Kaspersky Next

Overview

Kaspersky Next is a business security portfolio spanning endpoint protection, EDR and XDR. It suits organizations that want to match endpoint defenses and response capabilities to their security operation; the trade-off is custom pricing and partner-led help for installation and maintenance.

The range runs from EDR Foundations to expert and managed XDR plans. Kaspersky was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It reports a SOC 2 Type II audit of its antivirus database development and release processes and says its data services are certified against ISO/IEC 27001:2022.

Key features

Protection and investigation

EDR Foundations targets ransomware, fileless malware, zero-day attacks and other emerging threats. Its visual threat pathway and root-cause analysis help teams trace detected attacks, making the tier more than a basic prevention layer. Application, web and device controls extend across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux.

Behavioral protection, exploit blocking, device control and server protection are also part of the product’s stated capabilities. That breadth may suit organizations protecting mixed device estates, though the listed control coverage should not be mistaken for a description of every tier’s feature set.

Management and response

EDR Foundations provides a cloud management console, with on-premises deployment available when required. EDR Optimum adds IoC scanning, guided incident response, patch and encryption management, and cloud service controls. It can identify cloud services in use and find sensitive data in Microsoft 365 apps, which makes it the clearer fit for teams that need visibility beyond endpoint events.

MXDR Optimum adds 24/7 threat monitoring and detection plus access to Kaspersky’s expert team. That is the strongest fit for organizations seeking ongoing managed response rather than relying entirely on internal analysts. Installation, upgrades and maintenance support are directed through partners, so buyers should factor partner coordination into deployment planning.

Pricing

Kaspersky Next is paid software with custom pricing and a 30-day free trial for its business EDR plans. There is no free plan. No seat quota, renewal term or trial seat limit is stated, so organizations should confirm those terms when requesting a quote.

PlanPrice and purchaseBest fitKaspersky Next EDR FoundationsCustom pricing; online purchase; cloud or on-premises deploymentOrganizations seeking endpoint protection, investigation and flexible deployment.Kaspersky Next EDR OptimumCustom pricing; online purchase; cloud or on-premises deploymentTeams needing guided response, IoC scanning, patch and encryption management, and Microsoft 365 visibility.Kaspersky Next EDR ExpertCustom pricing; contact KasperskyBuyers considering the expert EDR tier; confirm its scope and quote directly.Kaspersky Next MXDR OptimumCustom pricing; contact KasperskyOrganizations wanting 24/7 managed threat monitoring and access to Kaspersky experts.Kaspersky Next XDR OptimumCustom pricing; contact KasperskyBuyers seeking an XDR tier; confirm included capabilities directly.Kaspersky Next XDR ExpertCustom pricing; contact KasperskyBuyers considering the expert XDR tier; confirm its scope and quote directly.The practical dividing line is between online-purchasable EDR Foundations and Optimum, which offer cloud or on-premises deployment, and the tiers requiring direct contact. The lower EDR tier gives up Optimum’s added response, patching, encryption and cloud-service controls; beyond the named additions, plan-by-plan distinctions are not established.

Platforms

Kaspersky Next supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web and self-hosted environments. EDR Foundations’ application, web and device controls specifically cover Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux; cloud-console management and optional on-premises deployment give buyers two operational models.

Who it's for

Choose Kaspersky Next if your organization needs business endpoint security with investigation features and expects to select a tier based on response responsibilities. It is less compelling for buyers who need transparent upfront pricing or want installation and maintenance support directly from the maker.

Pros and cons

Pros: Foundations pairs protection against several serious threat types with visual attack-path and root-cause analysis, giving security teams investigative context.

Pros: Cloud or on-premises deployment for the two online-purchasable EDR tiers supports different management preferences.

Pros: Optimum adds concrete response, patching, encryption and Microsoft 365 controls; MXDR Optimum adds 24/7 monitoring and expert access.

Cons: Every plan uses custom pricing, making direct cost comparison difficult before contacting Kaspersky or purchasing online.

Cons: Installation, upgrades and maintenance assistance go through partners, adding a third party to operational support.

Cons: The clearest feature distinctions are concentrated in Foundations, Optimum and MXDR Optimum; buyers considering the other tiers need to clarify scope before choosing.

Alternatives

For a broader consumer-oriented option with a free plan, consider Bitdefender Total Security: its listed Individual plan costs $59.99 a year (billed First year price; plus applicable sales tax) for 5 devices and 1 account, and it covers Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.

Check Point Harmony SASE is another paid option with a 30-day trial and Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows support; a license is required after the trial.

Choose PC Matic if a freemium option matters: it has a free plan and a listed Antivirus plan at $60 a year (billed annually), with real-time virus, malware, ransomware and phishing protection.

Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection is a paid, trial-available alternative with a custom quote for securing servers, desktops, laptops and mobile devices.

Dr.Web Enterprise Security Suite may suit buyers who want pricing tied to the number of protected stations, including servers, and support for self-hosted deployment; it requires a quote.

Seqrite Endpoint Protection Cloud offers paid Standard and Advanced tiers, with trial availability and Linux, macOS, web and Windows support. Its Standard tier includes antivirus, anti-ransomware, firewall, web filtering and vulnerability scanning.

DriveStrike is a paid alternative whose monthly pricing depends on the number of protected devices; it supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.

For Android-only protection with a free lifetime basic tier, consider ESET Mobile Security for Android; its Premium tier is paid and supports Android phones and tablets.

See also the Endpoint Protection Platforms directory for more options.

Verdict

Kaspersky Next is a strong shortlist choice for organizations that want to scale from endpoint protection and investigation to guided EDR response or 24/7 managed monitoring. Its most persuasive advantages are Foundations’ investigation tools, Optimum’s added controls and MXDR Optimum’s continuous service. Look elsewhere if upfront prices or direct maker support are decisive, and confirm the precise scope of expert and XDR tiers before committing.