For two decades now, Bitdefender has been offering great features in the antivirus software and anti-malware space, protecting over 500 million devices across the globe.
Its Ultimate Security Plus package covers almost everything you may need from an antivirus suite; however, that doesn’t mean that there are no alternatives to it. If you want to move away from Bitdefender or simply see what else is out there as a good alternative, then you’re in the right place.
Below, we present our best alternatives to Bitdefender antivirus as well as features that would make us switch.
Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives
Best Bitdefender alternative overall
Features:
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The Norton 360 with LifeLock is probably the most comprehensive security suite you can get. It includes Norton’s award winning antivirus software, alongside numerous privacy and security features, and LifeLock identity theft protection with credit monitoring.
On the security side, you’ll pick up a configurable firewall, safe browsing and payment protection, dark web monitoring, and Genie scam protection.
On the privacy side, Norton also throws in a password manager, VPN with kill switch and IP rotation, and a 250GB cloud backup for important files and documents. All of the security and privacy features are available across 10 devices.
The identity theft protection is some of the best in the industry, with Norton offering LifeLock protection that includes up to $1,000,000 for lawyer fees, up to $1,000,000 stolen funds reimbursement, and up to $1,000,000 personal expense reimbursement.
LifeLock also includes three bureau credit monitoring alongside 401(k) and Investment Account monitoring.
The one thing Norton doesn’t have is a built in performance optimizer. Luckily, Norton frequently scores very well in third party testing and our own testing for having a very minimal impact on system performance while running.
Security:
Norton is one of the best performing antivirus solutions on the market, and has been for some time. In the latest tests, Norton antivirus was awarded three stars from AV-Comparatives in their real-world scenarios. Norton detected 99.5% of the sample threats with 9 false-positives, making it more than capable of replacing your Bitdefender protection.
Price:
Norton 360 with LifeLock has an introductory rate of $99.99 for the first year, putting the per month cost at $8.33. For comparison, Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus costs $119.99 for the first year.
The renewal price does jump to $189.99. While not the most expensive renewal cost on this list the pricing can appear quite steep. But for the cost, you are getting a comprehensive security suite for 10 devices with some of the strongest identity theft protection around.
Best Bitdefender Alternative for multi-device security
Features:
Avast One Platinum is another antivirus suite that offers an excellent range of features to replace your existing Bitdefender antivirus. You’ll have access to Avast’s signature antivirus software complete with firewall, and safe browsing protections including secure payment and scam protection across up to 30 devices!
Plus, you’ll also have access to an unlimited VPN with over 50 server locations, and dark web monitoring to spot compromised emails and credentials. The identity theft protection includes up to $2,000,000 in reimbursement, 3 bureau credit monitoring, and even 24/7 access to identity experts and tech support.
Avast One Platinum also throws in several performance management tools, including an automatic software updater, app optimizer, disk cleanup, and a driver updating tool.
What this package is missing is a password manager and cloud backup, but as a replacement for Bitdefender, Avast is a solid choice.
Security:
Similar to Norton and Bitdefender, Avast has been a brand that offers award winning antivirus protection. Avast scored top marks from AV-Test, achieving a score of 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability. Avast blocked 99.5% of threats in the latest testing from AV-Comparatives, but detected 15 safe files as malware.
Price:
Avast sits at a very fair price point, with an introductory cost of $83.88 for the first year, which to translates to $6.99 per month.
The renewal price also makes it a great alternative to Bitdefender, with the price sitting a full $10 cheaper than Bitdefender at just $179.99.
Best Bitdefender Alternative for data protection
Features:
ESET is a lesser-know antivirus software that offers good levels of protection, with a set of particularly good features that revolve around data security.
In the Home Security Ultimate package, you’ll get antivirus, a firewall, malware removal, safe payment, scam, and browsing protection, alongside a password manager and dark web monitoring. ESET also include a VPN with unlimited bandwidth. The plan covers 5 devices.
On the identity side of things, ESET Home Security Ultimate offers up to $1,000,000 in reimbursement if your identity is stolen, with 1 bureau credit monitoring.
Now, the data protection features include file and folder security settings, so only programs you approve can modify or access your files, an encryption tool to keep documents and external drives secured even if they are lost, and the ability to remove metadata from images before uploading.
Security:
Despite being a smaller name than the big providers, ESET is also tested by the third party labs. In a recent AV-Comparatives test, ESET protected against 99.1% of malware samples, giving it the lowest score on this list, but still providing excellent protection. During the test it only picked up 3 false-positive detections. In AV-Test testing, ESET scored 6/6 across the board.
Price:
ESET Home Security Ultimate is the most expensive software on this list, with a first year price of $125.99, or $10.49 per month. The renewal price matches the others on this list at $179.99.
The price may be a bit steep for some, but for those looking for a solid antivirus suite with a focus on data protection, ESET is the pick for you.
Comparison
Features: | Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus | Norton 360 with LifeLock | Avast One Platinum | ESET Home Security Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Antivirus | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Firewall | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Safe Browsing | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Payment Protection | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Performance Optimizer | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Scam Protection | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Password Manager | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
VPN | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Cloud backup | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Breach monitoring | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Parental controls | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Identity theft protection | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Reimbursement | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $3,000,000 | Up to $2,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
Credit monitoring | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Devices | 5 | 10 | 30 | 5 |
Price | $119.99 | $99.99 | $83.88 | $125.99 |
Renewal | $189.99 | $189.99 | $179.99 | $179.99 |
Check out our guide to the best antivirus software for even more alternatives