Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Bitdefender vs ESET
Bitdefender
ESET
Higher score in this comparison
Where Bitdefender and ESET differ
| Compare | BitdefenderReviewVisitVisit | ESETReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 3 to 25Higher |
| Server countries | from 100 | 40 to 70 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, Hydra | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, Stealth, Wstunnel |
| Features | Split tunnelling | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, ObfuscationCovers more |
| Streaming services | Unblocks your favorite streaming sites | Various streaming platforms |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Jurisdiction | Not confirmed | BR |
Same on both: Money-back period (30 days).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- ESET scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Devices is higher at ESET: 3 to 25 vs 10.
- Protocols: only Bitdefender offers Hydra.
- Protocols: only ESET offers IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP.
- Features: only ESET offers Kill switch, Obfuscation.
- Streaming services: only Bitdefender offers Unblocks your favorite streaming sites.
- Streaming services: only ESET offers Various streaming platforms.
- Platforms: only Bitdefender offers Mac.
- Platforms: only ESET offers MacOS.
- Support channels: only Bitdefender offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Bitdefender
Bitdefender suits business users who want a VPN and a password manager from one vendor, with 10 devices on the standard plan. An overall score of 7.5 points to steady value: a budget model, a money back window, and core features like no-logs operation and split tunnelling.
ESET
ESET suits households that want antivirus, a VPN and parental controls in one plan, with device counts of 3 to 25 on shared subscriptions. Buyers who put server reach first may prefer Namecheap, since ESET's 40 to 70 sits below the wider VPN field.
Score breakdown
| Area | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | 8.9Bundled extras and a refund window carry the offer: vpn and password manager alongside a 30 money back period on one vendor. | 9.0Higher |
| Privacy | 9.4 | 9.5HigherCompany is ESET, spol. s r.o., headquartered and registered in BR, founded 1992, with support across email, help centre and community. |
The numbers side by side
| Fact | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 3 to 25 |
| Server countries | from 100 | 40 to 70 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
How they place
| Ranking | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 36 of 232 | 8 of 232 |
| Antivirus software | 21 of 93 | 7 of 93 |
| Free antivirus | 14 of 62 | 5 of 62 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more |
| Audience | Business | Business |
| Pricing model | Budget | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | ESET, spol. s r.o. |
| Headquarters | Romania | Brazil |
| Founded | 2001 | 1992Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Help centre, Community, Phone |
Password managers
| Fact | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Not confirmed |
| Family plan | Family pack, up to 15 devices | Not confirmed |
| Encryption | End-to-end encryption | Not confirmed |
Antivirus
| Fact | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | Not confirmed | R$64.22 |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Extras | VPN, Password manager | VPN, Parental controls |
Identity protection
| Fact | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Credit bureaus monitored | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Insurance amount | $1,000,000 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Bitdefender | ESET | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10at the median | 3 to 25highest quarter | 10 |
| Server countries | from 100highest quarter | 40 to 70above the median | 60 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 134 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Bitdefender
Pros
- Server coverage of from 100 running modern protocols: WireGuard and Hydra.
- 10 devices on the standard VPN plan, and the Family pack, up to 15 devices for larger households.
- No-logs operation is one of the named features: no logs and streaming.
Cons
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, with written help rather than a phone line.
- The 10 device allowance is narrower than Norton's 10 to 20.
- The audience is listed as business rather than general consumers: business.
ESET
Pros
- Antivirus plans bundle a VPN and parental controls as vpn and parental controls.
- The VPN supports WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN UDP plus kill switch, split tunnelling and obfuscation for routing and connection control.
- Plans cover 3 to 25 with a money back window of 30 days.
Cons
- The first year price of BRL 64.22 sits above the €49.95 median across the site.
- Server reach stops at 40 to 70, short of the 86.75 upper quartile on the site.
Who each suits
Bitdefender
Who it suits
- Small teams that want a VPN and a password manager under one vendor (vpn and password manager).
- Readers who want a no-logs VPN with streaming unblocking (no logs and streaming, Unblocks your favorite streaming sites).
- Mixed-device households running Windows, Mac and iOS across laptops and phones.
Who should look elsewhere
- Norton, whose device allowances of 10 to 20 suit larger households.
- Surfshark, for readers who want a VPN only subscription rather than the vpn and password manager bundle.
- ESET Brasil, for protection plans running to 3 to 25 devices.
ESET
Who it suits
- Households sharing one plan across 3 to 25.
- Families that want parental controls in the same subscription.
- Small business users covered by a business focused provider.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travelers who need broader server reach, since Namecheap lists from 100.
Current offers
Bitdefender
Current offer
Free trial
Free trial of Bitdefender Premium VPN: 7 days free
no credit card required
Source, checked September 26, 2026
ESET
Current offer
Discount code
ESET Customer Month: up to 40% off
Promotional banner on the ESET Brasil home and plans pages; applies to ESET HOME Security plans in Brazil
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Free 30-day trial of ESET HOME Security: 30 days
Download from the ESET Brasil site; FAQ also says the 30-day return policy gives a full refund of the purchase price.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Bitdefender | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | Yes |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Bitdefender
How many devices does a Bitdefender subscription cover?+
The standard VPN plan covers 10 devices at the same time. Larger households can take the Family pack, up to 15 devices, which stretches one account across more hardware. Apps run on Windows, Mac and iOS, so the device count is about simultaneous connections rather than which platform you use.
Which platforms does Bitdefender support?+
Bitdefender apps run on Windows, Mac and iOS, covering the usual desktop and phone mix. The same account spans those platforms, so a household with laptops and handsets is covered without separate plans. Split tunnelling is listed as a VPN feature, letting one device route only some traffic through the tunnel: split tunnelling.
ESET
How much does ESET cost?+
The first year price is BRL 64.22. Long term plan prices across the site sit at a median of €3.97, so weigh those against the introductory figure rather than assuming one carries the other.
Who is ESET aimed at?+
ESET is built for a business audience, and its protection plans carry a VPN and parental controls as extras. Devices per plan range across 3 to 25, so a household can share one plan without separate subscriptions.