How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- The cheapest serious endpoint protection is Bitdefender GravityZone (about $22.75/device/year on promo) and Webroot ($30/device/year).
- Norton Small Business ($59.99 first year for 3 employees) is the simplest bundle for tiny teams with no IT staff, but renewals roughly double.
- ESET PROTECT Entry ($211/year for 5 devices) is the lightweight pick; ThreatDown starts at $345/year for 5 endpoints.
- Kaspersky Small Office Security is included with a warning: US sales were banned in 2024, so US buyers should not purchase it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does antivirus software for small business cost?
From about $60 to $350 per year for a tiny team. Norton Small Business starts at $59.99 for the first year (3 employees). Trend Micro Worry-Free starts around $119.74/year for 2 seats. ESET PROTECT Entry is $211/year for 5 devices. Bitdefender runs about $227/year for 10 devices on promo. ThreatDown starts at $345/year for 5 endpoints. Per-device pricing generally falls with volume and multi-year terms.
Do I need business antivirus if I have Windows Defender?
Windows Defender (now Microsoft Defender) covers the basics on Windows, but business tools add what a team needs: a central console to manage every device, ransomware rollback, anti-phishing, device control and reporting. If you have more than a couple of computers or handle customer data, the management console alone justifies the spend.
What is the difference between antivirus and EDR?
Traditional antivirus blocks known malware by signatures and heuristics. EDR (endpoint detection and response) watches behavior, investigates suspicious activity and responds to incidents. Entry tiers on this list (Bitdefender Small Business, ESET Entry) are antivirus-first; EDR appears in higher tiers (Sophos Intercept X with XDR, ThreatDown Advanced and up).
Is Kaspersky safe to use in the US?
The US government banned Kaspersky product sales in 2024 and the company wound down US operations, so new US purchases may be unavailable. It is included in this list only so you know why to skip it, not as a buy recommendation for US readers. US small businesses should choose from the other eight tools.
How many devices does each employee need covered?
Most per-device plans count every endpoint: laptop, desktop and sometimes phone separately. A 5-person team with a laptop each needs 5 licenses; add phones and it doubles. Per-user plans (Sophos, Trend Micro) cover all of one person's devices under one license, which is cheaper for multi-device staff. Norton's bundles include 2 devices per employee.
Should I buy direct or through a partner?
Bitdefender, Norton, ESET, Webroot, Avast and Trend Micro all sell direct online with published prices. Sophos sells quote-only through partners, which slows comparison shopping but can yield better pricing at 50-plus seats. For under 25 devices, buy direct and skip the partner conversation.
The best antivirus software
Ransomware does not care that you have nine employees. Small businesses get hit because they are softer targets: no IT staff, no central console, and one unpatched laptop with access to everything. Business antivirus is not consumer antivirus with a new label; it is endpoint protection with a management console, ransomware rollback and policies you can push to every device at once. These nine cover the real SMB market, with the renewal pricing nobody puts in the headline.
#1
Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security
Best for: 3 to 100 devices wanting enterprise-grade detection at the lowest per-device cost
Visit bitdefender.com
Starting priceAbout $22.75/device/year (10 devices at $227.49/year with current 30% promo; list $324.99/year)
Free planNo (free 30-day trial)
Bitdefender brings enterprise-grade detection, machine learning, behavior analysis and fileless-attack defense, to small business at the lowest per-device cost in this group. The GravityZone cloud console manages Windows, Mac and Linux endpoints plus servers, with ransomware rollback of encrypted files. Self-service online purchase covers up to 100 endpoints.
The honest catch is promo pricing: budget for the higher list price from year two onward, roughly 43 percent above the promo. Pricing is strictly per device per year, so a 10-person shop with one PC each pays the full 10-device price. Multi-year terms reduce the per-device cost further. If you want the strongest detection per dollar and can live without EDR, this is the value leader.
What we like- Lowest per-device price among serious endpoint platforms, with volume and multi-year discounts
- Cloud console centralizes policies with no on-prem server
- Ransomware mitigation with file restoration plus anti-phishing and anti-exploit
Watch out for- First-year promo price jumps at renewal (roughly 43% to list price)
- Entry tier lacks EDR, with advanced features as add-ons
#2
Norton Small Business
Best for: Businesses with 3 to 10 employees and no IT staff
Visit us.norton.com
Starting price$59.99 first year for up to 3 employees (renews at $119.99/year)
Free planNo (7-day free trial, payment method required)
Norton Small Business is the all-in-one bundle: antivirus, secure browser, password manager, software updater, PC cleaner and 250 GB of cloud backup at a low entry price. Up to 5 employees runs $99.99 the first year (renews $179.99); up to 10 is $149.99 (renews $249.99). Mac support is included, and Premium plans add round-the-clock tech support.
The renewal jump is the whole story: $59.99 becomes $119.99, so calculate the 3-year total before buying. There is no traditional central admin console for pushing policies; it is managed through the Norton account portal, which suits owners but frustrates IT admins. For a 5-person shop with no technical staff that wants one bundle covering everything, the simplicity wins. For anyone needing policy control, look at Bitdefender or ESET.
What we like- Flat per-employee bundles covering 2 devices per employee, simple math for tiny teams
- Extras small firms use are included: password manager, 250 GB cloud backup, dark web monitoring
- Premium tier adds 24/7 business tech support with virus-removal help
Watch out for- Renewal prices are roughly double the first-year promo rates
- Management portal is built for owners, not IT admins, with no granular endpoint policies
#3
ESET PROTECT Entry
Best for: 5 to 100 devices wanting a quiet, low-resource agent
Visit eset.com
Starting price$211/year for 5 devices (PROTECT Entry; per-device price drops with volume)
Free planNo (free 30-day trial)
ESET's reputation is the agent nobody notices: consistently low system impact while covering Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile, managed through the ESET PROTECT cloud console with policy-based device groups. Entry at $211 per year for 5 devices is competitive, and the per-device price falls as device count rises.
The catches are transparency and ceiling. ESET does not publish a flat price list, so you run the store calculator or talk to a partner, and meaningful detection upgrades (including EDR and incident investigation) sit in the Advanced and Complete tiers. Ransomware defense includes behavior blocking, with remediation stronger higher up. For older machines or teams that hate sluggish security software, the lightweight agent is the argument.
What we like- Lightweight agent with consistently low system impact
- Cloud console manages up to 100 devices self-service online
- Covers Windows, Mac, Linux and mobile in one subscription
Watch out for- Entry tier has no EDR
- No fixed published per-device price, so quotes vary
#4
Sophos Intercept X
Best for: 10 to 300 users wanting detection plus response, not just antivirus
Visit sophos.com
Starting priceSee website (quote-only through Sophos partners)
Free planNo (free trial available)
Sophos Intercept X is a step above antivirus: deep learning plus behavioral CryptoGuard that rolls back encrypted files, with optional XDR and fully managed MDR tiers that grow with the business without changing agents. One Sophos Central cloud console covers Windows, Mac and Linux endpoints, plus firewall and email if you use other Sophos products.
Everything is quote-only through partners, which slows comparison shopping; third-party listings cite roughly $28 per user per year on a 3-year term, but treat that as guidance, not a price. Pricing is per user per year, not per device, which can be cheaper when staff use multiple devices. For a 20-person company that wants real response capability and can handle the console, this is the strongest protection on the list.
What we like- Deep-learning malware detection plus CryptoGuard ransomware rollback
- One Sophos Central console manages endpoint, firewall and email
- Optional XDR and fully managed MDR tiers grow with the business
Watch out for- No public pricing, so every quote comes through a partner
- Console and policy setup have a real learning curve for non-technical owners
#5
ThreatDown (Malwarebytes)
Best for: 5 to 99 endpoints wanting simple purchasing without a partner
Visit threatdown.com
Starting price$345/year minimum (Core bundle, 5 endpoints, about $69/endpoint/year)
Free planNo (free trial available)
ThreatDown is Malwarebytes for Business renamed, and the bundle logic survived: Core at $345 per year covers 5 endpoints with next-gen AV, device control, vulnerability assessment and incident response included. Advanced ($395), Elite ($495) and Ultimate ($595) per endpoint per year add depth. It works alongside other security products without conflicts, which matters for layered setups.
The minimums are the catch: 5 endpoints minimum means a 2-device shop still pays $345 per year, and servers plus mobile are add-ons, not included. Ransomware rollback sits in higher tiers. Mac is supported on business plans. For a 10-endpoint office that wants incident response bundled at a flat per-endpoint price with no partner involved, the Core tier is straightforward value.
What we like- Simple bundles with incident response included even at the entry tier
- Strong reputation for catching threats other tools miss
- Cloud console setup with no on-prem infrastructure
Watch out for- The rebrand from Malwarebytes for Business confuses buyers searching the old name
- Server and mobile protection are paid add-ons
#6
Avast Business Antivirus
Best for: 10 to 200 devices wanting simple online buying with tiered pricing
Visit avast.com
Starting priceAbout $37/device/year (Essential, per third-party pricing data; promos from $29.59)
Free planNo (free 30-day trial; 30-day money-back guarantee)
Avast Business sells the straightforward way: pick a device count from 1 to 200 online, pick a tier, check out. Essential runs about $37 per device per year in third-party pricing data (promos lower), Premium about $37.59, Ultimate $45.59, with first-year discounts up to 20 percent. The cloud hub manages policy groups across tiers, and ransomware protection sits in the engine throughout.
The tier ladder decides the real price: VPN, webcam shield and password protection live only in Ultimate, so the features small businesses often want cost more than the Essential headline. Mac is supported on business editions. For a 15-device office that wants to buy online in ten minutes and scale tiers without reinstalling, the model is refreshingly simple.
What we like- Self-service online purchase with per-device pricing that drops with volume
- Centralized cloud management hub included in all tiers
- Three clear tiers let small shops start cheap and upgrade without reinstalling
Watch out for- Small-business plans are awkward for teams under 10 devices in some structures
- Useful extras (VPN, webcam shield, password protection) are gated to Ultimate
#7
Webroot Business Endpoint Protection
Best for: 5 to 250 endpoints, especially shops with older or low-spec Windows PCs
Visit webroot.com
Starting price$30/device/year (up to 9 endpoints; $27.60 for 10-plus)
Free planNo (free 30-day trial)
Webroot's whole pitch is lightness: a cloud-based agent that barely touches system resources and scans in minutes, deployed in seconds across the fleet. At $30 per device per year ($27.60 at 10-plus with volume discounts continuing up), the math is simple for any SMB, managed through a web console with policy and group controls.
The gaps are coverage, not protection: no Linux and no mobile clients, which rules out mixed-device shops, and the security reports are thin next to Bitdefender or Sophos. Ransomware protection exists but is not the headline. Mac is supported. For a Windows-only office on aging hardware where every CPU cycle counts, Webroot is the lightest way to stay protected.
What we like- Extremely lightweight cloud agent with fast scans and a tiny footprint
- Among the cheapest per-device prices in the category
- Deploys in seconds with MSI-based remote deployment
Watch out for- No Linux or mobile device support
- Threat reporting is thin compared with pricier rivals
#8
Kaspersky Small Office Security
Best for: Small offices outside the US only (5-25 users, no IT staff)
Visit kaspersky.com
Starting priceSee website (not available for new US purchases; third-party listings around $190/year first year)
Free planNo (free 30-day trial where available)
This entry is a warning, not a recommendation. Kaspersky Small Office Security is a capable bundle: endpoint AV, file server protection, mobile coverage, password manager and backup in a single easy console, sold in preset license packages. For a non-US small office with no IT staff, the all-in-one simplicity has genuine merit.
For US readers, the 2024 Commerce Department sales ban and the wind-down of US operations mean new purchases may be unavailable, and businesses should not build their security stack on a vendor exiting the market. Do not buy this in the US until availability is confirmed. Everyone reading this list from the States should choose from the other eight tools.
What we like- Designed for non-technical owners with a consumer-style interface and cloud console
- One bundle covers PCs, Macs, mobile, a file server, password manager and backup
- Strong Safe Money module for online banking protection
Watch out for- US government banned Kaspersky sales in 2024 and the company wound down US operations
- Pricier than several rivals for similar coverage
#9
Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security
Best for: Companies with up to 250 devices wanting hosted simplicity
Visit trendmicro.com
Starting priceFrom $119.74/year for 2 seats (about $60/user/year)
Free planNo (free trial available)
Trend Micro's Worry-Free line is the flexible-license pick: one per-user seat covers whichever device type the user has, a workstation, a server or a mobile device, which suits mixed setups better than strict per-device plans. Pricing starts at $119.74 per year for 2 seats (about $60 per user per year), falling with more seats and longer terms; 2 seats is the minimum purchase.
The standout extra is data-loss prevention with preconfigured rules for sensitive data types, unusual at this price. Ransomware protection uses machine learning plus behavior monitoring with rollback. The skew is Windows-first: Mac gets less, Linux gets nothing, and new admins find the interface unintuitive. For a 10-user mixed-device office, the per-user math (roughly $50 per user per year at 40 seats) beats per-device plans.
What we like- One per-user license covers a workstation, server or mobile device, flexible for mixed setups
- Built-in data-loss prevention with preconfigured rules
- Hosted cloud portal with zero server maintenance
Watch out for- Many advanced features are Windows-only and Linux is not supported
- Interface frequently described as unintuitive for new admins
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
| Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security | 3 to 100 devices wanting enterprise-grade detection at the lowest per-device cost | About $22.75/device/year (10 devices at $227.49/year with current 30% promo; list $324.99/year) | No (free 30-day trial) |
| Norton Small Business | Businesses with 3 to 10 employees and no IT staff | $59.99 first year for up to 3 employees (renews at $119.99/year) | No (7-day free trial, payment method required) |
| ESET PROTECT Entry | 5 to 100 devices wanting a quiet, low-resource agent | $211/year for 5 devices (PROTECT Entry; per-device price drops with volume) | No (free 30-day trial) |
| Sophos Intercept X | 10 to 300 users wanting detection plus response, not just antivirus | See website (quote-only through Sophos partners) | No (free trial available) |
| ThreatDown (Malwarebytes) | 5 to 99 endpoints wanting simple purchasing without a partner | $345/year minimum (Core bundle, 5 endpoints, about $69/endpoint/year) | No (free trial available) |
| Avast Business Antivirus | 10 to 200 devices wanting simple online buying with tiered pricing | About $37/device/year (Essential, per third-party pricing data; promos from $29.59) | No (free 30-day trial; 30-day money-back guarantee) |
| Webroot Business Endpoint Protection | 5 to 250 endpoints, especially shops with older or low-spec Windows PCs | $30/device/year (up to 9 endpoints; $27.60 for 10-plus) | No (free 30-day trial) |
| Kaspersky Small Office Security | Small offices outside the US only (5-25 users, no IT staff) | See website (not available for new US purchases; third-party listings around $190/year first year) | No (free 30-day trial where available) |
| Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security | Companies with up to 250 devices wanting hosted simplicity | From $119.74/year for 2 seats (about $60/user/year) | No (free trial available) |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The renewal trap: price year three, not year one
Almost every price on this list is a first-year promo. Norton doubles at renewal ($59.99 to $119.99). Bitdefender jumps about 43 percent to list. Avast discounts up to 20 percent the first year. Kaspersky renews near $238 after a $190 first year.
Before you buy, calculate the 3-year total: promo year one plus two renewal years. A $59.99 Norton plan costs about $300 over three years, not $180. Multi-year terms usually lock lower per-device rates (Bitdefender, Trend Micro, Sophos's 3-year partner pricing), which is the honest way to buy if you plan to stay. The cheapest year-one quote is marketing; the renewal price is the product.
Per-device vs. per-user: count endpoints honestly
Per-device plans (Bitdefender, ESET, Webroot, Avast, ThreatDown) charge for every endpoint: a 5-person team with laptops and phones needs 10 licenses. Per-user plans (Sophos, Trend Micro) cover all of one person's devices under one license. Norton bundles 2 devices per employee.
Count endpoints before the demo, not employees. Five people with a laptop and a phone each is 10 endpoints on per-device math but 5 seats on per-user math. At Bitdefender's promo rate, 10 endpoints run about $227 per year; on Trend Micro per-user, 5 users run about $300. The cheaper model depends entirely on your device-to-person ratio.
How we chose
We started with the categories buyers search: antivirus software, top antivirus software and endpoint protection for small business. For each candidate we opened the vendor's own pricing page, checked plan names and prices against public reviews on G2 and Capterra and practitioner discussion on Reddit, and compared feature lists, detection depth, management consoles, platform coverage and team-size fit. Where a price could not be verified on the vendor's page we wrote "See website" rather than guessing. We included Kaspersky only to disclose its US sales ban, not as a buy recommendation.
Sources we checked (11)
- https://www.bitdefender.com/business/small-business-security/
- https://us.norton.com/products/small-business
- https://www.eset.com/us/business/small-and-medium/
- https://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/endpoint-antivirus
- https://www.threatdown.com/pricing/
- https://www.avast.com/business
- https://www.webroot.com/us/en/business
- https://www.kaspersky.com/small-office-security
- https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/business/products/user-protection.html
- https://www.g2.com/categories/endpoint-protection
- https://www.capterra.com/endpoint-protection-software/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.