Best Antivirus Software for Business: 10 Endpoint Protection Platforms Compared

Consumer antivirus rarely meets business needs. Companies need policy control, reporting, device isolation and integration with identity and ticketing tools. NIST SP 800-83 Revision 1 gives a useful baseline for malware incident prevention, covering detection, containment and recovery practices that endpoint tools should support.

Modern products blur the line between antivirus, endpoint protection (EPP) and endpoint detection and response (EDR). Vendors such as CrowdStrike and SentinelOne emphasize behavior-based detection, while others pair signature engines with cloud management. For a head-to-head view, read our CrowdStrike vs SentinelOne vs Sophos comparison.

This guide draws from the Antivirus Software category. Prices in the directory are mostly zero because vendors quote on request, so we group tools by fit instead of price.

Business Antivirus vs Consumer Antivirus

Business antivirus adds central management, policy enforcement, role-based access, reporting and automated response, while consumer products protect a single device with minimal administration. For companies with more than a handful of devices, central visibility is the main reason to upgrade.

• Management: a cloud or on-premises console for policies, exclusions and alerts.
• Detection: signatures, machine learning and behavioral rules working together.
• Response: isolate a host, kill processes and roll back ransomware changes.
• Reporting: evidence for auditors and cyber insurers.
• Integration: SIEM, identity and ticketing connectors.

How to Evaluate Endpoint Protection

Evaluate endpoint protection with a pilot on 10 to 25 representative devices, measuring detection coverage, performance impact, false positives and admin effort over at least two weeks. Independent lab tests help, but your own workloads decide.

• Test with benign but representative applications to see false positives.
• Measure boot time, file copy speed and CPU use before and after.
• Check how quickly policy changes reach offline laptops.
• Ask for log export formats and API documentation.

Ransomware readiness matters most here, and the CISA StopRansomware guidance lists backups, patching and access controls that complement any endpoint tool. Include add-ons such as EDR, MDR or device control, because the entry license often excludes them.

Bitdefender GravityZone

Bitdefender GravityZone provides layered security for businesses of all sizes from one management console, with quote-based pricing in the directory. It suits teams that want broad protection without stacking tools.

Reference vendor: Bitdefender.

• Architecture: cloud console with agents for Windows, Mac and Linux, to be confirmed per edition.
• Pricing model: per endpoint, quote-based.
• Best fit: small to mid-size organizations.

ESET PROTECT

ESET PROTECT is a multi-layer business endpoint platform from a vendor operating since 1987. It is listed as paid with quote-based pricing and suits teams that value a lightweight footprint.

• Architecture: cloud or on-premises console.
• Pricing model: bundles by tier, ask for a quote.
• Best fit: SMBs and mid-size organizations.

Sophos Intercept X

Sophos Intercept X combines antivirus with anti-ransomware, exploit protection and optional EDR. It is listed as paid, and many buyers evaluate it with managed detection services.

• Architecture: cloud-managed through Sophos Central.
• Integrations: part of a wider Sophos platform.
• Best fit: small and mid-size organizations without a large security team.

CrowdStrike Falcon

CrowdStrike Falcon is a cloud-native endpoint platform with a single lightweight agent, listed as paid and quote-based. It is widely used for EDR as well as prevention.

• Architecture: cloud-native, single agent with modules.
• Pricing model: modular subscription.
• Best fit: mid-size and enterprise security teams.

SentinelOne

SentinelOne is an autonomous AI endpoint security platform listed for medium and enterprise teams with a starting price of 45. It emphasizes automated detection and response on the endpoint.

• Architecture: agent with local AI models and a cloud console.
• Pricing model: directory lists 45 as a starting price, so confirm the unit and tier.
• Best fit: lean security teams wanting automation.

Trend Micro Apex One

Trend Micro Apex One offers automated threat detection and response for endpoints and is listed as paid. It integrates with the broader Trend Micro platform.

• Architecture: SaaS or on-premises deployment, confirm availability.
• Pricing model: per user or device, quote-based.
• Best fit: enterprises with mixed environments.

Symantec Endpoint Security

Symantec Endpoint Security from Broadcom targets enterprise protection with extensive policy options and is listed as paid. Established enterprises often choose it for continuity with existing Broadcom or Symantec investments.

• Architecture: cloud-managed and hybrid options.
• Pricing model: enterprise licensing.
• Best fit: large organizations with dedicated security staff.

Malwarebytes for Teams

Malwarebytes for Teams is built for small businesses that want simple cloud-managed protection, listed with a starting price of 34. It targets small teams without dedicated security staff.

• Architecture: cloud console with lightweight agents.
• Pricing model: directory lists 34, so verify the billing unit.
• Best fit: small businesses.

Avast Business Antivirus

Avast Business Antivirus offers business security with a cloud console and a starting price of 32 in the directory. It is positioned for small and medium companies.

• Architecture: cloud management through the Business Hub.
• Pricing model: per device, to be confirmed.
• Best fit: SMBs that want cost control.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security

Kaspersky Endpoint Security covers small and medium business endpoints. US buyers should note that the US Department of Commerce restricted sales of Kaspersky software in the United States in 2024, so check legal and regional rules before shortlisting.

• Architecture: console-managed endpoints.
• Pricing model: paid, quote-based.
• Best fit: buyers outside restricted jurisdictions.

Final Selection Checklist

Pick the product that passes your pilot, fits your admin skills and offers support hours you can rely on. A cheaper license is not a saving if your team cannot operate it or incident response needs extra services.

• Under 50 devices: prioritize simplicity and cloud management.
• 50 to 500 devices: look for EDR options and reporting.
• Over 500 devices: require API access, SIEM integration and role-based admin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does business antivirus software cost?
Prices depend on device count, tier and add-ons. SaaSPodium lists starting prices such as 32 for Avast Business Antivirus, 34 for Malwarebytes for Teams and 45 for SentinelOne, but many vendors only quote on request, so confirm units.

Is antivirus enough, or do I need EDR?
Antivirus blocks known and many unknown threats, while EDR records activity and helps investigate and contain attacks. Small teams may start with antivirus, but organizations handling sensitive data or facing insurer requirements should consider EDR or managed detection.

How long does it take to migrate to a new antivirus platform?
A pilot can start in days, while a full rollout often takes two to six weeks depending on device count. Remove the old agent cleanly, stage deployment in rings and monitor performance and false positives.