We put the app through some very in-depth tests to find out.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free: Getting started
You cant install Bitdefender Antivirus Free without setting up an account.
This isnt just aboutprivacy; there are practical issues, too.
Getting your Antivirus Free license can take a little work.
We noticed another complication.
Bitdefender Free Antivirus is only available if you have a new Bitdefender account with no subscription.
Thats potentially very important, because antivirus issues can be complex.
If you run into technical troubles, having access to live expert help could make all the difference.
The app is missing some of Bitdefenders more advanced antivirus features.
Theres no Rescue Environment, unfortunately, to remove stealthy threats which cant be touched when Windows is running.
Bitdefender consistently gets great results in independent testing.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free doesnt include any of Bitdefenders bonus privacy or security tools.
Bitdefender Antivirus Free is best described as basic, then, but thats not necessarily bad news.
Bitdefender is currently equal first with Avast and McAfee, an excellent result.
ESET, F-Secure and Norton are equal fourth, while Avira trails a little in seventh place.
The results were a little below average, with Bitdefender blocking 64% of threats.
(Avast blocked 86% in its own tests, and Avira reached an excellent 90%.)
Even most paid apps cant manage that.
The difference is fractional, though, and not enough to outweigh your personal preferences in other areas.
We list the best cloud antivirus.
