Independent lab results45 of 45
Protection features25 of 25
Price14 of 20
Refunds and security10 of 10
antivirus product · Bitdefender
Bitdefender
Antivirus with a free Windows edition and paid plans that add ransomware protection, anti-phishing and a rescue mode.
In short
- Antivirus Plus costs $24.99 for the first year on one device; Bitdefender does not show the renewal price1.
- Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows costs nothing and includes real-time protection3.
- The Privacy Firewall comes only with Total Security, which costs $59.99 for 5 devices in the first year1,2.
- Rootkits that must be removed before Windows starts are cleaned by restarting into Rescue Environment1.
- Refunds are available within 30 days of purchase or of an automatic renewal1.
Bitdefender suits people who want a capable free edition or a cheap first year on one PC. Antivirus Plus adds ransomware protection, anti-phishing and a rescue mode for $24.99 in the first year1. The catch is that the renewal price is not shown, and the firewall only comes with Total Security1,2.
Best for: People who want a capable free edition or a cheap first year.
Where the points come from
Independent lab results 45 of 45 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| AV-TEST score | 18 of 18AV-TEST, July and August 2026: 18 of 18 (Bitdefender Total Security 27.0).6 | 15 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives award | ADVANCED+AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: ADVANCED+ (Bitdefender).7 | 15 / 15 |
| AV-Comparatives protection rate | 99.5%AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: 99.5% (Bitdefender).7 | 15 / 15 |
Protection features 25 of 25 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Systems covered | Windows, macOS, Android, iOSAntivirus Plus is a multiplatform plan for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS1. | 8 / 8 |
| Firewall | YesTotal Security includes a Privacy Firewall; Antivirus Plus does not1,2. | 5 / 5 |
| Ransomware protection | YesMulti-layer ransomware protection includes a data-protection layer that guards documents from encryption1. | 5 / 5 |
| Rescue or offline scan | YesFor rootkits, the PC restarts into Rescue Environment for clean-up1. | 4 / 4 |
| Browser protection | YesAnti-phishing and web attack prevention block fake and infected websites1. | 3 / 3 |
Price 14 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free edition with real-time protection | YesBitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows is free and gives real-time protection3. | 8 / 8 |
| First-year price | $24.99/yrAntivirus Plus, 1 device, first year1. | 6 / 6 |
| Price from the second year | Not publishedThe terms say the renewal price may be higher than the first year1. | 0 / 6 |
Refunds and security 10 of 10 points
The rule behind each line: how we score antivirus products.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antivirus Free1 Windows PC | Free3 | $0 | Real-time protection |
| Antivirus Plus, 1 device1 device | $24.99 first year1 | $2.08 | Renewal price not shown |
| Antivirus Plus, 3 devices3 devices | $29.99 first year1 | $2.50 | Renewal price not shown |
| Total Security, Individual5 devices | $59.99 first year2 | $5 | Adds Privacy Firewall |
| Total Security, Family25 devices, 5 accounts | $79.99 first year2 | $6.67 | Adds Privacy Firewall |
Prices are for the first year. After that Bitdefender bills an unstated renewal price that may be higher1,2.
Strengths
What Bitdefender says
Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.
- Bitdefender says Antivirus Plus blocks all known infected links1.
Other antivirus products
- 2
Microsoft Defender AntivirusWindows users who want protection without buying anything88/100$0first-year price - 3KasperskyBuyers outside the United States who want a firewall in the cheapest plan84/100$49.99/yrfirst-year price
- 4
AvastPeople who want a free Windows antivirus with real-time protection83/100$49.08/yrfirst-year price - 5
NortonPeople who want a firewall and cloud backup in one paid app77/100$29.99/yrfirst-year price
Bitdefender vs Microsoft Defender Antivirus · Bitdefender vs Kaspersky · All 10 antivirus products
Sources
- Bitdefender Antivirus Plus - Best Antivirus for Your Devices, Bitdefender. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Bitdefender Total Security - Anti Malware Software, Bitdefender. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Bitdefender Free Antivirus Software, Bitdefender. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Bitdefender Trust Center, Bitdefender. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- SOC2 Type 2 Compliant, Bitdefender. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026, AV-TEST. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026, AV-Comparatives. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.bitdefender.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Bitdefender.