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Head-to-head · Endpoint Security Software

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR vs ESET PROTECT Enterprise

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR #2 in Endpoint Security Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit site
ESET PROTECT Enterprise #4 in Endpoint Security Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit ESET

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR leads on 0 checks, ESET PROTECT Enterprise on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePalo Alto Networks Cortex XDR · 9.2/10
  • Most featuresESET PROTECT Enterprise · 5 of 5

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR scores higher on our rubric for endpoint security software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise XDR deployments. ESET PROTECT Enterprise is the better fit for enterprises securing endpoints, mobile devices and workloads.

  • Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR fits best

    Mid-market and enterprise XDR deployments

  • ESET PROTECT Enterprise fits best

    Enterprises securing endpoints, mobile devices and workloads

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR 9.2/10 Visit ↗ ESET PROTECT Enterprise 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Endpoint Security Software #4 in Endpoint Security Software
Best for Mid-market and enterprise XDR deployments Enterprises securing endpoints, mobile devices and workloads
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request · 30-day trial
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs, Tickets Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Enterprise
Features Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR 1/5 · ESET PROTECT Enterprise 5/5
EDR included Not checked yet ✓ (best)
XDR included Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Mobile protection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Server protection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Ransomware protection ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, AWS, Azure, GCP
Entry-plan endpoint limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Blocks malware, ransomware, exploits, and fileless attacks
  • Connects endpoint, network, cloud, identity, and email data for detection
  • Supports investigation timelines and automated remediation
  • Covers computers, smartphones, servers and cloud virtual machines
  • Combines EDR/XDR, sandboxing, encryption and mobile threat defense
  • Offers cloud or self-hosted console deployment
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • License options split endpoint, cloud-host, and data-ingestion needs
  • Management service runs through Palo Alto Networks’ cloud portal
  • Enterprise pricing requires a customized offer
  • The 30-day trial is for PROTECT Advanced, not Enterprise
  • The broad feature set may exceed needs for endpoint-only teams
Our verdict

Cortex XDR combines endpoint protection with extended detection and response for mid-market and enterprise security teams. It draws on endpoint, network, cloud, identity, and email data to detect attacks, while its endpoint modules block…

Read the review →

ESET PROTECT Enterprise brings endpoint, mobile, server and cloud workload protection into one subscription for enterprises managing varied device types. It covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS endpoints, as well as virtual…

Read the review →
  1. Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDREndpoint Security Software 9.2Pricing on request
  2. ESET PROTECT EnterpriseEndpoint Security Software 9.0Pricing on request · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR — where it wins

    • Blocks malware, ransomware, exploits, and fileless attacks
    • Connects endpoint, network, cloud, identity, and email data for detection
    • Supports investigation timelines and automated remediation

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • License options split endpoint, cloud-host, and data-ingestion needs
    • Management service runs through Palo Alto Networks’ cloud portal

  • ESET PROTECT Enterprise — where it wins

    • Covers computers, smartphones, servers and cloud virtual machines
    • Combines EDR/XDR, sandboxing, encryption and mobile threat defense
    • Offers cloud or self-hosted console deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • Enterprise pricing requires a customized offer
    • The 30-day trial is for PROTECT Advanced, not Enterprise
    • The broad feature set may exceed needs for endpoint-only teams
  • Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR9.2/10 · Pricing on request

    Endpoint prevention paired with cross-domain detection, investigation, and response.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • ESET PROTECT Enterprise9.0/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

    Broad endpoint, mobile and workload protection with XDR and flexible deployment.

    Visit ESETFull verdict →

More comparisons

All endpoint security software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on endpoint security software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update