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For a small business choosing Windows endpoint protection, the 2026 lab results point to several credible options—but they do not identify one universal winner. Norton Small Business scored 18/18 in AV-TEST’s August 2026 evaluation, while AV-Comparatives’ March–June 2026 malware test recorded rates from 96.0% to 100% across 16 vendors. Those are different tests, not a combined ranking. Just as important, AV-Comparatives says some products are easier for small teams to manage than others.
This comparison uses independent lab results, not tests performed by the itechguides.com team. It covers endpoint security on Windows; it does not establish that any product alone provides a complete security program.
What the 2026 tests can—and cannot—tell you
AV-Comparatives evaluated 16 business-security vendors from March through June 2026, assessing real-world protection, malware protection, performance, and false alarms. Its real-world test concerns internet-borne threats over four months; its malware test addresses malicious programs that may arrive over a local network or external drives. These are distinct protection scenarios, so a score in one should not be treated as a result in the other. AV-Comparatives’ 2026 business test describes its results as comparative evidence, not a guarantee of suitability for every purpose.
AV-TEST’s August 2026 business Windows results use a different scale: up to six points each for protection, performance, and usability, with 18 points total. Its TOP PRODUCT threshold is 17.5 points. These lab scores and AV-Comparatives’ malware percentages should not be added together or used as though they share one methodology.
#1 Best Overall
- Compact and Efficient Design: The FortiGate 40F is designed for small to mid-sized businesses and enterprise branch offices, featuring a compact, fanless desktop form factor that ensures quiet operation and minimizes space usage.
- Robust Connectivity Options: Equipped with 5 GE RJ45 ports, including 1 WAN port and 4 internal ports, this model provides essential connectivity and flexibility for various network configurations in a small-scale environment.
- High-Performance Security: Offers up to 1 Gbps IPS throughput and 600 Mbps threat protection throughput, using Fortinet’s purpose-built security processor technology to deliver industry-leading performance and protection for SSL encrypted traffic.
- Advanced Threat Protection: Integrated with Fortinet’s AI-powered FortiGuard Labs, the FortiGate 40F offers comprehensive cybersecurity, identifying and mitigating both known and unknown threats to maintain robust security across your network.
- Simplified Management and Deployment: Features a user-friendly management console that provides comprehensive network automation and visibility, coupled with Zero Touch Integration with Fortinet’s Security Fabric for easy deployment.
Both reports concern endpoint products on Windows. They do not establish that a product includes backup, identity or email security, network protection, incident response, or managed monitoring. Check the exact plan and current vendor terms for the coverage your business needs.
AV-Comparatives malware protection results
The table shows the malware protection rates reported for the March–June 2026 business test. It is one test category, not an overall product score or a guarantee for a particular business environment.
| Vendor | Malware protection rate |
|---|---|
| Elastic | 100% |
| Avast | 99.8% |
| Norton | 99.8% |
| CrowdStrike | 99.7% |
| Kaspersky | 99.6% |
| ManageEngine | 99.6% |
| Bitdefender | 99.5% |
| G Data | 99.3% |
| Microsoft | 99.3% |
| VIPRE | 99.3% |
| ESET | 99.2% |
| Cisco | 99.0% |
| SenseOn | 98.2% |
| Trellix | 97.5% |
| Sophos | 96.6% |
| K7 | 96.0% |
AV-Comparatives reported zero false alarms on common business software for every tested product. It separately measured false alarms on non-business software and uncommon files, so the zero result should not be read as proof that a product will never flag software your company uses. The same report includes performance testing; the lab cautions that its relative-impact results may not apply identically to every environment.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- BUSINESS READY - pfSense+ software updates included for product lifetime. Netgate TAC Lite technical support included. One year hardware warranty included.
- COMPLETE - Pre-loaded with pfSense+ software to get up and running fast. Simply unbox it and start customizing for your secure edge networking needs. Free help with setup from our expert Technical Assistance Center (TAC) available 24/7/365.
- POWERFUL - A dual core ARM Cortex-A53 1.2 GHz delivers near gigabit routing of common home iPerf3 traffic and in excess of 650 Mbps of firewall throughput.
- COMPACT - Low power draw, a compact form factor, and silent operation allow it to run unnoticed when placed on a desktop, wall, or rack.
- FLEXIBLE - Three (3) 1 GbE switched (WAN/LAN/OPT) ports allow you to configure three separate 1 GbE switched ports for upto a gigabit of bi-directional traffic.
AV-TEST scores for three business products
These are AV-TEST’s August 2026 Windows business results. Each category is scored out of six; the values are protection, performance, and usability, respectively.
| Product as listed by AV-TEST | Protection | Performance | Usability | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norton Small Business | 6 | 6 | 6 | 18/18 |
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Enterprise) | 6 | 5.5 | 6 | 17.5/18 |
| Sophos Intercept X Advanced | 6 | 5.5 | 6 | 17.5/18 |
AV-TEST awarded Norton 18/18, while the Microsoft and Sophos entries each reached the 17.5-point TOP PRODUCT threshold. These are results for the named products under AV-TEST’s lab conditions—not a prediction of performance on every company’s computers. See AV-TEST’s August 2026 Windows business results.
Which options fit a small business?
Lab performance is only part of the decision. A small team also has to configure policies, handle alerts, investigate suspicious activity, and keep devices and software current. AV-Comparatives’ report identifies cloud-console products it considers suitable for smaller businesses and distinguishes them from tools that may demand more specialist support.
Rank #3
- Extensive Connectivity Options: The FortiGate 60F is designed with 10 GE RJ45 ports, including 2 WAN ports, 1 DMZ port, and 7 internal ports, offering broad flexibility and high-density connections for diverse enterprise networking needs.
- Superior Performance for Secure Networks: Features powerful system-on-a-chip acceleration to deliver top-tier security with 1.4 Gbps IPS throughput and 700 Mbps threat protection throughput, ensuring effective defense against advanced threats.
- Enhanced SSL Inspection and SD-WAN Capabilities: Utilizes purpose-built security processor technology to provide the industry's highest SSL inspection performance and robust SD-WAN functionality for secure, high-speed network operations.
- Simple and Effective Management: Comes equipped with a user-friendly management console that supports comprehensive network automation and visibility, alongside Zero Touch Integration with Fortinet's Security Fabric for streamlined deployment.
- Advanced Security Features: Leverages continuous threat intelligence from AI-powered FortiGuard Labs, identifying and mitigating both known and unknown threats, enhancing security across all network traffic, whether encrypted or not.
Norton Small Business
Norton appears in both 2026 test sources: AV-Comparatives reports 99.8% malware protection, and AV-TEST records 18/18 for Norton Small Business in August. AV-Comparatives also lists Norton among the cloud-console options it considers well suited to small organizations without dedicated IT staff. This combination makes it a reasonable product to shortlist when ease of centralized management matters, but it does not establish that every current Norton plan has the same coverage or licensing.
Microsoft Defender: verify the exact product
AV-Comparatives tested Microsoft Defender Antivirus with Microsoft Endpoint Manager and reported a 99.3% malware protection rate. AV-TEST’s separate listing is Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Enterprise), with scores of 6/5.5/6. These labels and configurations are not interchangeable with every commercial Microsoft offering. Microsoft has a distinct Defender for Business product page; do not assume the lab tested every Defender for Business configuration.
Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium
AV-Comparatives included Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security Premium in its 2026 test, reporting 99.5% malware protection. The report also places Bitdefender among cloud-management options for businesses of this size. That is useful evidence for a shortlist, but the test result does not resolve which current plan, license count, or feature bundle is right for a particular company.
Rank #4
- SonicWall TZ270W Appliance Only - No Service Subscription (02-SSC-2823) - Combines enterprise-grade firewalling with integrated 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi to deliver secure wired and wireless connectivity in one compact device for small offices and clinics.
- Blocks zero-day threats and ransomware with Capture ATP sandboxing enhanced by RTDMI, plus IPS and anti-malware scanning for layered protection.
- Eliminates the need for separate access points in smaller spaces thanks to built-in high-speed wireless that is simple to deploy and manage.
- Supports VPN, SD-WAN, and TLS 1.3 decryption to secure hybrid cloud access and remote workers while maintaining usability and performance.
- Delivers gigabit performance with up to 750,000 concurrent connections to handle growth in users, devices, and SaaS applications.
ESET PROTECT Entry with ESET PROTECT Cloud
AV-Comparatives tested ESET PROTECT Entry with ESET PROTECT Cloud and reported 99.2% malware protection. Its report also lists ESET among cloud-management options. ESET’s business product page confirms its business-product family; current pricing and an equivalent feature bundle across vendors are not established here.
Sophos Intercept X Advanced
Sophos scored 6/5.5/6 in AV-TEST’s August 2026 Windows business results and recorded 96.6% malware protection in AV-Comparatives’ March–June test. AV-Comparatives did not approve it for its July 2026 award. That status reflects the lab’s full award criteria, not just the malware percentage, so it should not be inferred from that figure alone. Sophos has an official endpoint-security product page.
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AV-Comparatives also identifies Avast, VIPRE, Kaspersky, ManageEngine, and Microsoft as cloud-management options for businesses of this size. Its report says: “Avast, Norton and VIPRE offer user-friendly cloud consoles that are well-suited for smaller businesses without dedicated IT staff.” The statement is AV-Comparatives’ product-category guidance, not a substitute for checking a specific deployment.
The same report lists Bitdefender, ESET, Kaspersky, ManageEngine, Microsoft, SenseOn, and Sophos as cloud-management options for small organizations. It describes Cisco, CrowdStrike, Elastic, and Trellix as powerful tools that require significant training and ongoing support. A smaller company with no dedicated IT staff should weigh that support burden alongside protection results rather than choosing by percentage alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose for your business
- Map the devices you need to protect. List the operating systems, computers, and any servers in scope. The results here are Windows endpoint evidence; they do not establish cross-platform or server coverage.
- Decide who will run the console. If no employee owns policy changes, alerts, and routine administration, prioritize a management approach your team can actually sustain. The lab’s cloud-console guidance can narrow the shortlist, but it does not verify the fit of a particular plan.
- Match protection evidence to your threat path. Consider both internet-borne threats and malware introduced through local networks or external drives. Keep the labs’ separate test categories separate when comparing products.
- Check false-alarm implications for your software. AV-Comparatives found zero false alarms on common business applications in this test, but it also measured other file categories separately. Companies using uncommon or internally developed software should validate how the selected product handles it.
- Confirm the current plan before buying. Check vendor terms for supported operating systems, server coverage, device or user limits, local availability, and whether EDR or managed response is included. The reviewed lab evidence does not settle current prices or licensing across vendors.
- Build beyond endpoint protection where needed. Decide separately whether your business needs backup, identity protection, email security, network controls, incident response, or managed monitoring. Do not assume those protections come with an endpoint product unless the current plan documentation says so.
Why this is an independent-test comparison, not a team-tested ranking
The available evidence establishes testing by AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST, not hands-on testing by the itechguides.com team. Accordingly, this article compares those labs’ published results and management guidance; it does not claim first-hand product testing or rank products based on an unreported test. The two labs use different scoring systems and product labels, and the tested configurations should not be generalized to every plan a vendor sells.
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