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ESET Endpoint Encryption vs Microsoft BitLocker comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 2, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

ESET Endpoint Encryption
Ranking in Endpoint Encryption
4th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
15
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft BitLocker
Ranking in Endpoint Encryption
1st
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
66
Ranking in other categories
Mobile Data Protection (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of ESET Endpoint Encryption is 11.7%, down from 18.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft BitLocker is 23.6%, down from 41.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Endpoint Encryption Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Microsoft BitLocker23.6%
ESET Endpoint Encryption11.7%
Other64.7%
Endpoint Encryption
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer2674917 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager, Information Technology at a healthcare company with 201-500 employees
encryption works well but needs a fix for compatibility with the latest Windows version
I have used it in the past because it works quite well for encryption. It's better than trying to just use BitLocker, which is a pain from a management standpoint. It works up to this point. My issue is that I need to roll it out on new machines, and I can't get the application to work correctly. It's encrypted at rest, so I can't use the data if I'm not logged in correctly into the laptop with the correct user credentials.
Ibrahin Gamal - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Technology Specialist at ITE Corp
Data protection improves while users adapt to user access complexities
Recovery options are useful with Microsoft BitLocker. When we get the recovery key from Microsoft, people who we show how BitLocker works did not know the facts about BitLocker. When we tell them about recovery keys, it is very difficult for them to get to the users who have issues in their PCs and do not have the knowledge. When IT asked about the scenario, it was difficult for them. They needed something where they could go to the administration portal to unlock the PC for the user, but we tell them that when a user asks for a recovery key, it consists of 32 numbers to unlock their PC. They observed cost savings after implementing Microsoft BitLocker because they requested BitLocker with System Center. They found that it did not have a high cost, as it is a built-in feature in Windows. When they asked about other solutions, it was very expensive for large numbers in other corporates or organizations. They were very satisfied with Microsoft BitLocker with System Center Configuration Manager.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"This solution can be centrally managed."
"The initial setup is easy."
"I have used it in the past because it works quite well for encryption."
"The Remote Administrator is the most valuable feature that ESET offers for us. Centralized management of our ESET environment is what I like about the Remote Administrator."
"The product is easy to implement and configure."
"The tool does not slow down the computer."
"The solution's UI is user-friendly. Even a non-technical person can use it."
"The setup is getting easier."
"I liked the way it works with our Microsoft tools. As we roll out Intune, we can validate if the device has been encrypted, and if not, we can push it down. It is pretty simple to deploy."
"Integration with System Center Configuration Manager (C: and D: logical drives are encrypted before installing Windows via SCCM)."
"The manageability of it is a valuable feature."
"There's a lot of manageability within the solution. This is very helpful."
"The transition to Microsoft BitLocker has proven worthwhile due to cost savings."
"Microsoft BitLocker's most valuable feature is endpoint encryption, and it's quite easy to manage."
"The initial setup is very simple."
"It is an encryption tool and provides security."
 

Cons

"Integration with central management needs improvement."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption needs to improve pricing and security."
"The initial setup could be made easier."
"The solution should have better synchronization with active directory users and passwords for use in the encryption."
"From an admin perspective, the solution's UI could be more user-friendly."
"Sometimes the server console is very slow, so the performance could be improved."
"I would like more robust reporting as part of the Remote Administrator."
"The product should be more responsive regarding feedback if it detects something in our infrastructure. I believe there's a backend that their engineers use to detect viruses in our system. We would appreciate it if they could promptly provide feedback and give us recommendations on how to better protect our infrastructure beyond their system. Additionally, we hope for improved integration with the other systems we currently use. It would be beneficial if they could collaborate to create something that facilitates integration between these systems."
"Some of the technical internal functions, such as encryption protocols or something similar, could be improved."
"The primary aspect for improvement lies in expanding our developer base, which would accelerate the development process and bring these enhancements to fruition"
"My experience with the billing system at Microsoft was very frustrating."
"Microsoft BitLocker is far away from the threats in data security. It is not the number one solution for security, but I think it is a good layer in this process."
"It needs a management console."
"The implementation of BitLocker is not simple. There are many prerequisites and hours of study and testing."
"The solution should offer encryption for other items such as shared folders, removable media, etc."
"The solution could be improved if it was more user friendly."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Instead of installing ESET on each machine at each location, we just do it remotely. This has been a time saver for us."
"We paid for an annual subscription, and it was reasonable."
"It is neither very expensive, nor cheap. Overall it is affordable and there is a long term arrangement between our company and the solution providers for license."
"Licensing costs are on a yearly basis."
"There are some inexpensive products compared to ESET Endpoint Encryption, but they lack the essential features."
"The pricing is mid-ranged and could be more cost-effective."
"The National University System dedicates 500 of their 5000 licenses to us, which is $14/yr per device. Most companies are paying $99 or $120 per device a year."
"On a scale of one to ten, where one is the lowest and ten is the highest, I rate its pricing a two."
"I don't know the costs. In terms of Microsoft licensing, we are at E3 on the business, and we're in the process of pricing out and moving to E5. So, a lot of this is included within our licensing agreements."
"Microsoft BitLocker is a free feature when you are using Microsoft solutions."
"The solution’s pricing is reasonable."
"We can activate the product at no cost."
"The solution is priced low. I would rate the product's pricing one out of ten."
"The tool is cheap compared to the products offered by competitors. If one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the tool's price as one."
"I think it's reasonably priced because I've never heard any complaints from my company about its costs."
"BitLocker is already in Windows 10 and its price has already been "paid"."
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Answers from the Community

AK
Manager, Information Technology at fish bros ltd
Jan 11, 2022
Jan 11, 2022
Are you in a regulated industry? If so using the native BitLocker is not enough to prove compliance. You will need to use something like BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) which is part of MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) or another tool that will manage Bitlocker and give you proof the device is encrypted in the event of a lost or stolen device. You also need to enforc...
See 2 answers
MB
Customer Support Manager at M & M Information Technologies Limited
Jan 11, 2022
I guess the solution depends upon a couple of things for us and how we currently approach this for our clients.   We have both in place around a variety of small clients. As 99% of our systems have Windows Pro, they have BitLocker, therefore this would now be the first choice.   However, if the client requires centralised management and control we would then advise ESET.  And that is the core to this for us, if they need central management, control, recovery - ESET every time.   If it is just encryption and there is no need to control/recover and a simple reformat would work (and loss of history/data is not an issue), then BitLocker is ok.
James OConnor - PeerSpot reviewer
Sr. Solutions Sales Executive - Commercial/Charity/Healthcare/SMB Individual Contributor at Hypertec Direct
Jan 11, 2022
Are you in a regulated industry?  If so using the native BitLocker is not enough to prove compliance.  You will need to use something like BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) which is part of MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) or another tool that will manage Bitlocker and give you proof the device is encrypted in the event of a lost or stolen device.  You also need to enforce secure password management, user training on passwords and regular password changes. If you have Microsoft 365 Business premium you have additional controls over Bitlocker; or, M365 E3/E5, Windows Enterprise E3/E5 all have MDOP... Other Bitlocker management can be found with SOPHOS and I believe TrendMicro as well. Another tool to consider, especially for laptops, is ABSOLUTE software.  It is built into the BIOS of the major laptop brands and just needs the key to activate it... Also, ESET is a quality product for encryption.  It gives you additional options for less than some of the Microsoft alternatives.   BitLocker is just not FREE if you are in a regulated industry since it needs management to truly be secure the device and prove compliance. I hope some of this helps.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Comms Service Provider
13%
University
8%
Government
8%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Computer Software Company
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business10
Midsize Enterprise5
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business35
Midsize Enterprise10
Large Enterprise25
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with ESET Endpoint Encryption?
My problem is that there's a technical glitch and they don't have a fix for it. It's not working with the latest version of Windows, which is a problem. My hands are kind of tied.
What should one take into account when replacing PGP with Microsoft BitLocker?
Beware to make backup of useful data, then use reverse decryption policy from Symantec panel/McAfee ePO to decrypt the DE partitions while it is sometimes more straightforward and faster to reinsta...
Would you choose Microsoft BitLocker or McAfee Complete Data Protection?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive encryption and successfully fulfills regulatory needs in terms of data protection....
How does Microsoft BitLocker compare with Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive encryption and it successfully fulfills regulatory needs in terms of data protecti...
 

Also Known As

No data available
BitLocker, MS BitLocker
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

CCS Media Limited, Mercury Engineering, Unigarant, Pinewood Healthcare
ACV, Proaxis Therapy, Choice Hotels International, adnymics GmbH, Intermedia, NMBS/SNCB
Find out what your peers are saying about ESET Endpoint Encryption vs. Microsoft BitLocker and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.
881,227 professionals have used our research since 2012.