ESET Endpoint Antivirus for Linux review

ESET Endpoint Antivirus for Linux is the most desktop-focused commercial product on this list. ESET calls it the ideal choice for any Linux desktop that meets its requirements, and its documentation names Ubuntu Desktop 18.04 through 24.04 LTS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 with a desktop environment, and Linux Mint 20 and 21. It runs both an on-demand scanner and an on-access scanner that triggers whenever a file is opened. A small graphical window shows protection status, runs custom path scans and offers a removable media scan for USB drives. Web access protection scans HTTP and HTTPS traffic and blocks known malicious pages before content downloads, and it works alongside OpenVPN, WireGuard and ProtonVPN. The drawbacks are licensing and coverage. ESET sells it through its business plans and we could not read a USD price from our location, and Linux Mint 22 users are outside the documented list for now.

Who it is for

Ubuntu Desktop and Linux Mint users who want a supported commercial scanner with a simple window and web filtering.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• On-demand scanner started from the command line, ESET PROTECT or cron
• On-access scanner triggered by any attempt to access file system objects
• Web access protection that scans HTTP and HTTPS traffic between browsers and servers
• Graphical interface with protection status, custom path scans and removable media scans
• Supported on Ubuntu Desktop 18.04 to 24.04 LTS and Linux Mint 20 and 21

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Built for Linux desktops rather than adapted from a server agent
• Strength: Web access protection blocks known malicious pages before content downloads
• Strength: One-click removable media scan from the home screen
• Weakness: Linux Mint 22 is not on the documented supported list
• Weakness: No USD price we could read from ESET's US pages from our location
• Weakness: Web access protection does not support system or HTTPS proxies

Key facts

• Scanning modes: On-demand and on-access
• Ubuntu Desktop: 18.04, 20.04, 22.04 and 24.04 LTS
• Linux Mint: 20 and 21
• VPNs supported by web protection: OpenVPN, PulseSecure, WireGuard, ProtonVPN

Where it ranks

ESET Endpoint Antivirus for Linux is No. 2 in our Best Antivirus for Linux verdict.