Best Computer Security Software of 2026

What is endpoint security software?

Endpoint security software streamlines the protection of company assets by enforcing security policies across a host of endpoint devices, preventing advanced malware, and detecting and responding to intrusions. These features are delivered via a single interface that enhances threat visibility.

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Endpoint security is your organization's first level of defense against an array of malware and other network intrusions. According to Gartner, employees currently use an average of three devices per week, a number that's expected to rise to five in the coming years. This means that your attack surface is expanding rapidly and endpoint protection is becoming more critical than ever before.

Malicious actors know that endpoints are the most vulnerable points of entry and work to exploit them with both known and unknown attacks. Increasingly, standard signature-based antivirus and operating system-based security tools do not offer sufficient protection from today's advanced threats such as fileless malware, advanced persistent attacks, and rampant ransomware. To combat these threats, endpoint security software offers protection, detection, and response strategies.

Endpoint data is continually monitored to prevent known attacks and to identify new threats using AI, machine learning, and up-to-the-minute threat intelligence. If an endpoint breach is detected, automated processes are invoked to isolate, investigate, and remove the suspicious code.

In this guide, we'll cover:

• Common features of endpoint security software

• What type of buyer are you?

• Benefits and potential issues

• Market trends to understand

• Common features of endpoint security software

The core functionalities of endpoint security software include:

• Collection and analysis of endpoint data

• Identification of known indicators of compromise

• Detection of unknown malware using machine learning and cloud-based logic

• Isolation, investigation, and remediation of intrusions or exploits

These functionalities are offered through the following common features:

• What type of buyer are you?

Endpoint security is relevant to every company that uses devices such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, desktop computers, and any other network connected gadget that accesses the internet; in other words, nearly every company.

This doesn't mean that all businesses need the most elite endpoint security option available. In fact, most small businesses will find the core features of most endpoint security options a significant upgrade over traditional antivirus packages.

Mid-size and enterprise companies often require advanced features such as proactive threat intelligence and threat hunting.

• Benefits and potential issues

In a business environment that increasingly embraces remote work and bring your own device (BYOD) policies, gaining control of an ever expanding security perimeter is critical. Endpoint security software makes this task easier. Further simplifying matters, most endpoint solutions are available as a cloud-based service that allows remote security with little effect on devices.

Recognize that some advanced endpoint security products require dedicated resources such as a full time administrator to maintain the software. In many cases, endpoint security solutions offer vendor managed services. Additionally, as some options might offer more accuracy with fewer false positives than others, buyers should conduct thorough research to determine the product's reliability.

Endpoint security software pricing

Pricing for endpoint security software is often priced per endpoint, rather than user. Endpoints can include devices as well as web applications and servers.

• Market trends to understand

The Endpoint Security market is evolving and consolidating. In the recent past, endpoint protectIon platforms were separate from endpoint detection and response tools. However, these features are increasingly available as a single solution and accessible from a unified dashboard that enhances endpoint visibility. This means that finding a solution that solves your endpoint security needs is easier than ever.

In the future, expect Endpoint Security suites to begin incorporating features such as authentication management, IoT security, and IT hygiene.