AirMDR vs ESET: MDR comparison 2026
AirMDR is a AI-native MDR that works with your existing tools. ESET is a Platform vendor that requires its own security platform. AirMDR targets SMB and Mid-market organizations; ESET serves SMB, Mid-market, and Enterprise. AirMDR includes 5 attack surfaces in base pricing (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS, Identity, Network), compared to 3 for ESET (Endpoint, Cloud, SaaS).
Key differences at a glance
Full comparison
Which should you choose?
Choose AirMDR if:
- •SMBs and mid-market companies (100-1000 employees) priced out of traditional MDR
- •Teams with existing EDR/SIEM tools who want AI-augmented triage without replacing their stack
- •Buyers comfortable betting on a seed-stage vendor in exchange for aggressive pricing and trial terms
- •You need Identity and Network coverage included in base pricing
- •You want direct Slack integration with your SOC
Choose ESET if:
- •SMBs with 25-500 devices that want managed detection without meeting 200+ endpoint minimums
- •Organizations already running ESET endpoint protection that want to add managed services on top
- •European or global organizations that need multi-language support (30+ languages) and GDPR-aligned operations
- •Threat hunting included in base pricing (it's an add-on with AirMDR)
Bottom line: ESET is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. AirMDR is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between AirMDR and ESET?
AirMDR is an AI-native MDR that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). ESET is a Platform vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack). AirMDR covers 5 attack surfaces in base pricing vs. 3 for ESET.
How do AirMDR and ESET differ in response capabilities?
AirMDR supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable. ESET supports 6 autonomous actions (endpoint isolation, process termination, network containment, account disable, file quarantine, custom playbooks) and approval is configurable. Incident response is not included with AirMDR and included with ESET.
How does AirMDR pricing compare to ESET?
AirMDR pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. ESET pricing: Not published, custom-quoted based on environment and device count with volume discounts (25-seat minimum). Watch for with AirMDR: No published pricing. Requires sales contact despite targeting SMBs who typically prefer self-serve.; Annual contract required. No month-to-month option mentioned.. Watch for with ESET: Requires ESET PROTECT Enterprise or Elite subscription as the base, which is a separate cost from MDR itself; MDR Ultimate pricing is significantly higher than standard MDR, but the exact gap is not published.
Should I choose AirMDR or ESET?
Choose AirMDR if: sMBs and mid-market companies (100-1000 employees) priced out of traditional MDR. Choose ESET if: sMBs with 25-500 devices that want managed detection without meeting 200+ endpoint minimums. AirMDR is not ideal for enterprises requiring a proven vendor track record and extensive customer references. ESET is not ideal for organizations with non-ESET EDR that want to keep their existing platform and layer MDR on top.