Selecting the right antivirus software is one of the most important security decisions for your devices. The cyberthreat landscape grows more dangerous by the day, with sophisticated malware and ransomware attacks constantly emerging.
Two leading solutions that provide robust personal and business protection are Bitdefender and Avira. They each offer free and paid versions with excellent core antivirus features and additional utilities for optimizing systems.
In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll analyze how Bitdefender and Avira stack up across factors like malware detection, cost, ease of use, and customer support. Read on for our recommendations to help choose the best antivirus for your needs.
Contents
A Brief Background on Bitdefender and Avira
First, let‘s look at the history and reputations of both companies.
Bitdefender, founded in 2001 in Bucharest, Romania, has grown into an industry leader known for its use of advanced techniques like machine learning and artificial intelligence to stop emerging threats.
Bitdefender has ranked extremely well in independent antivirus testing for over a decade. It has a strong reputation for ransomware prevention in particular.
The company is trusted to protect over 500 million devices across 150 countries worldwide. Their solutions extend beyond personal antivirus to business-grade security services for enterprises.
Avira, founded in 1986 in Tettnang, Germany, focuses on deep scanning to actively detect and eliminate malware and infections.
It‘s known for high-performance antivirus software with minimal impact on system resources. Avira became part of the CyberRes division of NortonLifeLock in 2022, bringing it under the umbrella of a wider security suite.
Avira also has a strong detection track record, winning multiple AV-TEST awards over the years. Its technology powers security products for companies like ariston and Nitro.
Now let‘s see how their distinct technological approaches translate into product performance across critical categories.
Pricing and Plans Comparison
Both antiviruses offer free editions alongside paid premium plans with additional features. Here is an overview of their pricing structures:
Bitdefender Pricing
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Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition: $0 for 1 Windows device
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Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: $24.99/year for 3 devices
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Bitdefender Internet Security: $44.99/year for 5 devices
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Bitdefender Total Security: $59.99/year for 5 devices
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Bitdefender Family Pack: $79.99/year for 10 devices
Bitdefender‘s paid plans range from $24.99-$79.99 per year and cover 3-10 devices. The higher tier plans add specialized features like webcam protection, parental controls, firewall customization, file encryption, and more.
Avira Pricing
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Avira Free Antivirus: $0 for unlimited devices
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Avira Antivirus Pro: $59.99/year for 5 devices
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Avira Internet Security: $79.99/year for 10 devices
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Avira Prime: $99.99/year for unlimited devices
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Avira Antivirus for Mac: $59.99/year for 3 Macs
Avira‘s pricing ranges from $59.99-$129.99 annually for up to unlimited devices and Macs. Its paid suites include added capabilities like software updater, system speedup tools, web protection, and VPN.
Winner: Bitdefender provides more security features for the money, but Avira‘s free version is ahead on value. For protecting many devices, Avira allows up to 25 compared to Bitdefender‘s max of 10.
Malware Detection Capabilities
At their core, both Avira and Bitdefender offer robust engines that scan for the signatures and behaviors of malware to detect and block threats before they can infect your device.
But they leverage different technological approaches:
Bitdefender relies on proactive techniques and machine learning to analyze suspicious files and activities to prevent infections before they occur.
For example, it has autopilot mode that uses AI to tune security settings and defense strength based on the threats targeting the user.
Bitdefender‘s approach resulted in a 100% protection score against malware in AV-Test‘s evaluations from July-November 2022.
Avira takes an aggressive stance focused on actively scanning systems and destroying any malware already present.
It uses highly optimized scanning routines and heuristics that emulate malware behaviors to uncover threats. Avira touts scanning speeds up to 30% faster than competitors.
In AV-Test results, Avira also achieved a 100% protection rate against widespread and prevalent malware from July-November 2022.
Both engines have high accuracy and performance, but Bitdefender has a slight edge in prevention, while Avira specializes in thorough system cleansing.
Impact on System Performance
Antivirus software can tax system resources if not efficiently optimized, resulting in slowdowns during scans or gameplay. Let‘s see how each solution fares:
Independent testing by AV-Test examined the performance impact while launching popular software, installing apps, copying files, browsing websites, and more.
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Bitdefender slowed down system performance by 16.5%, which is around the industry average.
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Avira had the lowest impact at only 3.5%, significantly faster than average.
So while both avoid major performance drag, Avira is specifically designed for blazing fast scans and minimal disruption to system resources.
For gamers or performance-intensive work, Avira would likely be the better fit if system slowdown is a concern.
Malware Protection Test Results
AV-Test is an independent antivirus software testing lab based in Germany that conducts regular evaluations. Tests are performed in a controlled malware environment to gauge how well solutions detect and protect against threats.
Here are the latest overall protection scores:
| Antivirus | Protection Score | Performance Impact | Usability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender | 17.5/18 | 16.5% | 5.5/6 |
| Avira | 17/18 | 3.5% | 6/6 |
*Scores from comprehensive tests on Windows 10, from July-November 2022
This data shows that both are neck-and-neck on malware protection, with near-perfect results. Bitdefender scored slightly higher on detection, while Avira excelled at performance and usability.
Both solutions provide a very high degree of security with minimal compromise on system efficiency or user experience.
VPN Comparison
Many antivirus suites now include virtual private network (VPN) functionality for encrypted web browsing. Let‘s compare this aspect:
Bitdefender VPN is available on higher tier plans and the Bitdefender Premium Security suite for an extra fee. It uses a 2048-bit encryption algorithm for robust security.
Some key attributes:
- 500MB daily free VPN data cap
- Access to 34 server locations in 29 countries
- Supports torrenting and Netflix access
- Apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android
- Does not store logs of user activity
Independent tests measured the Bitdefender VPN speed at around 53Mbps on average.
Avira includes unlimited access to the Phantom VPN Pro on its paid antivirus plans at no extra charge. It uses AES 256 encryption and other protocols to secure connections.
Highlights of Avira‘s VPN:
- Unlimited bandwidth – no caps on VPN data usage
- 40+ server locations across 34 countries
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Allows P2P filesharing
- No-logging and zero traffic data retention policy
In speed assessments, Avira‘s VPN averaged connection speeds of approximately 33 Mbps.
While both are fast VPNs that support common use cases, Bitdefender edges out Avira in speed and network size. However, Avira‘s unlimited data is a perk.
Customer Support and Satisfaction
The quality of customer service and technical assistance can make or break the user experience for an antivirus. Here is how Bitdefender and Avira compare:
Bitdefender Support Options:
- Live chat, phone, email, discussion forums
- Ticket-based support system
- Online knowledge base with 700+ articles
- Average first reply time of 2 hours or less
- 24/7 support via live chat and telephone
Bitdefender users give customer support 4/5 stars on average. There is always a quick way to access assistance and most issues are promptly resolved.
Avira Support:
- Online knowledge base with setup guides and FAQs
- Email and web form ticket support
- Community discussion forum
- How-to videos on YouTube
- Phone, chat and expert support for paid users
- No 24/7 live support (hours are limited)
Avira‘s customers rate support 3.5/5 stars on average. The lack of round-the-clock live assistance is a notable drawback for Avira.
Winner: Bitdefender pulls ahead here with 24/7 maintenance of superior support channels resulting in higher customer satisfaction.
Enterprise and Business Use
In addition to home users, both companies offer business-oriented endpoint protection platforms:
Bitdefender GravityZone delivers layered defenses using cloud-based AI to protect workstations, servers, and mobile devices. It integrates with Active Directory and provides centralized management tools.
Avira Prime packs robust threat detection and response capabilities focused on preventing breaches. It delivers multiple levels of real-time scanning for today‘s remote work environments.
Key features like firewalls, sandbox environments, anti-ransomware, email security, and data optimization give businesses complete protection. IT admins have access to a unified web console for controlling security.
For business deployments, GravityZone and Avira Prime both provide commercial-grade protection against emerging threats including targeted, fileless, and zero-day attacks.
Our Recommendation
Based on this extensive head-to-head evaluation between the two antivirus solutions, here is our verdict:
For the best all-around protection and value, Bitdefender is our top choice. The sheer amount of security layers and utilities it offers for the price makes it a superb option for individuals and families.
Bitdefender also received higher scores from AV-Test for malware detection and system performance impact. Around-the-clock customer support brings peace of mind.
However, Avira is also an excellent choice if you prioritize minimal system slowdowns and thorough cleansing of infections. Avira nearly matched Bitdefender in independent testing and has blazing fast scanning capabilities.
The free tiers are great low-risk options to try first. For paid plans, Bitdefender grants you a broader safety net and optimal performance. But Avira covers more devices at the premium level, allowing up to 25 versus only 10 with Bitdefender.
Carefully weigh the unique advantages of both of these industry leaders based on your specific needs to choose the right fit. Rest assured you have two exceptional solutions for securing endpoints against the latest cyber hazards.
