Bitdefender Antivirus Plus vs Total Security 2025: My Findings + 55% Discount
With its advanced Password Manager, which safely stores your personal credentials, Cryptomining Protection, which blocks bad actors from using your device to make money, Parental Control, which empowers you to monitor and control the activities of your kids online, and protects up to 25 devices simultaneously, Bitdefender Total Security has a STRONG EDGE over Bitdefender Antivirus Plus.
I used Bitdefender Total Security's 30-day free trial to explore it and compare it to Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, to which I currently have a paid subscription.?
So, in this Bitdefender Antivirus Plus vs. Total Security comparison guide, I share my findings and experience to help you decide which anti-virus, malware, and ransomware product is best for guaranteeing your online security.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus vs Total Security At A Glance
What's the difference between Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus?
There are lots of differences between Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus.?
To start with, the most prominent one - Password Manager
Bitdefender Total Security has a Password Manager where you store your personal and sensitive information like passwords, passkeys, and credit cards. You don't need to manually enter your passwords when you want to access your account, as it synchronizes across all the devices you use.?
Let's assume you usually access your Instagram account from your iPhone, and now you want to access it on your tablet. With the Password Manager, your IG login details on your iPhone are already synchronized with your tablet. So you can access your Instagram account on your tablet without entering your username and password.?
You can even store your personal details in a folder and use them to autofill online forms—this is helpful if you fill out online forms frequently or apply for online jobs. The interesting thing about Bitdefender Total Security's Password Manager is that it stores your personal data in a cyber-vault that is always safe and secure. It also alerts you when your password is weak or when you have reused a password.?
Unfortunately, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus doesn't have a Password Manager. This is a downside for users who need it and can't afford standalone Password Managers like LastPass and NordPass.
Cryptomining Protection feature is another difference between the two. Bitdefender Total Security offers this feature, while Bitdefender Antivirus Plus doesn't.
Cryptomining Protection blocks bad actors from using your device hardware to make money without your knowledge. Hackers and scammers look for ways to inject “leech” software into your devices so they can mine cryptocurrencies that make them huge money while your device hardware suffers and also your electricity bill increases.?
When you click phishing links and download unsafe software, chances are you have accepted the “leech” software bad actors want to inject into your device. With the cryptomining protection from Bitdefender Total Security, all “leech” software that wants to make its way to your devices is blocked in real-time, thereby stopping the bad guys from using your device to mine cryptocurrencies.
Parental Control feature which is a feature I like so much is available on Bitdefender Total Security but is missing on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. With this feature, you track, monitor, and control the activities of your kids on the internet. You can set a limit on the time they spend on the internet, filter out inappropriate content you don't want them to consume, block them from accessing sites you consider harmful, and use their device to track their location. The fact is that kids can go overboard and even harm themselves online if nobody controls their internet activities. This is why this feature is important for parents whose kids have access to the internet.
For example, I have two kids in my home who use Windows PCs for their school assignments. Recently, I discovered that they now spend more time on the internet, which is unusual. When I investigated this, I noticed they stream content and play online games.?
While I have no problem with that, I set their internet usage time to just 4 hours a week. This is to ensure they do other home tasks and get enough sleep. And from the Parental Control dashboard, I track, monitor, and get detailed reports on all their activities.
There is also a difference in the number of devices they can protect. Bitdefender Total Security protects more devices than Antivirus Plus. The Individual Plan supports 1 account and protects up to 5 devices, while the Family Plan supports 5 accounts and protects up to 25 devices.?
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus MultiPlatform 1 Plan supports 1 account and protects 1 device. While MultiPlatform 2 Plan supports also 1 account but protects up to 3 devices. If you are an individual, family, or a business with more devices, you can see that Bitdefender Total Security is better for you.?
In terms of pricing, Bitdefender Total Security is more expensive than Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. The reason is simple - it offers more advanced features and protects more devices.
Bitdefender Total Security has Individual and Family Plans.
?The Individual plan costs $49.99 per year and $142.99 for a 2-year plan.?
The Family Plan costs $69.99 per year and $181.99 for a 2-year plan.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus has MultiPlatform Plan 1 and MultiPlatform Plan 2.
The MultiPlatform Plan 1 costs $19.99 per year, while the MultiPlatform Plan 2 costs $29.99 per year.
Please note that these prices (Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus) are discounted by up to 55%. The renewal prices will be higher since the discounts you enjoyed in the first one-year or 2-years won't apply.?
From the differences between them which I explained above, you can easily deduce that Bitdefender Total Security is best for complete digital security and essential privacy while Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is best for just protecting your device against antivirus.?
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus vs Total Security: Similarities?
Let's look at the features both have in common.
Multi-device Support
?Bitdefender Total Security and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus are compatible with multiple devices and operating systems. They run seamlessly on Android, macOS, Windows, and iOS devices. I installed Bitdefender Total Security on my Windows PC and it works perfectly.
?The installation and setup didn't take up to 5 minutes - thanks to the manual guide that is self-explanatory, which makes it easier for anyone to install without requiring technical assistance.?
I have had Bitdefender Antivirus Plus on my iPhone for over one year now, and I haven't experienced any issues with it.
?Interestingly, both antivirus and anti-malware cybersecurity solutions don't consume much of your device resources. Instead, they optimize it, clean it, and free up spaces for enhanced performance.
Standard VPN
Both offer a Standard VPN of 200MB/day/device. While this is not enough compared to Bitdefender Premium Security and Ultimate Security which offer unlimited VPN, it's okay for someone who doesn't surf the web frequently or can't afford a standalone VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. Or doesn't have the budget to upgrade to higher packages of Bitdefender that offer unlimited VPN.?
The 200MB/day/device is still manageable. At least you can stay anonymous while using shared or public Wi-Fi to hide your personal information from hackers and scammers.?
Scam Prevention and Detection
Scam prevention and detection features are available on both. This feature keeps you many steps ahead of scammers and hackers who deploy different tactics to steal your money and personal details.?
It notifies you when your interactions online are capable of leading to you being scammed. Be it on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram, you have scammers looking for ways to get access to your personal information like credit cards and passwords.?
With the scam prevention and detection feature, you have peace of mind that scammers will fail, no matter how hard they try.
Data Breach Detection
The data breach detection notifies you when your personal details have been leaked. Be it on a website, application, or online service, you are informed in real time so you can take appropriate measures before disaster strikes. If you are the type that surfs the web frequently and gives out your personal information just to access content or services online, especially for free, this feature saves you from eventualities because many of those free online services can compromise your personal details.?
Low Footprint On Battery and CPU
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and Bitdefender Total Security have a low footprint on your battery and CPU. They require little resources to perform optimally and don't impact the battery life and CPU of your device negatively. Instead, they free up spaces in your device, which reduces battery consumption and the workload on your operating system.?
Free Trial
Bitdefender Total Security and Antivirus Plus offer a 30-day free trial. So you have the luxury of testing them out for 30 days, just like I did with Bitdefender Total Security to see if they suit your online security needs before committing to them.?
And if you decide to subscribe, both offer over 50% discount on yearly or 2-year plans.?
Customer Support?
You enjoy 24/7 customer support on either of them. A customer assistant is happy to help you via live chat or ticket to resolve all issues with face.
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Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Review?
This is a reliable cybersecurity product from Bitdefender which is specifically created to protect your devices against all forms of virus and malware. It protects Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS devices and also offers a 30-day free trial. As an online business owner, I have been using Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for over 12 months now and the features are exceptional when it comes to fighting viruses and malware.
?It's easy to install and set up and is also affordable. The MultiPlatform Plan 1 costs $19.99 per year, while the MultiPlatform Plan 2 costs $29.99 per year. These prices are discounted at up to 70%.?
Features of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus?
Basic VPN Traffic: You enjoy 200MB/device/day. While this is not enough if you surf the web many hours a day, it's okay to keep your internet traffic private, especially when you want to engage in activities that involve using your sensitive details like credit cards, passkeys, and passwords.?
Multi-device Support: It's compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS devices. You can install and set it up on these devices in a few minutes.?
Data Breach Detection: Get notified in real-time when your personal information has been leaked to the dark web and get recommendations on how to fix it because it creates harm.
Scam Prevention: Get alerted when your communications online will likely result in a scam. This feature helps you outsmart scammers and keep your credentials and digital assets safe.
Low Footprint On CPU and Battery: Bitdefender Antivirus Plus doesn't consume your device resources. It doesn't reduce your battery life or put more load on your CPU.
Pros of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus?
Cons of Bitdefender Antivirus Plus?
Bitdefender Total Security Review
This is a cybersecurity solution from Bitdefender designed for individuals and families who want complete internet security and essential privacy. Individual and Family plans cost $49.99 and $69.99 per year respectively and offer advanced features like Password Manager, Parental Control and Cryptomining Protection which are missing on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus.
Features of Bitdefender Total Security?
Password Manager: Has a password manager which is a safe cyber-vault to store your sensitive details like passwords, passkeys, credit cards, etc. It synchronizes any password you store on it across all the devices you use. This means you can access your account from another device without having to enter your login details.?
Basic VPN: Just like Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Bitdefender Total Security offers 200MB/day/device VPN traffic. While this isn't enough, especially when you browse the web many hours a day, it's better than not having a VPN feature.?
Cryptomining Protection: This feature blocks bad actors from using your device to mine cryptocurrencies and make money without your knowledge. This kind of activity puts more pressure on hardware and also increases your electricity bill. The cryptomining protection identifies and blocks any “leech” software designed for cryptomining from penetrating into your devices?
Parental Control: Every parent or guardian who wants to protect their kids from internet harm will love this feature. It empowers you to monitor and control the activities of your kids online. You set limits on their internet usage, block them from consuming content you deem inappropriate for their age, use their device to track their location at any given time, and get an overall report of their activities from a single dashboard.
Scam Prevention & Detection: Scammers are plenty on the internet, and they look for every opportunity to defraud you. With the scam prevention and detection tool, you get notified when your interactions online could lead to you being scammed. This saves you from falling victim to fraudsters who trick you into giving out your personal details like credit cards and passkeys.
Data Breach: This feature alerts you when your personal details have been compromised online and offers recommendations on how to fix it instantly before it causes you damage.
Multi-Support Platform: Bitdefender Total Security is compatible with multiple operating systems like Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS. You can install and have it run seamlessly on your devices.
Low Resource Consumption: Bitdefender Total Security doesn't impact your devices negatively. It doesn't drain your battery or put more stress on your CPU. Instead, it optimized them by freeing up spaces and cleaning up junk files to boost performance.
Pros of Bitdefender Total Security?
Cons of Bitdefender Total Security?
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus vs Total Security: What Users Say On Reddit?
I jumped on Reddit to get a feel of what Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and Bitdefender Total Security users have to say about them. A gamer who has been using Bitdefender Antivirus Plus in the last year to protect his Windows PC says that Bitdefender Antivirus is suitable for protecting one device.?
According to him, it completely protects his device against all e-threats including viruses, Trojans, worms, ransomware, zero-day exploits, spyware, and rootkits.?
Another woman who uses Bitdefender Antivirus Plus on her iPhone says she has never picked virus and ransomware on the web, even as she surfs the web many times a day and downloads free apps.
On the other hand, many users of Bitdefender Total Security say that the password manager, cryptomining protection, and parental control feature are the major reasons they use Bitdefender Total Security.?
A computer technician who uses it likes the password manager, which has a cyber-vault where he stores all his personal details like passwords and passkeys. He also likes the fact that he can access his account from other devices without having to enter his login details.?
A mother who works online from home says she likes the cryptomining protection feature, which blocks scammers from using her device to mine cryptocurrencies. She also likes the parental control feature, which allows her to monitor and control the activities of her two sons online and also track their location using their devices connected to Bitdefender Total Security.
Between Bitdefender Internet Security and Total Security, which is better?
Bitdefender Total Security is slightly better than Bitdefender Internet Security.?
While Bitdefender Total Security offers complete security and essential privacy on all devices, Internet Security offers security against all forms of threats on Windows PC.?
Bitdefender Total Security offers a password manager which is a cyber-vault where you store your personal details and use them safely, Bitdefender Internet Security doesn't offer this feature.
Cryptomining Protection is another feature that separates both.
?Bitdefender Total Security offers this feature that prevents bad actors from using your device to mine cryptocurrencies without your knowledge. This saves you from paying more electricity bills and reduces the pressure on your device hardware. Unfortunately, Bitdefender Internet Security doesn't offer this feature.
Parental Control feature is available on Bitdefender Total Security but missing on Bitdefender Internet Security. The parental control feature empowers you to monitor and control the activities of your kids online and even track where they are.
In terms of cost, Bitdefender Total Security is more expensive than Bitdefender Internet Security
?The Individual plan of Bitdefender Total Security costs $49.99 per year and $142.99 for a 2-year plan.?
The Family Plan costs $69.99 per year and $181.99 for a 2-year plan.
Bitdefender Internet Security costs $34.99 per year if you want to protect only one device. You pay more if you want to protect more devices.
The 2-year plan costs $89.99 if you want to protect only one device. And just like the 1-year plan, you pay more if you want to protect more devices. For example, you pay $129.99 for a 2-year plan if you want to protect 5 devices.
What does Bitdefender Antivirus Plus do?
Bitdefender Antivirus detects and removes viruses, ransomware, spyware, worms, and other types of malware from your Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS devices using advanced threat detection. It blocks phishing and fraudulent websites from stealing your sensitive personal details and optimizes your device for better performance.?
Does Bitdefender Antivirus Plus remove malware?
Yes, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus removes all forms of malware from your device. It does it without interrupting activities on your device and impacting your device performance.?
Does Bitdefender Total Security include Antivirus?
Yes, Bitdefender Total Security includes an antivirus and all other features available on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. In addition, it offers advanced security features like password manager, parental control cryptominning protection which are all missing on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus.
Is Bitdefender a Russian company?
No, Bitdefender is not a Russian company. It's a Romanian company which Florin Talpes founded in 2001. Its headquarters is in Bucharest,? Romania. It also has offices in the US, UK, Germany, and other countries.?
Final thoughts on Bitdefender Antivirus Plus vs Total Security?
Bitdefender Total Security has more advanced security features than Antivirus Plus. Every feature Bitdefender Antivirus Plus has is available on Total Security. However, the choice you make depends on your needs. If you want a standard antivirus tool, go with Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. But if you want to enjoy complete online security plus essential privacy, Bitdefender Total Security is your best bet.