Bitdefender and Norton systematically rate amongthe best antivirus package in the world , tally near - perfect ratings for malware protection . That makes choosing between them a tough decision .
To help you decide , I ’ll compare these leading cybersecurity solutions in pricing , characteristic , customer musical accompaniment , and usability .
Tiers and pricing
When your personal data , history logins , and financial data are at stake , the damage of protection might not be the most authoritative consideration . Still , subscription costs add up over the years , and it ’s crucial to remain mindful of expense .
Both Bitdefender and Norton volunteer great promotions on the first year of a new subscription . However , price go up for yr two and beyond , and it ’s loose to block that it was a much better mess when you signed up .
For comparison , Malwarebytes has consistent one-year pricingand really reduces the fee if you order a two - year subscription in advance .
A person compares Bitdefender and Norton antivirus software pricing on a Windows PC.Photo by Tracey Truly / Digital Trends
Bitdefender first - year / replenishment monetary value bulge out at $ 40/$60 ( Antivirus Plus ) for canonic antivirus protection for three Windows PCs . Cross - platform security for five Windows , macOS , iOS , and Android equipment costs $ 70/$100 ( Total Security ) .
Bitdefender Premium Security adds an uncapped VPN and password director for $ 80/$160 . Ultimate Security includes identity operator theft trade protection , chance the yearly cost to $ 90 for the first year and $ 180 thereafter .
Norton prices are generally lower and include more characteristic but not always . For lesson , Norton Antivirus Plus first - class / replacement cost $ 30/$60 . Norton 360 Standard covers three devices for $ 40/$95 .
Inmy limited review of Norton 360 Deluxe for five devices , I discover the $ 50/$120 damage hit the sweet situation , adding an uncapped VPN , up to 50 GB of cloud backup , and more . Norton 360 with LifeLock includes identity theft auspices , credit monitoring , and 250 GB cloud musical accompaniment for $ 100/$180 .
Pricing is competitive among top antivirus software developers , but Norton has protection that break further if you’re able to afford the top - level subscription . Norton ’s most expensive architectural plan , Ultimate Plus cost $ 300 for the first yr and increases to $ 350 thereafter . At this cost , Norton alerts you to banking , credit card , and investment activeness , monitor your home deed of conveyance , and reimburses stolen funds up to $ 1 million .
Features
Cybersecurity package is meant to protect your computer and your data . To do that effectively , you involve more than a dim-witted virus scan . Here are the features that Bitdefender and Norton declare oneself to help keep your computer safe .
Malware protection
The malware scourge keeps growing and becoming more advanced , but you ’re in good hands with the basic antivirus architectural plan from Bitdefender or Norton . Security researcher AV - Test scored each with near - perfect records over the last several year .
To differentiate further , I check another third - party inquiry lab , AV - Comparatives . In offline test that measure antivirus protection when detection fails , Bitdefender maintained a 96.1 % detection rate , while Norton put down from 98.9 % to 81.8 % .
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus has a more full-bodied malware detection and protection system . WhenI survey Bitdefender ’s Premium Security architectural plan , I noted that it was among the adept for malware protection .
Scam and tracking protection
Basic antivirus software package protect you from malware and phishing scams , but could give you open to tracking that could let hackers build profiles for targeted attacks .
If you advance to Bitdefender ’s Total Security or Norton 360 Deluxe , you get agio VPN overhaul that halt tracker . Each offers VPN servers around the public so your bandwidth remains good despite the extra hop required for this protection . For firm - action play , you might want to check outthe best antivirus software for gamers .
Special features
The core of account security measures is password refuge . You do n’t need a advanced algorithm or high - execution computer to get out simple watchword . That ’s why the mid - grade program from Bitdefender and Norton let in password director that you may get at from Windows , macOS , iOS , and Android .
Norton plan come with cloud backup so you’re able to protect some of your data by upload it to secure servers . In case of ransomware encryption or other data loss , you may recover your most important file cabinet . Bitdefender ’s ransomware protection bet on up files when it notice an attack .
It ’s not really a security measures vexation , but Bitdefender ’s arrangement optimizer cleans up computer issues to enhance performance . Norton 360 for Gamers has a similar characteristic .
Customer support and usability
I chance Bitdefender and Norton ’s customer support to be quick and helpful . Bitdefender ’s reply time was a bit faster in my testing .
Each service volunteer ego - service articles , 24/7 bouncy chat , and phone support . If you have difficulty with installing or billing , Bitdefender and Norton can take care of those emergence promptly .
If you ’ve been hacked , that ’s a more complicated problem , but you may rely on top - rat antivirus software developers like Bitdefender and Norton to help you get your electronic computer working again . It just takes time and patience to function through bigger trouble .
Protect your PC and Mac
Bitdefender ’s Antivirus Plus is a abject - toll choice to protect your Windows personal computer or Mac , but you need to raise to Bitdefender Total Security for transversal - platform reenforcement .
Norton 360 Standard is a more low-cost way of life to protect a PC , Mac , and phone .
If you may afford a midrange monetary value , though , Bitdefender Premium is hard to puzzle since it cover up to 10 gimmick with Bitdefender ’s best security measure and malware package .
