As one of the best antivirus software providers in the world, Bitdefender offers a number of products geared toward home users. But, with privacy- and identity-centric solutions, some may find the number of options a tiny bit overwhelming.
This is why we’re going to focus on the five main plans: the “regular” antivirus subscription Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, along with the all-in-one plans Bitdefender Total Security, Bitdefender Premium Security, and Bitdefender Ultimate Security (the company’s top-end offering that curiously, has a couple of iterations).
So, which subscription will best fit the average Joe and Jane? If the words “depends on your needs” don’t tell you much, fret not. In the next ten or so minutes, we’re going to dig deep and break down all the bells and whistles of these products, then point you in the right direction at the end of this article.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Acting as a de facto entry-level antivirus package, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus offers far more than the essential protection one might come to expect.
Let’s start with the most important part - Bitdefender Antivirus Plus does a great job at keeping the bad stuff out. And this is not just our assessment - independent testing labs like AV-Comparatives and AV-Test put Bitdefender’s AV engine at the top for effectiveness, performing at the highest of levels when it comes to blocking almost all threats.
At its core is multilayered, real-time protection that is constantly watching out for viruses, malware, worms, Trojans, ransomware (which Bitdefender is especially keen on catching), zero-day exploits - you name the cyber threat, Bitdefender has its eyes set on it. In case something suspicious tries to sneak in, the company’s Advanced Threat Defense uses smart tech called behavioral detection to sniff it out based on its behavior.
Beyond just malware, Antivirus Plus is a pro at spotting phishing scams, issuing a swift warning if a site looks sketchy. Furthermore, it offers a one-click vulnerability assessment and data breach detection as part of a rudimentary identity theft protection service, as well as sterling network and web protection, rounding off an exceptionally reliable and accurate core defense.
As the ‘Plus’ part of the name hints, there’s more than meets the eye here. Among the notable additional features is a slew of privacy-oriented goodies, like a dedicated secure browser called Safepay. It isolates your financial transactions from anything else on your computer, making it an excellent fit for banking and shopping.
Then, there is a basic VPN (that Safepay can automatically connect to) with a limited data cap of 200MB a day, but full access to the entire network of 4000+ servers in more than 50 countries. You also get an Anti-tracker extension that blocks data-collecting trackers, social network protection, a file shredder, and a Wi-Fi security advisor. The antivirus works on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and covers up to three devices.
Speaking of devices, though your experience may vary due to your distinct usage patterns, our (and independent) tests showed that Bitdefender has a light step. There were no mention-worthy speed issues, affecting machine performance less than most of its peers. It helps that the app comes with several modes, automatically adjusting its MO depending on what you’re doing.
All in all, considering Antivirus Plus is competitively priced and delivers some of the best protection available on the market, it’s not a stretch by any means to say that you’re getting a lot of value for your money here.
Bitdefender Total Security
First of the all-in-one plans, Bitdefender Total Security (a reimagined version of Bitdefender Internet Security) builds on the Antivirus Plus to provide a more encompassing security shield for your device. The big additions here are the two-way firewall and a password manager called SecurePass (previously Bitdefender Password Manager).
The former allows you to control what goes in and out by blocking inbound and outbound unauthorized connection attempts, making sure no unauthorized programs try to snoop both on local networks and on the Internet. It does a commendable job and is an extra layer of protection worth having, particularly if you're on a home network.
A multi-platform browser extension and mobile app, the password manager takes care of all your passwords with the help of a single master password. Thanks to end-to-end encryption, it securely stores and retrieves your details while also allowing you to autosave and sync passwords, autofill forms, generate passwords and check their complexity, and a whole bunch of other things. It also imports data from multiple password managers and file formats for easier management under one roof.
That’s not all. A neat inclusion is the Windows-only Device Optimizer feature that speeds up your computer with a single click by cleaning up privacy-related data like browsing history and temporary files, and doing a bit of registry cleanup and repair. Bitdefender also throws in useful privacy extras like webcam and mic protection for good measure.
To top it all off, Total Security incorporates cryptomining protection against so-called leech software, a type of malware that hijacks a computer's resources to mine cryptocurrency without the user’s knowledge or consent.
Lest we forget, the all-in-one plans also come in family packages that offer five times more user accounts and devices for protection, along with exclusive parental controls. So, if you have a group of people or kids (or both) on multiple devices, one of these versions may be a more suitable option.
Bitdefender Premium Security
By now, you know the spiel - Bitdefender Premium Security has everything Bitdefender Total Security packs, plus a little more power. In this case, that extra power comes in the form of an unlimited VPN, email protection, and system-wide ad blocker and anti-tracker.
Let’s start with the VPN, which, unlike the limited versions in other plans, comes with no data caps. This means you can browse, stream, and work with complete privacy without daily data limits to worry about. It's for the users who want to get as close as possible to enterprise-grade personal security without actually shelling out comparable funds.
Bitdefender’s most popular internet security suite (at least it’s advertised as such) has email protection, which keeps the inbox tidy by filtering incoming emails and marking them as either safe or dangerous, thus neutralizing spam, phishing attacks, and malicious emails.
In a similar fashion, you’re supplied with a few anti-scam capabilities, the latest one being the AI-powered platform called Scam Copilot. It ups the ante in the fight against ever-evolving threats by monitoring your online interactions for scam patterns (including the latest ones) and blocking scams in your email, browser, messages, and other apps. It even has a nifty chatbot as part of the package that does its bit in identifying scams throughout your messages.
As part of its novel features for the subscription, you gain access to a system-wide ad blocker and anti-tracker. With it, you can block ads and trackers across your entire device since the tool goes beyond the specific browser extension. Do note that the Premium VPN also includes an ad blocker that hides your location and blocks trackers.
Bitdefender Ultimate Security
When you want to not only protect your devices but truly safeguard your entire digital life, that's where Bitdefender Ultimate Security steps in. The real (and arguably, only) selling point of the vendor’s top security suite is the introduction of the full-on Identity Protection package.
It contains features like Digital Identity Protection, which keeps track of your personal information (like email addresses, phone numbers, credit card details, and even social media accounts) online to see if it's been exposed in data breaches. The dark web is part of the deal as well, and if something crops up, you get real-time alerts to act swiftly.
Unlike other plans, Ultimate Security has two additional Plus versions named Plus Standard and Plus Extended (though you’ll likely only see the label Plus at the pricing page, for some reason). Both add advanced fraud protection into the mix, where the first plan includes premium identity theft features such as stolen wallet protection, SSN tracker, identity theft insurance (up to $1 million), and credit reports and monitoring (1 bureau), to name a few.
Plus Extended offers an expanded version of the anti-fraud effort with a focus on credit protection, such as credit and debit card monitoring, 401(k) and investment monitoring, and reimbursement of up to $25.000 for victims of ransomware and social engineering scams. Also, identity theft insurance goes up to $2 million, and you get 3-bureau credit changes.
Of course, all of this requires a hefty sum out of your pocket. The cost will be steep for many average users, more so if they don't fully utilize all the identity protection features.
Which Bitdefender antivirus plan should I get?
This is where things get interesting. There is no doubt that many folks will find Bitdefender Antivirus Plus to be more than adequate for their needs. Truth be told, it offers a lot of goodies for an entry-level product, arguably some that vendors reserve for their upper-tier plans. So, if you just need a solid, no-frills antivirus, Antivirus Plus is a great pick.
But Bitdefender’s most affordable subscription option has a few potential weak points, the first being device coverage. It covers the protection of only one device, though that can be extended to three for a few bucks more.
You also miss out on a lot of stuff, and in doing so, potentially create a weak link that cybercriminals are constantly looking for. There is a reason why modern solutions go beyond the antivirus boundaries, and it doesn’t work in favor of Antivirus Plus.
Now, does that make Bitdefender Total Security a sure-fire bet? Perhaps for some users who don't need an unlimited VPN or advanced identity features. The company’s workhorse product delivers comprehensive multi-device security and will probably be the sweet spot for most average users.
Granted, you’ll have to pay double the price tag, but if it’s robust protection across all your gadgets you’re after, Total Security makes a lot of sense. And if we’re being honest, this feels like the best value out of the bunch.
For those of you more privacy-minded, Bitdefender Premium Security brings device security and enhanced privacy (and convenience, for that matter) to the table. We’re inclined to believe it earns its ‘premium’ badge with the unlimited VPN, excellent email protection, and a broad AI-powered anti-scam module. If you're comfortable spending a bit more for these enhancements, this is a fantastic choice.
That leaves us with Bitdefender Ultimate Security and its variants. A quick glance at the feature list is more than enough to conclude that the plan’s focus is on users who are concerned about (maybe even petrified of) identity theft and want the most extensive digital safety net that money can buy.
Hence, money shouldn’t be an issue here, but the fact remains that while incredibly thorough, this level of identity protection will likely be overkill for a lot of people, especially at a high price point. This makes Ultimate Security more of a niche product and a tough sell, though far from impossible.
In summary, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus will be just fine for many, thanks to its superb malware protection where it matters the most. Bitdefender Total Security represents the best balance of comprehensive device coverage, essential security features, and a reasonable price.
The jump in price to Bitdefender Total Security is often justified by the unlimited VPN alone, geared toward those who value privacy across the web. For users who want the absolute maximum safeguarding, Bitdefender Ultimate Security covers devices, privacy, and personal identity.
Your choice should largely depend on the number of devices you’re looking to shield, the level of privacy you’re (un)comfortable with, and how real the possibility of identity theft is. One mitigating circumstance in all of this is that Bitdefender's core protection is outstanding across all these plans, so you can't go wrong with any of them in terms of keeping malware away.
- Read more: How to choose the best antivirus for you
- Our definitive list of today's best antivirus software
- More protection for not much more money - grab the best cheap VPN
