Bitdefender is the most respected name in the antivirus world, and as you might expect, the firm provides a broad range of different subscription plans. This article focuses on this cybersecurity titan’s 3 significant plans: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Internet Security, and the top-end providing Bitdefender Total Security. (Note: there are also products for Mac and a family plan for those who want them).
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus will meet many people’s needs, providing many entry-level product features. Bitdefender’s most budget-friendly subscription alternative packs many of the same capabilities that many vendors reserve for their upper-tier plans.
The possible weak part with Antivirus Plus comes in device coverage. This plan can now cover 10 devices; all the Bitdefender plans listed here are impressive on their face. However, Antivirus Plus only provides significant discounts on small amounts of hardware (a single device, or three), with larger device numbers not benefiting from any price-cuts, and not having the same value proposition (at least current pricing – and in fact, historically too, this has been the situation).
The Bitdefender Internet Security only applies the discount to one or three device plans. Since it doesn’t cost more than Antivirus Plus in some situations, you might be tempted to push the boat out a bit and go for Internet security instead—depending on how much you value the selection of additional features. However, one of the primary chords added to the bow here is the parental controls. Because Internet security isn’t such an excellent value for high device requirements – such as a family – it’s low overall, at least in that regard.
Plus, both Antivirus Plus and Internet Protection only cover Windows PCs, so if you have a lot of devices on different platforms, including smartphones, Bitdefender Total Security is the obvious option. Because it provides coverage for Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS hardware; also, on top of that, you get a minimum of 5 devices supported, and the 10-device plan has great discounts (which you can get from the other 2 Bitdefender devices).
In short, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus will be fine for many people, unless you need a lot of tools – perhaps across different platforms – covered, perhaps for your entire family, in which situation Bitdefender Total Security is the perfect bet. The latter represents excellent value in those scenarios. Bitdefender Internet Security falls between these 2 stools, and thus little is lost.
Which is the perfect central trio of premium Bitdefender antivirus products? This will depend on your needs. So, we will break down the various features and benefits of these plans, then firmly point you in the best direction in conclusion.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus may be the firm’s entry-level antivirus package, but as the ‘Plus’ part of the name suggests, it provides a lot for a baseline product.
For beginners, you get the protection of Bitdefender’s highly-rated antivirus engine, which is often ranked at the top when independent testing labs evaluate and compare the strengths of security apps. Plus, Bitdefender Antivirus also provides Sterling Web protection and very capable anti-ransomware chops, so the core security here is top-notch.
Extra features include:
- A primary password manager.
- A great secure browser for online banking (SafePay).
- A vulnerability scanner.
- File shredder.
- A Wi-Fi security advisor.
- Even a VPN.
However, the latter has one major caveat: you can only use 200MB of data per day. Still, Bitdefender Premium VPN is useful for occasional use, and considering Antivirus Plus is competitively priced, you’re getting a lot for your money here.
Bitdefender Internet Security
The mid-range Bitdefender plan is an internet security suite with all the features above Antivirus Plus but adds something else to the mix. Along with some privacy tools, namely firewall, email spam filter, and parental controls.
The spam filter is a solid effort. The definite highlight and parental controls are equally thorough, with valuable privacy additions including webcam and mic protection and the ability to use a secure (encrypted) file vault.
There are some neat additions here. Bitdefender Internet Security doesn’t get much more expensive than Antivirus Plus (at least not with some subscriptions, given the current deals Bitdefender provides).
Bitdefender Total Security
In Bitdefender Total Security, you can get the flagship security suite. It carries all the features listed in the above 2 packages; also, it adds some PC maintenance tools – these are basic but easy to integrate.
The actual selling of Total Security is that it allows for multi-platform coverage. This means you can protect not only Windows PCs but Macs and Android and iOS mobile devices as well, so if you have a lot of hardware — or your family does — on different platforms, it’s worth it. It could be a significant consideration.
Also, Bitdefender Total Security throws in anti-theft features and the ability to trace or remotely lock (or wipe) your device, should it become stolen (or lost, for that matter). It also scores high as a value proposition, given the overall quality and depth of coverage you’ll find here.