BullGuard vs ManageEngine Malware Protection Plus

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, BullGuard developed a reputation as a reliable antivirus provider with a focus on home users, families, and gamers. Their services stood out for blending strong, multi-layered threat detection with performance optimization features—most notably their Game Booster, which allowed users to enjoy lag-free gaming while staying protected. BullGuard’s security suite included essential tools like real-time protection, a configurable firewall, encrypted cloud backup, and a secure browser for financial transactions. Their interface was praised for being user-friendly, especially for non-technical users, and they performed consistently well in independent lab tests from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. While macOS and mobile support was limited compared to Windows, BullGuard maintained a loyal customer base thanks to their practical features and straightforward approach to cybersecurity. In addition to strong malware defenses, they offered useful extras such as a vulnerability scanner, customizable parental controls, and system optimization tools, making them a well-rounded option. In 2021, they were acquired by NortonLifeLock, and by mid-2022, all BullGuard products and services were fully migrated to Norton’s ecosystem, ending standalone BullGuard offerings.

ManageEngine, part of Zoho Corp, has built a strong reputation in IT management and is used by thousands of organizations globally. Malware Protection Plus is their venture into next-gen endpoint security, seamlessly built into the Endpoint Central management console. This solution provides next-generation antivirus (NGAV) capabilities – leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and behavior analytics – to protect business endpoints against malware, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. It’s tailored for businesses of all sizes that want to unify their IT administration and security. The antivirus module works hand-in-hand with other ManageEngine features like patch management and device control, enabling a holistic approach to endpoint defense. Companies can deploy it either on-premises or use ManageEngine’s cloud service, managing everything through a web-based dashboard. The software can isolate infected devices in real time, automatically kill malicious processes, and even revert changes caused by an attack, which significantly reduces the impact of incidents. With its AI-driven detection engine, Malware Protection Plus can catch advanced threats that signature-based antiviruses might miss, all while keeping a low performance footprint. ManageEngine offers flexible pricing, including subscription and perpetual licenses, and even provides a free edition for up to 25 devices, making it accessible. Read more in our review.