Bitdefender Free Review 2024: Good or Should You Upgrade?

Among the various choices available, Bitdefender Antivirus Free edition has emerged as a notable contender in cybersecurity. Our hands-on testing unveiled a security suite that’s free — including the features that traditionally come with a price tag.

From real-time protection against online threats and malware to a sturdy firewall that keeps intruders at bay, Bitdefender Free delivers a level of security that makes it a worthy companion for your digital journey.

But is it one of the best free antivirus around? Our in-depth review aims to shed light on the costs, features, and overall efficacy of Bitdefender Free to help you make an informed decision.

Bitdefender Free review at a glance

Price	Free
# of devices protected	3
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection	Yes
EICAR test results	3/3
Firewall	No — paid plans only
Phishing protection	Yes
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android
Extras	N/A
24/7 customer support	Yes
Learn more	Get Bitdefender Free

Our experience

During our extensive testing, Bitdefender Free was trialed on a Windows computer. The antivirus was subjected to various tests to evaluate its ease of use, feature robustness, and overall user experience.

Downloading and installing Bitdefender Free was straightforward with no hiccups. However, it required creating an account, which was a small hurdle but a one-time event.

No additional security settings adjustments were needed on the device to complete the setup, making it a smooth experience right from the get-go. The absence of issues during this phase set a positive tone for the user experience.

Primary features like computer virus scanning and real-time protection are intuitive and user friendly in Bitdefender Free. The clean interface enhances user experience, providing clear notifications for scan progress and detected threats.

The quick scan only took a couple of minutes to complete, successfully scanning over 5,000 files on our computer.

The full system scan did take quite a while to complete, though they notified us that it should be quicker in the future. The first pass took a little over 26 minutes and scanned an astonishing 633,000 files.

To test out their hypothesis that subsequent scans would take less time, we scanned again. This time it took 20 minutes and cleaned 696,000 files.

The one downside of the scans was figuring out how to schedule them. While most antivirus make it an easy option in the settings, you have to set up a custom scan for Bitdefender. This is easy once you find it, but took us a bit at first.

Though none of these scans detected viruses, it was able to detect fake viruses we downloaded for testing purposes. On top of quarantining the file, Bitdefender also provided us a comforting summary of how they protected us, which we thought was a nice touch:

The online threat protection is automatically activated with a clear status indicator. On top of that, a helpful browser extension called Bitdefender TrafficLight highlights risky search results, and whitelisting websites is simple, contributing to a tailored user experience. It was also able to detect a fake phishing website we use in our testing.

While the multitude of locked features made it obvious that we were on the free version, we didn't feel overly bogged down with excessive funneling and attempts to get us to upgrade. That's all we can really ask for when getting a good product for free.

Overall our experience with the free version of Bitdefender was impressive. We felt protected and unharassed.

Who is Bitdefender Free best for?

• Recommended for individuals seeking cost-effective cybersecurity

Bitdefender Antivirus Free edition is a boon for individuals looking for a solid antivirus solution without burning a hole in their pocket.

Its real-time protection backed by manual and scheduled scans provide a comprehensive security suite that doesn’t compromise quality. The user-friendly interface and the simplicity of running scans add to its appeal, making it suitable for those who may not be tech savvy.

Bitdefender antivirus software costs

While Bitdefender does offer a free plan, their premium plans range from $24.99/yr (first year only) to $37.99/yr (first year only). 

• Bitdefender Antivirus Plus ($24.99/yr (first year only)) covers three devices and adds additional features, like a VPN, Wi-Fi security scanning, and file shredder.
• Bitdefender Internet Security ($37.99/yr (first year only)) adds extra features, like webcam and mic protection, parental controls, and a firewall.
• Bitdefender Total Security ($40.99/yr (first year only)) expands to cover five devices and adds on features like computer optimization tools, anti-theft functionality, and protection for your mobile devices.

If you want more from your antivirus than just basic virus protection, any of the Bitdefender premium plans can give you plenty of bang for your buck.

Here's how the different plans compare.

	Bitdefender Free	Bitdefender Antivirus Plus	Bitdefender Internet Security	Bitdefender Total Security
Price for first year	Free	$24.99/yr (first year only)	$37.99/yr (first year only)	$40.99/yr (first year only)
Number of devices supported	3	3	3	5
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, and Android	Windows	Windows	Windows, macOS, iOS and Android
Manual and scheduled scan
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
File shredder
VPN		Yes — 200 MB/day data cap	Yes — 200 MB/day data cap	Yes — 200 MB/day data cap
Firewall
Parental controls
Webcam and microphone protection
Password manager

Bitdefender Free vs. Bitdefender Total Security

When comparing Bitdefender Free and Bitdefender Total Security, the difference in protection and features is pronounced.

The price point of $40.99/yr (first year only) is reasonable considering the broadened device coverage and the suite of additional features like phishing protection, file shredder, password manager, parental controls, and webcam and microphone protection.

Regarding overall value, Bitdefender Total Security is a robust antivirus solution beyond essential malware protection. The upgrade from Bitdefender Free to Bitdefender Total Security is a prudent investment that comes with essential extra features. The plan encapsulates a holistic approach to digital safety without breaking the bank, making it a superior choice for those seeking enhanced protection and added features.

Read our Bitdefender Total Security review

Bitdefender Free features

Bitdefender Free may not have all the flashy features you can find with paid antivirus software, but it still offers everything you need.

Its features include real-time protection and malware-scanning functionalities. However, it misses out on some advanced features like ransomware file backup and advanced optimization tools often found in premium antivirus solutions.

Malware and antivirus scan

Bitdefender Free offers manual scanning options, providing a flexible approach to keeping your device secure. You can opt for quick scans for a swift check or full system scans to inspect every nook and cranny of your system thoroughly.

The scanning process was smooth during our testing with no hitches encountered. The option to schedule scans adds a layer of convenience, allowing you to set up routine checks without initiating them manually each time.

Real-time protection

The real-time protection feature in Bitdefender Antivirus Free diligently monitors web browsing, emails, and apps for malicious activity. While it doesn’t come with an ad blocker, its protection against malware and phishing attempts while browsing is commendable.

The real-time shield works seamlessly in the background, ensuring your digital interactions remain safe without impeding your user experience. Bitdefender Free also keeps an eye out for hard-to-detect adware, Trojans, and rootkits.

Phishing protection

Bitdefender Free excels in providing robust anti-phishing and anti-spam features, and the setup is fairly straightforward.

The notifications within the interface are clear and intuitive, making it easy to understand the threat level. The ease with which items can be marked as spam or not adds to the user-friendly nature of this antivirus solution.

However, during testing the anti-phishing feature didn’t detect a phishing attempt, so it may have gaps in its protection. This gap was filled by downloading the free browser extension called TrafficLight.

Ransomware protection

While Bitdefender Free offers a basic level of protection against ransomware, it does not provide a dedicated ransomware file backup feature, which is often a part of more advanced, paid solutions.

However, its real-time protection does offer a line of defense against ransomware attacks by detecting and blocking suspicious activity.

Bitdefender Free test results

We don't just take Bitdefender's word for it — we put every product we review to the test. These tests are a combination of vigorous in-house testing as well as gathering scores from trusted third-party antivirus testers.

Here's how Bitdefender did.

Scan speed

• Result: Average

How long antivirus scans take is important because it determine how often you'll willingly sit through the scan. Bitdefender took a pretty average amount of time, both with its quick scan and system scan.

We've seen some quick scans only last a few seconds, so the two minute mark isn't too impressive, but it's also not terrible. Similarly, we've seen full scans last well over an hour, so coming up under 30 minutes isn't the worst case scenario either.

Both scans also looked at a lot of files, coming in at over 630,000 for the full scan. This is the most we've seen so far.

Scan type	Time spent
Quick scan	2 minutes and 22 seconds
Full scan	28 minutes and 18 seconds

EICAR test results

• Result: 3/3

One widely recognized method is to utilize the standards set by the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR), which helps test software by simulating malware behavior without causing real harm to the computer. Through this method, we can evaluate how well antivirus software detects, blocks, and handles potential threats.

In our case, Bitdefender Free was tested to assess its malware and phishing detection capabilities. It showcased strong performance, passing all three tests.

One thing to note with the phishing test is that the app on its own didn't pass. It was only when we downloaded the free browser extension called Bitdefender TrafficLight that it successfully blocked the site.

We gave Bitdefender the point anyway since this has been the case for all antivirus we've tested so far. They need the additional browser permissions in order to properly block suspicious sites.

Test	Bitdefender Free score
Malware detection	Pass
Drive-by malware downloads	Pass
Phishing pages detection	Pass

Test results as of 08/13/2024.

AV-TEST results

• Result: Perfect scores for all devices

In the antivirus community, third-party testing sites are revered for their unbiased, rigorous evaluation of the worst and best antivirus software. One such reputable testing site is AV-TEST, which conducts comprehensive evaluations based on protection, performance, and usability.

Although the following test results pertain to a paid version of Bitdefender (namely Bitdefender Internet Security), they can provide a general idea of the quality and reliability we might expect from Bitdefender Free.

Test type	Windows 11 score	macOS Monterey score	Android 11 score
Protection	6/6	6/6	6/6
Performance	6/6	6/6	6/6
Usability	6/6	6/6	6/6
Date	June 2024	June 2024	March 2024
Link to test	Link	Link	Link

The scores from AV-TEST reflect an impeccable performance by Bitdefender Internet Security across all testing categories on Windows, Mac, and Android. The maximum score of 6 in protection, performance, and usability indicates top-tier capabilities in defending against malware, maintaining system performance, and having a user-friendly interface, respectively.

AV-Comparatives test results

• Result: High scores for protection with middling performance results

Another highly trusted antivirus tester is AV-Comparatives, which does a series of tests on top antivirus options and compare the results to get a fuller picture.

Bitdefender performed well on the tests, especially the ones relating to actual protection. Again, these were all tested using the premium version of Bitdefender, but as the antivirus capabilities are the same among versions, it's still relevant for the free plan.

Test type	Mobile security	Real-world protection	Malware protection	Mac security	Performance impact (Lower is better)
Score	99.9%	99.96%	99.92%	100%	9.7
Platform	Android	Windows	Windows	macOS	Windows
Date	May 2024	February - May 2024	March 2024	May 2024	April 2024
Link	Link	Link	Link	Link	Link

While these scores look impressive on their own, it's helpful to see the full context of where it ranked amongst its peers:

• Mobile security: Tied for first place with Avast, AVG, and Kaspersky. No false positives flagged, while others found up to 10.
• Real-world protection: Tied for fourth place with Trend Micro, with a 0.4% lower score than the first place antiviruses (Avast and AVG). It let through two compromised files/links out of 489.
• Malware protection: Bitdefender came in fifth place for this category, letting through eight compromised files/links. First place (F-Secure and Norton) let through three files, earning a score that's 0.05% better than Bitdefender.
• Mac security: Bitdefender got a perfect score on Macs, tying in first place with Avast and AVG. 
• Performance impact: Lower scores are better for this last test, so Bitdefender came in eight place. The top place winner here was McAfee with a much better 2.8 impact score.

SE Labs results

• Result: 100%

The last third-party antivirus tester on our list is SE Labs, a U.K. based company that releases quarterly reports on antivirus performance for both consumers and enterprises.

Bitdefender was last tested by SE Labs in the first quarter of 2023, where it and three of its peers gained perfect 100% scores across the board. Those peers were Kaspersky, Sophos, and Avast.

Test type	Home Anti-Malware Protection
Total accuracy rating	100%
Date	Q1 2023
Link	Link

Bitdefender Free compatibility

Here's a breakdown of the devices and platforms that Bitdefender Free is compatible with.

• Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, 8.1, 10, and 11
• macOS 10.10 and later
• Android

Unfortunately for Apple iPhone users, Bitdefender doesn’t offer free antivirus software to scan and protect your device. Instead, we recommend checking out our guide to the best antivirus programs for iOS, including Norton, Avira, and McAfee.

Bitdefender Free customer support

Bitdefender provides a range of customer support options to assist users in navigating through its features or resolving any issues they might encounter. Online tutorials and guides are available that are clear and easy to follow, making it simpler for users to find solutions to common problems independently.

Customers can reach out to Bitdefender's customer service for more personalized assistance via phone, online chat, or email. However, there seems to be room for improvement in the response time, as we waited over two days for a response after submitting an email form.

You can reach out to its 24/7 live chat by going to this page and answering a few screening questions.

There doesn’t appear to be a tiered customer service access based on your plan type, which is good as it implies equal support access for all users regardless of whether they are using a free or paid version. Despite the lag in email response, the availability of multiple channels of support and self-help resources provides a decent level of support for users of Bitdefender Free.

Top alternatives

While Bitdefender Free offers a solid set of features for basic protection, there are other reputable antivirus services available that could serve as alternatives. These alternatives also provide free or low-cost plans, allowing users to choose one based on their specific needs and preferences. Here are a few notable alternatives to Bitdefender Free.

Bitdefender Free FAQs

Bottom line: Is Bitdefender Antivirus Free good enough?

Bitdefender Free offers a strong foundation of award-winning antivirus protection with essential features like malware and phishing protection, real-time shielding, and a user-friendly interface. However, it lacks advanced features like a VPN, password manager, and file shredding, which are available in its paid counterparts.

Bitdefender’s free edition is a solid choice for individuals seeking basic protection for a single device without any financial commitment. It is suitable for budget-conscious users or those who require minimal protection with the option to upgrade as needed.

But if you require more comprehensive protection and additional cybersecurity features including a VPN, password manager, or parental controls, upgrading to a paid Bitdefender plan like Total Security is well worth the cost.