--- title: Bitdefender canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/bitdefender/ category: Antivirus Software points: 94 rank: 1 of 10 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Bitdefender Antivirus with a free Windows edition and paid plans that add ransomware protection, anti-phishing and a rescue mode. 94 points out of 100. #1 of 10 antivirus products. Vendor: Bitdefender. Website: https://www.bitdefender.com/ - Antivirus Plus costs $24.99 for the first year on one device; Bitdefender does not show the renewal price [1]. - Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows costs nothing and includes real-time protection [3]. - The Privacy Firewall comes only with Total Security, which costs $59.99 for 5 devices in the first year [1][2]. - Rootkits that must be removed before Windows starts are cleaned by restarting into Rescue Environment [1]. - Refunds are available within 30 days of purchase or of an automatic renewal [1]. Verdict: Bitdefender suits people who want a capable free edition or a cheap first year on one PC. Antivirus Plus adds ransomware protection, anti-phishing and a rescue mode for $24.99 in the first year [1]. The catch is that the renewal price is not shown, and the firewall only comes with Total Security [1][2]. Best for: People who want a capable free edition or a cheap first year. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Independent lab results | AV-TEST score | 18 of 18 | 15/15 | AV-TEST, July and August 2026: 18 of 18 (Bitdefender Total Security 27.0). [6] | | Independent lab results | AV-Comparatives award | ADVANCED+ | 15/15 | AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: ADVANCED+ (Bitdefender). [7] | | Independent lab results | AV-Comparatives protection rate | 99.5% | 15/15 | AV-Comparatives, February to May 2026: 99.5% (Bitdefender). [7] | | Protection features | Systems covered | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | 8/8 | Antivirus Plus is a multiplatform plan for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS [1]. | | Protection features | Firewall | Yes | 5/5 | Total Security includes a Privacy Firewall; Antivirus Plus does not [1][2]. | | Protection features | Ransomware protection | Yes | 5/5 | Multi-layer ransomware protection includes a data-protection layer that guards documents from encryption [1]. | | Protection features | Rescue or offline scan | Yes | 4/4 | For rootkits, the PC restarts into Rescue Environment for clean-up [1]. | | Protection features | Browser protection | Yes | 3/3 | Anti-phishing and web attack prevention block fake and infected websites [1]. | | Price | Free edition with real-time protection | Yes | 8/8 | Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows is free and gives real-time protection [3]. | | Price | First-year price | $24.99/yr | 6/6 | Antivirus Plus, 1 device, first year [1]. | | Price | Price from the second year | Not published | 0/6 | The terms say the renewal price may be higher than the first year [1]. | | Refunds and security | 30-day refund | Yes | 5/5 | Refunds within 30 days of purchase or of the automatic renewal date [1]. | | Refunds and security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Yes | 5/5 | The Trust Center lists ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and SOC 2 Type 2 [4][5]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Antivirus Free | Free [3] | $0 | | Antivirus Plus, 1 device | $24.99 first year [1] | $2.08 | | Antivirus Plus, 3 devices | $29.99 first year [1] | $2.50 | | Total Security, Individual | $59.99 first year [2] | $5 | | Total Security, Family | $79.99 first year [2] | $6.67 | Prices are for the first year. After that Bitdefender bills an unstated renewal price that may be higher [1][2]. ## Strengths - A free Windows edition with real-time protection [3]. - Antivirus Plus covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS [1]. - Rescue Environment cleans rootkits before Windows starts [1]. - The Trust Center lists ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and a SOC 2 Type 2 report [4][5]. ## Limits - The renewal price is not shown, and Bitdefender says it may be higher than the first year [1]. - Antivirus Plus has no firewall; it needs Total Security [1]. - Subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel [2]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Bitdefender says Antivirus Plus blocks all known infected links [1]. ## Sources 1. [Bitdefender Antivirus Plus - Best Antivirus for Your Devices](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/antivirus), Bitdefender, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Bitdefender Total Security - Anti Malware Software](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/total-security), Bitdefender, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Bitdefender Free Antivirus Software](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/free-antivirus), Bitdefender, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Bitdefender Trust Center](https://trust.bitdefender.com/), Bitdefender, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [SOC2 Type 2 Compliant](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/partners/certifications/soc2-tyoe2-compliant), Bitdefender, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Test antivirus software for Windows 11 - August 2026](https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/), AV-TEST, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026](https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-february-may-2026/), AV-Comparatives, accessed 2026-10-08