SFDIFY
The best antivirus software for small business depends mostly on what you already run. If your company pays for Microsoft 365, price Microsoft Defender for Business first, at $3.00 per user per month, paid yearly [1]. If you want a separate console for 1 to 100 devices, Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security was quoted at $227.49 for 10 devices for one year [2], and ESET PROTECT Core at $549.00 for 10 devices [3]. CrowdStrike Falcon Go, at $59.99 per device per year, suits teams that want a big-name platform with a simple per-device price [4].
Lists of the best antivirus software often focus on home products. A company also needs one view of every device and one policy for all of them, which is what business antivirus software adds.
How we chose
We compared six business products a small company is likely to shortlist, using each vendor's product and pricing pages and one AV-TEST results page, all read on November 8, 2026. We did not install or test the products ourselves. Consumer suites are out of scope; for a per-employee bundle like Norton Small Business, see our Bitdefender vs Norton for small business comparison. The order reflects how broadly each product fits a small company, not affiliate status. Several prices are promotions or default quantities, so confirm them at checkout.
Best antivirus software for small business compared
| Product | Best for | Starting price | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender for Business | Companies on Microsoft 365 | $3.00 per user/month, paid yearly [1] | Up to 300 users, five devices each [1] |
| Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security | Set-and-forget protection, 1 to 100 devices | $227.49 for 10 devices, 1 year (30% off $324.99) [2] | Ransomware mitigation included [2] |
| ESET PROTECT Core | Fleets with servers and phones | $549.00 for 10 devices, 1 year [3] | Covers computers, servers, mobiles and cloud VMs [3] |
| CrowdStrike Falcon Go | Teams that want monthly billing | $59.99 per device/year or $7.99 per device/month [4] | Capped at 100 devices [4] |
| Sophos Endpoint | Companies that buy through an IT partner | Quote only; "per-user pricing" [5] | 30-day free trial [6] |
| ThreatDown | Teams planning to add EDR or MDR | $345/year for 5 devices (Core) [7] | Published EDR and MDR prices [7] |
Microsoft Defender for Business — the default for Microsoft 365 shops
Microsoft Defender for Business is Microsoft's device security product for businesses with up to 300 users [1]. It is the natural first quote for Microsoft 365 users.
Verified features: Microsoft lists next-generation antivirus, AI-powered endpoint detection and response (EDR) with automatic attack disruption, vulnerability management, wizard-based onboarding and monthly security summary reports [1]. It covers Windows, macOS, iOS and Android [1]. In AV-TEST's August 2026 business test, Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Enterprise), whose capabilities Defender for Business includes, scored 6 out of 6 for protection, 5.5 for performance and 6 for usability [1, 8].
Pricing: $3.00 per user per month, paid yearly, on an annual subscription that auto-renews; up to 300 users and five devices per user, with no device minimum [1]. Microsoft 365 Business Premium, at $22.00 per user per month paid yearly, bundles Defender for Business with Intune P1, Entra ID multifactor authentication and Defender for Office 365 [1].
Strengths: At $36 per user per year for up to five devices, it is the cheapest published price here once each employee has two or more devices [1, 2, 3, 4, 7]. There is no new vendor to learn.
Limitations: Servers need the separate Defender for Business servers add-on [1]. The one-month free trial requires a credit card and converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel [1]. It makes less sense for a Google Workspace company with no other Microsoft tools.
Best fit: Microsoft 365 companies of up to 300 people.
Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security — set-and-forget for 1 to 100 devices
Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security is the entry package in Bitdefender's business line, built to protect small businesses without requiring cybersecurity staff [2]. It covers laptops, desktops and file servers, from 1 to 100 devices [2].
Verified features: Included modules are Advanced Threat, Ransomware Mitigation and Fileless Attack Protection [2]. Ransomware Mitigation blocks abnormal encryption and "restores files from backup copies to their original state" [2]. Mobile security, email security, patch management and full disk encryption are separate add-ons [2].
Pricing: The store's default quote was $227.49 for 10 devices for one year, shown as 30% off $324.99, taxes not included [2]. Web Access and Device Control and Network Attack Defense and Risk Management were $41.99 each on that quote [2]. GravityZone Business Security, which includes both of those modules, was $269.49 for 10 devices (30% off $384.99) [9]. It is sold online only and auto-renews unless you cancel [2].
Strengths: With one computer per person, the quote works out to about $22.75 per device per year, below the per-device prices ESET, CrowdStrike and ThreatDown list [2, 3, 4, 7]. It targets ransomware, phishing and fileless attacks without setup expertise [2].
Limitations: Device control, web access control and network attack defense cost extra on this tier, and phones need the mobile add-on [2]. The quote is a 30% promotional price, so check the renewal cost. The package page lists no EDR or managed response.
Best fit: Offices of up to 100 devices with no IT person and a tight first-year budget.
Try Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security
ESET PROTECT — broad device coverage with an MDR path
ESET PROTECT is ESET's business subscription line, sold in Core, Premium and Ultimate tiers [3].
Verified features: Core includes next-gen antivirus "for computers, servers, mobiles and cloud VMs," firewall, web and device control, and full disk encryption [3]. A Plus package adds email, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace protection, automated patching and multifactor authentication; Premium adds 24/7 managed detection and response (MDR) [3].
Pricing: On a one-year term, Core was $549.00 for 10 devices, or $713.00 with Plus; Premium was $1,030.00 for 10 devices [3].
Strengths: Servers and mobile devices are covered in the base tier, which matters if you run a file server or issue company phones [3].
Limitations: Core costs more than Bitdefender's entry quote for the same office, $549.00 versus $227.49 for 10 devices [2, 3]. Email protection and patching need the Plus package [3].
Best fit: Mixed fleets of PCs, servers and phones under one license.
CrowdStrike Falcon Go — big-platform protection, simple per-device price
CrowdStrike Falcon Go is the small-business entry bundle of CrowdStrike's Falcon platform [4].
Verified features: Falcon Go includes next-gen antivirus, USB device control, mobile protection for Android and iOS, and Express Support for installation questions [4].
Pricing: $59.99 per device billed annually or $7.99 per device billed monthly, limited to 100 devices [4]. On the pricing table, EDR is described only on Falcon Enterprise, at $184.99 per device per year [4]. There is a 15-day free trial [4].
Strengths: It is the only product here with a listed month-to-month price, so devices can come and go without an annual commitment [4]. Mobile protection is included, not an add-on [4].
Limitations: Ten devices on annual billing cost $599.90 a year, more than ESET Core or Bitdefender's quote for the same count [2, 3, 4]. EDR means moving to Enterprise, and the 100-device cap forces a plan change as you grow [4].
Best fit: Small teams that want a well-known platform, phone coverage and monthly billing.
Sophos Endpoint — partner-led buying with strong defaults
Sophos Endpoint is the pick here for companies that prefer to buy security through a sales quote or an IT partner.
Verified features: CryptoGuard blocks malicious encryption and "automatically reverts encrypted files to their original state" [6]. One agent covers Windows, macOS and Linux endpoints and servers [6]. In AV-TEST's August 2026 test, Sophos Intercept X Advanced 2026.2 scored 6 out of 6 for protection, 5.5 for performance and 6 for usability [8].
Pricing: Sophos does not list prices on its site. The buying page promises "simple, per-user pricing with no hidden extras" and routes you to a sales representative for pricing [5]. A free 30-day trial is available [6].
Strengths: More than 60 exploit mitigations are on by default for every running process, so there is little to tune for a company without a security specialist [6].
Limitations: Without a listed price, comparing cost means requesting a quote [5]. Buying through a partner adds a relationship to manage.
Best fit: Businesses whose IT provider will deploy and watch the console.
ThreatDown — antivirus now, EDR or MDR later
ThreatDown is a business endpoint platform that, per its homepage, was "born from the security lineage of Malwarebytes" [10]. It sells four bundles: Core, Advanced, Elite and Ultimate [7].
Verified features: Advanced EDR adds "built-in ransomware rollback," which restores files "up to 7 days after an attack"; Elite MDR adds 24/7 human-led threat monitoring and response [7].
Pricing: At the default of 5 devices for one year, Core was $345, Advanced EDR $395 and Elite MDR $495 a year, with 20% off 3-year terms [7].
Strengths: Every step from antivirus to EDR to managed response has a published price, so you can budget the upgrade path; Core to Advanced EDR is $50 more a year at 5 devices [7].
Limitations: The highest entry price per device here: $69 per device per year on Core at 5 devices [7]. The comparison table marks Server Protection and Mobile Security as add-ons for all four bundles [7].
Best fit: Small companies that expect to want EDR or managed response within a year from one vendor.
How to choose antivirus software for business
Start with what you already pay for. Microsoft 365 Business Premium already includes Defender for Business [1], so a second product mostly adds cost.
Count devices, not just people. Microsoft prices per user, covering up to five devices each [1]; Bitdefender, CrowdStrike and ThreatDown price per device [2, 4, 7].
Check servers and phones. Microsoft covers servers through an add-on [1], Bitdefender sells mobile protection separately [2], and ESET Core includes both [3].
Decide who watches alerts. EDR only helps if someone investigates. If nobody will, a managed tier such as ESET PROTECT Premium [3] or ThreatDown Elite MDR [7], or a partner-run product, may be the better spend.
Price year two. Bitdefender's quote is a 30% discount [2], and Microsoft's plan auto-renews [1].
Check who was tested. AV-TEST evaluated 16 endpoint products in July and August 2026, and of the six here only Microsoft's and Sophos's appear [8], so a missing name is not a failing grade.
Plan for AI tools. ESET Core lists "Protection for AI conversations and agents" [3]. If you are rolling out AI assistants, set usage rules alongside the rollout; our AI integration services build that governance in. Endpoint security also does nothing about staff details on people-search sites; see our Incogni alternatives roundup for that.
FAQ
What is the difference between business antivirus software and consumer antivirus?
Business products are managed centrally across every company device. Microsoft puts it plainly: Defender for Business "is a security solution for businesses," while Defender for individuals and families is a protection app for the home [1].
How much does antivirus software for small business cost?
On the pages checked: Microsoft Defender for Business was $3.00 per user per month, paid yearly [1]; Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security $227.49 for 10 devices for one year [2]; ESET PROTECT Core $549.00 for 10 devices [3]; CrowdStrike Falcon Go $59.99 per device per year [4]; ThreatDown Core $345 a year for 5 devices [7]. Sophos quotes through sales [5].
Is Microsoft Defender Antivirus, built into Windows, enough for a business?
Defender Antivirus is built into Windows and protects against viruses, malware and potentially unwanted applications [1]. Defender for Business includes it and adds vulnerability management, attack surface reduction, EDR and automated investigation and response [1]. For a company, central management and EDR are the main reasons to pay.
Do small businesses need EDR or MDR on top of antivirus?
It depends on who will respond. Defender for Business includes EDR [1]. For people watching alerts around the clock, ESET PROTECT Premium adds 24/7 MDR at $1,030.00 for 10 devices [3], and ThreatDown Elite MDR was $495 a year for 5 devices [7].
Our recommendation
On Microsoft 365, start with Defender for Business, or Business Premium if you also need device management [1]. Otherwise, Bitdefender GravityZone Small Business Security had the lowest published first-year price here for a 10-computer office, with the caveats that it is a promotional price and several controls are add-ons [2]. Choose ESET PROTECT when servers and phones must be covered from day one [3], CrowdStrike Falcon Go for monthly billing [4], and ThreatDown when you know you will want managed response [7].
Sources
- Microsoft Defender for Business | Microsoft Security — checked 2026-11-08
- GravityZone Small Business Security - Bitdefender — checked 2026-11-08
- Business Cybersecurity Pricing & Plans | ESET — checked 2026-11-08
- CrowdStrike Falcon Go | Antivirus | CrowdStrike — checked 2026-11-08
- Buy Sophos Endpoint - Advanced, XDR, or MDR Complete — checked 2026-11-08
- Sophos Endpoint - AI-powered Endpoint Security — checked 2026-11-08
- Transparent Pricing for All-in-One Endpoint | ThreatDown — checked 2026-11-08
- Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026 | AV-TEST — checked 2026-11-08
- Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security - SMB Cybersecurity — checked 2026-11-08
- ThreatDown All-in-One Endpoint Security — checked 2026-11-08
