The verdict
ESET takes it, 5–1 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, ESET takes 5 of 6 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Norton if…
- • You want Norton's edge on how much it blocks
Choose ESET if…
- • You want ESET's edge on how often it cries wolf and how much it slows your pc
Round by round
- Round 1How much it blocksNorton winsNorton8/10
99.3%
AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test, February to May 2026
Source: av-comparatives.org ↗
ESET5/1098.5%
AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test, February to May 2026
- 98.5%, against 99.3%
Source: av-comparatives.org ↗
Norton wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 2How often it cries wolfESET wins
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 3How much it slows your PCESET winsNorton5/10
5.3
AV-Comparatives Performance Test, April 2026
- 5.3, against 4.2
Source: av-comparatives.org ↗
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 4What reviewers sayESET winsNorton5/10
4.4 out of 5
average rating from 4,462 reviews on Capterra
- 4.4 out of 5, against 4.7 out of 5
Source: capterra.com ↗
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 5How easy it is to useESET winsNorton5/10
4.4 out of 5
ease-of-use rating from Capterra reviewers
- 4.4 out of 5, against 4.5 out of 5
Source: capterra.com ↗
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 6How reviewers rate its supportESET winsNorton5/10
4.2 out of 5
customer-service rating from Capterra reviewers
- 4.2 out of 5, against 4.4 out of 5
Source: capterra.com ↗
ESET wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
Side by side
- paid only
- 5.3, against 3.3
- 99.3%, against 99.5%
- 4.4 out of 5, against 4.6 out of 5
- 4.2 out of 5, against 4.5 out of 5
- 98.5%, against 99.3%
- 4.2, against 3.3
- 98.5%, against 99.5%
- 4.5 out of 5, against 4.6 out of 5