In our BitDefender Antivirus review, we will unravel and shed light on everything this software offers. Bitdefender is a Romanian company that offers cyber security solutions for individuals and businesses. Bitdefender Antivirus is one of their solutions, tailored to saving and securing your activities online and offline.
But how effective is this software, and how does it compare to the other security solutions? Our job today is to answer these questions in this Bitdefender Antivirus review. We’ll also look at prominent features, including prices, security, and other capabilities.
Our Verdict of Bitdefender Antivirus
After careful testing and thorough peeks into the operation of Bitdefender Antivirus, we have concluded that Bitdefender is still worth it in 2023. It’s even more essential now, as different hacks, scams, and malware are spreading like wildfire.
According to a study conducted at the University of Maryland, a cyber attack occurs every 39 seconds. To keep your data safe, you need to use it. You’ll need more context about our verdict, so here’s a rundown of why we think Bitdefender is worth it and everything it offers.
Bitdefender Antivirus Review – Quick Glance
Founder | Florin Talpes |
Headquarters | Bucharest, Romania |
Function | Antivirus and Safety |
Awards | AV-Comparatives, Microsoft |
Compatible Devices | Windows, iOS, Android, MacOS |
Best Price | $29.99 |
Official Website | https://www.bitdefender.com |
Bitdefender Antivirus Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
Light and burdenless | Parental blocks may not work on Chrome |
Strong security features | Limit of 200 Mb per day on VPN |
Privacy features for anonymity | |
Multiple packages | |
Built-in VPN | |
Device optimizer with certain plans | |
Updated list of malware and threats | |
Comprehensive parental controls | |
Affordable subscription plans |
Bitdefender Antivirus System Requirements 2024
Operating System | Windows, iOS, MacOS, Android |
RAM | 2 GB |
Storage Space | 2.5 GB |
Bitdefender Antivirus Pricing
Bitdefender offers multiple different packages for separate use cases. The best package from our perspective is Total Security because it covers every platform and includes all core features and extra add-ons. We’ll put these packages in a table to make comparisons easy.
Antivirus | Total Security | Antivirus Plus |
Windows | Every OS | Windows |
$29.99 (First Year) | $69.99 (First Year) | $39.99 (First Year) |
Covers 3 devices | Covers 5 devices | Covers 3 devices |
No Device Optimizer | Has Device Optimizer | No Device Optimizer |
Has Privacy Firewall | Has Privacy Firewall | No Privacy Firewall |
Has Parental Controls | Has Parental Controls | No Parental Controls |
We recommend getting the Total or Antivirus options. Either of these should be good enough to protect your Windows device. If you need a more versatile protection package, go for the Total Security package. Now, let’s talk about specific features.Bitdefender Security Features
Bitdefender Antivirus offers fantastic security features that protect your devices from scams, hacks, viruses, and threats. How can you use these features to keep yourself safe? How is each feature important to you? Let’s answer these questions.
Vulnerability Scans
Plugging holes and vulnerabilities is the best way to protect your system against threats. But to do that, you need to know where the hole is. The good news is Bitdefender’s vulnerability scans can help you with that.
It scans your system for potential backdoors or loopholes that a threat can exploit. It also shows you potential solutions and steps you can take to ensure your security.
Spyware and Malware Shields
Bitdefender Antivirus has the best spyware and malware shields in the industry. They have active web shields that protect you from spam and other nefarious elements. Bitdefender Antivirus also frequently updates its list of blocked addresses to keep you away from dangerous websites.
They block connections with dangerous websites the moment you land on them. So you can stay content knowing you’re protected from phishing, spam, and fraud. This Antivirus also has social network protection, which protects your accounts from malicious links and online threats.
Network Threat Protection
Bitdefender Antivirus uses real-time network threat protection measures to keep your devices safe. How? Whenever it detects anything unusual from a particular system, device, link, or file, it highlights and quarantines it.
The same applies to e-viruses like worms, trojans, rootkits, and ransomware. You also get multi-layered ransomware protection. So you can keep your online activities safe and your devices even safer with Bitdefender.
Rescue Environment
What if something like a rootkit infects your device? Rootkits affect your system as a whole and cannot be removed the usual way. To eliminate rootkits, you need to get rid of them before Windows starts.
Bitdefender Antivirus has a Secure Environment feature that reboots your system into a safe mode and removes rootkits. It’s a nifty feature for extreme situations where everything seems to fail.
Peripheral Device Protection
With a microphone monitor, webcam protection, and anti-tracker technology, Bitdefender is a great option to protect your security. It will keep hackers and snoopers from spying on you via your webcam or listening to your conversations. What are the chances of that happening?
Hackers attack a computer every 44 seconds. The chances of it happening to you are slim, but why even take the risk?
Bitdefender Photon
Bitdefender Antivirus photon is an exclusive feature that allows the software to adapt to your system’s hardware and software. It means that your system uses less resources and is more energy efficient.
You can boost this effect by combining it with Bitdefender’s battery mode, which saves your resources. It temporarily saves battery life by changing system settings like display, connectivity, and Bluetooth. You’ll still use resources, but your system will feel faster.
Bitdefender also executes most of its services via the Cloud. It reduces the burden on your computer. Due to the minimal stress on RAMs, Bitdefender is one of the lightest and most secure Antivirus services available on the market.
File Shredder
Hundreds of software can restore deleted files from scrapped hard drives like Recuva and Test Disk. They can do whatever they please with your data. If you don’t want that to happen, try Bitdefender’s file shredder.
It literally shreds your deleted files into bits and bytes that no one can restore. If you’re reselling your device in a garage sale or giving it to someone, use Bitdefender’s file shredder to wipe it clean. We used the file shredder and tried restoring it, but nothing came up.
Auto Pilot and Different Modes
Bitdefender Antivirus has multiple modes and an autopilot system. It gives you insights and suggestions about your security based on your usage patterns and system needs. It also has movies, work, and gaming modes.
It means Bitdefender will infer whether it needs to disturb you while gaming, working, or streaming movies. Based on your activity, the software will halt prompts and pop-ups so you can do whatever you want without disturbances.
Parental Filters and Firewalls
Bitdefender Antivirus boosts your system with an extra “firewall.” It’s not a real firewall. Think of it as an extra security check for your device’s communication. Bitdefender Antivirus also comes with parental controls that you can use to keep your young ones safe on the internet.
These parental controls include a safe mode that blocks explicit content. It worked perfectly for us on all Windows browsers. But there have been reports where it has failed to work on Chrome for some people.
Bitdefender Antivirus also has a special tracking feature that shows your children’s location if they’re connected to the same account. You can enable check-ins or check-outs for them and monitor them to ensure their security.
Bitdefender Safe Pay
Safepay is Bitdefender’s unique way of protecting your transactions online. It’s a special payment window that protects sensitive data while buying your favorite products. Safepay also protects you from hardware key loggers and snoopers.
You’ll get a floating keyboard to enter your details, so you won’t have to do so via the physical keyboard. Safepay is also connected to Bitdefender’s password manager, so you can store complex passwords and access your favorite content in a jiffy.
Does Bitdefender Have a VPN?
Bitdefender has its own special VPN included in its Antivirus plan. The VPN automatically connects you to the fastest server. We review VPNs for a living, so you can bet it was good when we say it was quite good.
Unfortunately, the VPN has a strict 200 Mb limit per day. It should be enough to check your emails, but it won’t allow you to stream or game. You’ll have to use something else for these, like the best VPN for streaming.
Another con of this VPN is its insistence on not allowing you to choose a server. You can’t use it to access your favorite streaming platforms on demand. Also, if you want full functionality, you must buy the VPN separately.
These restrictions make the VPN a bit counterproductive. We wouldn’t recommend using it because much better alternatives like Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN are available.
Bitdefender Usability
Bitdefender Antivirus has a dedicated application you can download on your Windows, iOS, Android, or MacOS devices. Log in to the application when it’s downloaded. The application has a user-friendly interface that just about anyone can use.
You can find a general menu on the left side of the screen. The options include Dashboard, Privacy, Protection, and Utilities. The Dashboard has actions like a Quick Scan, Vulnerability Scan, System Scan, VPN, and Safepay.
You can add quick actions to the Dashboard for more accessibility. The side menu lets you access advanced scans and features in their dedicated sections. The premium plans also have a Device Optimizer that speeds up your system by getting rid of junk and unnecessary files.
Bitdefender Compatibility
Bitdefender Antivirus is only compatible with Windows devices. Here’s the compatibility guide for BitDefender:
Platform | Requirements |
Windows | Windows SP1, 8.1, 10, or 11 |
MacOS | MacOS Yosemite 10.10 or better |
Android | Android 5.0 or better |
iOS | iOS 12 or better |
If you need an all-in-one package that works on Android, Windows, iOS, and MacOS, try the Bitdefender Ultimate Security package.
Bitdefender Support
Bitdefender has excellent support overall. Their 24/7 chat is always ready to solve your problems, and they also have guides for some common problems. We contacted them to ask about their other packages.
The support agent was amiable and knowledgeable. He knew what he was doing and guided us effectively. We contacted them via chat, but you can call or email them based on your needs.
Changes to Bitdefender Antivirus in 2024?
Some of Bitdefender’s features were discontinued, while others were improved. Here are all of the changes:
- Real-Time Protection: Bitdefender improved its real-time protection to make it more effective and efficient. They added new features and capabilities to their scans.
- Vulnerability Scans: The scans were improved to identify leaks and potential solutions more effectively.
- VPN: Bitdefender increased the limit of their VPN usage from just 200 Mb per day per account to 200 Mb per device.
These were some of the more notable differences. Minor changes include a smoother UI and improved decision-making. And don’t worry; you can test all these changes and features without subscribing.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Trial
Bitdefender Antivirus allows you to test its features completely free of charge for 30 days. You only need to download the application from their Download Page. Once downloaded, sign in to the application and start using it. It’s as simple as that.
Conclusion – Is Bitdefender Antivirus Worth It?
In this Bitdefender Antivirus review, we’ve seen that the software offers a complete package dedicated to protecting your online and offline activities. It has multiple features that keep spam, harmful content, and hackers away from your devices.
If you want complete coverage for Android and iOS devices, you’ll have to try your luck with the Bitdefender Antivirus Ultimate Security suite.
FAQs – Bitdefender Antivirus Review
Does Bitdefender Antivirus work with Android and iOS devices?
Yes, Bitdefender Antivirus works on Android and iOS devices. If you subscribe to the BitDefender Total Security package, you can use it on your favorite platforms, including iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Android.
Does Bitdeference Antivirus slow down your computer?
No, Bitdefender Antivirus does not slow down your computer. Because of its cloud-based model, Bitdefender is one of the lightest software on the market. It works seamlessly in the background without slowing down your computer or other devices.
Does Bitdefender have a VPN?
Bitdefender offers a VPN with most of its suites, including the Ultimate and Antivirus Package. The VPNs are good but offer limited features. You can only use it for actions worth 200 Mb of daily data.