Bitdefender vs MacKeeper (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, we pick Bitdefender: it is second in our ranking of antivirus apps, and it grades higher too, 2.8 against 2.0.
Checked Oct 17, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Oct 17, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Bitdefender grades higher on the free plan, features and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Bitdefender
Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier
MacKeeper
Mac maintenance app with antivirus, cleanup and a VPN
Which one is for you
Pick Bitdefender if
- Fits if you're on Windows and want real-time antivirus without paying
- Works for families with lots of devices, as family plans cover up to 25
Look elsewhere if
- Pricey if you pay yearly, as Total Security jumps from $59.99 to $109.99 at renewal and every plan renews at full price
- Skip it if you want a full VPN on Antivirus Plus or Total Security, which cap it at 200 MB a day per device
- Not for you if you want free protection on a Mac or phone, as the free version is Windows only
- Watch out: identity insurance and credit monitoring sit on Ultimate Security Plus, $189.99 a year after a $119.99 first year
- Tight if you'd rather not make an account, as even the free antivirus needs a Bitdefender Central sign-up
Pick MacKeeper if
- Fits if you want cleanup tools and a scanner in one Mac app
- Works for one or three Macs on a yearly plan
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows or a phone, as only Mac is covered
- Pricey if you pay monthly at $14.95
- Watch out: the homepage says from $10.95 a month while the pricing page shows lower figures
- Watch out: the refund must be requested within 30 days and is lost after six months of use
- Tight if you stay on free: one week of malware scanning only
How we grade them
| 2.8GPABitdefenderGood | 2.0GPAMacKeeperFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CTotal Security covers 5 devices for $119.99 for the first 2 years, about $5 a month, right at the dearer quarter of antivirus. Paid yearly it's $59.99 and then $109.99, so $169.98 over two years. Every plan renews at its full price. | C$71.40 a year for 1 Mac, shown as $5.95 a month, between the middle and the dearer quarter of this category. The month-to-month plan is $14.95 and no renewal price is stated. |
| Free plan and trial | BAntivirus Free gives a Windows PC real-time malware and ransomware protection with no time limit, and one person on Windows could live on that. Macs and phones need a paid plan, which you can try free for 30 days. | CA free version with one use of the memory cleaner, one week of malware scanning and a limited adware blocker. |
| Features | BAntivirus and scam protection on all four platforms, a password manager from Total Security, parental controls on family plans and identity monitoring higher up. The VPN is capped at 200 MB a day below Premium Security, but the core protection has no gap. | CAntivirus, cleanup and VPN in one Mac app, though the antivirus is one part of a maintenance suite. |
| Ease of use | B4.68 from about 38,000 App Store ratings, a whisker under the 4.7 an A needs. Even the free version wants a Bitdefender Central account first. | BNo store rating on record, but it is a Mac app you install and run. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWindows, Mac, Android and iPhone, with family plans stretching to 25 devices. No web app, integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. | DMac only: no Windows, iPhone or Android app is listed. |
| Best for | free Windows antivirus, with suites to grow into | a Mac cleanup app with antivirus attached |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Bitdefender and MacKeeper. How we grade
Price against what you get
Bitdefender starts at $4.17 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. MacKeeper starts at $5.95 a month and scores 2.0.
Bitdefender scores higher and starts $1.78 a month lower. Of the other antivirus apps on the chart, none scores higher than Bitdefender for less, and 21 score higher than MacKeeper for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Bitdefender also covers password manager.
- MacKeeper also covers system monitor, disk cleanup and ad and tracker blocking.
At a glance
| Bitdefender | MacKeeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99 | $5.95 per month for 1 Mac, billed yearly ($71.40); renewal price not stated |
| Free plan | Bitdefender Antivirus Free gives real-time malware and ransomware protection for Windows PCs, with no time limit. It needs a Bitdefender Central account. | Free version offers one-time use of the memory cleaner, one week of malware scanning and a limited adware blocker. |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial of Antivirus Plus and Total Security | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Bitdefender | Clario Tech |
| Price read from | bitdefender.com | mackeeper.com |
| Checked | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Bitdefender
- Paid plans renew automatically at the full price after the first year: Total Security goes from $59.99 to $109.99, for example.
- Antivirus Free runs on Windows only; Mac and mobile protection need a paid plan.
- The VPN in Antivirus Plus and Total Security is capped at 200 MB a day per device.
- Refunds are available within 30 days of the first purchase or of an automatic renewal.
MacKeeper
- Mac only; no Windows, iOS or Android app is listed.
- The pricing page does not state what yearly plans cost at renewal; it says only that later payments are billed annually.
- The 14-day money-back guarantee must be requested within 30 days for yearly plans and is lost once the license has been used for six months.
- The homepage lists pricing as starting at $10.95 a month, which differs from the pricing page figures.
Key features
Bitdefender
- Multi-platform malware protection
- Antivirus, malware and ransomware protection for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS on every paid plan, from 1 device up to 25 on family plans.
- Scam protection
- Blocks phishing and fake shops as you browse. Premium Security and above add Scam Protection Pro, which checks email, chat and text messages.
- Bitdefender VPN
- Antivirus Plus and Total Security include a VPN limited to 200 MB a day per device. Premium Security and higher plans remove the limit.
- Password manager
- Total Security and the plans above it include Bitdefender's password manager, one account per member on family plans.
- Parental controls
- Family plans add content filtering, internet time limits, routines, child location and activity reports.
- Identity monitoring
- Ultimate Security watches the web and dark web for leaks of your data. Ultimate Security Plus adds identity theft insurance and credit monitoring.
MacKeeper
- Antivirus and adware cleaner
- Scans for malware and adware and offers real-time protection; the vendor cites a 99.7% detection rate in an AV-TEST comparison.
- Mac cleaner and uninstaller
- Removes junk files, duplicates, unused apps and leftover files to free disk space.
- Memory cleaner and optimizer
- Quits memory-heavy apps and manages startup items to free RAM.
- VPN, ad blocker and breach monitoring
- Includes a VPN, an ad and tracker blocker, and monitoring of email accounts for password leaks.
- In-app chat support
- Chat with support staff from inside the app, which the vendor says is available around the clock.
Plans
Bitdefender
Antivirus Free$0
Basic real-time antivirus for Windows only.
Antivirus Plus$49.99
per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year for $24.99
Antivirus, scam protection and a VPN capped at 200 MB a day. First year $24.99; 3 devices cost $39.99 the first year, then $69.99.
Total Security$109.99
per year for up to 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $59.99
Adds a password manager and cryptomining protection. First year $59.99. Family (25 devices, parental controls): $79.99, then $139.99.
Premium Security$129.99
per year for up to 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $79.99
Adds unlimited VPN traffic, Scam Protection Pro, an anti-tracker and email protection. First year $79.99. Family: $99.99, then $169.99.
Ultimate Security$159.99
per year for up to 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $89.99
Adds dark web monitoring and real-time breach alerts. First year $89.99. Family (25 devices): $119.99, then $199.99.
Ultimate Security Plus$189.99
per year for 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $119.99
Adds $1M identity theft insurance, credit monitoring and restoration help. First year $119.99. Family: $179.99, then $269.99.
MacKeeper
12-month, 1 Mac$5.95
per month, billed yearly; first term, renewal price not stated
$71.40 for the year, shown against a crossed-out $179.40; covers 1 Mac with every MacKeeper tool.
12-month, 3 Macs$7.45
per month, billed yearly; first term, renewal price not stated
$89.40 for the year, shown against a crossed-out $179.40; covers 3 Macs.
1-month, 1 Mac$14.95
per month, billed monthly
Month-to-month plan for 1 Mac with full access to every tool.
Ways to pay less
Bitdefender
- Other savings
First-year prices on every paid plan
First year: Antivirus Plus $24.99, Total Security $59.99, Premium Security $79.99, Ultimate Security $89.99, Ultimate Security Plus $119.99. Each then renews at its full price.
- Other savings
Total Security for 2 years at $119.99
Total Security is also sold as a 2-year subscription: $119.99 for the first 2 years for 5 devices, or $159.99 for the family plan.
MacKeeper
- Other savings
14-day money-back guarantee
All plans are eligible for a refund requested within 30 days of purchase on yearly plans or 14 days on monthly plans.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Bitdefender or MacKeeper?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Bitdefender is cheaper to start with: $4.17 a month when paid by the year, against $5.95 a month for MacKeeper. Bitdefender starts at $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99, and MacKeeper starts at $5.95 per month for 1 Mac, billed yearly ($71.40); renewal price not stated.
Which has a free plan, Bitdefender or MacKeeper?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Bitdefender and MacKeeper have a free plan.
Which platforms do Bitdefender and MacKeeper run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Bitdefender lists Windows, iOS and Android apps. Both list a macOS app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.