TotalAV vs. Bitdefender 2024: Do You Need Superior Mac Protection or Security on a Budget?

Dive into our in-depth comparison to discover whether TotalAV's user friendliness or Bitdefender's cost effectiveness suits your digital safety needs better.
We may receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Best for Mac Users

4.8
Learn More
On TotalAV's website

TotalAV
  • High level of antivirus protection
  • Protection from malicious viruses, malware and dangerous websites
  • User-friendly interface and overall app
  • Lacks firewall protection

Best for Budget-Conscious Users

4.8
Learn More
On Bitdefender's website

Bitdefender
  • Antivirus software offering reliable security
  • Simple yet powerful interface tools
  • Perfect protection score in third-party tests
  • Premium features incur additional subscription fees

Cyberthreats lurk around every corner, so using a reliable antivirus is a necessity. TotalAV and Bitdefender emerge as two formidable antivirus providers, each with its own merits.

TotalAV's user-friendly interface offers a seamless user experience and comprehensive features across all platforms. It's an apt choice for those who prefer a straightforward cybersecurity approach without compromising protection. On the other hand, Bitdefender, with its competitive pricing and perfect scores in malware protection tests, stands as a beacon for those seeking top-tier security without stretching their wallet.

The choice between TotalAV and Bitdefender boils down to personal preferences, financial considerations, and the level of cybersecurity you aspire to have.

In this article
TotalAV vs. Bitdefender review at a glance
TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: prices
TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: features
TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: test results
TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: compatibility and customer support
TotalAV vs. Bitdefender FAQs
TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: which is better?

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender review at a glance

While TotalAV and Bitdefender both offer solid protection against many cyberthreats, they cater to different user preferences and needs. Bitdefender is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a cost-effective solution with various advanced features. TotalAV shines with a user-friendly interface and a range of protection options for a slightly higher price.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender compared


TotalAV

Bitdefender
Starting price Starts at $29.00/first yr Starts at $59.99/first yr
Free version
Max number of protected devices 6 10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility Windows, macOS , Android, and iOS Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Learn more Get TotalAV

Read TotalAV Review

Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: prices


TotalAV

Bitdefender
Best Value
Price range $29.00–$49.00/first yr $14.99–$59.99/first yr
Best value plan Antivirus Pro plan for $29.00/first yr Antivirus Plus plan for $59.99/first yr
Money-back guarantee Yes — 30 days for the annual plan, 14 days for the monthly plan Yes — 30 days
Learn more Get TotalAV

Read TotalAV Review

Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

In terms of price range, Bitdefender is much more affordable for the first year compared to TotalAV. Even at the renewal price, Bitdefender's plans stay significantly lower than TotalAV's.

TotalAV does offer a 30-day free trial for all of its plans, so you can test out the software before committing to a purchase. Additionally, both companies offer discounts for longer subscription periods, so it may be worth considering a longer commitment for added savings.

TotalAV’s best value plan is the Antivirus Pro plan at $29.00/first yr. It provides protection against phishing scams, ransomware, potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), and it can eliminate any viruses, trojans, and malware it finds.

For Bitdefender, the Antivirus Plus plan stands out as the best value at $59.99/first yr. It offers ransomware protection, web attack prevention, anti-phishing protection, anti-fraud protection, and cybersecurity extras like a virtual private network (VPN) and safe online banking.

TotalAV offers a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a free trial, allowing you to test the waters without financial risk. Bitdefender extends a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.

Winner: Bitdefender edges out with its Antivirus Plus plan being the most cost-effective starting point for robust antivirus protection at $59.99/first yr.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: features

Features
TotalAV

Bitdefender
Best Value
Manual and scheduled scans
Real-time protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Firewall Yes — Windows only
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
Ad blocker
Device optimization tools Yes — Windows only
Learn more Get TotalAV

Read TotalAV Review

Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

TotalAV and Bitdefender are both well-equipped to tackle many cyberthreats. As far as core antivirus features, both offer manual and scheduled scans, as well as real-time protection against malware, phishing, and ransomware. Both also come with a password manager and a VPN, which support your digital safety and privacy.

The basic version of Bitdefender VPN only allowed us to use the automatic location feature, where the application chooses where your virtual connection is located.

Digging into additional features is where the differences between these two services lie. Bitdefender provides parental controls while TotalAV doesn’t, and Bitdefender only has ad-blocking capabilities when you use the VPN, while TotalAV comes with Total Adblock. TotalAV doesn’t have a firewall feature, while Bitdefender's firewall is limited to Windows.

The TotalAV Adblocker comes with several features including a Web Shield, Ad Block Pro, Clear Cookies, and Clear History.

Device optimization tools in Bitdefender are confined to Windows, whereas TotalAV offers its system tune-up tools across all platforms. These features, although not imperative, are nice to have as they provide an added layer of protection and device performance enhancement. The firewall acts as a barrier between your network and potential threats from the internet, while device optimization tools help keep your device running smoothly by managing resources efficiently.

Winner: Bitdefender edges slightly ahead in the features department due to its firewall and parental controls. However, TotalAV’s multi-platform inclusivity could be a factor for macOS users.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: test results

In the world of antivirus software, third-party testing is a vital element to gauge the effectiveness of a program in malware detection and prevention. It provides an unbiased lens through which we can compare the performance of different antivirus solutions under various threat scenarios.

For our comparison, we have referred to the test results from AV-TEST, a reputable independent IT security institute, to understand how TotalAV and Bitdefender fare in real-world malware protection across different operating systems.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender malware protection scores

Features
TotalAV

Bitdefender
Best Scores
AV-TEST Windows score 16.5/18 18/18
AV-TEST macOS score 18/18 18/18
AV-TEST Android score 18/18 18/18
Learn more Get TotalAV

Read TotalAV Review

Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

Windows AV-TEST scores are from Jul/Aug 2023.

TotalAV macOS AV-TEST scores are from Sep/2023. Bitdefender macOS AV-TEST scores are from Sep/2023.

Android AV-TEST scores are from Jul/2023.

Upon reviewing the test results, it’s apparent that Bitdefender is a trustworthy antivirus Bitdefender aced its most recent AV-TESTs with a perfect score in malware protection, performance, and usability across all platforms.

TotalAV was a point behind Bitdefender in its malware protection test results. TotalAV scored 97.9% in July and 97.5% in August for protecting against 0-day malware attacks. It’s concerning that the score dropped from July to August, and that it’s two points below the industry average (99.3%). This fractional difference, although minimal, may reflect a marginally less effective malware detection or prevention in specific scenarios on Windows. We were also disappointed that TotalAV hasn’t tested its macOS platform since March 2022.

Winner: Bitdefender takes the lead with a flawless AV-TEST score of 18/18 across all tested platforms.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: compatibility and customer support


TotalAV

Bitdefender
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Browser extensions Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
24/7 customer support
Customer support options Phone, email, live chat, video tutorials, knowledge base Phone, live chat, email, knowledge base
Learn more Get TotalAV

Read TotalAV Review

Get Bitdefender

Read Bitdefender Review

When it comes to user interface and ease of navigation, both TotalAV and Bitdefender have invested in ensuring a user-friendly experience. The settings in both antiviruses are structured logically, making it relatively straightforward to configure the software to one's liking. Though they’re intuitive to navigate, many customer support options are available to guide users in case of any hurdles.

TotalAV and Bitdefender also excel in customer support, offering 24/7 assistance through various channels such as phone support, live chat, email and extensive online resources. Bitdefender slightly edges out with text and video tutorials, providing an extra medium to understand and resolve issues independently.

Additionally, both antivirus solutions showcase broad compatibility across major operating systems, mobile devices, and browsers, reducing the likelihood of encountering compatibility issues. The browser extensions further enhance web protection, making browsing safer from potential online threats.

Winner: It's a tight competition, so we’ll call this a draw. TotalAV and Bitdefender cover many platforms, browsers, and multiple customer support options.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender FAQs


+

What are the benefits of using TotalAV?

TotalAV provides robust antivirus protection coupled with a user-friendly interface. It offers a variety of useful features like real-time protection, phishing protection, a firewall, and additional tools like a VPN and ad blocker for enhanced online privacy.


+

What antivirus is better than Bitdefender?

Bitdefender is highly regarded in the antivirus community, but a "better" antivirus can vary based on personal needs. Some may find other solutions like Norton or McAfee more suited to their specific requirements or preferences.


+

Is TotalAV trustworthy?

Yes, TotalAV is trustworthy. It performs well in various third-party tests for malware detection and protection, ensuring a reliable defense against many cyberthreats.


+

Will Bitdefender slow down my computer?

Bitdefender is engineered to have a minimal impact on system performance. While any antivirus has the potential to slightly slow down a computer during active scans, Bitdefender's optimized performance ensures that any slowdown is kept to a minimum.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender: which is better?

TotalAV and Bitdefender both present comprehensive antivirus solutions with features designed to protect against cyberthreats. TotalAV stands out with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features available across all platforms, including a firewall and device optimization tools. It's an excellent choice for those who prefer simplicity alongside effective antivirus protection, making it less daunting for individuals who might not be as tech-savvy.

On the other hand, Bitdefender shines with its perfect scores in third-party malware protection tests, signifying its superior ability to detect and neutralize threats. Its competitive pricing, especially the lower starting price, makes it a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious individuals. With a slightly wider range of customer support options and exceptional malware protection scores, Bitdefender edges out as the better antivirus solution overall. It's well suited for individuals seeking top-tier malware protection without breaking the bank.

TotalAV vs. Bitdefender alternatives

If neither TotalAV nor Bitdefender aligns with your specific needs, fret not. The antivirus market has many alternative solutions, each with unique functions and capabilities. Below are two of the best antivirus software that could be viable alternatives:

  • Norton Antivirus: Known for its robust security features and comprehensive protection against malware, phishing, and other cyber threats, Norton also provides a VPN, dark web monitoring, and a password manager, among other features.

    Get Norton 360 | Read Our Norton 360 Review
  • McAfee: McAfee offers a broad spectrum of security features, including malware and phishing protection, a personal firewall, and home network security features to protect all your connected devices.

    Get McAfee | Read Our McAfee Review
4.8
Learn More
On Bitdefender's website

Bitdefender
  • Antivirus software offering reliable security
  • Simple yet powerful interface tools
  • Perfect protection score in third-party tests
  • Premium features incur additional subscription fees
Author Details
Ryan Clancy is a freelance writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing engineering (especially mechanical) down to a level that everyone can understand.