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Microsoft BitLocker vs Sophos SafeGuard vs Symantec Endpoint Encryption comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Endpoint Encryption category, the mindshare of Microsoft BitLocker is 40.2%, up from 39.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Sophos SafeGuard is 1.9%, down from 3.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Endpoint Encryption is 9.5%, down from 10.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Endpoint Encryption
 

Featured Reviews

Douglas Curry - PeerSpot reviewer
Users can easily deploy and manage it
The solution's most valuable feature is that it is simple to deploy and manage. I can't say what features of the tool I like since it is very much a deploy-and-forget product. We don't use any advanced features of the tool in my company. The tool's recovery options are good, especially since it integrates with Active Directory, making everything a simple process. The product's integration capabilities are good.
ManelAlvarez - PeerSpot reviewer
Protects user data and offers data control and has an easy deployment
The most valuable feature is encryption control. If you have a laptop, it guarantees that the data is not missing or lost. It’s easy to deploy and has a central console where you can see whether the laptops are encrypted, updated, and protected. It protects devices, including USB and other external devices, and guarantees data loss protection. Additionally, with device control, you can ensure that no ransomware is introduced into the network. For me, this is of very high value.
Bharath Kumar Gajula - PeerSpot reviewer
Robust data protection with user-friendly deployment, competitive pricing, and comprehensive features like customizable alerts and effective detection capabilities but needs GUI improvements
The stability is relatively good. Occasionally, certain clients may experience disconnection from the management servers, requiring a manual process to rectify. Even in instances where the link is severed, restoring client connectivity can be challenging, sometimes necessitating the uninstallation and reinstallation of the software. Additionally, when clients go out of sync, we do not receive alerts, indicating an area for potential improvement. I would rate it seven out of ten.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The hard drive encryption is very good."
"You can do a silent remote deployment very fast."
"It is easy to implement and has AD integration."
"Microsoft BitLocker's most valuable features are stability and simplicity in terms of usage."
"Microsoft BitLocker is a Microsoft native product that provides good encryption."
"I like the fact that you can get a BitLocker encryption key out of OneDrive."
"There's a lot of manageability within the solution. This is very helpful."
"The solution has a feature that automatically asks the users to upgrade their password once we set up the process."
"Integration with other solutions is one of its strongest points. It's very easy to integrate and automate."
"Security-wise, it's one of the best."
"The tool is very safe, reliable, and fast."
"The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that the GUI is easy to use."
"I like that Sophos SafeGuard provides excellent technical support."
"The most valuable feature is the synchronized security. It's a unique feature on the market at this time only offered by Sophos. As a reseller, we often win bids and get clients because of this unique trademark feature."
"The most valuable features of the solution are the fact that they are able to encrypt the hard disk and to encrypt USB sticks."
"The setup process is straightforward."
"We use it for protecting accounts, which is its most valuable feature."
"Their cloud features such as Cloud Endpoint security, ransomware modules, malware, and other modules are very effective."
"It is fairly stable."
"Overall Symantec Endpoint Encryption is a reasonable solution."
"The solution is pretty stable."
"The solution was used to find harmful files and viruses on laptops."
"The installation process is pretty straightforward."
"You get updates and other encrypted files easily."
 

Cons

"I would like to be able to encrypt our cloud tenancy."
"We recently found some stability issues with Microsoft BitLocker."
"It is not good for cross-compatibility, so our Mac users are not able to use it."
"The initial setup is complex."
"The reporting in Microsoft is very minimal."
"I often have to make multiple attempts to log in."
"The biggest one for us is revoking access. So, even though someone downloads something to a device, we want the ability to cloak that device or data and bring it back or make that data unusable for that person. Currently, BitLocker doesn't give us that ability. It basically encrypts it. We're seeing if identity management or IAM allows us to do that. We're kind of looking at third-party software that does that for us."
"If the encryption was faster then it would make the experience more pleasant."
"The product's initial setup process could be easier to understand for new users."
"The tutorials need to be simplified. The existing ones need to be easier to follow and we could use some tutorials for basic setups. They should aim to be more like Cisco, which offers very good tutorials and materials."
"When you have the PPM chipset, you can have the power-on authentication, when you boot up your machine, you can set the six-digit passcode. As of right now, SafeGuard can't manage the six-digit passcode in terms of the expiration, and I need that added as a feature."
"Sometimes, multiple updates and crashes happen in the tool, making it an area where improvements are required."
"Technical support could be a bit better."
"Sophos could improve transparency around licensing and renewal costs. Unexpected costs have arisen during license renewals, impacting our budget planning."
"The Office 360 integration could be improved."
"The solution is not using other features like booting encryption, because it causes very heavy processing of the workstation. If they could find some way to handle the encryption and decryption to be lighter on the workstation it would be better."
"The agent can be improved on the solution. Right now, we have an Endpoint Protection agent as well as an encryption agent and another for the DLVs and other services. We would prefer a single agent for the entire product."
"There are some issues with the single sign-on with the active directory. We had a few problems related to the synchronization between the active directory and the login features of the Symantec products because the users made many password changes during the day. The time for synchronization with the solutions can be improved. I would like to see mobile encryption. There should be a possibility to include all the mobiles of a company in the console. Many customers are asking about encryptions for tablets or cell phones, but we don't have any product that we are comfortable with to recommend to our customers."
"The solution does slow down the device a little bit, once it's installed."
"Its remote deployment should be improved. Currently, there is no remote deployment for Symantec Endpoint Encryption. You have to install it manually. There are some issues with AD integration and the time taken to reflect a password on the Endpoint Encryption Manager when a new user has changed the password, but they are already working on these issues, and these will be resolved in the next release."
"The solution does not have endpoint control."
"The solution presently doesn't let network folder encryption be done on Macintosh."
"Upgrades from one version to another may only sometimes be straightforward, especially if one needs a clearer understanding of the process."
"I think that they should improve the on-premises version to include the manageability and simplicity that is available on the cloud."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Microsoft BitLocker is a free feature when you are using Microsoft solutions."
"The price of this solution should be more competitive."
"It's not about pricing, because we are working with Enterprise companies that already have Windows Enterprise, so BitLocker comes already included as a Windows feature. It's free for Enterprise users. The price is only for deployment. The customer will pay for McAfee, however."
"The product's cost is included in Windows."
"For reasons unknown, Microsoft products seem to be getting more expensive."
"On a scale from one to ten, where one is expensive and ten is cheap, I rate the solution's pricing an eight out of ten."
"The solution is priced low. I would rate the product's pricing one out of ten."
"BitLocker is included in our license and doesn't cost us anything extra."
"The licenses are dependant on the number of users and computers you have to protect."
"It would be great if the price of the solution was lower than the current price. If we are to sell this particular solution to smaller businesses and not just enterprise businesses it needs to be lower."
"It's a software license with a one-time purchase. There are no issues with purchasing, and the vendor is flexible with licensing."
"The pricing is reasonable."
"Pricing for Sophos SafeGuard could be improved because it could reach a thousand dollars depending on the product, edition, and software key purchased."
"We pay around $10 a year for each endpoint, including support."
"The pricing is good and now they offer three year and five year plans. After that if one lokes the service they can choose the lifetime service."
"I rate Sophos SafeGuard's pricing a five out of ten."
"Symantec Endpoint Encryption is not expensive."
"The solution is good, but it is more expensive than other solutions in the market. Other solutions, such as BitLocker are less expensive."
"Considering the fluctuation in exchange rates in our part of the world, we find it generally affordable."
"Depending on how many modules you will use (up to five) the licensing will be more expensive."
"They have two solutions for encryption including Symantec Endpoint Encryption and PGP Endpoint Encryption. With one PGP license, you can deploy the two solutions. The PGP license gives you two options."
"It can be expensive. However, if you plan to scale or are at a large enterprise company, this product could be what you need."
"We hold an annual license, and their pricing is competitive, falling into the affordable range."
"The pricing is fair but there is variability in our area that needs to be addressed."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
12%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Financial Services Firm
15%
Computer Software Company
11%
Healthcare Company
11%
Real Estate/Law Firm
9%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Healthcare Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What should one take into account when replacing PGP with Microsoft BitLocker?
Beware to make backup of useful data, then use reverse decryption policy from Symantec panel/McAfee ePO to decrypt th...
Would you choose Microsoft BitLocker or McAfee Complete Data Protection?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive en...
How does Microsoft BitLocker compare with Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Microsoft BitLocker is very intuitive and easy to maintain. It is basically the global standard solution for drive en...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Sophos SafeGuard?
I cannot compare prices precisely, so I would give it a five out of ten rating. I am uncertain. Sophos is slightly mo...
What needs improvement with Sophos SafeGuard?
I cannot think of any improvements right now.
What do you like most about Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
Antivirus, URL filtering, and firewall protection are the most effective features for data protection.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
I am not sure about the pricing and licensing cost of Symantec Endpoint Encryption.
What needs improvement with Symantec Endpoint Encryption?
I would like to see some features or functionality enhanced in Symantec Endpoint Encryption.
 

Also Known As

BitLocker, MS BitLocker
SafeGuard, SafeGuard Encryption
Symantec Drive Encryption
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

ACV, Proaxis Therapy, Choice Hotels International, adnymics GmbH, Intermedia, NMBS/SNCB
Rushmoor Borough Council
Citrix Systems Inc., City of Lansing, Commercial & Industrial Property, France T_l_visions, Fujian Mobile Co. Ltd., Group Lotus plc, Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C. (HBSS), Portugal Telecom, PostFinance, Public Pension Agency
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft, Sophos, ESET and others in Endpoint Encryption. Updated: March 2025.
849,190 professionals have used our research since 2012.