Critical Start vs ESET: MDR Comparison 2026
Critical Start (MDR provider) and ESET (EDR vendor) take different approaches to managed detection and response. Critical Start works with your existing tools, while ESET requires its own security platform. Critical Start targets Mid-market and Enterprise organizations; ESET focuses on SMB, Mid-market, and Enterprise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Winner by Category
Critical Start vs ESET: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Critical Start if:
- •Mid-market to large enterprises wanting technology-agnostic MDR that works with their existing security stack
- •Organizations suffering from alert fatigue wanting TBR's deterministic auto-resolution to reduce noise
- •Companies needing OT/ICS monitoring alongside IT MDR (Claroty, Dragos, Nozomi integrations)
Choose ESET if:
- •SMBs with 25-500 devices needing enterprise-grade MDR
- •Organizations already using ESET endpoint protection
- •Companies needing multi-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android)
Bottom line: ESET is the choice if you want a single-vendor stack with deep integration. Critical Start is better if you have existing tools and want flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Critical Start and ESET?
Critical Start is a MDR provider that is technology-agnostic (works with your existing tools). ESET is an EDR vendor that is platform-native (requires their own security stack).
How do Critical Start and ESET differ in response capabilities?
Critical Start 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 Critical Start and included with ESET.
How does Critical Start pricing compare to ESET?
Critical Start pricing: Custom-quoted pricing. ESET pricing: Custom-quoted based on environment and device count; volume discounts available (25-seat minimum). Watch for with Critical Start: No public pricing at all — requires sales call for any ballpark; OT/ICS monitoring and vulnerability management are separate purchases on top of base MDR. Watch for with ESET: Requires ESET PROTECT Enterprise or Elite subscription as base; MDR Ultimate is a significant step up in price from standard MDR.
Should I choose Critical Start or ESET?
Choose Critical Start if: mid-market to large enterprises wanting technology-agnostic MDR that works with their existing security stack. Choose ESET if: sMBs with 25-500 devices needing enterprise-grade MDR. Critical Start is not ideal for sMBs or budget-conscious organizations — enterprise-focused pricing not publicly disclosed. ESET is not ideal for enterprises requiring vendor-agnostic SIEM/EDR integration.