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Antivirus solutions are an essential line of defense against viruses and malware. However, not all antivirus tools are equal in their ability to detect and remove malware. In this article, we look at Bitdefender vs. Avast, two of the top antivirus software solutions on the market to see which is better.
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Price per year
INR 1,199 per year
Money back guarantee
30 days
Additional Features
Firewall, email security, ransomware & malware protection, real-time protection. Also includes 24/7 IT support
No. of devices with antivirus protection
5 devices
Money back guarantee
30 days
Price Per Year
INR 1,199 per year
Featured
Protection for PC gaming, Device & Online Security
Bitdefender vs. Avast Comparison
Bitdefender is a popular antivirus solution that not only offers a free antivirus for personal use, but a range of business packages with extended features. Some of Bitdefender’s features include endpoint detection and response (EDR), vulnerability assessments, virtual private network (VPN) encryption, anti-phishing and file shredding.
Avast is also a very widely used antivirus in its own right, offering a free package as well as paid versions to support business users. Core features include real-time virus, malware and ransomware protection, file shredding, an unlimited VPN, password protection, a firewall and an application sandbox environment.
Bitdefender vs. Avast: At a Glance
Both Bitdefender and Avast are highly reliable antivirus solutions with a high virus detection rate and low false positives.
The key differentiator between the two is that Bitdefender offers a wider range of features and endpoint protection capabilities, from endpoint detection and response, and vulnerability assessments to a password manager.
However, Avast does have its own unique capabilities, most notably the ability to launch apps in a sandbox environment, and additional features, such as password protection, to highlight weak passwords on the user’s device.
Bitdefender
Vulnerability assessment reports
Scan device for vulnerabilities
Vulnerability assessment reports
Scan device for vulnerabilities
Why We Picked It
Bitdefender has a history of consistently detecting known viruses and malware. Its packages are versatile enough to support everyone from home users looking for an antivirus to protect a single desktop, to larger enterprise packages, which can support hundreds of users.
The inclusion of endpoint detection and response, vulnerability scanning, file shredding, VPN, anti-phishing and anti-spam capabilities also provides users with the tools they need to better secure their devices against other potential threats.
Pros & Cons
- Visual endpoint detection and response
- Diverse feature set
- Plans for small businesses and enterprises
- Low-cost personal plans
- Costly business plans
- High performance footprint
- VPN limited
- Limited Mac OS support
Avast
App sandboxing
Run apps in an isolated environment
File shredder
Permanently destroy unwanted files
App sandboxing
Run apps in an isolated environment
File shredder
Permanently destroy unwanted files
Why We Picked It
Avast is an antivirus provider that also has a proven record of detecting the latest viruses and malware. The vendor offers a range of packages, from a free version that supports home users, to paid versions that support up to 10 devices.
The company also offers a diverse range of features in its own right, with application sandboxing, password protection, data shredding, firewall controls and VPN encryption, providing users with extra protection against a range of online threats.
Pros & Cons
- Popular and trusted antivirus solution
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
- Free version available
- Privacy concerns
- Some packages are costly
How Bitdefender and Avast Stack Up
Bitdefender and Avast are extremely competitive antivirus products that offer a vast array of capabilities. Some of the key features of each product are outlined below:
Malware Scanning and Removal
One of the most important factors to examine is which tool is better at detecting and removing malware. As mentioned above, in this area, both Bitdefender and Avast are extremely close, with each vendor scoring 99.6% and 100% respectively on the AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test.
Similarly, in AV-Comparatives’ malware protection test, both Bitdefender and Avast blocked 99.4% of malware threats, making the two equal in their ability to detect malware.
However, it’s worth noting that scanning with Bitdefender takes significantly longer than when using Avast.
Endpoint Detection and Response
One of Bitdefender’s standout capabilities is the inclusion of EDR capabilities. For instance, Bitdefender GravityZone EDR cloud can detect advanced threats, including zero-day exploits and ransomware on multiple devices in real time.
It also has the ability to detect indicators of compromise, MITRE ATT&CK techniques and other signals that indicate someone is trying to hack a device.
While this package may be overkill for smaller teams and home users, SMEs can use it to monitor multiple endpoints at once and develop a centralized list of security events to investigate.
Sandboxing
One key feature that Avast provides but Bitdefender does not is application sandboxing. Avast’s sandboxing feature enables users to browse online or run applications in an environment that’s isolated from the rest of their device.
This means the user can run unknown or distrustful applications while reducing the risk of infecting the underlying system. It also provides a layer of protection against phishing attacks by enabling users to examine suspicious files from a distance.
Anti-Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common ways that users’ devices get infected with malware, and is something that both Bitdefender and Avast have aimed to address directly.
For example, Bitdefender Premium Security can identify phishing websites and block them so that users aren’t at risk of visiting them and exposing their personal information.
Likewise, Avast Premium Security can also detect and block fake websites, alerting the user before they visit a fake website.
Vulnerability Assessments
Another area where Bitdefender differentiates itself is with the inclusion of vulnerability assessments. Bitdefender Total Security enables the user to scan their device for outdated software and missing patches. This gives them an opportunity to download software updates and eliminate potential exploits.
While Avast Premium Security also offers vulnerability assessments, this is largely focused on remote access attacks. For example, Remote Access shield is designed to detect and block remote access attacks and has the ability to detect OS vulnerabilities that enable these types of exploits.
File Shredding
Bitdefender and Avast each provide their own file shredding tools. Bitdefender’s file shredder enables the user to permanently delete files and folders from their device’s hard disk, so they can’t be recovered. This is useful in the event that the user wants to sell the device or if it’s stolen by someone else.
Avast’s file shredder (included with Avast Premium Security) offers a similar approach, overwriting saved files multiple times in an attempt to make them unreadable.
VPN
Bitdefender and Avast also offer users their own VPN service. Bitdefender’s VPN service consists of over 4,000 servers in over 50 countries, and supports unlimited encrypted traffic for up to 10 devices, which are protected with AES-256 encryption.
Avast’s VPN, included with Avast One, provides users with an unlimited VPN with AES-256 encryption, which offers over 50 locations to choose from. There is also a VPN available with the free version of Avast One, but this is limited to an allowance of 5GB of traffic per week.
Firewall
Bitdefender and Avast provide secure firewalls. Bitdefender’s firewall allows users to configure rules to block or allow connections. There are also options to block port scans, intercept DHCP traffic and to create alerts notifying the user about each connection.
Avast firewall also allows users to configure rules to determine whether certain apps are blocked or allowed. Users can also view firewall logs for a summary of blocked apps, devices and applied rules.
Featured Partners
Price per year
INR 1,199 per year
Money back guarantee
30 days
Additional Features
Firewall, email security, ransomware & malware protection, real-time protection. Also includes 24/7 IT support
No. of devices with antivirus protection
5 devices
Money back guarantee
30 days
Price Per Year
INR 1,199 per year
Featured
Protection for PC gaming, Device & Online Security
Cost of Bitdefender vs. Avast
Bitdefender and Avast are both competitively priced but Bitdefender offers the more affordable entry-level packages. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Pricing is summarized briefly below:
Bitdefender Total Security – INR 5,787.88 ($69.99) per year. Includes real-time virus detection, vulnerability assessments, anti-phishing, anti-fraud, anti-spam, microphone and webcam protection, and more.
Bitdefender Premium – INR 6,614.84 ($79.99) per year. Includes real-time virus detection, ransomware protection, an unlimited VPN, password manager, anti-phishing and anti-spam.
Avast also offers a range of packages to support personal and business use. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee. The pricing is listed below:
Avast One: Free with limited features or INR 346.50 ($4.19) per month billed annually. Paid version includes virus and malware protection, an unlimited VPN, password protection, and data breaching monitoring.
Avast Premium Security: INR 4,133.96 ($49.99) per year and covers 10 devices. It includes antivirus protection, anti-phishing, email protection, unsafe website alerts, remote access attack protection, anti-ransomware protection and more.
Top Bitdefender and Avast Alternatives
Featured Partners
Price per year
INR 1,199 per year
Money back guarantee
30 days
Additional Features
Firewall, email security, ransomware & malware protection, real-time protection. Also includes 24/7 IT support
No. of devices with antivirus protection
5 devices
Money back guarantee
30 days
Price Per Year
INR 1,199 per year
Featured
Protection for PC gaming, Device & Online Security
Bottom Line
Bitdefender and Avast are both great personal and business antivirus solutions, but overall, Bitdefender’s diverse range of features and lower price point make it the more versatile and affordable choice.
It’s suitable not just for sole proprietors, but with more advanced packages, such as Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security, it also has the ability to scale to support the needs of larger teams and SMBs.
Bitdefender is best for:
- Vulnerability assessments
- SMBs
- Cost-effectiveness
Avast is best for:
- Running applications in sandbox
- Malware scans with less performance footprint
- Small teams
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of threats can antivirus tools detect?
Antivirus solutions can detect a range of threats including viruses, spyware, malware, ransomware and trojans; however, the effectiveness of the tool depends on how good it is at detecting and removing these threats.
Can an antivirus remove malware?
Yes. If an antivirus solution detects malware on your device, then it can work to quarantine the infected files and remove them from your device. It’s important to note that this process may be more complex for some infections than others, particularly if a piece of malware has been designed to evade detection.
Are antivirus tools 100% effective?
While many providers offer detection rates of 99%, no product is 100% effective. However, the high detection rate of top providers, such as Bitdefender and Avast, means that devices protected with an antivirus are protected against most forms of known malware.
