Antivirus for Businesses Compared: Which Solution Fits Your SME?
Choosing business antivirus is more complex than picking consumer software. You need central management, compliance reporting, and protection that scales. Here's an honest comparison of the leading solutions.
Business Antivirus Comparison
| Solution | Protection | Management | Price/device | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender for Business | Good | Easy (Intune) | Included in M365 | Microsoft 365 users |
| Bitdefender GravityZone | Excellent | Good | €3-5/mo | SMEs wanting value |
| ESET Protect | Excellent | Good | €4-6/mo | Technical teams |
| Sophos Intercept X | Excellent | Easy | €5-8/mo | Managed security |
| CrowdStrike Falcon | Best-in-class | Complex | €8-15/mo | Enterprise/high-risk |
Why Business Antivirus Differs from Consumer
Consumer antivirus protects one device. Business antivirus protects your entire organization:
Detailed Solution Breakdown
Microsoft Defender for Business
4/5The smart choice if you're already on Microsoft 365. Integrated with Intune for device management.
Pros
- Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium (no extra cost)
- Seamless integration with Windows and Microsoft ecosystem
- Easy management through Microsoft 365 admin center
- Good protection (top scores in independent tests)
- Built-in EDR capabilities
Cons
- Weaker on non-Windows platforms
- Requires Microsoft 365 licensing to be cost-effective
- Less advanced features than premium competitors
- Admin interface can be confusing
Bitdefender GravityZone
4.5/5Best value for independent SMEs. Excellent protection with reasonable pricing.
Pros
- Consistently top scores in AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives
- Excellent ransomware protection
- User-friendly cloud console
- Good cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Risk analytics included
- Flexible licensing (monthly/annual)
Cons
- Full EDR requires higher tier
- Some advanced features need additional modules
- Phone support requires premium plan
ESET Protect
4/5Solid choice for technical teams who want control without complexity.
Pros
- Low system resource usage
- Excellent malware detection rates
- Granular policy control
- Good Linux support
- On-premise or cloud management
- Strong anti-phishing
Cons
- Interface feels dated
- EDR is add-on cost
- Reporting could be more detailed
- Less intuitive for non-technical admins
Sophos Intercept X
4.5/5Great for businesses wanting managed security or easy administration.
Pros
- Excellent anti-ransomware (CryptoGuard)
- Easy-to-use Sophos Central console
- Strong managed detection and response (MDR) option
- Good integration with Sophos firewall
- Synchronized Security across products
- Responsive support
Cons
- Higher cost than Bitdefender/ESET
- Best value with other Sophos products
- Can be overkill for very small businesses
- Full features require complete package
CrowdStrike Falcon
5/5Best-in-class protection for high-risk environments. Premium pricing reflects premium capabilities.
Pros
- Industry-leading EDR/XDR capabilities
- Cloud-native, lightweight agent
- Exceptional threat intelligence
- Fast incident response
- Excellent visibility into threats
- 24/7 managed threat hunting available
Cons
- Premium pricing (€8-15/device/month)
- Complexity may overwhelm small IT teams
- Full value requires expertise or managed service
- Minimum seat requirements for some plans
EDR Explained: Do You Need It?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) goes beyond traditional antivirus:
Traditional Antivirus
Blocks known threats, basic protection, reactive
EDR
Detects unknown threats, investigates incidents, proactive hunting, forensics
EDR recommended when:
- Company with 10+ employees
- Processing sensitive data (healthcare, finance, legal)
- NIS2 essential or important entity
- Previous security incidents
- Remote workforce
- High-value target industry
Basic antivirus sufficient:
- Very small business (1-5 employees)
- No sensitive data processing
- Limited IT budget and expertise
- Low-risk industry
What Belgian SMEs Actually Need
Most Belgian SMEs are over-sold enterprise features they don't need:
Need: Basic business antivirus with central management
Recommendation: Microsoft Defender (if on M365) or Bitdefender Small Business
Need: Business antivirus + basic EDR + compliance reporting
Recommendation: Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security or Defender for Business
Need: Full EDR + managed detection option + NIS2 compliance
Recommendation: Bitdefender GravityZone with EDR or Sophos Intercept X
Need: Enterprise-grade EDR/XDR + managed security + incident response
Recommendation: CrowdStrike Falcon or Sophos MDR
Microsoft 365 Integration
If your company uses Microsoft 365, consider the security stack:
Free vs Paid Business Antivirus
Can free antivirus work for business? Here's the reality:
| Feature | Free (Windows Defender) | Paid Business |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus protection | Good | Excellent |
| Central management | No (requires Intune) | Yes |
| Multi-device dashboard | No | Yes |
| Compliance reporting | No | Yes |
| Business support | No | Yes |
| Policy enforcement | Manual per device | Centralized |
| EDR capabilities | No | Available |
| Remote deployment | No | Yes |
Free Windows Defender is decent protection, but without central management you can't ensure consistent security across your organization. For 1-3 devices you might manage manually; beyond that, paid solutions save time and provide visibility.
Our Recommendation
Based on typical Belgian SME needs:
Need Help Choosing?
Easy Cyber Protection can help you select and implement the right antivirus solution for your business size and risk profile. Get a free consultation to understand your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows Defender enough for business?
Windows Defender provides good protection, but without Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Intune, you lack central management. For solo or 1-2 person businesses, it can work. For larger teams, you need the business version (Defender for Business) or a third-party solution with central management.
Do I need EDR or just antivirus?
Traditional antivirus blocks known threats. EDR adds detection of unknown threats, investigation tools, and incident response. For 10+ employees, processing sensitive data, or NIS2 compliance, EDR is recommended. For smaller, low-risk businesses, basic business antivirus may suffice.
What's the difference between business and consumer antivirus?
Business antivirus includes central management (manage all devices from one console), compliance reporting, policy enforcement, and business support. Consumer antivirus protects individual devices but gives no organizational visibility or control.
How much should I pay per device?
Expect €3-5/device/month for basic business antivirus, €5-10 with EDR, and €10-15 for premium solutions with managed services. For a 10-device company, budget €30-100/month. If you're on Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Defender is included.
Can I manage antivirus centrally?
Yes, all business antivirus solutions include a central management console (cloud or on-premise). This lets you deploy protection, set policies, view threat reports, and manage all devices from one place. This is the main difference from consumer products.