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ESET NOD32 Antivirus logo

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Lightweight paid antivirus for Windows and macOS from the Slovak security firm ESET.

Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, macOS

Is ESET NOD32 Antivirus free?

No, it's a paid product

Free trial:
30 days

Checked on ESET NOD32 Antivirus's site Nov 8, 2026

3 alternatives with a free option

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All 7
Verified facts
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Alternatives ranked
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About ESET NOD32 Antivirus

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is the entry-level home product from ESET, a Slovak security company whose NOD32 engine has been around since the 1990s. It focuses on core protection: real-time antivirus and antispyware, ransomware and phishing blocking, and machine-learning detection, with a small footprint and multithreaded scans. Gamer Mode pauses background tasks and pop-ups during full-screen apps, which makes it popular with gamers. It runs on Windows 10 and 11 and on macOS 13 or later; Android is covered only by ESET's bigger HOME Security plans, which add a firewall, banking protection and a VPN. There is no free version, but a full-featured 30-day trial is available, and subscriptions are sold yearly by number of devices. It suits people who want a quiet, configurable antivirus without bundled extras.

Best for: PC and Mac users, especially gamers, who want light paid protection without extras.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)

Each line is quoted from ESET NOD32 Antivirus's own site, with the page it came from.

Plan or termWhat it saysCheckedSource
Free trial30 daysNov 8, 2026eset.com

Pros and cons

What works

  • Light on system resources, with a Gamer Mode
  • Detailed settings for advanced users
  • Full-featured 30-day trial without a credit card

Why people leave

  • No free version
  • Covers only Windows and macOS; phones need a higher plan
  • Firewall and VPN are not in the NOD32 tier

ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Bitdefender, Kaspersky and Norton AntiVirus Plus

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

AttributeESET NOD32 AntivirusBitdefenderKasperskyNorton AntiVirus Plus
PricingPaidFree plan + paidPaidPaid
Verified price—$59.99 a year, 1 member, up to 5 devices——
Free planNoYes, Windows onlyNoNo
Open sourceNoNoNoNo
Self-hostableNoNoNoNo
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, Android, iOSWindows, macOS, Android, iOS, LinuxWindows, macOS

Full ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Bitdefender comparisonFull ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Kaspersky comparison

Top ESET NOD32 Antivirus alternatives

See all 7
  1. 1Bitdefender logo
    Bitdefender

    Consistently top-rated detection with a light footprint, plus a free edition if you only need basic scanning.

    68.8
  2. 2Kaspersky logo
    Kaspersky

    Similar lean, detection-first antivirus with tiered suites that add a VPN and password manager.

    64.8
  3. 3Norton AntiVirus Plus logo
    Norton AntiVirus Plus

    Adds cloud backup and a password manager to the antivirus, for people who want more bundled in one licence.

    59.6
  4. 4Malwarebytes logo
    Malwarebytes

    Simple interface and a free on-demand scanner, often run alongside or instead of a full antivirus.

    59.4
  5. 5F-Secure logo
    F-Secure

    Finnish vendor with a clean, minimal app and bundles covering browsing protection and a VPN.

    55.9

Why people left ESET NOD32 Antivirus

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

No switching stories yet. If you moved away from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, review the app you switched to and tell us why.

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ESET NOD32 Antivirus: common questions

What is ESET NOD32 Antivirus?

ESET NOD32 Antivirus: Lightweight paid antivirus for Windows and macOS from the Slovak security firm ESET. Best for PC and Mac users, especially gamers, who want light paid protection without extras. Available for Windows and macOS.

Is ESET NOD32 Antivirus free?

No, ESET NOD32 Antivirus is a paid product.

How much does ESET NOD32 Antivirus cost?

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is a paid product. Free trial: 30 days. Checked on ESET NOD32 Antivirus's own site, November 2026.

Does ESET NOD32 Antivirus have a free trial or refund?

Free trial: 30 days. Source: ESET NOD32 Antivirus's own site.

Is ESET NOD32 Antivirus open source?

No, ESET NOD32 Antivirus is not open source.

What platforms does ESET NOD32 Antivirus run on?

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is available for Windows and macOS.

What are the best alternatives to ESET NOD32 Antivirus?

The highest-ranked ESET NOD32 Antivirus alternatives right now are Bitdefender, Kaspersky and Norton AntiVirus Plus. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus vs Bitdefender: what's the difference?

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is a paid product; Bitdefender is free with paid plans. Only Bitdefender runs on Android and iOS.

See all 7 ESET NOD32 Antivirus alternatives