Bitdefender
Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier
Our verdict
Second of our top three antivirus apps
For: Households that want a paid suite across every device
Bitdefender Antivirus Free gives a Windows PC real-time malware and ransomware protection with no time limit, and paid plans cover Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone. Total Security is $59.99 the first year for 5 devices, then $109.99, with a password manager, and refunds run for 30 days after a purchase or a renewal. Its iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 from about 38,000 ratings. It is second because the free version runs on Windows only and needs an account, and the VPN stops at 200 MB a day below Premium Security.
See all three and how we rankBitdefender report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Oct 17, 2026
Best for free Windows antivirus, with suites to grow into
Bitdefender gives Windows users real-time antivirus for free, and its paid suites cover Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone, up to 25 devices on family plans. Five devices on Total Security cost $119.99 if you pay for two years up front. Pay yearly and the price nearly doubles at renewal, and the VPN on that plan stops at 200 MB a day.
Who Bitdefender is for
- Great if you're on Windows and want real-time antivirus without paying
- Good for families with lots of gadgets, as family plans cover up to 25 devices
- Handy when you want antivirus, a password manager and a VPN from one company
Who Bitdefender is not for
- Pricey if you pay yearly, as Total Security jumps from $59.99 to $109.99 at renewal
- Skip it if you want a proper VPN on the cheaper plans, which cap it at 200 MB a day
- Not for you if you want free protection on a Mac or phone, as the free version is Windows-only
Why Bitdefender gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- CValue for moneyTotal 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.
- BFree plan and trialAntivirus 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.
- BFeaturesAntivirus 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.
- BEase of use4.68 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.
- BPlatforms and integrationsWindows, 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.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Bitdefender's own pages on 17 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Its consumer page showed no prices to our reader when we went back to check it. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/bitdefender#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/bitdefender.svg" alt="Bitdefender: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Bitdefender stands among antivirus apps
Bitdefender's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 11 of 14) and worst on value for money (C, above 3).
Its paid plans start at $4.17 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 4 of the 10 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 15 antivirus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Bitdefender’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 3 of 14, level with 11
- BFree plan and trialAbove 11 of 14, level with 2
- BFeaturesAbove 4 of 14, level with 10
- BEase of useAbove 2 of 14, level with 10
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 14, level with 14
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 11 antivirus apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
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
Keep Bitdefender, or make your own?
Keep it
To replace Bitdefender you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade. It costs $49.99 a year.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- A password vault, the last thing anyone should make for themselves.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Bitdefender’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Bitdefender?
Bitdefender sells antivirus and security suites for home users, from a free Windows antivirus to bundles that add a VPN, a password manager and identity monitoring. Paid plans cover Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, for one person or a family. Every paid plan is sold at a first-year price and renews automatically at a higher one.
Bitdefender has a free plan. Paid plans start at $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99. See every plan
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
Bitdefender pricing
- Starts at
- $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99
- 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 trial
- 30-day free trial of Antivirus Plus and Total Security
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus Free | $0 | Basic real-time antivirus for Windows only. |
| Antivirus Plus | $49.99per 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 | $109.99per 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 | $129.99per 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 | $159.99per 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 | $189.99per 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. |
Read from bitdefender.com on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Bitdefender before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Other savingsFirst-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.
Stated on bitdefender.com - Other savingsTotal 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.
Stated on bitdefender.com
How people rate the Bitdefender app
4.7
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
- 5 stars82%
- 4 stars11%
- 3 stars3%
- 2 stars1%
- 1 star3%
38,152 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 17, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
Bitdefender alternatives
- Bitdefender vs Norton 360
Free trial · from $84.99/yr
- Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes
Free plan · from $59.99/yr
- Bitdefender vs ESET
Free trial · from $12.99/yr
- Bitdefender vs Kaspersky
Free trial · from $64.99/yr
- Bitdefender vs McAfee
Free plan
Common questions
Is Bitdefender free?
Bitdefender has a 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. Paid plans start at $49.99 per year at renewal (Antivirus Plus, 1 device), after a first year for $24.99.
How much does Bitdefender cost?
Bitdefender lists 6 plans. Antivirus Free: $0. Antivirus Plus: $49.99 per year for 1 device at renewal, after a first year for $24.99. Total Security: $109.99 per year for up to 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $59.99. Premium Security: $129.99 per year for up to 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $79.99. Ultimate Security: $159.99 per year for up to 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $89.99. Ultimate Security Plus: $189.99 per year for 5 devices at renewal, after a first year for $119.99. Prices were read from bitdefender.com on Oct 17, 2026.
What platforms does Bitdefender work on?
Bitdefender is available on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Does Bitdefender offer any discounts?
Bitdefender publicly lists the following: First-year prices on every paid plan; Total Security for 2 years at $119.99.
How is Bitdefender rated?
Bitdefender's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 38,152 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 17, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.
Does Bitdefender have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 17, 2026. Bitdefender is listed for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
Is Bitdefender open source?
Bitdefender is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Does Bitdefender have a free trial?
Yes. 30-day free trial of Antivirus Plus and Total Security.
Who makes Bitdefender?
Bitdefender is made by Bitdefender. It dates from 2001.
What are the alternatives to Bitdefender?
The closest alternatives to Bitdefender in our directory are Norton 360, Malwarebytes, ESET, Kaspersky and McAfee. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Bitdefender.
How does Bitdefender compare with other antivirus apps?
Bitdefender's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3. It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 11 of 14) and worst on value for money (C, above 3).
Is Bitdefender good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Bitdefender C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $4.17 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.17 for the category: 4 of the 10 others that charge start lower. On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Could I make my own version of Bitdefender?
To replace Bitdefender you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 10 of the 14 other antivirus apps we grade. It costs $49.99 a year. What you could not make: An engine that recognises new malware as it appears. Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. A password vault, the last thing anyone should make for themselves. Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other. This is a judgement from its listing. We have not built one.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 17, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.