Taking care of your gaming or regular PC through good antivirus software is fundamental to the optimization of your machine’s performance. But, which antivirus should you choose? What features should you consider? Anti theft protection? Secure storage? Identity protection? Protect for online transactions or password management?
Two of the best antivirus for both regular PC or gaming PCs are ESET and Norton. In this ESET vs Norton post, we’ll make a comparison between both software.
What is ESET Antivirus?
ESET antivirus software provides essential security against evolving threats since 1987 when it released its first antivirus code. Besides, it features several VB100 awards for malware detection. ESET cyber security also has passed all the tests since 2003, so it provides reliable security features to keep your PC safe. The most relevant aspects of ESET are the anti-theft features, password managers, and performance optimization.
What is Norton Antivirus?
Norton is known as the global leader in antivirus providing security and online privacy protection for over 50 million users worldwide. Norton uses heuristics and signatures to identify viruses. Additionally, it includes anti phishing protection and e-mail spam filtering. Norton Antivirus runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can be used on more devices, not only one PC. Remember that the basis of internet security is an up-to-date activated Windows. If you do not have a legal copy yet, you can purchase the Windows 10 key here.
Norton vs ESET – Comparison
| Product | Pros | Cons |
| Norton | ● A full protection against all types of malware.
● User friendliness. ● A database that is updated constantly. ● Many functionalities, more than regular antivirus. ● A huge 60-days refund guarantee. |
● More expensive than ESET and another antivirus, such as Avast.
● Its protection for mobile is divided into several separated applications. ● No free version.
|
| ESET | ● High level of protection.
● Great mobile app for mobiles. ● Anti-theft tool for stolen devices. ● Simple home network security scanner. ● Cheaper than Norton and other antiviruses.
|
● No iPhone app.
● No VPN service. ● The firewall often can flag false alarms. ● Tighter integration with other OS, and rhel-based distributions. |
Next, we’ll make a comparison between both antivirus and analyze every feature you have to consider to make a good decision about it, from real-time protection to system performance.
Features
Both Norton and ESET share many features as well as the vast majority of antiviruses out there. These features include canning USB, virus scan, anti spyware, firewall, password manager, parental controls webcam protection, ransomware protection, banking and payment protection, network attack protection, and update apps.
Nevertheless, Norton provides VPN and PC Cloud Backup. ESET, on the other hand, features secure data encryption, file shredder, performance optimization, and identity anti-theft feature protection.
Anyway, let’s take a look at the variety of features you can find in Norton versions.
Norton’s Features
Norton Antivirus Plus comes with the signature smart firewall that is just a classic in Norton security. This feature will provide advanced protection, defending you against a wide range of malware. It performs at excellent malware detection rates, even if you’re connected to Wi-Fi networks. It also detects data that attempts to enter your computer without your approval. The only problem with this is that it just can be installed on one device.
Norton 360 Standard comes with the same features as Plus as well as 10 GB free of cloud data storage. It also features webcam protection and a dark web monitoring function from LifeLock, which checks your personal info online and tells you if your data has been compromised.
Norton 360 Deluxe features five universal licenses and 50 GB of cloud storage. You can also pair it with LifeLock Select to provide stronger identity theft protection. It also features dark web monitoring, an Identity Alert System, and a credit monitoring suite. Last but not least, only Norton 360 Deluxe offers protection for unlimited devices.
ESET Features
ESET NOD32 Antivirus, the first version of the software, provides antispyware and antivirus protection that works in combination with the firewall and connected Home Monitor. Moreover, it brings a shield and secure browser to make your online experience safer. There’s also gamer mode – also known as the “silent mode” – which reduces interruptions during your gaming. NOD32 also brings a System Cleaner, a License Manager, and a UEFI Scanner that protects firmware on your PC.
On the other hand, ESET Internet Security comes with additional features, such as a personal firewall, the Bonet Protection, Antispam module, and Banking and Payment Protection.
Parental Controls and Webcam Protection are important parts of this suite that protect against spying. An Anti-Theft is also available to protect your device in case of theft or loss.
ESET Smart Security Premium comes with some advanced features such as ESET Secure Data and ESET Password Manager. ESET secure allows you to encrypt directories providing you data protection for removable drives, even if it’s stolen devices.
Sing Up and Installation
We know that the process of installing antivirus software on your Windows PC or Mac OS can be a bit daunting sometimes, especially if the user interface is not the best. Fortunately, both Norton and ESET feature a straightforward and simple sign-up and installation.
Norton clearly layouts its options, either for a computer or a mobile device, and the discount and renewal price for next year. You can also have an option for Norton Computer Tune-Up, which provides access to certified technicians to make your Mac or PC run like new.
The ESET installation process works in a very similar way. It also gives you a transparent comparison between all its products. Besides, it clearly offers you some extra features in the process, such as encryption, and even the possibility of opting for a yearly and monthly subscription.
Pricing and Availability
When you’re looking for good malware protection, the price of each product is surely one of the key factors. Of course, both Norton and ESET provide different subscription types and prices depending on the features you need. Just keep in mind that there’s no such thing as ESET Free or Norton Free.
ESET offers a subscription that starts at $39.99 per year, providing protection for android devices and other mobiles. If you want multiple antivirus protection for several devices, you have to acquire ESET Smart Security Premium at $59.99 per year. Just consider that you can only use them on a single device.
Norton also comes in different packages, starting at $19.99 for Norton Antivirus Plus for the first year. The Norton 360 Standard version comes for $39.99 for the first year, and Norton 360 Deluxe for $49.99 for the first year and $104.99 for successive years.
As you can notice, ESET Internet Security is significantly cheaper than Norton. Yet, both Norton and ESET offer substantial discounts from time to time and long-term subscriptions.
Norton offers a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with the product. ESET offers a 30-day free trial, which is a great opportunity to test a free version of the software and its features.
Interface
The interface of a program can make the difference between software that is easy to use and software that you’re struggling with.
Norton uses its classic yellow color scheme. The dashboard provides you with an easy understanding of the features and shows clearly if your PC is protected. Thanks to this, you can easily access your account information and main features, such as network protection, computer scan, and performance metrics.
You can easily navigate by selecting the different categories, such as Security, Identity, Backup, and Tuneup. Norton Deluxe 360 also features a web site where you can manage the antivirus scanner for the five devices from a browser.
Norton interface will show you a big green check-mark over all the dashboards when the smart interface and all the features are working smoothly. If not, Norton’s interface will let you know by changing its colors.
Furthermore, Norton’s Interface is optimized for mobile devices, which makes it pretty intuitive in terms of logical navigation and easy for even casual users.
ESET stands for a modern interface that includes a futuristic ESET robot graphic. With a simple function, the bar on the dashboard will indicate if your machine has online threat protection and is protected in real-time. If the bar is green, it means your PC is protected. If it’s yellow, your PC needs your attention. It will turn in red if it detects a threat on your device.
An important problem with the ESET interface is that many of its functions are hidden within the tabs, which may be a bit difficult for novices. You’ll have to click through several menus to access specific tasks. This can make it a bit dull to use.
Definitely, Norton’s interface is easier to use since everything is accessible from the control panel. ESET’s interface is not so simple and intuitive.
Efectiveness Against Malware and Threats
If a few words, both Norton and Eset provide effective web protection against malware threats and every type of virus.
In some tests, ESET has shown perfect protection against threats in real-time when it comes to Trojan or Adware. Besides, when ESET is subjected to sample malware files from The European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR), it shows great performance blocking all the EICAR samples.
Norton provides several results. It blocks all the lives threats, like Trojans and Adware, but it allowed samples of EICAR when it was subjected to the test.
But if we go to one of the best antivirus testing websites – AV-Test and AV-Comparatives – we can notice that it provides 100 percent of score malware protection to both ESET and Norton.
Regarding Real-World Protection tests, Norton achieved 100 percent protection, whereas ESET scored 89.9 percent. These results show that both ESET and Norton perform solid solutions for malware attacks and other threats.
Impact on PC Performance
When it comes to gaming, the impact on PC Performance is one of the most important things you must consider. Of course, you want a perfect performance when playing favorite games, so antivirus programs not should interfere with the process of your game.
Regarding ESET, it does not have a quick scan option that can be run automatically and other advanced features, such as Quick Scan CPU Utilization, Quick Scan Memory Utilization, and Quick Scan Disk Utilization. However, ESET takes one hour less to perform a complete scan than Norton, with a similar number of scanned files.
AV-test.org, which is an independent site that performs antivirus tests, runs evaluations from time to time. These evaluations indicate that Norton has a perfect score in the performance category. Sadly, there is not an ESET antivirus review available regarding performance. We’re not sure why.
According to independent tests, both antiviruses impact the PC’s performance during common tasks, such as browsing websites, downloading files, or launching applications, but never in a relevant way.
Customer Support
Having customer support for our operating systems or security software that is available whenever needed is fundamental. And an antivirus program, such as Norton or ESET, should provide reliable customer support.
At this point of this antivirus comparison, Norton wins by far because it offers 24/7 support all days of the year on all its products and multiple devices. This support features live chat, community forum, FAQ, and social networking channels.
ESET does not have 24-hour support, even with the ESET Cyber Security Pro version. ESET only answers from 6 am to 5 pm for customers from the USA. It features online help, a community forum, and phone support. Just like most antivirus programs available in the antivirus industry, the ESET website includes troubleshooting, videos, and a huge background of main cyber threats.
Should I Consider a Secure VPN?
A VPN is far away from the comprehensive protection that most antivirus and it provides totally different services from the ones above. It prevents snoops from tracking where you are and what you do online. It also conceals your IP address from the sites you browse.
Currently, some premium VPN services include malware filtering, but it’s not a reason not to protect your operating system and system resources from threats with an antivirus. This will prevent you from browsing malicious websites.
As we mentioned in the first section of this article, Norton, besides protecting your PC against malware and other online threats, also features a VPN. It will allow you to do online shopping and access any web portal without revealing your identity. Norton takes the protection of your machine to another level with the full suite!
Customer Satisfaction
Customer Satisfaction is a good way to check if these antiviruses, including the premium version, have provided a good user experience. To do this, it’s necessary to examine the overall customer satisfaction ratings.
Checking the Better Business Bureau – a company that uses customer feedback to rank companies –we notice the company gives an A+ rating to both Norton and ESET. BBB indicated that both are trustworthy and reliable.
Another rating organization, Consumeraffairs.org, points out that Norton has a score of 1-star rating according to customer satisfaction. On the other hand, ESET received an excellent rating of 4 stars.
Is It Easy to Uninstall Both ESET and Norton?
The answer is yes. Both software brings an uninstall option if you’re not happy with the results or you’re thinking of changing the antivirus. Most users use this tool, but we honestly believe that the best way of installing those is using the Control Panel.
Just head to the Control Panel and search the antivirus software in the list of programs. Just select the program and click over “Uninstall.” This way, you make sure that all the files of Norton 360 with LifeLock or ESET are deleted.
On the other hand, if you want to remove Norton antivirus or ESET from a Mac, browse the applications folders and find the removal tool. In extremely important that you run the tool and follow the instructions to successfully uninstall the software.
Final Thoughts
To review products independently, it’s important to consider all the aspects we have mentioned in this article. Of course, there are more features to keep in mind, but we have addressed all that we believe are fundamental to performing a good service.
We’d say that Norton is the overall winner due to its processing power, performance capabilities, and a huge variety of useful functions.
Not turning a blind eye to ESET’s ability, Norton provides security for the entire family, protecting any computing device against phishing websites. As for paid viruses and compared them, even with other programs such as Kaspersky, Norton highlights them in almost every aspect.
