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Bitdefender Total Security Review (2025): The right choice?
By Tibor Moes / Updated: January 2025
Bitdefender Total Security Review 2025
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 | #4 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 #4 of the 28 best antivirus of 2025.
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 capabilities are both powerful and efficient. Its antivirus scanner combines a vast malware directory with machine learning to detect known and emerging threats while keeping resource usage low due to cloud-based scanning. There are five scan types:
- Quick Scan: Detects malware in running processes.
- System Scan: Thoroughly scans the entire system.
- Custom Scan: Targets specific locations.
- Vulnerability Scan: Identifies privacy risks and software updates.
- Rescue Environment: Scans the system without booting the OS.
During testing, Bitdefender identified all 1,200 malware samples, including viruses, trojans, ransomware, and more. The full system scan took under 50 minutes, comparable to competitors like Norton, and caused minimal system slowdown. Scan scheduling is flexible but could be easier to navigate.
Bitdefender’s real-time protection, Bitdefender Shield, offers exceptional security, actively scanning files, email attachments, and preventing fileless attacks. It blocked 100% of malware in testing, and advanced users can customize settings for deeper control. Overall, Bitdefender’s scanner and real-time protection deliver industry-leading malware detection with great customization and performance.
Anti-phishing
Bitdefender’s anti-phishing protection delivers perfect detection rates by comparing websites to a constantly updated blacklist of malicious sites. In tests, it blocked all phishing attempts, outperforming browsers like Chrome and Firefox and competitors such as Panda and Kaspersky.
A standout feature is the user-friendly notification system, which shows blocked sites and allows one-click whitelisting of false positives. This ease of use surpasses other antiviruses, like Norton, which require navigating more complex settings.
In addition to phishing protection, Bitdefender scans search results, encrypted sites, and checks for fraudulent content, offering comprehensive web protection. Its effectiveness and ease of customization make it a top choice for safeguarding against online threats.
Firewall
Bitdefender’s firewall is a highly customizable and effective tool for monitoring and managing in- and outbound network traffic, offering strong protection against cyber threats. It features port scan protection, a stealth mode to hide your device on networks, and a passive detection mode, making it suitable for both advanced and novice users. Out of the box, it provides more protection than default firewalls on Windows and Mac.
In tests, Bitdefender’s firewall blocked most simulated network attacks and successfully concealed service ports from online scans, preventing hackers from probing the network. It automatically manages network access for applications, but users can also switch to manual settings for more control. Three modes are available for application handling: Automatic, Allow, and Block, with the default “Automatic” mode being the most secure option.
Although the “Alert” mode offers real-time pop-ups for each app’s network access request, it can become overwhelming without clear app identification. Competitors like AVG and Avast provide more detailed prompts, which improve user experience. However, creating custom firewall rules is straightforward, offering flexibility for managing app permissions.
While the Stealth Mode aims to make your computer invisible to other devices, it had mixed results in testing, as it didn’t fully block communication with certain wireless devices. Despite this, Bitdefender’s firewall remains a solid, easy-to-use feature, offering strong protections against network-based threats beyond what built-in firewalls provide.
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 is a solid but basic tool compared to standalone options like 1Password or Dashlane. It offers key features such as:
- High-level encryption
- Multi-device sync
- Password generator (up to 32 characters)
- Unlimited password storage
- Payment information storage
- Auto-save and auto-fill
- Password vault auditing
Although it lacks a desktop app and password-sharing functionality, it performs well in mobile apps and browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari). The auto-save and auto-fill features are reliable, and the password vault auditing tool provides helpful insights on weak, reused, or old passwords, though dark web monitoring is only available through Bitdefender’s Digital Identity Protection service.
The password manager comes free with Bitdefender Premium Security, or as a paid add-on for lower-tier plans. While it’s not as feature-rich as dedicated password managers, it’s a decent option for basic password management, particularly if bundled with Bitdefender’s other security features.
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, powered by Hotspot Shield, provides essential security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. However, compared to Hotspot Shield’s standalone offering, Bitdefender’s VPN has fewer server locations and lacks some advanced features.
The free version, included in most Bitdefender plans, is quite limited. It offers only 200 MB of daily data and automatically selects a server, often resulting in slow speeds. Upgrading to Bitdefender Premium Security or a standalone VPN plan unlocks unlimited data and access to 4,000 global servers, delivering fast connection speeds that rival some standalone VPNs.
During tests, Bitdefender’s premium VPN performed exceptionally well with minimal impact on internet speeds, making it suitable for streaming and torrenting. It works with popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. The inclusion of the WireGuard protocol adds speed and security, and the double-hop feature offers extra encryption, though it slightly slows down connections.
While it lacks the breadth of features seen in dedicated VPNs like NordVPN or Surfshark, Bitdefender’s premium VPN is a solid option for users seeking fast, secure browsing bundled with antivirus protection. For a comparable option, have a look at Norton Ultra VPN.
Other security features
OneClick Optimizer
Bitdefender’s OneClick Optimizer is a basic tool for cleaning up unnecessary files, freeing disk space, and improving performance. It removes temporary files, broken registry items, browser history, and more. In testing, it freed up 1.3 GB, but it lacks the detailed control and features of competitors like Avira and TotalAV, which offer more advanced optimization tools like startup management and driver updates. While effective, the lack of visibility into what files are being deleted is a minor frustration.
Secure Web Browser (Safepay)
Safepay is Bitdefender’s secure browser designed to protect sensitive information during online transactions. It prevents remote desktop access, blocks screenshots, and features a virtual keyboard to thwart keyloggers. It also integrates with Bitdefender’s password manager and VPN (with a 200 MB daily limit). Safepay worked well in testing, effectively blocking unauthorized actions, but it’s slower than regular browsers and not suited for general use or HD video streaming. Still, it’s excellent for securing online payments and banking.
Parental Controls
Bitdefender’s parental controls, available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, offer robust management of children’s online activities. Features include device usage limits, app management, website filtering, location tracking, and geofencing (Android and iOS). The controls worked seamlessly in tests, effectively blocking restricted sites and tracking device use. However, there’s no option for children to request access to blocked sites, a feature competitors like Norton provide. Despite this, Bitdefender’s parental controls are among the best for ensuring online and offline safety.
Webcam and Microphone Protection
Bitdefender provides robust webcam and microphone protection, alerting you to any unauthorized access attempts and allowing you to block or permit access for specific apps. These protections help prevent hackers from spying on you, offering more control than some competitors like McAfee, and are easy to configure.
Ransomware Remediation
Bitdefender’s Ransomware Remediation actively protects your files during ransomware attacks, automatically restoring most encrypted files. While a few files weren’t recovered during testing, the feature worked better than many competitors, making it a valuable safeguard against ransomware.
Identity Theft Protection
Available in the US as part of Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security bundles or as a standalone purchase, Bitdefender’s identity theft protection monitors up to 100 pieces of personally identifiable information (PII), including social security numbers, credit reports, and even dark web activity. It also helps remove personal data from broker sites and provides identity theft insurance, making it one of the most comprehensive solutions available.
Anti-Theft Protection
Bitdefender’s anti-theft feature, available for Windows and Android, accurately tracks lost devices, enables remote locking, sounds alerts, and can even wipe your data. While it’s one of the best anti-theft tools on the market, it’s limited to Windows and Android, leaving Mac and iOS users without coverage.
Profiles
Bitdefender’s Profiles feature allows users to optimize system performance based on different usage scenarios, such as Work, Game, Movie, Public Wi-Fi, and Battery Mode. Each profile tailors settings to minimize interruptions and enhance performance. This flexibility makes it a standout feature for improving productivity and performance.
Other Security Tools
- Wi-Fi Protection: Scans your Wi-Fi network and router for vulnerabilities.
- Cryptomining Protection: Blocks unauthorized cryptomining activity.
- Anti-Tracking Protection: Prevents web trackers from collecting your data.
- File Shredder: Permanently deletes sensitive files, making recovery impossible.
- AntiSpam: Filters and blocks spam emails and phishing attempts, helping to keep your inbox secure.
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: December 2024).
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: December 2024.
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.
