TotalAV vs. Bitdefender 2024: Do You Need Superior Mac Protection or Security on a Budget?

In this close comparison, Bitdefender wins. Still, 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. 

Bitdefender, with its competitive pricing and perfect scores in malware protection tests, provides top-tier security without stretching your wallet.

The choice between TotalAV and Bitdefender boils down to personal preferences, financial considerations, and the level of cybersecurity you aspire to have.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender review at a glance

While TotalAV and Bitdefender both offer solid protection against many cyber threats, 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. It's also more inclusive when it comes to providing features for its macOS software.

• TotalAV: Best for Mac users
• Bitdefender: Best for budget-conscious users

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender compared

Star rating	4.7 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	5.0 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Starting price	Free or $29.00/yr (first year only)	Free or $29.99/yr (first year only)
Max number of protected devices	8	10
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS , Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review

TotalAV pros and cons

TotalAV offers real-time protection and manual and automatic malware scanning. It has wide compatibility and can protect up to eight devices. You can get extra features like a virtual private network (VPN), a password manager, and an ad blocker. It also has a browser cleaner and optimization tools for smooth surfing.

Bitdefender pros and cons

Bitdefender is an excellent option for Windows users, even the ones already using Microsoft Defender. It has a reliable malware scanner that can schedule scans for when you're not using your computer. If you want the parental controls, you'll need to upgrade plans.

Which antivirus is the better value?

A close call, but Bitdefender ekes out the win in the value comparison for its superior starting prices.

		Our Pick
Price range	$29.00–$49.00/yr (first year only)	Free–$40.99/first yr
Best value plan	Antivirus Pro plan for $29.00/yr (first year only)	Antivirus Plus plan for $29.99/yr (first year only)
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days for the annual plan, 14 days for the monthly plan	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review

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/yr (first year only). 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/yr (first year only). It offers ransomware protection, web attack prevention, anti-phishing protection, anti-fraud protection, and cybersecurity extras like a VPN and safe online banking.

TotalAV offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the waters without financial risk. Bitdefender extends a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.

Which antivirus has better features?

Bitdefender offers some extra features, including an essential firewall. While TotalAV does offer an ad blocker, we believe Bitdefender's firewall to have more value.

Features		Our Pick
Manual and scheduled scans
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Firewall
Device optimization tools
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
Ad blocker
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review

TotalAV and Bitdefender are both well-equipped to tackle many cyber threats. 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. With Bitdefender, you get Bitdefender VPN with all tiers but the lower tiers only allow for up to 200 MB per day. With Total VPN, you get its Safe Browsing VPN with the Internet Security and Total Security tiers.

Digging into additional features is where the differences between these two services lie. Bitdefender provides both a firewall and parental controls, while TotalAV doesn’t. Bitdefender's parental controls allow you to filter out inappropriate content from your child's browsing and develop screen time routines. 

On the other hand, Bitdefender only has ad-blocking capabilities when you use the VPN. TotalAV comes with Total Adblock, which has proven to effectively block ads and trackers based on our testing. 

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. 

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: Test results

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.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender malware protection scores

Features		Our Pick
AV-TEST Windows score	17.5/18	17.5/18
AV-TEST macOS score	18/18	18/18
AV-TEST Android score	18/18	18/18
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review

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 Windows test results. On the malware protection tests, TotalAV scored 98.2% in January and 100% in February for protecting against 0-day malware attacks. Although its score was below the industry average (99.9%), it's a good sign that TotalAV increased to a perfect score in the second month of testing. 

TotalAV was also docked points on the performance tests. TotalAV had slower rates for installation of frequently-used applications as well as slowing down when launching popular websites compared to the industry average. 

We were also disappointed that TotalAV hasn’t tested its macOS platform since March 2022. Although we understand that these third-party tests are expensive, we'd love to see scores for TotalAV's Mac app after two years. 

Which antivirus has better compatibility and customer support?

Bitdefender offers slightly more support options, as it provides both text and video tutorials.

Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Phone, live chat, email, online guides	Phone, live chat, email, online guides
Learn more	Get TotalAV Read TotalAV Review	Get Bitdefender Read Bitdefender Review

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. 

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.

FAQs

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: Which is better?

Bitdefender wins, but 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 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.

Top antivirus alternatives

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 some of the best antivirus software that could be viable alternatives:

Antivirus
Best for	All-in-one software	Comprehensive security	Best value
Starting price	$35.99/first yr	$29.99/first yr	$3.19/mo (billed annually)
Features	Antivirus protection, VPN, password manager, security for multiple devices	Antivirus, malware, ransomware, and hacking protection, Cloud backup, password manager	Antivirus protection, VPN, private search engine, data leak alerts
Learn more	Get Aura	Get Norton 360 Antivirus	Get Surfshark Antivirus