Antivirus
Top Companies in 2025
Bitdefender vs TotalAV
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- Excellent malware detection rates
- Multi-device compatibility
- Real-time behavior-based threat monitoring
- VPN included with all plans
- Easy-to-use interface
- Multi-platform support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Quick and efficient scanning
- Disk cleanup and system optimization tools
- Data limit on VPN in lower-tiers
- Renewal and cancellation process can be confusing
- Limited advanced features for Mac users
- Auto-renewal settings are difficult to manage
- High renewal rates after the first year
- Limited features in free and basic plans
- No full two-way firewall
- Frequent upselling during setup
Bitdefender is a well-regarded cybersecurity company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Bucharest, Romania. Serving millions of users globally, Bitdefender offers cross-platform protection for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Their antivirus products include real-time threat detection, advanced ransomware defense, a built-in VPN, firewall controls, and system optimization tools. Notable features like the Rescue Environment for deep malware removal, the Safepay browser for secure financial transactions, and a cross-device password manager enhance both usability and protection. Bitdefender also provides multi-device plans and centralized control through their Central dashboard, making it especially convenient for families and small businesses. The company has earned high scores in independent lab tests from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, consistently recognized for their strong malware detection and minimal system impact. Customer feedback is generally positive, with users praising their security features, multi-device support, and comprehensive toolset, though some have mentioned issues with interface complexity and subscription management. While Bitdefender is not BBB accredited, they remain a respected name in the antivirus industry. With a 30-day free trial and a free antivirus option available, Bitdefender gives users the flexibility to explore their features before committing to a subscription.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, TotalAV has quickly established themselves as a reliable antivirus and security provider. The company has earned a reputation for offering effective, user-friendly solutions designed to protect devices from a wide range of online threats. TotalAV's services include real-time malware detection, ransomware protection, a built-in VPN for secure browsing, and system optimization tools like disk cleanup, junk file removal, and startup program management to improve device performance. These features help users keep their systems secure and running smoothly without complicating the user experience. TotalAV is compatible with a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. While TotalAV enjoys positive feedback for their comprehensive protection and ease of use, some customers have raised concerns about their pricing model, particularly regarding higher renewal rates after the first year. Despite these criticisms, TotalAV’s responsive customer support and proactive efforts to address issues demonstrate their commitment to improving the user experience. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and competitive pricing, TotalAV remains a solid contender in the ever-growing antivirus market.
- Security Rating : Excellent
- VPN : Included
- Price : $29.99 per year
- Customer Experience : Good
- Firewall : Included
- Free Trial : 30 days
- Trustpilot Score : 3.5 out of 5
- Security Rating : Good
- VPN : Included
- Price : Starts at $29/year
- Customer Experience : Good
- Firewall : Not included
- Free Trial : 7 days
- Trustpilot Score : 4.7 out of 5
- Rescue Environment for deep malware cleanup
- Safepay browser for secure financial transactions
- Built-in ransomware recovery tools
- Cross-device password manager
- Smart Scan combines malware protection and optimization
- Integrated ad blocker for a cleaner browsing experience
- Dedicated ransomware protection with behavioral detection
- Multi-device protection under one subscription
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection
- Adware Removal
- Anti-Phishing
- Anti-Spam
- Anti-Theft
- Anti-Tracking
- Behavior Analysis
- Cloud Scanning
- Dark Web Scanning
- Dedicated Ransomware Protection
- E-mail Scan
- File Encryption
- Free Version
- ID Protection
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
- Malware Removal
- Mobile App
- On Demand Scan
- Real-Time Protection
- Spyware Removal
- Vulnerability Scanner
- Webcam Protection
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Boot Time Scans
- Browser Cleaner
- Disk Cleaner
- Junk Files Removal
- Software/Driver Updater
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Cloud Storage Backup
- Live Updates
- Parental Control
- Password Manager
- Rescue Mode
- USB Rescue Toolkit
- USB Vaccination
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Android
- Browser Plugins
- ChromeOS
- Fire OS
- iOS
- Linux
- macOS
- Windows
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket
- Community Forum
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticket
Bitdefender vs. TotalAV
Choosing the right antivirus software means balancing protection strength, ease of use, extra features, and pricing. Bitdefender and TotalAV are two popular options in the cybersecurity space. Both provide essential malware protection, but they differ in performance, tools, and overall value. This comparison covers four key areas—service range and customization options, ease of use and integration, security and compliance, and pricing—to help you decide which one fits your needs best.
Service range and customization options
Bitdefender and TotalAV offer more than just malware scans. They include real-time protection, ad blockers, system cleanup tools, and browser safety features. Users can choose between quick, full, or custom scans and set up automatic scheduling for regular checks.
Bitdefender’s suite goes deeper. It includes features like ransomware remediation, behavior-based threat detection (Advanced Threat Defense), and file shredding. Its tools are fully integrated across platforms—Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. TotalAV offers similar tools, but many are locked behind higher-tier plans, making the experience more fragmented. Its VPN, password manager, and identity tools require separate upgrades, which adds complexity and cost.
Ease of use and integration
Both companies prioritize simplicity. Bitdefender uses an AutoPilot mode to handle decisions in the background, while TotalAV’s interface is clean, with light and dark mode options and clear menus. They also both support browser integration (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) for real-time web protection.
Bitdefender runs faster and more efficiently. Repeat scans are significantly quicker, and its centralized management dashboard, Bitdefender Central, makes it easier to manage multiple devices. TotalAV lags slightly in responsiveness and scan time, and its upgrade path can be clunky. Adding more devices or features usually means buying into a different product tier, which complicates things for users looking for flexibility.
Security and compliance
Both antiviruses perform well in independent lab tests. Bitdefender and TotalAV have earned strong scores from AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, showing good malware detection and low false positives. They both support phishing protection and offer tools to protect users against suspicious downloads and links.
Bitdefender scored slightly higher in recent lab evaluations, especially in phishing detection and exploit prevention, supported by its behavior-based monitoring and multi-layered threat defenses. TotalAV also delivers strong results in phishing protection and includes practical tools like breach monitoring and system cleanup features. These may appeal to users looking for a straightforward approach to digital hygiene.
Pricing
Both Bitdefender and TotalAV offer multiple pricing tiers, with their entry-level plans focused on core antivirus protection. Bitdefender’s Antivirus Plus starts at $49.99/year for one device and includes features like ransomware protection, Safepay for secure browsing, and a limited VPN (200MB/day). TotalAV’s lowest plan, Antivirus Pro, is listed at $99/year for five devices and includes real-time protection, system cleanup tools, and ad-blocking, but excludes VPN access and password management.
At the top tier, Bitdefender’s Premium Security costs $149.99/year for up to 10 devices and includes unlimited VPN, a password manager trial, identity theft monitoring, and cross-platform coverage. TotalAV’s Total Security also costs $149/year, covers eight devices, and unlocks its VPN, password manager, and additional privacy tools. Bitdefender leans toward stronger built-in security across all tiers, while TotalAV emphasizes bundled extras at its higher levels.
Conclusion
Bitdefender and TotalAV both offer solid antivirus protection with a range of useful features. They share strengths in real-time protection, browser safety, and ease of use, but differ in how those features are delivered. Bitdefender provides more built-in security tools across all plans, while TotalAV offers broader device coverage at the entry level and bundles more extras into its higher tiers.
Your choice depends on what you prioritize. If you want advanced threat detection and deeper control without needing multiple upgrades, Bitdefender may be the better fit. If you prefer a simplified interface and value bundled tools like a VPN and password manager, TotalAV’s higher-tier plans are worth considering.