Dr.Web vs ESET (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Dr.Web if

• Fits if you want a cheap antivirus and run Windows or Linux
• Works for families that want parental controls and webcam or microphone blocking

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want an iPhone app, as none is listed
• Not for you if you want support during the trial: the demo comes with none
• Too light on Mac and Linux, whose feature lists are shorter than Windows
• Watch out: prices exclude VAT, and the page loads the figure by script so only the entry price was read

Pick ESET if

• Fits if you want antivirus on one PC or Mac without a pile of extras
• Works for buyers who'd rather pay for 2 years at once, which takes 15% off

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if your household runs on iPhones, as there's no iPhone app on record
• Skip it if a VPN matters, as it starts at Premium, $79.99 a year, and covers only 3 devices there
• Watch out: there's no free plan, so when the 30-day trial ends you pay or you're unprotected
• Pricey if you want identity protection, as Ultimate is $179.99 a year, sold for 5 or 10 devices only, and its identity protection is US-based
• Watch out: small offices are sent to a separate plan, Small Business Security, at $179.99 a year for 5 devices

Dr.Web

• The price changes with the term and the number of computers; the page loads the figure with script, so only the entry price could be read.
• The one-month demo covers one computer and comes with no technical support.
• The Mac and Linux editions list a shorter feature set than the Windows edition.
• Prices exclude VAT, which is added at checkout once a country is chosen.

ESET

• There is no free antivirus plan; the 30-day trial is the only way to try it without paying.
• The VPN starts at the Premium tier and covers only 3 devices there; Ultimate raises that to 10.
• Ultimate is sold for 5 or 10 devices only, and its identity protection is run by a US-based team.
• Small offices get a separate plan, Small Business Security, at $179.99 a year for 5 devices.

Dr.Web

Malware detection and cure

Scans for malware and cleans infected systems, with protection against new threats, targeted attacks and zero-day vulnerabilities according to the vendor.

Web and spam filtering

Checks visited pages against Doctor Web's cloud to warn about phishing and dangerous sites, and filters spam in mail traffic.

Firewall and exploit blocking

A firewall blocks unauthorized access, and a separate module stops malware from using software flaws to get in.

Ransomware and file protection

Protects against file-encrypting ransomware and can keep files in chosen folders safe from changes or deletion once configured.

Parental controls and device blocking

Restricts sites by URL keywords, and can block webcam, microphone and USB device access.

ESET

Real-time malware protection

Blocks viruses, ransomware, spyware and phishing as they arrive, with AI-based detection aimed at new threats.

Safe banking and browsing

A secured browser mode for banking and shopping that helps keep payment details away from phishing pages and snooping software.

Firewall and network checks

A firewall and network shield, plus tests of your home router and smart devices for weak points.

ESET VPN

Premium and Ultimate include a no-logs VPN with unlimited traffic, split tunneling on desktop and Android, and a version that runs on a home router.

File encryption

Premium and Ultimate encrypt sensitive files and USB drives and let only trusted apps change protected folders.

Identity protection

Ultimate adds dark web scanning, 1-bureau credit monitoring, SSN tracking and identity recovery with $1M insurance from a US team.

Dr.Web

• Dr.Web Security Space$31

  per year and up, excl. VAT; price depends on term and number of PCs

  Computer protection with a firewall, ransomware and exploit blocking, spam filter, parental controls and camera and microphone blocking.

• Dr.Web Security Space for mobileCustom

  Edition for phones, tablets, Smart TVs and game consoles; its price is chosen by term and number of devices and could not be read as text.

ESET

• Mobile Security for Android$12.99

  per year for 1 device

  Protection for Android phones and tablets, with safe banking, network checks and anti-theft. $22.99 for 3 devices, $32.99 for 5.

• NOD32 Antivirus$39.99

  per year for 1 device

  Real-time antivirus for Windows and macOS only. $49.99 for 3 devices, $59.99 for 5.

• HOME Security Essential$49.99

  per year for 1 device

  Antivirus, safe banking and browsing, firewall and Wi-Fi protection across devices. $69.99 for 5 devices, $94.99 for 10.

• HOME Security Premium$79.99

  per year for 1 device

  Adds ESET VPN with unlimited traffic on up to 3 devices, file and USB encryption and folder protection. $99.99 for 5 devices, $124.99 for 10.

• HOME Security Ultimate$179.99

  per year for up to 5 devices

  Adds VPN for 10 devices and routers, ransomware remediation and US identity protection with $1M insurance. $204.99 for 10 devices.

Dr.Web

• Other savings

  25% off license renewals

  Customers with an existing Dr.Web license can renew it at 25% off, as shown on the Security Space page.

ESET

• Other savings

  Save 15% on 2 years and 20% on 3 years

  HOME Security Essential and Premium cost less per year on longer terms: Essential for 1 device is $84.98 for 2 years or $119.98 for 3, instead of $49.99 a year.