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Head-to-head · Malware Removal Software

ESET Online Scanner vs Dr.Web LiveDisk

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score ESET Online Scanner #2 in Malware Removal Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit ESET
Dr.Web LiveDisk #4 in Malware Removal Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Dr.Web

ESET Online Scanner leads on 0 checks, Dr.Web LiveDisk on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreESET Online Scanner · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

ESET Online Scanner scores higher on our rubric for malware removal software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Dr.Web LiveDisk offers bootable rescue media; ESET Online Scanner doesn't.

ESET Online Scanner is the better fit for free, straightforward Windows malware scanning. Dr.Web LiveDisk is the better fit for free bootable recovery for infected systems.

  • ESET Online Scanner fits best

    Free, straightforward Windows malware scanning

  • Dr.Web LiveDisk fits best

    Free bootable recovery for infected systems

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Side by side

Feature ESET Online Scanner 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Dr.Web LiveDisk 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Malware Removal Software #4 in Malware Removal Software
Best for Free, straightforward Windows malware scanning Free bootable recovery for infected systems
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ESET Online Scanner 2/3 · Dr.Web LiveDisk 2/3
Threat quarantine ✓ ✓
Bootable rescue media — ✓ (best)
Scheduled scans ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Scan modes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Operating systems Windows Windows
Remediation automation Automatic Automatic
Our review
Pros
  • Full, quick, and custom scan modes
  • Quarantine with restore capability and saved scan logs
  • Automatic monthly scans with archive and unwanted-application detection
  • Boots from optical media or USB when normal startup is unavailable
  • Offers quick, custom, curing, deletion, and isolation workflows
  • Includes quarantine, database updates, registry tools, and file managers
Cons
  • Windows-only coverage
  • No continuous real-time protection
  • Remediation is assisted rather than fully automated
  • Requires bootable optical media or a USB flash drive
  • Focuses on emergency recovery, not continuous protection
  • Interface capabilities may differ in newer builds
Our verdict

ESET Online Scanner is a free, on-demand malware removal utility for Windows computers. It is intended for people who want a straightforward way to check a PC for malware alongside existing antivirus software, whether for a one-time review…

Read the review →

Dr.Web LiveDisk is a free emergency recovery environment for computers affected by malware or unable to start normally. It runs from optical media or a USB flash drive and provides a Linux-based portable operating system with Dr.Web…

Read the review →
  1. ESET Online ScannerMalware Removal Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Dr.Web LiveDiskMalware Removal Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ESET Online Scanner — where it wins

    • Full, quick, and custom scan modes
    • Quarantine with restore capability and saved scan logs
    • Automatic monthly scans with archive and unwanted-application detection

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only coverage
    • No continuous real-time protection
    • Remediation is assisted rather than fully automated
  • Dr.Web LiveDisk — where it wins

    • Boots from optical media or USB when normal startup is unavailable
    • Offers quick, custom, curing, deletion, and isolation workflows
    • Includes quarantine, database updates, registry tools, and file managers

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires bootable optical media or a USB flash drive
    • Focuses on emergency recovery, not continuous protection
    • Interface capabilities may differ in newer builds
  • ESET Online Scanner9.2/10 · Free plan

    A straightforward free scanner for periodic Windows malware checks and removal.

    Visit ESETFull verdict →
  • Dr.Web LiveDisk9.0/10 · Free plan

    A free recovery environment for scanning, isolating, and restoring malware-affected systems.

    Visit Dr.WebFull verdict →

ESET Online Scanner vs Dr.Web LiveDisk: questions

Which is better for malware removal software, ESET Online Scanner or Dr.Web LiveDisk?

ESET Online Scanner scores higher on our rubric for malware removal software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

How do ESET Online Scanner and Dr.Web LiveDisk compare?

Of the 4 checks we put side by side, ESET Online Scanner leads on none, Dr.Web LiveDisk on 1, and 3 are level. Bootable rescue media only on Dr.Web LiveDisk.

Do ESET Online Scanner and Dr.Web LiveDisk have a free plan?

ESET Online Scanner: Yes. Dr.Web LiveDisk: Yes.

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update