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Bitdefender Total Security Review (2026): The right choice?
By Tibor Moes / Updated: November 2025
Bitdefender Total Security Review 2026
Bitdefender Total Security is one of the best antivirus. It has perfect anti-malware protection, no impact on the speed of your PC, many security features, and an excellent price.
Buy it if you want outstanding protection for up to 5 devices. But keep in mind that you will get anti-malware, anti-phishing, a firewall, and a few bonus features. Not the password manager or VPN.
Alternatively, you could also consider Bitdefender Premium Security or Norton 360 Deluxe. Both include a password manager and VPN. However, Norton is considerably cheaper.
- Malware protection: 100%. Bitdefender detected and removed each of the 1,200 malware samples in our test.
- Speed impact: 100%. Bitdefender’s anti-malware engine is lightweight and did not slow down our test PC.
- Features: 80%. Bitdefender Total Security includes anti-malware, anti-phishing, and a firewall, but it misses a password manager and a VPN.
- Price: 100%. Although Bitdefender Total Security misses a few features, it has an excellent price, which gives it good value for money.
Thanks to the 30-day return policy, you can try it risk-free.
| Ranking | #5 of 28 |
| Anti-malware | ✅ |
| Anti-phishing | ✅ |
| Firewall | ✅ |
| Password Manager | – |
| Unlimited VPN | – |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 🔥 Discount | Save 60% on Bitdefender 🔥 |
Full Review
Bitdefender is ranked #5 of the 28 best antivirus of 2026.
Bitdefender Total Security offers top-tier internet protection at an excellent value. Its cloud-based scanner combines machine learning with traditional methods for outstanding malware detection. The suite also includes robust web protection, a secure VPN, advanced system optimization tools, a secure browser, and industry-leading parental controls.
Bitdefender provides free versions for Windows and Mac, with premium plans tailored to various needs. Antivirus Plus is ideal for protecting up to 3 Windows PCs, Internet Security adds parental controls for families, and Total Security covers up to 5 devices across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Premium Security offers all features, including an unlimited VPN. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Anti-malware
Bitdefender’s anti-malware technology is among the most advanced in the industry. It employs a large malware database combined with machine learning to detect both known and emerging threats. With cloud-based scanning, it ensures minimal use of CPU and storage, keeping system performance smooth even during full scans.
The suite offers five scanning modes — Quick, System, Custom, Vulnerability, and Rescue Environment. These cater to different threat levels, from basic process scans to offline malware detection. Bitdefender achieved a flawless 100% malware detection rate in tests involving nearly 1,200 varied samples, including ransomware, spyware, and rootkits.
Despite the thoroughness of its full scan, which completes in about an hour, Bitdefender maintains system responsiveness. CPU and RAM impact remain impressively low, outperforming major competitors. Users can also schedule scans at their convenience, making Bitdefender’s anti-malware both powerful and user-friendly.
Anti-Phishing
Bitdefender’s anti-phishing tools deliver near-perfect accuracy in identifying fraudulent websites. By comparing each visited URL to a vast, continuously updated blacklist, it successfully prevents access to malicious domains. Testing revealed that it outperformed both Chrome and Firefox as well as leading competitors like Kaspersky and Panda.
When a website is blocked, users receive a clear notification detailing the reason for restriction. False positives can be whitelisted instantly, allowing legitimate sites to bypass future filters. This one-click process is far simpler than the multi-step approach used by other antivirus solutions.
Additionally, Bitdefender’s web protection extends beyond phishing defense. It inspects encrypted sites, flags fraudulent content, and annotates search results to identify unsafe pages. The result is an excellent balance between security and usability, ensuring comprehensive protection against online threats.
Firewall
Bitdefender’s firewall is both versatile and effective, providing robust protection against network intrusions and malware-driven attacks. It monitors all inbound and outbound connections, shielding users from unauthorized access attempts across Wi-Fi and wired networks.
The firewall includes several advanced capabilities such as port scan protection, stealth mode, and passive detection. It operates in “Automatic” mode by default, intelligently deciding which applications can connect to the internet. Other modes like “Allow,” “Block,” and “Alert” cater to users requiring tighter control, though the automatic mode offers the best balance of convenience and safety.
In testing, Bitdefender successfully blocked simulated intrusion attempts and prevented external scanners from retrieving system information. While its notification interface could be more intuitive, the firewall’s real-world performance ranks it above the standard defenses built into Windows and macOS.
Password manager
With Bitdefender Total Security, the password manager comes as a 90-day trial. Upgrade to Bitdefender’s Premium Security for the full version.
Bitdefender’s password manager, SecurePass, provides essential features for securely managing login credentials. It uses strong encryption and supports multi-device synchronization across desktop browsers and mobile devices. Key functions include a password generator, auto-fill, auto-save, payment data storage, and password sharing.
The manager offers unlimited storage and integrates easily with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Although it lacks a dedicated desktop app and some advanced tools like dark web monitoring, its simplicity makes it accessible to non-technical users. The Security Report feature audits password strength, detecting weak, reused, or compromised entries.
While not as comprehensive as standalone managers like Dashlane or 1Password, SecurePass remains a reliable, lightweight option for users of Bitdefender Total or Premium Security. It provides convenient, secure password handling suitable for everyday use at a competitive cost.
VPN
With Bitdefender Total Security, the VPN comes with a 200 MB per day data limit. Upgrade to Bitdefender’s Premium Security for the complete version, or buy the VPN separately.
Bitdefender’s VPN is powered by Hotspot Shield, offering AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. While the free version provides only 200 MB of data per day and connects to a random server, the premium tier unlocks unlimited data, 4,000 global servers, and significantly improved performance.
The premium VPN supports torrenting and streaming on major platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, maintaining impressive speeds with minimal latency. It also includes support for the WireGuard protocol and an optional double-hop feature for extra encryption, though this slightly reduces speed.
In speed tests, Bitdefender’s VPN delivered stable and fast connections with negligible performance loss. While it lacks advanced features like split tunneling or obfuscated servers found in top standalone VPNs, its integration within the antivirus suite makes it a practical and highly secure addition for most users.
Other security features
Bitdefender offers an exceptionally rich suite of additional security tools that enhance both protection and usability. Its parental controls allow app and website management, screen-time scheduling, and real-time location tracking across multiple platforms, ensuring comprehensive family safety.
The Safepay secure browser safeguards financial transactions with virtual keyboard entry, screenshot blocking, and built-in VPN protection. It effectively prevents data theft and keylogging during online banking or shopping. Bitdefender’s OneClick Optimizer helps improve performance by clearing unnecessary files, although its utility is limited compared to dedicated tune-up software.
The Profiles feature optimizes system resources depending on user activity, such as gaming or working, while anti-theft tools enable remote locking, location tracking, and data wiping for lost devices. Bitdefender also provides identity theft monitoring for up to 100 personal identifiers, including social security numbers and addresses, along with credit bureau tracking and insurance coverage.
Other highlights include Wi-Fi protection, cryptomining and ransomware defenses, file shredding, anti-tracking, webcam and microphone control, and spam filtering. Together, these components make Bitdefender one of the most complete and effective security suites on the market, suitable for both individual and enterprise users.
Plans and pricing
In the table below are the core products with their features and prices.
The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.
Plan description
We tested various Bitdefender plans, and here’s the quick rundown:
Free Plans
- Windows: Bitdefender Free gives basic anti-malware and web safety. No frills like rootkit removal.
- Mac: A simple on-demand scanner. Lacks real-time defense.
Basic Paid Plan
- Antivirus Plus (Windows-only, $14.99/year): Adds features like a secure browser, password manager, and VPN (200 MB daily). Missing a firewall, but offers good value for Windows users.
Advanced Paid Plan
- Internet Security (Windows-only, $24.99/year): Builds on Antivirus Plus by adding a firewall, parental controls, and webcam protection. Excellent for Windows but doesn’t support Mac or Android.
Premium Paid Plans
- Total Security ($39.98/year): Adds Mac and mobile coverage. Good for up to 5 devices but lacks unlimited VPN.
- Premium Security ($59.99/year): All features, 10-device coverage, and unlimited VPN. A bit pricey but comprehensive.
Business Plan
- GravityZone Premium (Starting at $49.99/year): Meant for enterprises, packed with advanced features like risk analysis and Linux support. Offers custom quotes for large-scale needs.
All premium plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Overall, Bitdefender gives a good range of options, with something for both basic and advanced needs.
Test score comparison
We conduct in-house anti-malware tests and review the results from AV-Test, a German lab renowned for its objective evaluations. Below is the average of the last 10 AV-Test results for Windows. Their scoring criteria are:
- Protection (1-6): Effectiveness in blocking malware.
- Performance (1-6): Impact on system speed.
- Usability (1-6): Frequency of errors like false alarms.
We calculate a final score using this formula:
Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.
While these results influence our choice of the best antivirus for Windows 11, other factors like privacy and identity protection also play a key role. For a similar analysis for Android or macOS, visit our other comparisons:
Note: Brands not listed in the table either do not participate in AV-Test trials or are tested too infrequently, such as Surfshark Antivirus.
Source: AV-Test (Last updated: November 2025).
Price comparison
We’ve compared the prices of the top antivirus products for Windows. To make it a fair comparison, we looked at what it would cost us, to protect a single Windows PC with the most essential features:
- Anti-malware
- Anti-phishing (web protection)
- Firewall
- Password manager
- Unlimited VPN (no data limit)
A few notes:
- Some brands are missing features, lowering their value for money.
- Prices are second-year prices in the USA, without first-year discounts.
- Prices are rounded up for readability (e.g., $99.99 becomes $100).
Brands have different prices outside the USA. See those on their website.
User reviews
We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform.
We consider scores above 4.0 very good. Lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.
Source: TrustPilot. Last Update: November 2025.
Company Profile
Bitdefender, established in Romania in 2001, is a leading cybersecurity provider, serving individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and enterprises. The company operates globally, with headquarters in Bucharest, Romania, and Santa Clara, California, along with offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
With over 1,600 employees—more than half dedicated to research and development—Bitdefender prioritizes innovation, holding 440 patents in areas such as machine-learning threat detection. Its technology is widely trusted, with partnerships with major players like Microsoft, VMware, and Citrix, and a reseller network spanning 170 countries.
How we test antivirus software
At SoftwareLab, we provide thorough and unbiased antivirus reviews to help you make informed cybersecurity decisions. Our comprehensive testing covers all critical aspects of antivirus performance. We assess each product in six key categories, weighted by importance:
For even more details, visit our blog posts on how we test antivirus software.
Anti-Malware Protection (30%)
We evaluate how well the antivirus detects and removes various malware types like viruses, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
In-House Testing: Using 1,200 diverse malware samples, we conduct real-time attack simulations to assess detection and neutralization of known and emerging threats through signature-based and heuristic analysis.
Independent Lab Results: We incorporate findings from respected institutes like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to validate our results.
Security and Privacy Features (30%)
We assess additional tools that enhance cybersecurity:
Web Protection: Testing the software’s ability to block phishing sites and web-based threats by accessing known malicious websites.
Firewall: Evaluating effectiveness using intrusion simulations and the ShieldsUP! test to secure network ports and monitor traffic.
Password Manager: Assessing capabilities to generate, store, and auto-fill complex passwords, plus features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.
VPN: Evaluating security protocols, encryption, speed, server locations, data limits, and support for streaming and peer-to-peer sharing while hiding IP addresses.
Parental Controls: Testing screen time management, content filtering, location tracking, and resistance to bypass attempts to protect children.
Identity Theft Protection: Assessing monitoring of personal info and responsiveness to potential identity theft alerts.
Secure Cloud Storage: Evaluating capacity, security, usability, and features like file encryption and secure sharing.
Anti-Ransomware: Simulating attacks to test detection and blocking of unauthorized encryption via behavioral detection and exploit prevention.
Dark Web Monitoring: Checking effectiveness in scanning the dark web for personal info and providing timely alerts.
System Performance Impact (10%)
We measure how the antivirus affects device performance during everyday tasks:
Resource Usage: Monitoring CPU and memory during scans and real-time protection.
Performance Tests: Evaluating impact on launching apps, downloading files, browsing websites, and copying data, aligned with AV-Test criteria.
False Positives (10%)
Accuracy is crucial to avoid interruptions:
False Positive Detection: Assessing how often legitimate applications or files are incorrectly flagged.
Usability Tests: Referencing AV-Test evaluations to gauge false positive frequency for effectiveness and user-friendliness.
Price and Value (10%)
We analyze overall value by comparing features to cost:
Cost Analysis: Considering subscription prices, device coverage, and multi-year plans.
Feature Evaluation: Assessing if included features justify the price compared to competitors.
Ownership and Reputation (10%)
Trust is essential in cybersecurity providers:
Company Background: Researching history, industry track record, mergers, or acquisitions.
Privacy Policies: Examining data handling, privacy commitment, and compliance with regulations.
Ethical Conduct: Investigating past unethical behavior, data breaches, or controversies.
Sources and tools
- Apple Platform Security
- AV-Comparatives Consumer
- AV-Test Android
- AV-Test macOS
- AV-Test Windows
- GRC Firewall Test
- Microsoft Defender
- SpeedTest VPN
- Trustpilot Security Software
Author: Tibor Moes
Founder & Chief Editor at SoftwareLab
Tibor has tested 28 antivirus programs and 25 VPN services, and holds a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate from Stanford University.
He uses Norton to protect his devices, NordVPN for his privacy, and Proton for his passwords and email.
