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MetaDefender vs Symantec Content Analysis comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 15, 2026

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

MetaDefender
Ranking in Anti-Malware Tools
6th
Average Rating
9.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.2
Number of Reviews
7
Ranking in other categories
Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) (16th), Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIP) (7th), Cloud Detection and Response (CDR) (6th)
Symantec Content Analysis
Ranking in Anti-Malware Tools
50th
Average Rating
7.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.1
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Anti-Malware Tools category, the mindshare of MetaDefender is 2.1%, up from 1.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Content Analysis is 0.8%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Anti-Malware Tools Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
MetaDefender2.1%
Symantec Content Analysis0.8%
Other97.1%
Anti-Malware Tools
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer2805510 - PeerSpot reviewer
Partner Account Manager at a wholesaler/distributor with 51-200 employees
File sanitization has protected critical networks and prevents hidden malware from entering
In my experience, the best features MetaDefender offers include the number of different antivirus engines that can scan files through multi-file scanning, often using 20 to 30 engines, with the top premium package around 33 engines, capturing 80 to 90% of malware in all those files. If any engine detects malware, the file is blocked, which increases detection because different engines catch different malware. When dealing with central government and defense, we find that if there is any kind of malware on the network or the file, whether that is a software file, hard disk file, or a pen drive, it cannot be allowed on the network. This is when we put it into the sandbox and perform file sanitization to ensure that nothing malicious comes into the network. Whenever we are dealing with central government or defense contracts, MetaDefender's core philosophy of trusting no file means it scans files, rebuilds them, and verifies their reputation, ensuring they contain no malicious content. This positively impacts our organization by detecting malware and stopping any kind of data leaks through the network. In terms of measurable outcomes across central government and defense, we are seeing saved time when files go through the antivirus file scanners. In financial services, such as with mortgage applications, the process sends files straight into MetaDefender file scanning that cleans out any malicious content.
Mel Stevenson - PeerSpot reviewer
Security Consultant at DXC Technology
The solution can be used for malware scanning, but its alerting and reporting could be improved
We use Symantec Content Analysis for malware scanning. Symantec Content Analysis is used to scan for viruses The solution's alerting and reporting are basic and could use some improvement. I have been working with Symantec Content Analysis since 2006. I rate Symantec Content Analysis an eight…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I like the simplicity, the way it works out of the box. It's pretty easy to run and configure. The integration of the network devices with the ICAP server was easily done."
"MetaDefender is 100% stable, making it one of the best cybersecurity solutions we offer, which provides confidence in promoting and recommending it to others."
"OPSWAT is the best alternative."
"MetaDefender has positively impacted my organization by reducing the risk of file-based attacks, which has significantly improved our overall defense against phishing and malware delivery techniques."
"The best feature of MetaDefender is that it can isolate USB devices from the connected network, blocks malware and unsafe files, and ensures all endpoints follow security policy, so that my organization remains safe and reduces the risk of these threats."
"For one of my clients, a major bank in Turkey, they reported saving approximately 30 percent of their SOC time on analyzing emails since implementing MetaDefender."
"MetaDefender is 100% stable, making it one of the best cybersecurity solutions we offer, which provides confidence in promoting and recommending it to others."
"The effectiveness of the solution in blocking or sanitizing any content based on our policies is excellent."
"We use Symantec Content Analysis for malware scanning."
 

Cons

"What I would like to see improved in MetaDefender includes reducing the high cost of the license, as the pricing is very high."
"The main improvement needed is pricing because, as an enterprise solution, smaller partners do not often receive the attention they deserve."
"The UI can be more user-friendly, and initial steps and policy tuning take some time."
"While MetaDefender's mail gateway already gives fewer false positives, there is still room for improvement in reducing those even further."
"Some capabilities are lacking in reporting because we do not have full statistics that are easy for users to understand."
"The main improvement needed is pricing because, as an enterprise solution, smaller partners do not often receive the attention they deserve."
"The documentation is not well written, and I often need to talk with support."
"The solution's alerting and reporting are basic and could use some improvement."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We bought a three-year license, and that was pretty expensive. We agreed that it was really worth buying. It could be cheaper, but we understand that quality comes at a price."
"Symantec Content Analysis is a very expensive solution."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Healthcare Company
10%
Construction Company
8%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business5
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise4
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MetaDefender?
I do not find it cost-effective, as the costing is high.
What needs improvement with MetaDefender?
I am not using the expanded file type and archive coverage feature because I was unaware of it. I am not using the enhanced reporting and audit visibility features, and I am unsure about them. Rega...
What is your primary use case for MetaDefender?
The use cases for MetaDefender involve checking an endpoint, such as a laptop or USB, to ensure that they are safe, clean, and meet security policy before they connect to the network. I can use it ...
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Also Known As

OPSWAT MetaDefender, MetaDefender Core
Symantec Content & Malware Analysis, Symantec Content and Malware Analysis
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
OLFA, Ricoh, McKesson, COTA, ABS-CBN, Finastra, KAKUDAI, SGN, Caravel, KORAMIS, Snapper, Budapest Bank, Rockwell Automation
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, SentinelOne, Check Point Software Technologies and others in Anti-Malware Tools. Updated: May 2026.
893,438 professionals have used our research since 2012.