Bitdefender vs Webroot
We give Bitdefender a 2.8 GPA and Webroot a 2.6, out of 4.0. Bitdefender grades higher on the free plan. They get the same grade on value for money, features, ease of use and platforms.
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
Webroot
Lightweight cloud antivirus, with identity and VPN bundles
How we grade them
| 2.8GPABitdefenderGood | 2.6GPAWebrootGood | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | CEssentials for 5 devices is $44.99 the first year, shown against $89.99, and Webroot doesn't state the renewal price. If year two is that $89.99, two years cost $134.98, about $5.62 a month, above the dearer quarter of antivirus. |
| 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. | CNo free plan, but a 14-day free trial with no credit card needed. Two weeks is enough to see whether it slows your PC. |
| 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. | BCloud antivirus, a firewall, web threat blocking and a password manager on every plan, then a VPN and identity monitoring from Smart Protection, and cloud backup on Total. Parental controls and the cleaners are Windows only. |
| 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. It's built to install quickly and scan fast, and Webroot says it takes up little space. |
| 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. | BWindows, Mac, Android and iPhone. Text scam detection is phones only and parental controls Windows only, and there's no API on record, so it stops at B. |
| Best for | free Windows antivirus, with suites to grow into | light antivirus for older, slower PCs |
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 Webroot. 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. Webroot starts at $2.92 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.0.
They score the same, and Webroot starts $1.25 a month lower. Of the other antivirus apps on the chart, none scores higher than Bitdefender for less, and none scores higher than Webroot 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 starts at $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99. Webroot starts at $34.99 per year for 1 device (Essentials), first term; renewal price not stated.
- Bitdefender has a free plan. Webroot does not, though it has a free trial.
At a glance
| Bitdefender | Webroot | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free trial |
| Starts at | $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99 | $34.99 per year for 1 device (Essentials), first term; 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. | None |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial of Antivirus Plus and Total Security | 14-day free trial, no credit card required |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Bitdefender | Open Text Corporation |
| Price read from | bitdefender.com | webroot.com |
| Checked | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 |
Who each one suits
Bitdefender
- Windows users who want free real-time antivirus
- Families covering up to 25 devices under one plan
- Buyers who want antivirus, a VPN and a password manager from one vendor
Webroot
- Older or slower PCs that need light antivirus
- Households covering Chromebooks along with PCs, Macs and phones
- US buyers who want identity theft cover with their antivirus
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.
Webroot
- Every price is a first-year price, shown against a higher regular price; Webroot's pages do not state what plans renew at.
- The VPN starts at Smart Protection and covers only 3 or 5 devices depending on the plan.
- Parental controls and the activity and clutter cleaners work on Windows PCs only.
- Text scam detection and breach alerts work on iOS and Android only.
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.
Webroot
- Cloud-based antivirus
- A cloud-based, machine-learning antivirus aimed at zero-day threats; Webroot says its scans are quick and the app takes little space.
- Firewall and Web Threat Shield
- Every plan includes a firewall and network monitor, plus blocking of risky websites, phishing and ransomware.
- Scam protection
- Text scam detection and breach alerts on phones; Smart Protection and Total add Scam Check, ID Check before payments and a 24/7 scam hotline.
- Password manager
- A password manager comes with every plan, alongside protection for personal details typed into AI chats.
- Identity protection
- Higher plans monitor the dark web and financial accounts, add credit bureau monitoring and give US-based restoration help with up to $1M in reimbursement.
- Cloud backup and parental controls
- Total Protection adds unlimited cloud storage for one PC or Mac and parental controls, which run on Windows only.
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.
Webroot
Essentials$34.99
per year for 1 device, first term; renewal price not stated
Antivirus, firewall, scam and breach alerts, password manager. Shown against $49.99. 3 devices $41.99 ($69.99), 5 devices $44.99 ($89.99).
Smart Protection$53.99
per year for 3 devices, first term; renewal price not stated
Adds VPN, identity and dark web monitoring for 1 person, and up to $25k scam reimbursement. Shown against $89.99; 5 devices $69.99 ($99.99).
Premium$64.99
per year for 5 devices, first term; renewal price not stated
Essentials plus credit bureau monitoring and up to $1M fraud expense reimbursement for 1 person. Shown against $129.99; 10 people $124.99.
Total Protection$89.99
per year for 5 devices, first term; renewal price not stated
Premium plus VPN for 5 devices, parental controls and unlimited cloud backup for 1 PC or Mac. Shown against $179.99; 10 devices $149.99.
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.
Webroot
- Other savings
30% to 50% off the first year
Essentials $34.99 (from $49.99), Smart Protection $53.99 ($89.99), Premium $64.99 ($129.99) and Total Protection $89.99 ($179.99) for the first year.
