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ESET Endpoint Encryption vs Microsoft BitLocker vs Symantec Endpoint Encryption comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

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

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of ESET Endpoint Encryption is 19.2%, up from 14.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft BitLocker is 38.2%, down from 40.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Endpoint Encryption is 9.4%, down from 10.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Endpoint Encryption
 

Featured Reviews

Lucky  Lushaba - PeerSpot reviewer
Has an user-friendly UI which even a non-technical person can use
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.
Ibrahin Gamal - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
Bharath Kumar Gajula - PeerSpot reviewer
Robust data protection with user-friendly deployment, competitive pricing, and comprehensive features like customizable alerts and effective detection capabilities but needs GUI improvements
The stability is relatively good. Occasionally, certain clients may experience disconnection from the management servers, requiring a manual process to rectify. Even in instances where the link is severed, restoring client connectivity can be challenging, sometimes necessitating the uninstallation and reinstallation of the software. Additionally, when clients go out of sync, we do not receive alerts, indicating an area for potential improvement. I would rate it seven out of ten.

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 solution's UI is user-friendly. Even a non-technical person can use it."
"The most valuable feature of ESET Endpoint Encryption is the high level of encryption protection."
"The tool does not slow down the computer."
"It is very secure and we have finally decided to use this after a thorough check. The interface is easy to navigate."
"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 most valuable feature of ESET Endpoint Encryption is its rate of capturing viruses and malware."
"It is a very stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."
"The solution works the way it's supposed to - stability and scalability are fine."
"BitLocker is completely stable."
"It is easy to use and administer."
"While it helps mitigate unauthorized data access by enhancing file and system protection through encryption, the tool is really enhanced with the combination of other Microsoft Security and Compliance features like data labeling."
"You can do a silent remote deployment very fast."
"It is easy to implement and has AD integration."
"I like the fact that you can get a BitLocker encryption key out of OneDrive."
"It's very straightforward to recover data. It's safe for us; in case of lost information, it provides multiple options to recover the data."
"One notable aspect is the ability to customize alerts and other settings."
"Antivirus, URL filtering, and firewall protection are the most effective features for data protection."
"The most valuable feature is the ease of use."
"The solution is pretty stable."
"I like the solution for its encryption."
"In general terms, it is working properly and according to our expectations. The comfort of feeling secure is the most valuable. Some customers had certain fears about changing the product because no one wants to lose any kind of information or to have some problems or inconsistencies while migrating from one product to another."
"The most effective features of Symantec are those related to data protection."
"You get updates and other encrypted files easily."
 

Cons

"There should be more frequent updates."
"The overall compatibility of the device is an area where the solution lacks."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption needs to improve pricing and security."
"The initial setup could be made easier."
"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."
"From an admin perspective, the solution's UI could be more user-friendly."
"I would like more robust reporting as part of the Remote Administrator."
"There could be an option for users to restart the system without a password."
"The only thing that could be slightly improved is the occasional stability issue."
"Some of the technical internal functions, such as encryption protocols or something similar, could be improved."
"I would like to be able to encrypt our cloud tenancy."
"Technical support has not been very good."
"BitLocker should be available on standard Windows. We need to spend money on a Pro license to get BitLocker because it's essential to protect our customers' data. We don't want that to fall into the wrong hands."
"They can improve the security of the application and include an encryption disk in the next feature."
"The console GUI could be better."
"I would like to see improvement in the solution's central management of passwords. Currently, we install it separately."
"The product can be expensive. Price was a factor in moving away from the product."
"I do not find the environment to be very user-friendly."
"It's difficult to integrate the solution with the DLP"
"I would like to have less frequent updates."
"More features need to be included in the encryption software."
"If for example, a user forgets the endpoint key, they cannot access their data. We need a support team that is a single point of contact for the IT entity to be trained and to have documentation for troubleshooting and managing the solution."
"The initial setup is a bit complex."
"We would like some advanced security protection features."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Licensing costs are on a yearly basis."
"Instead of installing ESET on each machine at each location, we just do it remotely. This has been a time saver for us."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption is moderately priced."
"On a scale of one to ten, where one is the lowest and ten is the highest, I rate its pricing a two."
"There are some inexpensive products compared to ESET Endpoint Encryption, but they lack the essential features."
"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."
"We paid for an annual subscription, and it was reasonable."
"The pricing is mid-ranged and could be more cost-effective."
"The solution’s pricing is reasonable."
"It operates on a subscription model on an annual basis."
"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."
"BitLocker is already in Windows 10 and its price has already been "paid"."
"Microsoft BitLocker is a free feature when you are using Microsoft solutions."
"The product's cost is included in Windows."
"The solution is priced low. I would rate the product's pricing one out of ten."
"Microsoft BitLocker's pricing is fair; I rate it a four out of ten."
"The cost of this solution is a little on the higher side."
"The license is not very expensive."
"Depending on how many modules you will use (up to five) the licensing will be more expensive."
"There is a license required for this solution."
"Considering the fluctuation in exchange rates in our part of the world, we find it generally affordable."
"The pricing is fair but there is variability in our area that needs to be addressed."
"Symantec Endpoint Encryption is not expensive."
"We hold an annual license, and their pricing is competitive, falling into the affordable range."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Comms Service Provider
13%
Government
8%
Retailer
8%
Computer Software Company
11%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
13%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Healthcare Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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 vers...
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 th...
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 en...
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 en...
What do you like most about Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Antivirus, URL filtering, and firewall protection are the most effective features for data protection.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
I am not sure about the pricing and licensing cost of Symantec Endpoint Encryption.
What needs improvement with Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Support can sometimes be a problem, although not always. It's a very rare case.
 

Also Known As

No data available
BitLocker, MS BitLocker
Symantec Drive Encryption
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

CCS Media Limited, Mercury Engineering, Unigarant, Pinewood Healthcare
ACV, Proaxis Therapy, Choice Hotels International, adnymics GmbH, Intermedia, NMBS/SNCB
Citrix Systems Inc., City of Lansing, Commercial & Industrial Property, France T_l_visions, Fujian Mobile Co. Ltd., Group Lotus plc, Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C. (HBSS), Portugal Telecom, PostFinance, Public Pension Agency
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, Sophos, ESET and others in Endpoint Encryption. Updated: June 2025.
857,585 professionals have used our research since 2012.