ESET vs Adaware: Which One is Better? [2023 Top Picks]

Find the best antivirus for you and your devices.
We compare security, extra features, ease of use, and more to help you decide.
Professional Reviews
Ownership
Affiliate Commissions
Reviews Guidelines

ESET vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager

ESET vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

A truly useful antivirus needs to protect from recognized and never-before-seen malware. Both ESET and Adaware use a combination of real-time protection and behavior monitoring, and they scored near-100% detection in our lab tests. However, they use a range of tactics to keep you safe.

ESET focuses on creating the best user experience. Its anti-phishing and email-filtering options protect you from some of the most common online threats. Plus, they ensure that all files are scanned during download, which means no infected items ever actually make it onto your PC. ESET’s handy ‘Idle Scan’ mode will wait until your computer is asleep or on screensaver to check for viruses so it doesn’t slow down your system. Its ‘Game Mode’ stops all pop-ups from interrupting you during full-screen activities. They also offer Mac and Linux options, which aren’t available for Adaware users.

Adaware, on the other hand, has a lot of useful extra features. It includes default port scanning, a firewall, and advanced parental controls which allow you to create age-based templates to filter websites. The software also offers email protection, letting you create a safe sender list to stop unnecessary scans. One slight drawback is that Adaware takes some time to install; two reboots were required before it was ready to go.

Adaware and ESET have different approaches to customer service. The former provides a wealth of online options, including a PDF software manual, FAQ section, community forum, and ticketed messages, but they don’t offer phone or live chat. ESET is limited in its written support but provides email tickets, live chat, and phone support.

Starting Price
Money Back Guarantee
Free Trial
$8.99
30 Days
$49.99
30 Days
Security
Features
Ease of Use
Support
Pricing
9
7
8
8
8
9
5
6
5
10
Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
Cyril Bartlam
Mar. 22, 2022
Incorrect Info
In the UK Eset do have a Tech Support telephone number, with Norton you...
David
Mar. 23, 2021
It brings all the features I need
- Great Product, easy to use - Excellent Password Manager - many features...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Cmike
Nov. 19, 2020
Worst business practice ever
Two years ago, I lost all my information on the hard drive. After checking...
Dave Gann
Apr. 30, 2020
ESET Customer Service - Linux AV NOD32
I had a trial version of Eset AV for Linux. I purchased the product but...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
Our Verdict
Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager
ESET and Adaware are both strong antiviruses. ESET is ideal if you want a low-maintenance option that won’t interrupt your work, and it may be better for new users due to its real-time support. However, Adaware might be better for those with young children and it has a free version for those on a budget.
Time To Decide Which One Is Best For You

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best antivirus for me?

The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.

Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.

It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.

What makes an antivirus secure?

A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.

For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.

What do I need to look for when searching for an antivirus?

An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.

Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.

Go here for a list of the best antivirus software of 2023.

How do I know if one antivirus is better than another?

When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.

You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.

We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.