Bitdefender VPN Review 2024: A Surprising VPN With Lots of Features

Bitdefender VPN is among the best virtual private networks (VPNs) created by an antivirus provider. While many VPNs included with security software tend to fall short, this one impressed us.

Bitdefender VPN's network of virtual server locations is accessible with any paid plan. The free plan offers a daily bandwidth limit and three server locations, but it’s still a strong way to encrypt your online activity.

There are a few hiccups, like a limit on simultaneous connections, but the benefits outweigh the pitfalls (there aren’t many). Even the pricing is great for this VPN subscription. 

To learn more about our experience, continue with our Bitdefender VPN review.

Bitdefender VPN review at a glance

Price	$2.92–$6.99/mo
Free version	Yes (with Total Security)
Max # of connected devices	10
# of servers	1,300+ servers in 30+ countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, Catapult Hydra
Encryption	AES-256
No-logs policy	No logs
Headquarters	Romania and the United States
Netflix access	Limited access
Learn more	Get Bitdefender VPN

We last tested Bitdefender VPN on October 25, 2024.

Our experience

We didn’t have high hopes for Bitdefender VPN. VPNs offered in conjunction with other software, particularly cybersecurity software, tend to be a bit meh. 

Bitdefender, however, pleasantly surprised us. Not only was it ridiculously fast, but it unblocked streaming services in the U.S., U.K., and Canada without a twinge of lag time. It didn’t unblock Netflix everywhere, though, so we wouldn’t entirely rely on Bitdefender VPN for all our international streaming.

We experienced a smooth, easy test. The most we had to do was grant access to Bitdefender’s VPN protocol in our settings. After that, it was simple to use. 

This was a pleasant surprise, as we sometimes dread testing new software on our Macbook running an M2 chip, especially since we just updated to Sonoma. A lot of software doesn’t prioritize the most recent Mac updates or even the new proprietary chips Apple has been putting in its Macbooks. We’re glad to see Bitdefender VPN is compatible with new macOS updates. We also tested Bitdefender VPN on a PC laptop and had no issues installing the service. 

We love that Bitdefender VPN comes from an already established security company and that it offers all the features its competitors do for a significantly cheaper price. Seriously, this is one to watch.

Who is Bitdefender VPN best for?

• Recommended for anyone who wants a well-rounded VPN

Usually, we try to look at the virtual private network and how it works to determine who it would be best for, but this VPN really is great for anyone. It’s comprehensive, offers a lot of features, has a small price tag, and comes from a trusted cybersecurity name. 

Our only gripe is that it has a 10-device limit, which isn’t that bad. Other VPNs from antivirus services like Norton VPN only allow for up to 10 simultaneous connections, and services like CyberGhost allow for 7 simultaneous connections. But you can connect unlimited devices with VPN providers like Surfshark and PIA. 

Bitdefender VPN prices and subscriptions

Pricing is very simple with Bitdefender Total Security. There’s a monthly price and a yearly price. The language on the site indicates that Bitdefender doesn’t believe in multi-year contracts or expensive pricing models. It keeps it simple and affordable.

Plan	1-month plan	1-year plan
Price per month	$6.99/mo	$2.92/mo (billed annually)
Learn more	View plan	View plan

Bitdefender VPN features

A good, well-rounded VPN offers a variety of features that allow you to do more than just turn it on and browse. A variety of server options, tools like a kill switch, and a solid no-logs policy are all hallmarks of a worthwhile VPN. 

VPNs work by encrypting your data, but they really shine when giving you access to geo-restricted content, allowing for split tunneling and torrenting, or stopping ads and trackers. Bitdefender VPN checks many of these boxes, and we were surprised by the robustness of the features.

Premium VPNs will give you extra security features, but the bare minimum is a kill switch, which can protect your IP address in the event your VPN connection drops. Luckily, Bitdefender offers three VPN protocols, split tunneling, and a kill switch. In our testing, we found these features were easy to access and use.

Server count and countries

• 1,300+ servers in 30+ countries

Bitdefender VPN’s paid plans offer 1,300+ servers in 30+ countries. This is among the higher end of server networks that we've seen, especially for an antivirus VPN.

We found that Bitdefender VPN’s servers unblock streaming services and are easy to use. If you’re using the free plan, you still have access to fast and secure servers, but it has automatic server selection.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• Bitdefender VPN logs policy: No logs
• Bitdefender VPN headquarters: Romania and the United States

Bitdefender’s dual headquarters can make privacy concerns a little confusing. Romania offers a lot of privacy guarantees, while the U.S. definitely allows for spying on internet users. 

Bitdefender partners with Pango to offer VPN services, and Pango's Partner VPN platform was audited by Aon Cyber Solutions in November 2022. The audit revealed no critical findings, and less-critical findings were rectified.

It’s important that your VPN doesn’t keep logs. If you value your privacy (and you should), then having a VPN that doesn’t log is key. Keeping your identifying information and online activity private is a key component of a VPN. 

In countries like the United States, where privacy isn’t protected, your VPN provider may be legally required to turn over any data it collected on you. This includes logs of everything you’ve done online. Fortunately, if that VPN doesn’t keep logs, it can’t turn any over.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling isn’t always offered, but it's useful if you want to maintain a VPN connection while also accessing websites that don’t allow unblocking by a VPN. Split tunneling is when a VPN offers the ability to route some traffic through a VPN connection and some not. This is helpful for websites like online banking, which tend to be distrustful of VPN traffic.

Kill switch

A kill switch disables your internet connection to protect the anonymity of your IP address if the VPN connection is lost or drops when you switch between servers. Bitdefender VPN makes it super easy to use the kill switch, which is featured right on the main dashboard. We also accessed the kill switch feature via the Privacy Settings.

VPN protocols

Having at least two VPN protocols to choose from helps you control your security and can give you advantages for specific activities, like gaming, streaming, or browsing online. Bitdefender uses WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Catapult Hydra protocols. 

Hydra is considered extremely fast and is often used by gamers and streamers. It doesn’t allow for obfuscated servers though, which can be a problem for unblocking geo-restricted content. WireGuard is also fast, safe, and open source (unlike Catapult Hydra, which is proprietary), allowing for speed and security while also lacking obfuscated technology. Finally, OpenVPN is also open source and known to be a secure protocol. 

Ad and tracker blocker

Ad blockers and anti-trackers improve your online experience and can protect against malware. You can toggle the ad blocker and anti-tracking technology off and on separately, but if you want to whitelist a site, it’ll apply the whitelisting to both. 

App traffic optimizer

Unique to Bitdefender is the app traffic optimizer. This feature allows you to prioritize your top three apps to ensure a smooth, fast internet connection. 

Bitdefender VPN test results

We test all the VPNs we review for speed, streaming accessibility, and security. 

Some VPNs allow you to watch the Cleveland Browns while lounging by the pool in Cancun or the U.K. show “Back To Life” from the comfort of your Montana home. We want to make sure you know which ones are worth your while before downloading and paying for a service. 

Speed tests

• Speed test results: Bitdefender VPN increased our speeds in the U.S., and had regular drops with every other server.

Before testing Bitdefender VPN, we recorded our internet speed without having the VPN connected (known as the baseline speed). Then, we connected to servers in countries worldwide to calculate the impact it had on our speeds.

Test type	No VPN	US to US	US to CA	US to UK	US to AU
Download speed	289.48 Mbps	296.52 Mbps	283.66 Mbps	236.79 Mbps	183.39 Mbps
Upload speed	328.57 Mbps	351.63 Mbps	364.23 Mbps	4.15 Mbps	293.94 Mbps
Latency (ping)	13 ms	7 ms	43 ms	124 ms	271 ms
Download speed % difference	N/A	+2.43%	-2.01%	-18.20%	-36.65%
Upload speed % difference	N/A	+7.02%	+10.85%	-98.74%	-10.54%
Latency % difference	N/A	-46%	+231%	+854%	+1,985%

Bitdefender actually increased our speeds with the U.S. server. Although it was by a marginal amount, we noticed no difference between our internet before and after connecting to the VPN.  

Bitdefender VPN also dropped our latency with the U.S. serve. With latency, it's better to be low because websites will load faster and you'll experience less lag and buffering.

There were download speed drops with every other server, which is to be expected. As you start selecting server locations that are farther from your physical location, your data will have to travel longer, hence the decrease in speed. 

Overall, Bitdefender VPN had great speed performance across all the servers we tested.

Netflix tests

• Netflix test results: Bitdefender VPN unblocked all four Netflix libraries we tested. 

Unblocking geo-restricted content libraries on streaming services isn’t the only reason you may want to watch Netflix (or Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, etc.) with a VPN. You may be using public Wi-Fi — like in a hotel, coffee shop, or library — or you may just want to stop your ISP from throttling your speed while streaming. Whatever your reason, a VPN that works with your streaming service of choice is a bonus.

Bitdefender VPN worked like a dream with streaming with all the countries we tested. We didn’t experience any lag time or loading issues while watching Netflix. 

It even unblocked Netflix Australia during our latest round of testing when it was unsuccessful in the past.

	US to US	US to CA	US to UK	US to AU
Did it work with Netflix?

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• DNS leak test results: Pass
• WebRTC leak test results: Partial pass

Domain name system (DNS) is the internet’s phonebook. It translates the language we speak into computer language and back again, so what we type into our web browsers takes us to the page we’re looking for online. This also means that personal information like your IP address is shared in these online interactions.

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) communicates similarly to DNS by trading information, but when you’re establishing a phone or video connection. In this capacity, there’s also the potential that your IP address is leaked, so making sure your VPN masks it is essential for privacy.

Bitdefender VPN passed the DNS leak test without issue. We only consider the WebRTC leak test to be a partial pass because 

Kill switch test

• Kill switch test results: Pass

A kill switch can help keep your IP address secret even if your VPN connection drops. If you're switching between servers or your connection drops, the kill switch will block your internet access so nothing leaks.

Bitdefender VPN displays the kill switch feature on the main dashboard for easy access and clear visibility. You know at a glance whether you're covered. 

Bitdefender passed the kill switch test with no problem. Even when toggling between servers, our real IP never displayed. 

Bitdefender VPN compatibility

Bitdefender works with The Big Four operating systems, meaning Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. You can download the VPN for your Windows PC or Mac or the mobile apps for Android, iPhone, and iPad. 

In the Apple App Store, Bitdefender VPN has a 4.8-star rating, but the reviews are mixed on its effectiveness. In the Google Play store, the Android app has a slightly lower 4.4-star rating, but the reviews are much more positive. 

It’s important to be able to take your VPN with you, whether it’s on your laptop or phone, as you need more protection on public Wi-Fi than your home network.

Bitdefender VPN customer support

The Bitdefender VPN dashboard offers the option to consult community forums or go to the customer support page. If you choose the support page, you’ll have to navigate a bit through the self-help guides to reach the 24/7 live chat, phone, and email options. 

You can also access the Support Center directly from the Bitdefender VPN support website. 

Support Center

If you need help using Bitdefender VPN, you must navigate through the Support Center to access the 24/7 live chat, phone, and email options. The center offers support categories. From there, you'll answer self-guided questions until you're offered a list of support guides that may help address your issue. 

This whole process can be tedious, but it's not wholly ineffective. The guides are comprehensive and include corresponding videos. But if you need more in-depth support than the guides can offer, the center will eventually direct you to other support options.

Chat with a live agent

We reached out to support because we were having problems with the VPN automatically disconnecting. The chat service connected us quickly, but the agent's reply took longer than normal, which made the conversation as a whole take unnecessarily longer.

Our agent was great, though. She identified the problem as related to other software on our Mac. We weren’t thrilled that we had to disable our personal antivirus software, but after we did, the VPN issue was fixed. Other than taking a while, we found this support experience to be helpful and pleasant.

Top alternatives

You can download a seven-day free trial of Bitdefender to test it out. If it still isn’t your cup of tea, try one of the suggestions below. Each of these has plenty of features, fast servers, and the ability to unblock streaming services.

FAQs

Bottom line: Is Bitdefender VPN good?

Based on our testing and research, we think Bitdefender VPN is a good service. The server and country count are high, and we found all the servers we tested to have consistent quality. 

There are also plenty of extra features like ad and tracker blocking, as well as split tunneling and a kill switch. Mix all of this with the ability to access regional streaming libraries, and you have a great VPN.

If Bitdefender VPN isn’t what you’re looking for, then we suggest reviewing our recommended alternatives, which are some of the best VPNs. You can also learn how Bitdefender VPN compares to some of these alternatives:

• Bitdefender VPN vs. NordVPN
• Bitdefender VPN vs. Surfshark