users who want a free antivirus with strong lab results, or a cheap first year of protection for one PC or a 10-device household. -
Webroot This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People with older or slower PCs who want light, low-maintenance antivirus across a few devices and will manage renewal themselves. -
Malwarebytes This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want light, well-tested antivirus with web scam blocking, or a free second-opinion scanner to clean up an infected PC. -
PC Matic This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who mainly use well-known programs and want inexpensive, low-maintenance protection on several devices. -
Trend Micro Best for: Families who want scam protection and parental controls across many devices, including Chromebooks. -
Intego This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Mac owners who want a native antivirus and firewall in one app, especially families covering several Macs.
ESET pricing at a glance
ESET home plans, 1-year prices as listed on eset.com/us, October 20261
| Plan | 1 device | 3 devices | 5 devices | 10 devices | Main extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOD32 Antivirus | $39.99 | $49.99 | $59.99 | Not offered | Antivirus only, Windows and macOS |
| HOME Security Essential | $49.99 | $59.99 | $69.99 | $94.99 | Antivirus, payment and browsing protection, anti-phishing, firewall and Wi-Fi checks |
| HOME Security Premium | $79.99 | $89.99 | $99.99 | $124.99 | Adds unlimited VPN (3 devices on plans up to 10) and file encryption |
| HOME Security Ultimate | Not offered | Not offered | $179.99 | $204.99 | Adds VPN on up to 10 devices, router VPN, identity protection with $1M insurance, ransomware remediation |
| Mobile Security (Android) | $12.99 | $22.99 | $32.99 | Not offered | Android phones and tablets |
Two-year terms save 15% and three-year terms 20% on Essential and Premium (for example, Essential for 1 device is $84.98 for 2 years). ESET did not show a separate renewal price on the page we checked, so confirm what your subscription renews at before checkout. Home plans go up to 25 devices.
ESET, step by step
Try it free
Start the 30-day free trial, or buy directly from eset.com/us.
Pick a plan and device count
Choose Essential, Premium or Ultimate and the number of devices; prices rise about $5 per added device on Essential.
Install through ESET HOME
Sign in to an ESET HOME account, add the subscription and download the installer for each Windows, Mac, Android or iOS device.
Manage and share
Use the ESET HOME app to see device status and share protection with household members.
Renew or cancel
Check your auto-renewal setting in your ESET HOME account. For a refund within 30 days, call ESET North America sales.
ESET legitimacy and licensing
Yes. ESET is a long-established security software maker; its products are trademarks of ESET spol. s r.o., and U.S. sales and support come from ESET North America in San Diego, which the BBB lists as in business since 1999 with an A+ rating (not accredited) and 8 complaints in three years. ESET says it has more than 30 years in the field.
Independent labs back up its reputation. AV-TEST gave ESET Security Ultimate 6 out of 6 for protection and usability in all four 2026 Windows rounds and named it a TOP PRODUCT each time. AV-Comparatives ranked ESET third of the tested products for low system impact in April 2026. On Trustpilot, the eset.com profile shows 4.6 out of 5 from about 32,788 reviews.
ESET pricing explained
ESET prices by plan and number of devices. For one year, Essential runs $49.99 for 1 device to $94.99 for 10, Premium $79.99 to $124.99, and Ultimate $179.99 for 5 devices or $204.99 for 10. NOD32 Antivirus, the antivirus-only product, is $39.99 for 1 device. Two-year terms save 15% and three-year terms 20% on Essential and Premium.
Unlike some rivals, ESET’s one-year prices on its site were not shown as a first-year discount, but the page also doesn’t state a renewal price, so check it at checkout and in your ESET HOME account. Buying directly from ESET North America gets you its 30-day return policy; resellers set their own rules.
Essential vs Premium vs Ultimate
- Essential: antivirus, secured browser mode for banking and payments, anti-Phishing. Fake emails, texts or websites that try to trick you into giving up passwords or payment details. Compare antivirus software, firewall, Wi-Fi and router vulnerability checks, anti-theft for devices, and webcam and microphone protection.
- Premium: adds unlimited VPN traffic on up to 3 devices (5 on plans over 10 devices) and encryption for sensitive files.
- Ultimate: adds VPN on up to 10 devices (25 on larger plans), a VPN for your router, identity protection with credit and dark web monitoring, 24/7 U.S. recovery help with $1 million insurance, and Ransomware. Malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment to release them. Compare antivirus software remediation.
If you only need protection on one Windows PC or Mac, NOD32 Antivirus or Essential is enough. Ultimate makes sense only if you would otherwise pay separately for a VPN and identity monitoring.
What customers say about ESET
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Light on system resources, even on older PCs
- Reliable detection over many years of use
- Easy installation and a simple interface
- Responsive support
Common complaints
- Automatic renewals that customers did not expect
- Trouble moving a license to a new device
- Installation problems on some systems and macOS issues after updates
- Settings that are hard to find
How ESET scores in independent tests
AV-TEST, Windows, 2026: ESET Security Ultimate scored 6 for protection and 6 for usability in February, April, June and August, with performance at 5.5 in the first two rounds and 6 in the last two. It earned TOP PRODUCT each time.
AV-Comparatives Performance Test, April 2026: ESET HOME Security Essential had an impact score of 4.2, third best, with an ADVANCED+ award. AV-Comparatives Malware. Any software designed to harm a device or steal data, including viruses, spyware and ransomware. Compare antivirus software Protection Test, March 2026: a 99.93% online protection rate but 16 false alarms, more than most products, which held it to an ADVANCED award. False alarms mean safe files flagged as threats, so you may need to restore or allow a file now and then.
Complaints and how to avoid problems
Most negative reviews are about billing and licenses rather than protection: renewals that went through automatically, licenses that were hard to move to a new computer, and installs that failed or had trouble after a macOS update.
- Check whether auto-renewal is on in your ESET HOME account and note the renewal date.
- Before replacing a computer, remove the old device from ESET HOME so the license slot frees up.
- Uninstall other antivirus programs before installing ESET.
- Buy direct from eset.com if you want ESET’s own 30-day refund policy.
Cancellation and refunds
ESET North America offers a 30-day return policy for a full refund of the purchase price. Combined with its 30-day free trial, that gives you up to 60 days to decide. Returns are handled by phone at 1-(844) 824-3738, option 1, with the original credit card; the credit can take up to one billing cycle to appear. Purchases from resellers follow the reseller’s policy.
Alternatives to ESET
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Microsoft Defender
Free and built into Windows; a reasonable baseline if you keep Windows updated and don't need extras like a VPN or identity monitoring.
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BitdefenderBetter if you want perfect AV-TEST scores with fewer false alarms and a lower five-device price.
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Better if you want cloud backup, a full VPN and a 60-day refund window, though renewal costs more.
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A simpler option if you mainly want malware cleanup and scanning.
Next steps
ESET reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
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Frequently asked questions
Is ESET a good antivirus?
Yes, by independent lab results. AV-TEST gave it top protection and usability scores and a TOP PRODUCT award in every 2026 round, and it ranked third for low system impact in AV-Comparatives' April 2026 test. Its main weak spot was a higher false alarm count in March 2026.
How much does ESET cost?
As listed October 2026, Essential is $49.99 a year for 1 device, Premium $79.99, and Ultimate $179.99 for 5 devices. NOD32 Antivirus starts at $39.99. Two- and three-year terms save 15% and 20%.
Is ESET free?
No. ESET offers a 30-day free trial but no permanent free version for computers. Microsoft Defender is the free option built into Windows.
Does ESET slow down your computer?
It is one of the lighter products tested. AV-Comparatives gave it an impact score of 4.2 in April 2026, third best, and an ADVANCED+ performance award.
Where is ESET from?
ESET's products are trademarks of ESET spol. s r.o., a company based in Slovakia. U.S. customers buy from and get support from ESET North America in San Diego.
Does ESET include a VPN?
Premium and Ultimate do. Premium covers up to 3 devices with unlimited VPN traffic on plans up to 10 devices, and Ultimate covers up to 10 and adds a router VPN.
Does ESET work on Mac and phones?
Yes. Home plans cover Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, and one subscription can be shared across device types.
How do I get a refund from ESET?
If you bought from ESET North America within 30 days, call 1-844-824-3738, option 1, with your original credit card. Purchases through resellers follow the reseller's refund policy.
Does ESET auto-renew?
Auto-renewal complaints are common in reviews, so check your ESET HOME account for the renewal setting and date. ESET's product page did not show a separate renewal price when we checked.
What is the difference between ESET NOD32 and ESET HOME Security?
NOD32 Antivirus is antivirus only, from $39.99 for 1 device. HOME Security Essential adds payment protection, anti-phishing, a firewall and network checks, and higher tiers add a VPN and identity tools.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- ESET: Home products and prices (US) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- ESET: Return policy (accessed October 12, 2026)
- AV-TEST: ESET test results for Windows (accessed October 12, 2026)
- AV-Comparatives: Performance Test April 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- AV-Comparatives: Malware Protection Test March 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: ESET North America (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: ESET reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- ESET: About (accessed October 12, 2026)
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