We compared Microsoft BitLocker and ESET Endpoint Encryption across several parameters based on our user's reviews. After reading the collected data, you can find our conclusion below:
Microsoft BitLocker is preferred over ESET Endpoint Encryption due to its seamless integration with Windows operating systems, user-friendly interface, and robust encryption capabilities. Users appreciate the peace of mind provided by BitLocker's encryption and its ability to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. Additionally, Microsoft BitLocker's customer service and support have been praised for their helpfulness and responsiveness. While ESET Endpoint Encryption also received positive feedback, Microsoft BitLocker's integration and ease of use make it the preferred choice.
"The product is easy to implement and configure."
"The Remote Administrator is the most valuable feature that ESET offers for us. Centralized management of our ESET environment is what I like about the Remote Administrator."
"The usability is the most valuable feature."
"The initial setup is easy."
"It is very secure and we have finally decided to use this after a thorough check. The interface is easy to navigate."
"The most valuable feature of ESET Endpoint Encryption is the high level of encryption protection."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption works as an antivirus system."
"The setup is getting easier."
"BitLocker is completely stable."
"There's a lot of manageability within the solution. This is very helpful."
"Feature-wise we have the ability to encrypt fast."
"The most valuable feature is the authentication process which is very fast."
"The solution is included in Windows 11."
"The hard drive encryption is very good."
"While it helps mitigate unauthorized data access by enhancing file and system protection through encryption, the tool is really enhanced with the combination of other Microsoft Security and Compliance features like data labeling."
"It holds significant value as it reduces the need for extensive IT management to handle security across networks and environments"
"If you have issues with your network, you can't get updates, which is a problem."
"There could be an option for users to restart the system without a password."
"I would like to see better compatibility with mobile devices."
"I would like more robust reporting as part of the Remote Administrator."
"The solution should have better synchronization with active directory users and passwords for use in the encryption."
"ESET Endpoint Encryption needs to improve pricing and security."
"Integration with central management needs improvement."
"The initial setup could be made easier."
"I often have to make multiple attempts to log in."
"There is room for improvement in stability."
"The biggest one for us is revoking access. So, even though someone downloads something to a device, we want the ability to cloak that device or data and bring it back or make that data unusable for that person. Currently, BitLocker doesn't give us that ability. It basically encrypts it. We're seeing if identity management or IAM allows us to do that. We're kind of looking at third-party software that does that for us."
"In future releases, I would like to see a feature where I can have a view of each device that has BitLocker to see if these machines are encrypted or not. So, I just want a view or a dashboard that can tell us so that I can remediate and add BitLocker to those systems or devices."
"The primary aspect for improvement lies in expanding our developer base, which would accelerate the development process and bring these enhancements to fruition"
"We recently found some stability issues with Microsoft BitLocker."
"I would like to see improvement in the solution's central management of passwords. Currently, we install it separately."
"The initial setup is complex."
ESET Endpoint Encryption is ranked 6th in Endpoint Encryption with 12 reviews while Microsoft BitLocker is ranked 1st in Endpoint Encryption with 61 reviews. ESET Endpoint Encryption is rated 8.4, while Microsoft BitLocker is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of ESET Endpoint Encryption writes "A reasonably priced solution that is an easy-to-use and effective at the same time". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Microsoft BitLocker writes "User-friendly, easy to set up, and offers real-time machine status updates". ESET Endpoint Encryption is most compared with Sophos SafeGuard, Symantec Endpoint Encryption and WinMagic SecureDoc, whereas Microsoft BitLocker is most compared with McAfee Complete Data Protection, Symantec Endpoint Encryption, Trend Micro Endpoint Encryption, WinMagic SecureDoc and Sophos SafeGuard. See our ESET Endpoint Encryption vs. Microsoft BitLocker report.
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Are you in a regulated industry? If so using the native BitLocker is not enough to prove compliance. You will need to use something like BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) which is part of MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) or another tool that will manage Bitlocker and give you proof the device is encrypted in the event of a lost or stolen device. You also need to enforce secure password management, user training on passwords and regular password changes.
If you have Microsoft 365 Business premium you have additional controls over Bitlocker; or, M365 E3/E5, Windows Enterprise E3/E5 all have MDOP...
Other Bitlocker management can be found with SOPHOS and I believe TrendMicro as well.
Another tool to consider, especially for laptops, is ABSOLUTE software. It is built into the BIOS of the major laptop brands and just needs the key to activate it...
Also, ESET is a quality product for encryption. It gives you additional options for less than some of the Microsoft alternatives.
BitLocker is just not FREE if you are in a regulated industry since it needs management to truly be secure the device and prove compliance.
I hope some of this helps.
I guess the solution depends upon a couple of things for us and how we currently approach this for our clients.
We have both in place around a variety of small clients. As 99% of our systems have Windows Pro, they have BitLocker, therefore this would now be the first choice.
However, if the client requires centralised management and control we would then advise ESET. And that is the core to this for us, if they need central management, control, recovery - ESET every time.
If it is just encryption and there is no need to control/recover and a simple reformat would work (and loss of history/data is not an issue), then BitLocker is ok.