ESET vs N-able: MDR Comparison 2026
Detailed comparison of ESET and N-able managed detection and response services. Compare response capabilities, SLA, coverage, integrations, and compliance.
Winner by Category
Response Level
Tie
Same level
SLA Speed
N-able
Faster response time
Coverage Breadth
Tie
Same coverage
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.
Unified security operations platform combining XDR, SIEM, SOAR, and UEBA with MDR in one solution. AI automates 70% of threat response. Breach warranty and vendor-agnostic approach make it compelling for MSPs serving SMB/mid-market clients.
Response Type
Active Remediation
Active Remediation
Approval Policy
Configurable
Configurable
Auto-Isolate
✓
✓
Kill Process
✓
✓
IR Included
✓ Included
✓ Included
Response SLA
20m
Not disclosed
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.
Per-user per-month (tiered packages: MDR Base, MDR Complete, MDR Plus)
Price Range
Custom-quoted based on environment and device count; volume discounts available
MSPs typically bundle at $90-$275/user/month for full security programs including MDR
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.
Positive reception in MSP community following N-able acquisition. Users praise comprehensive features, compliance reporting, and AI automation. Some concerns about pricing relative to competitors and platform complexity for smaller MSPs.
ESET vs N-able: 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 N-able if:
- You need active remediation
- Not disclosed response time meets your needs
- You prefer technology agnostic solutions
- Your org size: SMB / Mid-market
FAQ
What's the main difference between ESET and N-able?
Key differences: response model (Active Remediation vs Active Remediation), SLA (20m vs Not disclosed), and approach (Platform Native vs Technology Agnostic).