Advanced or Complete: the dilemma for those who already know Entry falls short
If you are reading this, you have likely already decided that you want more than a basic antivirus: laptop encryption, analysis of suspicious files before they reach your devices, and protection for mobile phones. Both ESET PROTECT Advanced and ESET PROTECT Complete offer this.
The question is whether it is worth paying about €10 more per endpoint per year for Complete. The short answer: if your company uses Microsoft 365, almost always yes. If not, it depends on two factors we explain here.
What they have in common
Both plans share the entire protection base:
- Protection for Windows, macOS, and Linux computers
- File server protection
- 2 Android or iOS mobile devices included per license
- Cloud or on-premises administration console at no additional cost
- ESET LiveGuard Advanced, the cloud sandbox that analyzes unknown files
- Full disk encryption, managed from the same console
What does Complete add compared to Advanced?
- Microsoft 365 protection (ESET Cloud Office Security): filters spam, phishing, and malware from Exchange Online email, and analyzes files in OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. For every Complete license, you get 1.2 licenses for Microsoft 365.
- Mail server security: if you still have your own mail server, it protects it before messages reach the mailboxes.
- Vulnerability and patch management: detects outdated programs and operating systems on each device and allows installing patches from the console.
Comparative table: Advanced vs Complete
| Feature | ESET PROTECT Advanced | ESET PROTECT Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Endpoint protection (Windows, Mac, Linux) | ✅ | ✅ |
| File server security | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android / iOS mobile devices | ✅ 2 per license | ✅ 2 per license |
| Administration console (cloud + on-premises) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud sandbox (LiveGuard Advanced) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Full disk encryption | ✅ | ✅ |
| Microsoft 365 protection (email, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams) | ❌ | ✅ 1.2 per license |
| Mail server security | ❌ | ✅ |
| Vulnerability and patch management | ❌ | ✅ |
| Price, for 5 to 10 endpoints | 48,17 €/endpoint/year | 59,28 €/endpoint/year |
| Price, for 11 to 25 endpoints | 41,04 €/endpoint/year | 50,45 €/endpoint/year |
| Price, for 26 to 49 endpoints | 36,20 €/endpoint/year | 44,56 €/endpoint/year |
| Buy Advanced | Buy Complete |
Annual license prices, excluding VAT.
When to choose ESET PROTECT Complete?
- You use Microsoft 365. Email is the entry point for most attacks, and Complete protects it without needing to contract anything else.
- No one is responsible for updating software on each device. Patch management handles this from the console and tells you which devices have pending security flaws.
- You have your own mail server.
- You want all security in a single product and a single invoice.
Ideal company example for Complete: an accounting firm with 20 people using Microsoft 365, laptops that leave the office, and no in-house IT staff.
When is ESET PROTECT Advanced sufficient?
- You do not use Microsoft 365, or email is already protected by another service.
- You already have a tool for patches, or an IT professional keeping them up to date.
- What concerns you are the laptops and the data they carry: encryption and sandboxing are already included in Advanced.
Ideal company example for Advanced: an engineering studio with 15 people using Google Workspace for email and laptops containing client projects.
Price difference: what is it really?
For a company with 20 seats, Advanced costs 41,04 € and Complete 50,45 € per seat and year: 9,41 € more per seat, totaling about 188 € per year.
In exchange, with those 20 Complete licenses you protect up to 24 Microsoft 365 users and have patch management for all devices. Contracting these two services separately costs significantly more than that difference.
Migrating from another antivirus? Get a 25% discount
If your current antivirus is still active, ESET offers a 25% migration discount for both Advanced and Complete, applicable to as many licenses as you currently hold. Calculate your price with the discount and request a firm quote.
Unsure between Entry and Advanced? Read the comparison of ESET PROTECT Entry vs Advanced.
Frequently asked questions about ESET PROTECT Advanced and Complete
Can I start with ESET PROTECT Advanced and switch to Complete later?
Yes. You can change tiers at any time: we manage the upgrade to Complete, and you only pay the difference for the remaining time on your license.
How many Microsoft 365 mailboxes does ESET PROTECT Complete cover?
For every ESET PROTECT Complete license, you get 1.2 protection licenses for Microsoft 365. With 20 Complete licenses, up to 24 Microsoft 365 users are protected.
Are mobile devices included in Advanced and Complete?
Yes, in both. Each license includes 2 Android or iOS mobile devices at no additional cost.
If I don’t use Microsoft 365, is ESET PROTECT Complete worth it?
Only if you want vulnerability and patch management or have your own mail server to protect. Otherwise, ESET PROTECT Advanced provides the same device protection for less money.
Can I try ESET PROTECT Complete before buying?
Yes. ESET offers a free 30-day trial. As authorized distributors, we activate the trial and support you throughout the evaluation period.
Is there a discount if I’m migrating from another antivirus?
Yes. If your current antivirus is still active, ESET offers a 25% migration discount for both Advanced and Complete, applicable to as many licenses as you currently hold. Calculate your price and request it here.
Not sure which one suits you? Contact us or call us at 93 157 42 38: advice is free and without obligation.
