Bitdefender Antivirus Review: Does it Protect Your Computer in 2023?

Considered one of the most comprehensive antivirus products, Bitdefender provides outstanding malware protection and impeccable performance.

In this Bitdefender Antivirus review, we’ll go through the most important characteristics and give you an honest overview of this award-winning AV software and all its features.

Security and Privacy Features

Bitdefender offers a variety of features that will protect your device and ensure your privacy.

Malware and Ransomware Protection

From viruses, Trojans, ransomware and worms, to rootkits and spyware, Bitdefender malware protection fights all e-threats. What’s more, it uses signature-based scanning and machine learning to prevent any possible infections and protect your data from both known and new kinds of ransomware attacks. 

Phishing Protection & Web Filtering 

Bitdefender scans the web for suspicious activity, comparing sites to a regularly updated database of dangerous websites and blocking potentially unsafe sites before you even click on them, thus keeping all your sensitive information safe. 

Plus, thanks to Bitdefender’s Safe Banking feature, you can bank and shop online in a dedicated browser for extra security. For yet another layer of protection, the AV software will also secure your passwords, credit card numbers and other data in a cyber vault, so you can access them when needed and encrypt your keystrokes to stop tracking. 

Extra Features

When it comes to malware and ransomware protection, Bitdefender delivers what you might expect from one of the best AV products on the market. However, when it comes to unique features, this antivirus software offers far more than its competitors. 

How Does Bitdefender Scan for Viruses?

This AV has a variety of scanning options available, from real-time protection to custom scans.  

One of the standout features of Bitdefender is the software’s ability to do heavy scanning in the cloud so that it doesn’t affect the performance of your machine at all. Other AVs like Avast Antivirus may perform faster scans than Bitdefender, but they tend to slow down your device more. 

Performance

Bitdefender boats excellent rates across several independent lab tests. 

For example, AV-Comparatives gave this software a 99.7% protection rate, the same as VIPRE.  Although not as high as Trend Micro that scored a perfect 100%, it is still a solid result. 

It performed much better in testing by AV-Test, scoring a 100% protection rate and a 6 (the highest mark) on both speed and protection. 

As mentioned before, Bitdefender has a minimal impact on your device, allowing you to get on with your work while it is silently scanning in the background. 

Plus, it adapts to your system, ensuring that your work or leisure activities are not interrupted. For instance, its innovative technology can detect when you’re watching a film or playing a game, pausing background activities. 

Usability and Setup

Some of the Bitdefender versions are slower to set up than others. For example, with Bitdefender Total Security, it takes about 13 minutes to get it up and running, while the installation of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus was completed in a couple of minutes.

Installation, of course, depends on your internet connection, but Bitdefender still takes a bit longer than McAfee, which took only 5 minutes to completely set up.  

Once Bitdefender is on your device, navigating it is quite easy. The interface is intuitive and straightforward, despite having many features available. 

The dashboard is well laid-out and has large buttons, while its features are divided into three different tabs for easy access and control. 

Device and Platform Compatibility

Depending on the plan you choose, you could install Bitdefender on up to 5 devices or 15 if you opt for the Bitdefender Family Pack.

Which platforms does Bitdefender support?

Desktop version

You can install this antivirus software on Windows, macOS, and Linux (but only as a business solution, if you need home protection for Linux, go with ESET NOD32 Antivirus for Linux).

The Mac version comes with some unique features, such as:

• Ultra-fast scans
• Adware Blocker 
• Protection of sensitive files

Although Bitdefender for Mac has many features, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac performs a bit better.

Mobile version

Bitdefender is also available on Android and iOS, offering a dedicated product, Bitdefender Mobile Security, for both systems. 

Plans start from £9.99 and have many of the same features as the desktop version, including minimal impact on your device, in-depth malware scans, App Lock and VPN (although the last two are only available on Android). 

Speaking of Android, Bitdefender has been voted one of the best AV apps for this operating system, offering more features and having a lower impact on the system than Norton Mobile and Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus. 

Bitdefender Price and Plans

Bitdefender has a Free Edition with basic protection features, such as:

Bitdefender’s free version is a great option for anyone needing essential protection, although other products, like Avast One Essential’s free edition, contain many more features. 

Bitdefender also has several paid plans for UK customers.

Here is how much each of them will cost you:

Bear in mind that your subscription begins the moment you buy Bitdefender. Unless you cancel the package, it will renew automatically. 

Bitdefender has a trial of 30 days, so you can check out the software before making a final decision.

Bitdefender is not the cheapest on the market. For instance, Sophos offers a Premium plan covering 10 devices for £49.95 a year, while Kaspersky’s plans start from £12.49/year. Nevertheless, it still provides great value for money for the comprehensive protection it provides.

Customer Support

You can contact Bitdefender’s Customer Support’s team via live chat, phone or email. 

Plus, there is an extensive library of how-to-guides, FAQs, and helpful videos to assist with common problems.

Most customers have a positive experience with Bitdefender’s customer support, praising the company’s quick response time. Kaspersky, on the other hand, has a bad customer service reputation with long waiting times and little help regarding issues. 

Is Bitdefender Good?

Bitdefender has everything you need to protect your device and then some. It’s easy to navigate despite being packed with security and privacy features, while its in the cloud scanning lets you get on with your work without interruptions. 

On top of that, it offers a top-notch VPN service with all its plans (albeit limited to 200 MB/day), remote access to all your devices and one of the best products for Android protection.