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

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Trend Micro vs. ESET: Which Is Right for You?

Sam Boyd
Sam Boyd
QA Editor

Trend Micro vs. ESET: Which Is Right for You?

Top antivirus providers need to offer comprehensive protection, and ESET and Trend Micro use different tactics to achieve this goal. They both use behavior-based anti-ransomware and anti-phishing tools, but their additional features vary considerably.

With 250 million users, Trend Micro is a well-trusted platform. Alongside malware protection, it offers parental controls and a digital file shredder which ensures your trashed documents are completely deleted. Plus, their social media defenses optimize your privacy settings, keeping you safe from hackers. Trend Micro even offers a PC tune-up tool, which gets rid of out-of-date firewalls and software. Your subscription will provide coverage for up to three computers, and they have a range of customer service options. You can use the ‘Ask Vanessa’ support bot, read FAQs and guides online, or call them. Their phone support is only 5am-8pm with a standard package, but 24/7 if you’re on premium.

ESET also has an impressive reputation and a near-100% malware detection rate. They’ve focused on convenience so their security works alongside your online activities. The innovative ‘Idle Scan’ feature waits until your computer is in sleep or screensaver mode to check for malware so it doesn’t slow down your system. You can also activate ‘Gamer Mode,’ which stops all pop-up notifications while you’re in full screen. Plus, ESET provides email filtering, which integrates with most desktop software and protects against phishing and other scams. The customer support is similar to Trend Micro as they provide online documentation, but it’s relatively simple. You can also reach them by email, live chat, or phone.

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Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
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David
Mar. 23, 2021
It brings all the features I need
- Great Product, easy to use - Excellent Password Manager - many features...
Marko
Jun. 10, 2020
Izuzetan proivod!
Lagan i efektivan antivirus.Mnogo značajki koje mogu biti podešene upravo...
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Brian Erhardt
Oct. 21, 2020
Trend is not ready for release to public
If you want a piece of software that does not work correctly Trend would...
Robert Spiker
May 19, 2020
Adware
For a paid subscription I would not expect to have to tolerate daily...
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...
Our Verdict
Sam Boyd
Sam Boyd
QA Editor
Choosing between ESET and Trend Micro comes down to your personal needs. ESET is a fantastic budget option for strong core protection without clogging up your system. Trend Micro is pricier, but you enjoy a full range of security features.
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.