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Best for Mac Users
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Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
Best for Budget-Conscious Users
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Antivirus software offering reliable security
Simple yet powerful interface tools
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
Cyberthreats lurk around every corner, so using a reliable antivirus is a necessity. TotalAV and Bitdefender emerge as two formidable antivirus providers, each with its own merits.
TotalAV's user-friendly interface offers a seamless user experience and comprehensive features across all platforms. It's an apt choice for those who prefer a straightforward cybersecurity approach without compromising protection. On the other hand, Bitdefender, with its competitive pricing and perfect scores in malware protection tests, stands as a beacon for those seeking top-tier security without stretching their wallet.
The choice between TotalAV and Bitdefender boils down to personal preferences, financial considerations, and the level of cybersecurity you aspire to have.
While TotalAV and Bitdefender both offer solid protection against many cyberthreats, they cater to different user preferences and needs. Bitdefender is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a cost-effective solution with various advanced features. TotalAV shines with a user-friendly interface and a range of protection options for a slightly higher price.
 TotalAV |
 Bitdefender |
|
| Starting price | Starts at $29.00/first yr | Starts at $29.99/first yr |
| Free version | ||
| Max number of protected devices | 6 | 10 |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS , Android, and iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more |
| Real-time protection | ||
| Phishing protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Bitdefender |
TotalAV |
Bitdefender Best Value
|
|
| Price range | $12.00–$49.00/first yr | $14.99–$49.99/first yr |
| Best value plan | Antivirus Pro plan for $29.00/first yr | Antivirus Plus plan for $29.99/first yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days for the annual plan, 14 days for the monthly plan | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Bitdefender |
In terms of price range, Bitdefender is much more affordable for the first year compared to TotalAV. Even at the renewal price, Bitdefender's plans stay significantly lower than TotalAV's.
TotalAV does offer a 30-day free trial for all of its plans, so you can test out the software before committing to a purchase. Additionally, both companies offer discounts for longer subscription periods, so it may be worth considering a longer commitment for added savings.
TotalAV’s best value plan is the Antivirus Pro plan at $29.00/first yr. It provides protection against phishing scams, ransomware, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), and it can eliminate any viruses, trojans, and malware it finds.
For Bitdefender, the Antivirus Plus plan stands out as the best value at $29.99/first yr. It offers ransomware protection, web attack prevention, anti-phishing protection, anti-fraud protection, and cybersecurity extras like a virtual private network (VPN) and safe online banking.
TotalAV offers a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a free trial, allowing you to test the waters without financial risk. Bitdefender extends a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.
| Features | TotalAV |
Bitdefender Best Value
|
| Manual and scheduled scans | ||
| Real-time protection | ||
| Phishing protection | ||
| Ransomware protection | ||
| Firewall | Yes — Windows only | |
| Parental controls | ||
| Password manager | ||
| VPN | ||
| Ad blocker | ||
| Device optimization tools | Yes — Windows only | |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Bitdefender |
TotalAV and Bitdefender are both well-equipped to tackle many cyberthreats. As far as core antivirus features, both offer manual and scheduled scans, as well as real-time protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. Both also come with a password manager and a VPN, which support your digital safety and privacy.
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Digging into additional features is where the differences between these two services lie. Bitdefender provides parental controls while TotalAV doesn’t, and Bitdefender only has ad-blocking capabilities when you use the VPN, while TotalAV comes with Total Adblock. TotalAV doesn’t have a firewall feature, while Bitdefender's firewall is limited to Windows.
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Device optimization tools in Bitdefender are confined to Windows, whereas TotalAV offers its system tune-up tools across all platforms. These features, although not imperative, are nice to have as they provide an added layer of protection and device performance enhancement. The firewall acts as a barrier between your network and potential threats from the internet, while device optimization tools help keep your device running smoothly by managing resources efficiently.
In the world of antivirus software, third-party testing is a vital element to gauge the effectiveness of a program in malware detection and prevention. It provides an unbiased lens through which we can compare the performance of different antivirus solutions under various threat scenarios.
For our comparison, we have referred to the test results from AV-TEST, a reputable independent IT security institute, to understand how TotalAV and Bitdefender fare in real-world malware protection across different operating systems.
| Features | TotalAV |
Bitdefender Best Scores
|
| AV-TEST Windows score | 16.5/18 | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 | 18/18 |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Bitdefender |
Upon reviewing the test results, it’s apparent that Bitdefender is a trustworthy antivirus Bitdefender aced its most recent AV-TESTs with a perfect score in malware protection, performance, and usability across all platforms.
TotalAV was a point behind Bitdefender in its malware protection test results. TotalAV scored 97.9% in July and 97.5% in August for protecting against 0-day malware attacks. It’s concerning that the score dropped from July to August, and that it’s two points below the industry average (99.3%). This fractional difference, although minimal, may reflect a marginally less effective malware detection or prevention in specific scenarios on Windows. We were also disappointed that TotalAV hasn’t tested its macOS platform since March 2022.
TotalAV |
Bitdefender |
|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Phone, email, live chat, video tutorials, knowledge base | Phone, live chat, email, knowledge base |
| Learn more | Get TotalAV | Get Bitdefender |
When it comes to user interface and ease of navigation, both TotalAV and Bitdefender have invested in ensuring a user-friendly experience. The settings in both antiviruses are structured logically, making it relatively straightforward to configure the software to one's liking. Though they’re intuitive to navigate, many customer support options are available to guide users in case of any hurdles.
TotalAV and Bitdefender also excel in customer support, offering 24/7 assistance through various channels such as phone support, live chat, email and extensive online resources. Bitdefender slightly edges out with text and video tutorials, providing an extra medium to understand and resolve issues independently.
Additionally, both antivirus solutions showcase broad compatibility across major operating systems, mobile devices, and browsers, reducing the likelihood of encountering compatibility issues. The browser extensions further enhance web protection, making browsing safer from potential online threats.
TotalAV provides robust antivirus protection coupled with a user-friendly interface. It offers a variety of useful features like real-time protection, phishing protection, a firewall, and additional tools like a VPN and ad blocker for enhanced online privacy.
Bitdefender is highly regarded in the antivirus community, but a "better" antivirus can vary based on personal needs. Some may find other solutions like Norton or McAfee more suited to their specific requirements or preferences.
Yes, TotalAV is trustworthy. It performs well in various third-party tests for malware detection and protection, ensuring a reliable defense against many cyberthreats.
Bitdefender is engineered to have a minimal impact on system performance. While any antivirus has the potential to slightly slow down a computer during active scans, Bitdefender's optimized performance ensures that any slowdown is kept to a minimum.
TotalAV and Bitdefender both present comprehensive antivirus solutions with features designed to protect against cyberthreats. TotalAV stands out with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features available across all platforms, including a firewall and device optimization tools. It's an excellent choice for those who prefer simplicity alongside effective antivirus protection, making it less daunting for individuals who might not be as tech-savvy.
On the other hand, Bitdefender shines with its perfect scores in third-party malware protection tests, signifying its superior ability to detect and neutralize threats. Its competitive pricing, especially the lower starting price, makes it a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious individuals. With a slightly wider range of customer support options and exceptional malware protection scores, Bitdefender edges out as the better antivirus solution overall. It's well suited for individuals seeking top-tier malware protection without breaking the bank.
If neither TotalAV nor Bitdefender aligns with your specific needs, fret not. The antivirus market has many alternative solutions, each with unique functions and capabilities. Below are two of the best antivirus software that could be viable alternatives:
Antivirus software offering reliable security
Simple yet powerful interface tools
Perfect protection score in third-party tests
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