Cybersecurity threats have become one of the biggest concerns for companies of all sizes. These security threats are often more difficult to detect than in the past, creating a much more difficult task for OpSec engineers seeking remediation solutions.
SEE: Ten myths about cybersecurity that you should not believe (TechRepublic Premium)
Two powerful endpoint detection and response tools that are being deployed around the world are Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business and Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security. Both EDR software solutions provide robust threat detection, removal and management tools. Next, we'll look at what Kaspersky and Bitdefender have in common and where each product outperforms the other.
- bitdefender: Best for larger organizations that have in-house SecOps engineers capable of maximizing Bitdefender's advanced security features.
- Kaspersky: Best for small and medium-sized businesses, given its easier-to-use interface and convenient automations.
ESET PROTECT Advanced
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Any size of company
Any size of company
Characteristics
Advanced threat defense, full disk encryption, modern endpoint protection, and more
Safety in Heimdal
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Small (50-249 employees), Medium (250-999 employees), Large (1000-4999 employees), Enterprise (5000+ employees)
Small, medium, large, company
Characteristics
Antivirus, Monitoring, Patch Management
ManageEngine Desktop Central
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Any size of company
Any size of company
Characteristics
Activity monitoring, antivirus, dashboard and more
SEE: Mobile device security policy (TechRepublic Premium)
Kaspersky vs. Bitdefender: Feature Comparison
| Characteristic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard console | ||
| Local, cloud and hybrid console | ||
| Lock mode | ||
| automatic litter box | ||
| Automatic IoC detection and correction | ||
| Machine learning detection | ||
| Free Trial | ||
| starting price | ||
Bitdefender and Kaspersky EDR pricing
Bitdefender Pricing
Pricing for Bitdefender's GravityZone platform will depend on which of the four security packages you choose: Security for small businesses, Business security, Business Security Premium and Enterprise security company.
SEE: Bitdefender vs McAfee: Compare EDR software (TechRepublic)
Fortunately, Bitdefender provides an online portal where you can enter the desired number of protected devices and contract duration. Once these details are entered, the portal will provide an estimated price of your subscription.
Here's a quick table comparing prices between packages:
| 5 devices (1 year) | 10 devices (1 year) | 25 devices (1 year) | Feature differences | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security for small businesses | $104.99 | $199.49 | $465.49 | Protecting endpoints from ransomware, phishing, and web-based attacks |
| Business security | $129.49 | $258.99 | $573.99 | All the features of Small Business Security, plus network-based attack protection and device control |
| Business Security Premium | $286.99 | $570.49 | $1256.49 | All Business Security features, plus tunable machine learning and sandbox analyzer |
Kaspersky pricing
Kaspersky Endpoint Security subscriptions are divided into three: Business Select, Business Advanced and Total Security for Business.
Here's an overview of pricing:
| Business selection | Advanced Business | Total security for companies | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $539 | $995 | Contact authorized Kaspersky partners for selected pricing |
| Devices | 10 | 10 | Contact Kaspersky |
| Contract period | 1 year | 1 year | Contact Kaspersky |
| Feature differences | Basic EDR functionality | All Business Select features and advanced automations | All Business Advanced features and anti-spam protection |
Like Bitdefender, Kaspersky also offers an affordable free trial of its Endpoint Security software.
Head to Head Comparison: Bitdefender vs. Kaspersky
Dashboard control console
Both Kaspersky and Bitdefender offer detailed dashboard consoles to access all the features and settings of both tools. Kaspersky Endpoint Security uses Kaspersky Security Center. This dashboard view is a favorite among users for its simplicity and easy-to-learn interface and layout. It's best for smaller businesses or those that don't have the dedicated staff to manage more complex tools.
SEE: McAfee vs Kaspersky: Compare EDR software (TechRepublic)
Bitdefender GravityZone also offers a dashboard console, but it's definitely more complicated than Kaspersky's offering, and users often feel it's one of the software's low points. It's very capable, but it has a steep learning curve and isn't intuitive or easy to figure out at first glance. For this reason, it is best suited for larger companies that have staff dedicated to discovering its nuances.
Deployment
Both options are SaaS tools and are relatively easy to implement, but users report that Bitdefender is the easier of the two in this regard. Despite being easier to use once deployed, Kaspersky is a bit slower to deploy in most situations, according to many SecOps engineers who have experience with both.
Bitdefender has the most features available out of the box, while Kaspersky has a slightly more feature-rich model with tiered modules and pricing for different features. This can make it difficult for smaller businesses to determine exactly what they need to configure for a new installation.
Detection and remediation
Kaspersky allows users to set parameters and automated actions that will be carried out in response to various detections and other threats. This can alleviate much of the workload for staff who may not have dedicated teams or want to optimize their efforts.
Bitdefender doesn't offer the same level of automation, but it does offer vulnerability management, which can examine network trends and history to detect weaknesses. This can help speed up tasks associated with cybersecurity audits and threat management.
Antivirus offers
It is important to recognize that both Bitdefender and Kaspersky offer some of the best antivirus solutions available today. As businesses choose which EDR solution they prefer, taking stock of antivirus products from both vendors should also be part of the purchasing decision.
This is especially true because having EDR and antivirus solutions can provide a more robust, multi-faceted approach to your company's overall security. You also save time by not having to contact another vendor for a separate security solution.
With that in mind, here's a quick comparison between Bitdefender and Kaspersky antivirus or AV solutions:
| Protection against threats and malware in real time | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| Built-in firewall | ||
| Impact on machine performance | ||
| Featured security inclusions (varies by plan) | ||
| Main disadvantage | ||
| Free version | ||
Should your organization use Kaspersky or Bitdefender?
Both EDR options are well-tested and very capable for businesses of almost any size. They detect a wide range of threats and offer dynamic options to quickly address them.
The differences are mainly in the user interface between the two, with Kaspersky clearly leaning towards small and medium-sized businesses without dedicated staff needed to fully manage the software. Its automation tools also help work towards this simpler approach to EDR management.
Bitdefender, on the other hand, is much more comfortable in the hands of dedicated SecOps engineers, where you can take full advantage of the slightly more difficult interface and advanced features.
Methodology
My comparison between Bitdefender and Kaspersky EDR solutions involved a detailed evaluation of each product's security offerings, cost, and standout features.
In particular, I evaluated the EDR capabilities of both vendors, such as threat detection and remediation, dashboard and control console, and ease of deployment, among others. This was done through in-depth research into the official documentation and included features of both products.
Additionally, I also consulted reviews from real users found on reputable review sites as a means to round out the pros and cons of both EDR solutions.
