Anti-virus software comes in different grades with functions that protect devices and communication infrastructure from external intrusion but there is another class of anti virus software called enterprise-grade software. This is a special antivirus for small businesses. Generally, they are used to protect devices, data and digital infrastructure of businesses.
If you are a small business owner and your digital assets are at risk of malware or spyware attacks, you need a business antivirus software for extra protection as you cannot rely on private solutions that are normally used for Mobile phones and PCs. The same can be asked for businesses that operate their own server.
In this article, we want to review seven of the best business antivirus software with powerful capabilities for advanced protection. The programs that made our list are.
- ESET
- Kaspersky
- Bitdefender Gravity Zone
- SentinelOne Singularity
- Microsoft Defender
- CrowdStrike Falcon
- Norton 360 With LifeLock
Considerations For Choosing The Best Enterprise Grade Antivirus Solutions For Businesses
Choosing the best business antivirus for businesses should be a simple task but it is not because of the large number of competing software online. Without technical experience, the average user may likely choose less than appropriate software which will lead to undesirable consequences.
To avoid falling into such a trap, we have done the research for you and we chose the software in our list using the following considerations:
- Pricing: Enterprise Grade antivirus for servers commands a higher fee than software for personal use so we wanted to make sure that the fee wasn't out of the reach for small business enterprises. We opted for software that may be slightly more expensive than personal software but not too expensive. Our choices also have various pricing rates so buyers can leverage different options.
- Features: Our antivirus choices also have powerful features that perform various functions. Software with limited features did not make our list. The more features a software has, the more it can offer the user.
- Ease Of User: While good software comes with advanced capabilities, it makes no sense to buy software that you can not use. The average business owner is not a tech guru so we went for solutions that are easy to install and use.
- Value For Money: As we pointed out at the start of this article, antivirus software for small businesses costs more than software for personal use so it's best to go for one that offers the best value for money. Furthermore, with the higher risk involved in protecting business assets, we wanted only the best software that guarantees rock solid protection round the clock.
- Customer Support: During times of emergencies when the software stops working or even crashes, hackers need only a fraction of a second to invade a system to extract sensitive data. Customers want to be sure the software provider can respond to calls for help as quickly as possible. While many software providers fall short in this regard, the ones that made our list are responsive.
- User Experience: We factored the overall user experience into the equation. This includes how well the software performs against viral attacks, the quality of results, customer satisfaction and more.
At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide on the business antivirus that is applicable to your needs but if you need extra insight, you will find great options below so keep on reading to know more.
1. ESET
ESET is one of the best enterprise grade antivirus software for organizations that process and handle sensitive data. It can be used by any business enterprise regardless of their size. If you are looking for the ideal solution for your home office you will find this platform to be quite helpful. It also features multi-layered malware protection, along with anti-theft capabilities and server security.
ESET is quite advanced for its wide range of EDR products which covers comprehensive outlays which is why many have come to trust it. It offers value propositions to home offices, small scale businesses, medium and large-scale enterprises.
As for the pricing, it is flexible so users have the option to choose the one that suits their needs. Small business security goes for $179.99 a year for five devices which is the smallest plan and the highest plan is $410 per year for up to 20 devices.
Pros
- Wide range of software packages
- Advanced cyberattack and server protection
- Easy cloud management
- Unlimited VPN
Cons
- Suite products can be confusing
- Not ideal for large companies
Best Case Use:
- Best for home office
2. Kaspersky
Kaspersky is another very good business antivirus for non-US users. Kaspersky is a very good option that guarantees businesses zero malware attacks. If your business is constantly dealing with constant web-based threats you should consider this advanced solution. The developer offers new users a 30-day free trial to examine efficiency which is great if you are looking to compare its performance with other software on this list.
Kaspersky has been very effective in detecting and warding off malware at a nearly 100% rate in all the tests conducted by industry experts. The reason why we recommend it for non-US users is because of the decision by the US Bureau of Industry And Security to classify Kaspersky as a national security threat due to its Russian ties. However, the safe browser capacity and advanced in-suite features make it a very good software.
Kaspersky is also quite affordable. In fact, we will go as far as to claim that it is one of the most affordable antivirus software for small businesses. The standard plan is $14.99 which offers real-time cover, online payment protection, and a two-way firewall. The most advanced plan is for $19.99 including extra features for identity protection and expert virus removal. Kaspersky only offers access to one device per plan.
Pros
- Subscription includes a password manager and VPN
- Advanced malware detection
- 30-day free trial
Cons
- Alleged Russian ties
Best Case Use:
- Kaspersky is ideal for Non-US users looking for a cheap but effective option.
3. Bitdefender Gravity Zone
Bit Defender is an entry-level software for endpoint protection. Bitdefender is a popular brand in the antivirus industry and Gravity Zone is their offering for enterprise-grade solutions. It uses AI-powered security to swiftly identify threats and block them before they gain entry into data assets. The automated patch management is also updated quickly to show new vulnerabilities as well as cross-endpoint correlation. Protecting multiple endpoints from attacks is what Gravity Zone does best.
Based on findings by Garner's Quadrant, Bitdefender is very flexible and adaptable in network-strained environments. This attribute makes it very ideal for EDR solutions. It covers legacy operating systems and is also flexible when adjusting to new systems and applications.
Gravity Zone is available at different prices depending on the option you go for. The lowest option is the Gravity Zone business premium and the most advanced package is the MDR Plus. In all the company offers four different plans all boasting different features.
Pros
- Demo version for testing
- Great user interface
- Robust options
- Flexible features
Cons
- The business premium plan has limited options
Best Case Use:
- Bitdefender Gravity Zone is ideal for small businesses with old hardware.
4. SentinelOne Singularity
Still on our review of the best antivirus software for small businesses is SentinelOne. This software is judged by many to be one of the best business antivirus in the world. It offers a wide range of features that provide comprehensive protection all around. SentinelOne had XDR, EDR and cloud-based NGAV. Overall, it caters to the needs of businesses of all sizes.
The developers placed a lot of emphasis on the lightweight features because they want even the most inexperienced user to enjoy its features. SentinelOne does not compromise as far as performance is concerned with a high score in the EPP Magic Quadrant report for 2023. The all encompassing subscription gives users access to EDR, XDR and the exclusive EPP tools.
There is also a guided onboarding feature and extra deployment services which aids businesses that are just starting to build their data security.
SentinelOne has seven different plans and each plan has different features and capabilities. To use SentinelOne for data security, be prepared to pay $69.99 for the basic plan and up to $209 for the advanced plan. We also advise that you consult their plan listings before making a final decision on the one to go for.
Pros
- Rapid threat response
- Advanced identity based threats
- Low impact on system resources
- All attack surface protection
Cons
- Not the best customer service
Best Case Use:
- Best all round business antivirus software
5. Microsoft Defender
Microsoft Defender or MDE is a top pick for enterprises that use Windows devices for their operation. It uses AI-powered systems for protection against cyberattacks, malware and other external intrusions. The simplified database makes it one of the easiest for day-to-day use.
It is very good for complex systems and structures, especially businesses that use a lot of data processing tools. Microsoft Defender will not obstruct your workflow or impact resource performance. You will enjoy this software if you use OneDrive, Outlook, PowerBI Pros, and other Microsoft products.
Pros
- Granular control feature
- Covers all Microsoft 365 bundles
- Seamless integration with other Microsoft products
Cons
- May not address all the needs of non-Microsoft devices.
Best Case Use:
- The best for Windows systems.
6. CrowdStrike Falcon Insight
If you want to tier security you should go for CrowdStrike Falcon Insight. This software is ideal for high priority devices and structures. Suffice to say that if you are looking for something extra to protect special assets then CrowdStrike can be used in conjunction with other software. It is widely praised for its EDR capacity as well as its AI-powered threat detection and intuitive features.
CrowdStrike has end-to-end automated capabilities that will arrive any other in the industry. Furthermore, it was lauded in the Forrester report for the fourth quarter of 2023 for being a very advanced malware detector. Even if hackers use malware cloaking this software will detect it in microseconds.
The pricing plans vary depending on user choice. There is Falcon Pro, Falcon Enterprise, and Falcon Elite all priced differently.
Pros
- Automated fusion and response
- AI-powered risk scoring
- The best endpoint security
- Covers all XDR requirements
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Involvement in a patent scandal has reduced trust
Best Case Use:
- Best for top-tier security.
7. Norton 360 Select With LifeLock
We all know about Norton 360 because it is one of the most popular antivirus software in the world but not many know of their enterprise-grade LifeLock system. This software is recommended for those who require dark web monitoring as a preventative measure or for businesses that handle sensitive customer data.
It offers multi device protection as well as VPN, safe browsing capabilities and more. Norton 360 LifeLock is compatible with Windows, Mac, And iOS systems with a bundled backup tool for online storage. There is a 60-day free trial period for testing.
Pros
- Premium identity theft protection
- Unlimited VPN
- All features for all price plans
Cons
- Unreliable VPN Off switch
- Lacks file shredder and encryption
Best Case Use:
- Ideal for businesses with multiple resources.
Conclusion
All the business antivirus that made our list are all too tier tools for data and system security. Consider your unique requirements before making a choice. Also try their free trial features to get a feel for the system before making the final decision.
FAQs
Q: What is an enterprise grade antivirus software?
A: This is software best suited for businesses that need extra security for data and device protection.
Q: Can enterprise grade software protect against malware and ransomware?
A: Yes, it can. It is designed to protect against obvious and stealth attacks that normal software may not detect.
