Cybersecurity threats have become one of the biggest concerns for businesses of all sizes. These security threats are often harder to detect than in the past, creating a much more difficult task for OpSec engineers looking for remediation solutions.
SEE: 10 Myths About Cybersecurity You Shouldn’t Believe (TechRepublic Premium)
Two powerful endpoint detection and response tools being deployed around the world are Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business and Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security. Both of these EDR software solutions provide robust detection, removal and threat management tools. Below, we’ll take a look at what Kaspersky and Bitdefender have in common and where each product pulls ahead of the other.
- Bitdefender: Best for larger organizations which have in-house SecOps engineers, capable of maximizing Bitdefender’s advanced security features.
- Kaspersky: Best for small-to-medium sized businesses, given its more user-friendly interface and convenient automations.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The United States has banned the sale of Kaspersky cybersecurity or antivirus software to U.S. persons following a determination that their products pose national security risks due to Russian ties. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Kaspersky exposes the country and its people to possible data theft, espionage or system malfunction — especially since the company is subject to the control of the Russian Government. The formal ban will start at 12:00AM EDT on September 29, 2024. At this juncture, the reselling, integrating and licensing of Kaspersky cybersecurity or antivirus software will be prohibited. More details are here.
Kaspersky vs. Bitdefender: Feature comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard console | ||
| On-premise, cloud and hybrid console | ||
| Lockdown mode | ||
| Automatic sandbox | ||
| Automatic IoC detection and remediation | ||
| 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: Small Business Security, Business Security, Business Security Premium and Business Security Enterprise.
SEE: Bitdefender vs McAfee: Compare EDR Software (TechRepublic)
Fortunately, Bitdefender provides an online portal where you can input your desired number of devices protected and contract length. Once these details are inputted, the portal will provide an estimated price of your subscription.
Here’s a quick table comparing prices among the packages:
| 5 devices (1 year) | 10 devices (1 year) | 25 devices (1 year) | Feature differences | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Business Security | $104.99 | $199.49 | $465.49 | Endpoint protection against ransomware, phishing, web-based attacks |
| Business Security | $129.49 | $258.99 | $573.99 | All Small Business Security features, plus protection against network-based attacks and device control |
| Business Security Premium | $286.99 | $570.49 | $1256.49 | All Business Security features, plus tunable machine learning and sandbox analyzer |
I commend Bitdefender for offering free trials for almost all of their GravityZone products, making it easier for businesses to test their products without the financial commitment.
Kaspersky pricing
Kaspersky’s Endpoint Security subscriptions are divided into three: Business Select, Business Advanced and Total Security for Business.
Here’s an overview of pricing:
| Business Select | Business Advanced | Total Security for Business | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $539 | $995 | Contact Kaspersky’s authorized partners for curated pricing |
| Devices | 10 | 10 | Contact Kaspersky |
| Contract length | 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 accessible free trial of their 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 configurations for both tools. Kaspersky Endpoint Security uses the Kaspersky Security Center. This dashboard view is a favorite among users with its simplicity and easy-to-learn interface and layout. It’s best for smaller businesses or those who may not 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 is definitely more complicated than Kaspersky’s offering, and users often feel it is one of the low points of the software. It’s very capable, but it has a steep learning curve and is not intuitive or easy to decipher at first glance. For this reason, it’s best suited for larger businesses that have dedicated staff to figure out its nuances.
Deployment
Both of these options are SaaS tools and deployment is relatively straightforward, but users report Bitdefender to be the easier of the two in this regard. Despite being easier to use once deployed, Kaspersky is slightly slower to deploy in the first place for most situations, according to many SecOps engineers who have experience with both.
Bitdefender has most features available out of the box, while Kaspersky has a slightly more feature-heavy model with tiered modules and pricing for different functionality. This can make it difficult for smaller businesses to determine exactly what they need to configure for a new install.
Detection and remediation
Kaspersky allows users to set automated parameters and actions to take place for various detections and other threats. This can alleviate a lot of the workload for staff who may not have dedicated teams or want to streamline their efforts.
Bitdefender doesn’t offer the same level of automation, but they do offer vulnerability management, which can examine trends and history across the network to spot weak spots. This can help speed up tasks associated with cybersecurity audits and threat management.
Antivirus offerings
It’s important to acknowledge 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 both vendors’ antivirus products should also be part of the purchasing decision.
SEE: Mobile Device Security Policy (TechRepublic Premium)
This is especially true since having both EDR and antivirus solutions can provide a stronger and multi-faceted approach to your business’ overall security. It also saves 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’s antivirus or AV solutions:
| Real-time malware and threat protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| Built-in firewall | ||
| Impact on machine performance | ||
| Standout security inclusions (varies depending on plan) | ||
| Main disadvantage | ||
| Free version | ||
Should your organization use Kaspersky or Bitdefender?
Both of these 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 deal with those threats quickly.
The differences are mostly in the user interface between the two, with Kaspersky clearly leaning towards smaller to medium-sized businesses without dedicated staff needed to fully manage the software. Their automation tools also help in working towards this easier approach to EDR management.
Bitdefender, on the other hand, is much more comfortable in the hands of dedicated SecOps engineers where the slightly more difficult interface and advanced features can be fully taken advantage of.
Methodology
My comparison between Bitdefender and Kaspersky’s EDR solutions involved a detailed assessment of each product’s security offerings, cost and standout features.
In particular, I evaluated both providers’ EDR capabilities, such as threat detection and remediation, dashboard and control console and ease of deployment, among others. This was done through in-depth research of both products’ official documentation and feature inclusions.
In addition, I also consulted real-user feedback found on reputable review sites as a means to round out the pros and cons of both EDR solutions.