ESET vs Kroll: MDR Comparison 2026
Detailed comparison of ESET and Kroll managed detection and response services. Compare response capabilities, SLA, coverage, integrations, and compliance.
Winner by Category
Response Level
Tie
Same level
SLA Speed
Tie
Same speed
Coverage Breadth
Kroll
6 vs 5 surfaces
Integrations
Tie
Similar breadth
Criteria
Strong SMB-focused MDR built on 30+ years of threat research, with fast 20-minute response times and accessible 25-device minimum. Best for organizations already in or willing to adopt the ESET ecosystem.
Kroll Responder's unique advantage is the depth of real-world incident response experience from 3,000+ annual breach investigations feeding directly into MDR detection and response. The 'Complete Response' methodology and complimentary $1M breach warranty set it apart from pure monitoring-focused MDR providers.
Response Type
Active Remediation
Active Remediation
Approval Policy
Configurable
Configurable
Auto-Isolate
✓
✓
Kill Process
✓
✓
IR Included
✓ Included
✓ Included
Response SLA
20m
Contact for specifics
24/7 Coverage
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Channels
EmailPortalPhone
EmailPortalPhone
Data Access
Dashboards
Dashboards
Model
Per-seat/device, custom-quoted; available as add-on to ESET PROTECT Enterprise or Elite tiers. MSP pricing with daily billing or monthly invoicing.
Custom pricing based on environment size and complexity
Price Range
Custom-quoted based on environment and device count; volume discounts available
Not published
Minimum Seats
25
None
Threat Hunting
✓ Included
✓ Included
Overall
Positive
Positive
Summary
Recognized as Market Leader and Product Leader in MDR by KuppingerCole 2024. Praised for fast 20-minute response times, strong threat intelligence from 30+ years of research, and good SMB accessibility. Criticized for UI/UX issues and the ESET console interface being unintuitive for US users.
Highly trusted for deep incident response pedigree and 'Complete Response' methodology. 98% customer satisfaction score and 75 NPS. Strong reputation for going beyond containment to full eradication. Lower market mindshare than some larger MDR brands.
ESET vs Kroll: Which Should You Choose?
Choose ESET if:
- You need active remediation
- 20m response time meets your needs
- You prefer platform native solutions
- Your org size: SMB / Mid-market / Enterprise
Choose Kroll if:
- You need active remediation
- Contact for specifics response time meets your needs
- You prefer technology agnostic solutions
- Your org size: SMB / Mid-market / Enterprise
FAQ
What's the main difference between ESET and Kroll?
Key differences: response model (Active Remediation vs Active Remediation), SLA (20m vs Contact for specifics), and approach (Platform Native vs Technology Agnostic).