Choosing antivirus software is an important decision to help keep your devices and data safe online. Two of the top options are Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender. But which one provides better protection and value for your money?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Microsoft Defender vs. Bitdefender across key factors like pricing, features, malware protection, system performance impact, and more. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to decide which antivirus solution is right for you.
Contents
An Overview of Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender
Before diving into the details, let’s look at a quick rundown of each antivirus software:
Microsoft Defender
- Developed by Microsoft as part of Windows Security
- Provides essential antivirus and anti-malware protection
- Included as part of Windows 10 and 11 for free
- Advanced features available through paid Microsoft 365 subscription
Bitdefender
- Offered by the independent cybersecurity company Bitdefender
- Provides antivirus, anti-malware, and internet security
- Has free and paid versions for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Paid plans unlock features like a VPN, password manager, etc.
Now let’s take a deeper look at how Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender compare across major categories:
Pricing and Plans
One of the biggest considerations when choosing an antivirus is cost. Here’s how the pricing stacks up for Defender and Bitdefender:
Microsoft Defender
- The basic antivirus is free with Windows 10/11
- To unlock advanced features, you need a paid Microsoft 365 subscription
- Personal plan: $6.99/month or $69.99/year
- Family plan: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
- Bundles additional services like 1TB OneDrive storage
Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
- Provides essential antivirus protection for free
- Only available on Windows
Bitdefender Paid Plans
- Bitdefender Antivirus Plus: $29.99/year
- Bitdefender Internet Security: $49.99/year
- Bitdefender Total Security: $59.99/year or $89.99 for 2 years
- Families can add extra devices and features for more cost
The free versions of both Defender and Bitdefender offer capable antivirus protection. But Bitdefender’s free edition only works on Windows, while Defender comes with Windows 10/11.
For advanced security features, Bitdefender’s starting paid plan is cheaper than a Microsoft 365 subscription. However, Defender also bundles in other Microsoft services.
Malware Protection Capabilities
According to testing by independent labs like AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, both Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender offer excellent malware protection:
Microsoft Defender
- Earns top scores for detecting 0-day exploits and widespread malware
- AV-Test: 6/6 for protection in their latest Windows test
- AV-Comparatives: 99.7% protection rate in real-world testing
Bitdefender
- Consistently earns perfect 100% protection scores from AV-Test
- Flagged as having the highest impact against malware by AV-Comparatives
- Stops even new and emerging threats thanks to machine learning
Based on third-party assessments, Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender are neck-and-neck when it comes to blocking viruses, malware, ransomware, and more. Both prevent the vast majority of threats with minimal impact on system performance.
Key Features and Tools
In addition to antivirus scanning, these two security suites provide additional utilities to keep your devices safe:
Microsoft Defender’s Key Features
- Firewall and network protection
- Web protection against phishing/malware sites
- Ransomware prevention and data recovery tools
- Parental controls for family safety
- Limited VPN with some Microsoft 365 plans
Bitdefender’s Key Features
- Web attack prevention against phishing and fraud
- Ransomware remediation and file recovery
- Password manager for secure storage
- Vulnerability scanner finds weaknesses
- Optional VPN for encrypted browsing
A key difference is that Bitdefender offers more features designed to safeguard online privacy and identity, like the password manager. Microsoft Defender focuses more on core security protections.
System Performance Impact
Along with effectiveness, it’s important for antivirus software to have a minimal impact on system resources and speed.
Independent testing found both Defender and Bitdefender are very lightweight:
- Microsoft Defender slows down computers by less than 15% during scans
- Bitdefender has around a 5% impact during scans according to AV-Comparatives
Unless running a full system scan, you likely won’t notice any significant performance reduction from either antivirus solution. Both were designed not to drag down modern system resources.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Antivirus utilities should be simple to set up, configure, and manage for the average user.
Microsoft Defender
- Seamlessly built into Windows 10 and 11
- Easy to access from the Windows Security app
- Setup wizard automatically adjusts protections
- Microsoft 365 subscribers get 24/7 support by phone or chat
Bitdefender
- Also simple to install and launch on Windows PCs
- Central dashboard for managing security settings
- Customizable quick scans for convenience
- 24/7 customer support via chat, email or phone
Both antivirus platforms benefit from intuitive user interfaces that make security straightforward for everyday people. Their customer support options are comparable for troubleshooting issues.
Verdict: Microsoft Defender vs. Bitdefender
So which antivirus software comes out on top in this battle – Microsoft Defender or Bitdefender?
Here’s a quick summary of our key findings:
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For malware protection, Defender and Bitdefender are evenly matched. Both score extremely high marks in independent testing.
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Bitdefender offers more bonus features like a password manager and VPN. Defender focuses more exclusively on core security.
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Bitdefender’s starting paid tier costs less than a Microsoft 365 subscription needed for full Defender capabilities.
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Both have minimal system resource impact and are easy to use on Windows devices.
Overall, Bitdefender is the winner in this comparison for most people. It provides equivalent antivirus and anti-malware protection to Defender at competitive pricing with extra utilities like a VPN included. While Defender is a top notch basic antivirus solution, Bitdefender offers more robust internet security for the money.
However, existing Microsoft 365 subscribers may want to stick with Defender since it’s already bundled with their subscription. For families on Windows who mainly need core antivirus protections, Defender is a streamlined solution.
But for those seeking an independent antivirus software with bonus online protection features, Bitdefender is a great choice with affordable pricing tiers to meet your needs. It excellently balances strong security with value and extras Defender lacks.
FAQ About Microsoft Defender vs. Bitdefender
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to further help in deciding between Defender and Bitdefender:
Is Bitdefender actually better than Microsoft Defender?
Independent testing shows Bitdefender and Defender offer comparable antivirus and malware protection. But Bitdefender gives you more useful features like a VPN for the money, making it a better overall value.
What’s unique about Microsoft Defender?
Defender integrates directly with Windows 10 and 11, offers smooth compatibility with Microsoft apps and services, and can be bundled with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Should I pay for Bitdefender or just use the free version?
The free Bitdefender Antivirus provides solid protection. But upgrading to a paid suite gives you access to useful extras like the VPN, webcam protection, parental advisors, and more for under $40/year.
Is Microsoft Defender good enough on its own?
Defender alone is adequate for guarding against common malware and viruses. But getting a Microsoft 365 subscription unlocks Defender’s full capabilities, plus other benefits like 1TB of OneDrive storage for backup.
Can I run Bitdefender with Microsoft Defender?
You can’t run two active antivirus programs together. Defender will disable itself if you try installing Bitdefender onto a Windows device since they’ll conflict. You must choose one or the other.
Which has the better customer support?
Both Bitdefender and Microsoft Defender offer 24/7 customer support across phone, email, and live chat. Most users report quick and satisfactory experiences when contacting either for help.
The Bottom Line
While Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender both excel at protecting Windows PCs from malware, Bitdefender ultimately provides better value in terms of features and pricing.
But Defender remains an excellent basic antivirus solution, especially for those already paying for Microsoft 365. There’s no universally “best” option for every user situation. Evaluate your specific needs and budget to decide if Defender or Bitdefender is the right antivirus software for you.
