TotalAV vs Bitdefender: which antivirus is better in 2025?

Bitdefender and TotalAV are well-known and well-respected names in the antivirus software industry. While both come with robust cybersecurity feature sets and great capabilities for ensuring your device’s and your own safety, I pitted them against each other to determine which is better and why.

This thorough TotalAV vs Bitdefender review will answer all the questions on which software is better for protecting your devices against malware and securing your privacy. Additionally, I’ll evaluate which offers a better price and better usability, even if you’re just a beginner in cybersecurity products. So, continue reading this comparison for an informed choice of antivirus software.

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TotalAV vs Bitdefender

TotalAV vs Bitdefender: best protection

Threat protection and cybersecurity are key aspects of any antivirus software, and they also play a leading role in this TotalAV vs Bitdefender comparison. Based on our in-house testing and the test results provided by the AV-test lab, both TotalAV and Bitdefender are excellent at protecting devices from malware and securing personal data.

Upon further investigation of the AV-test results, Bitdefender gained a perfect score in all aspects, including 6/6 for protection, 6/6 for performance, and 6/6 for usability. This makes it a guaranteed Top Product in the antivirus software category.

Like Bitdefender, TotalAV falls into the Top Product category with a near-perfect score. AV-test labs gave it a 6/6 for protection and usability, while the score for performance is marked down a bit at 5.5/6.

I also checked the scores of these two software on the AV-Comparatives page. Unsurprisingly, both TotalAV and Bitdefender Antivirus are ranked as Advanced+. This means that you get a well-rounded cybersecurity solution and top-level protection no matter which you choose.

With the scores pretty equal and the security packages including such essentials as malware and virus scanners, both providers are so far equal contenders. Let’s see how this race unfolds further on.

Protection from malware

Both TotalAV and Bitdefender offer solid malware protection features, providing reliable and accurate real-time scanning options to protect your devices.

TotalAV has its real-time scanning turned on as a default. This allows the software to monitor your device for potential threats constantly. In addition to system scanning, TotalAV also uses cloud scanning. This way, any program that raises suspicion can be instantly compared to a similar program in the cloud database for a well-informed decision from the software’s side. If a threat is identified, TotalAV puts the corrupted file in quarantine and informs the user while also providing a guide on how to remove the infected program or file.

Bitdefender also has a real-time scanning feature. In this case, it is called Advanced Threat Defense and works like any other real-time scan by continuously scanning all downloaded files for potential threats. If the software encounters a threat, it deletes or places it into quarantine. It is worth noting that Bitdefender Antivirus software won’t stop you from downloading infected files; it will only act upon them once they land on your device. However, that does not make the software any less effective, especially when combined with its anti-phishing scans of suspicious links and websites.

Firewall

A firewall is a handy cybersecurity measure that either blocks or allows incoming and outgoing traffic depending on its security levels. Such traffic limitations ensure your devices and data are protected no matter what. Bitdefender offers a firewall for Windows users, while TotalAV does not offer this feature at all. On a side note, all macOS and iOS devices have built-in firewalls and don’t need additional ones in an antivirus software package.

Bitdefender’s firewall can be customized to suit your needs and edited to allow or block only selected apps or programs. Additionally, the firewall can be set to monitor unauthorized port scans and alert you if any of your applications are trying to access the Internet without your knowledge.

Virus scanning

TotalAV and Bitdefender have highly accurate threat scans, spanning different categories and levels of thoroughness in detecting known and zero-day threats.

TotalAV’s virus scanning relies on the engine created by Avira, which is regarded as one of the most accurate around. In total, the software offers four different types of scans, varying in time and depth of the search:

• System scan – this is the most in-depth scan, which takes up to 15 minutes to complete and creates a CPU load fluctuating between 7% to 53% while in process. It caught 99% of the pre-planted infected files during my tests, making it very accurate.
• Quick scan – only scans the locations where threats are usually found but does not work with zero-day threats.
• Smart scan – allows you to schedule your scans to run automatically whenever the time is best for you.
• Custom scan – scans only the programs, files, folders, or apps you’ve selected beforehand.

In contrast to TotalAV’s Avira engine used for malware scans, Bitdefender relies on machine learning and a malware directory. While this approach isn’t unique, it differs slightly from TotalAV. The central aspect is that Bitdefender’s scans happen in a cloud, supposedly making the impact on your device’s systems less noticeable. However, the same as Total, Bitdefender also offers four different types of scans:

• System scan – a full and thorough system scan. Incredibly, it took only seconds to run, the CPU load was barely noticeable, and the software caught 10/10 of my pre-planted malware samples, making it 100% effective against threats.
• Quick scan – scans the locations where threats are usually found and does not detect zero-day malware.
• Vulnerability scan – scans the device for any vulnerabilities, such as outdated programs, Windows updates, and even weak passwords.
• Custom scan – scans only the locations you’ve set it to.

All in all, both TotalAV and Bitdefender offer thorough and reliable malware scans to protect your devices and data. They both worked with high accuracy during my tests, but while Bitdefender performed the scans a bit faster, TotalAV was more accurate.

Bitdefender vs TotalAV: which has the best features?

The feature sets of Bitdefender and TotalAV are very similar and cover all the most important bases, including real-time protection, identity theft protection, malware scans, and a VPN for a well-rounded cybersecurity solution. However, Bitdefender is a bit ahead in safety because of the firewall inclusion, while TotalAV overtakes it in usability with a device locator feature.

TotalAV features

TotalAV feature set is crowned by a highly accurate Real-time scan, which is enabled by default to continuously scan your device and effectively guarantee its security. Of course, that isn’t the only security measure you get with TotalAV as it also offers the WebShield browser extension which protects you from scams, ransomware, and phishing attacks.

Additionally, with TotalAV, you get a well-rounded and secure VPN based on military-grade AES-256 encryption to further protect your sensitive data and network activities. When used together with the Password Manager, the combo makes a great set to prevent personal data leaks and theft.

Speaking of theft, TotalAV offers an excellent Identity Theft Protection feature set that constantly monitors the dark web and other resources for any possible breaches of your privacy. On top of it all, you get a $1 million warranty if such a breach should occur.

Lastly, the System Tune-Up tools ensure your devices are always performing without any issues and the TotalAV free version encompasses vital security fundamentals while also including data breach monitoring.

So, while it does miss features such as a Firewall or Parental Controls, TotalAV makes it up by creating an easy-to-use and efficient cybersecurity feature set. If you’d like a more in-depth look at TotalAV features, you can read our TotalAV review.

Bitdefender features

Bitdefender offers an extensive essential cybersecurity feature set which includes such fundamental features as a Firewall and Real-time protection. When I tested it, the Firewall proved to be highly efficient and I did not encounter a false alarm while using it. As for the Real-time scanning, I already mentioned that it works with 100% accuracy during my tests.

In addition to these two important features, Bitdefender also offers a SafePay browser. This browser protects your banking details while you shop online, while also safeguarding you from malware, phishing attacks, or the risks of entering unsafe websites

Similar to TotalAV, Bitdefender also offers a VPN service which is known for its robust security and excellent geo-unblocking capabilities. And, when you use the VPN together with Bitdefender’s Password Manager, you’re ensuring top-notch security for your credentials and network activities.

Besides all this, Bitdefender has a Parental Controls suite to make the internet safer for your kids by blocking access to unwanted sites or information. Lastly, this well-rounded feature set is topped off with a Webcam and Microphone Protection and System Tune-up tools. If you’d like a more in-depth look at this antivirus software, you can read our Bitdefender Antivirus review.

To sum it up, Bitdefender offers a more extensive feature set than TotalAV, with the addition of a Firewall, Parental Controls suite, and Webcam and Microphone protection. However, if we’re talking purely about the security both of these platforms provide, they are still very equal in protecting your devices and data from malware and threats.

Pricing overview

Both Bitdefender and TotalAV are very affordable antivirus and cybersecurity solutions, offering multiple subscription choices. Additionally, both of them offer free versions if you’re looking just for core security features or simply would like to test out the software before committing to a paid plan.

Take a look at the price point and the different subscription tiers offered by TotalAV and Bitdefender:

At first glance, Bitdefender seems like the more affordable choice. However, with Bitdefender, VPN service is not included in any of the packages and has to be bought additionally. Plus, the cheapest Bitdefender plan only covers Windows devices, while a similar TotalAV plan covers all the most popular platforms. So, while the price of Bitdefender plans is smaller, TotalAV offers better and more extensive compatibility.

TotalAV cost

Besides the free plan, TotalAV offers three subscription tiers based on the feature set's extensiveness and price. Here’s how much these plans cost and what features they offer:

• Antivirus Pro - this plan covers up to three devices and includes fundamental threat protection features. Additionally, you also get real-time scans and system tune-up tools. The plan is priced at $29.00 for the first year, and $99/year thereafter.
• Internet Security – this plan includes the same features as the Antivirus Pro, plus gives unlimited access to a robust Total VPN service. It costs $19.00 for the first year and $129.00/per year for the following.
• Total Security – this plan includes all the features mentioned above, plus an ad blocker, identity theft protection, and a password manager. This is the most comprehensive plan offered by TotalAV and is priced at $49.00 for the first year and at $149/year upon renewal.

Bitdefender cost

In addition to a completely free version of Bitdefender Antivirus, you can also choose from three different subscription tiers. All of them offer different feature sets and prices:

• Antivirus Plus – this is the most affordable Bitdefender plan, standing at only $9.99/year for one device and $39.99 for subsequent years. However, this plan is only available to Windows users and only covers one device.
• Internet Security – this plan is available for all platform users, excluding Linux, covers up to 3 devices, and costs $9.99 for the first year and $89.99 upon renewal.
• Total Security – this is the most comprehensive package available and is priced at $42.49 for the first year, and $84.99 upon renewal. The subscription extends to up to 3 devices and includes advanced features such as the password manager and identity theft protection.

It’s worth noting that none of Bitdefender's Antivirus plans automatically includes a VPN service. So, no matter which plan you choose, you’ll still have to pay for the Bitdefender VPN, and it’ll set you back around $34.99/year.

Customer reviews: Bitdefender vs TotalAV

To check out real customer reviews of Bitdefender and TotalAV, I checked the comments on TrustPilot, Reddit, and the official sites. Here’s what I managed to glean:

A quick overlook of the table shows that TotalAV is more favored by users. As far as I found, it was simpler for the customer to renew their subscriptions and they were mostly satisfied with the software. On the other hand, Bitdefender TrustPilot's score is a good point lower, but it is more heavily praised by its users on Reddit.

Overall, in the customer’s view, both the platforms offer great cybersecurity protection but do have their own caveats, such as not being very user-friendly in subscription renewal or disappointment in some feature functionality. In any case, both Bitdefender and TotalAV are generally reviewed very positively by their customers.

PC performance using TotalAV or Bitdefender

Although Bitdefender uses a more lightweight scanning process based on machine learning and cloud storage, during my tests, TotalAV proved actually to be lighter on my device’s systems.

While running in the background, TotalAV used around 5% of my 4 RAM laptop and when I tried running it on a more powerful 16 RAM computer, the usage dropped to 2%. The CPU use during scans fluctuates between 7% to 53% which should not have a significant impact on your device unless it’s somewhat slower to begin with.

In contrast, Bitdefender Antivirus, when running in the background, used around 9% of my 4 RAM laptop and around 2% on a more powerful 16 RAM computer. When running a scan, Bitdefender ate up to 80% of my laptop’s CPU, which is quite a significant amount. Thus, if you’re running the scans while working with heavier apps or playing games, they may crash and shut down.

So, here, the clear winner is TotalAV, making it suitable even for older PC or less powerful devices.

Platforms, interface, and ease of use

When it comes to ease of use, nothing beats TotalAV. The platform interface is highly intuitive, not overcrowded, and simple to use, even if it’s your first time using antivirus software. Bitdefender is not bad by any means, but its platform is a bit more cluttered and less intuitive.

Speaking about platform and device compatibility, both TotalAV and Bitdefender are compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS platforms and devices like laptops, PCs, tablets, and smartphones. As a bonus, Bitdefender also offers a Linux solution for regular and business users.

As for devices covered with one subscription, Bitdefender takes the lead with 15 devices included in its Family Pack. Meanwhile, TotalAV offers the protection of its Total Security package for up to 8 devices.

Lastly, installing both TotalAV and Bitdefender is as easy as it gets. I simply had to download the right app for my device either from the official website or Google Play/Apple App stores, download it to my device, and hit the install button. In both cases, the installation and setup took mere minutes, and I was really pleased with the simplicity of the process. However, TotalAV is overall simpler to use and understand even for complete beginners, so I’m naming it as a winner in the ease of use category.

Desktop apps

TotalAV desktop app is really sleek-looking and well-designed. The main window displays four main categories, including Antivirus, System boost, Disc cleaner, and Web security. By clicking on one of them, you can easily find more advanced features and information, and configure the experience and the processes to your own needs.

The main window also gives a brief description of your device’s security level and from it, you can easily navigate to your zones of interest. As I mentioned earlier, the app is very clean and clear, making it one of the easiest to use antivirus platforms in the market.

As for Bitdefender, the app looks a little bit outdated to me. It’s not any less functional, but the cluttered main window takes some time to get used to and makes finding the features or sections you’re looking for a bit harder.

The main window is divided into a sidebar with Protection, Privacy, and Utilities and a dashboard displaying your security status, settings, and notifications. That’s a lot of information and you will have to spend several minutes before getting the hang of it.

Mobile apps

Antivirus software mobile apps are usually very different for Android and iOS devices. However, with TotalAV, you get two well-rounded apps for both OS, which is quite a rarity among similar platforms and apps.

The TotalAV Android app includes such features as a security scan, VPN, system tune-up tools, wifi, and data breach checker. In comparison, the iOS version is almost as feature-rich with a device locator, data breach checker, VPN, web shield, secure browser, and photo manager. So, as you can see, both apps are similar both in features and in looks.

As for Bitdefender, the iOS and Android apps are wildly different, with the Android one being the one with more features and a better interface. Some of the features you can find in it are VPN, web protection, app lock, anti-theft, identity protection, and malware scanner.

In contrast, the iOS app is very bare-bones and includes only a VPN, privacy monitoring, and web protection. So, as you can see, there’s not much going on with the Bitdefender antivirus app, so much so that I might recommend using just a VPN instead.

Customer support

Both TotalAV and Bitdefender offer various choices for reaching out to customer support to suit any needs or preferences. From 24/7 live chat to FAQs, it is really simple and straightforward to find the answers to any question.

The best part is that both TotalAV and Bitdefender offer their customer support live chat to both free and paying customers, which isn’t a given with a lot of other antivirus software platforms.

I tested the live chats of both providers and was pleasantly surprised at how fast I was provided with a solution to my issue and how professional the agents were. Additionally, I really liked the clear and polite language that was used by both of them.

I also browsed through the knowledgebase and FAQ sections, and each time, I found well-organized libraries with lots of useful and interesting information. In fact, some of the articles published there provided me with new information I hadn’t seen before.

However, TotalAV’s library, information, and live chat were a bit more organized, and while it is almost a draw, TotalAV wins in customer support by a slim margin.

TotalAV vs Bitdefender: final verdict

Both TotalAV and Bitdefender are excellent antivirus software that is well-regarded by experts and users alike. When I compared the two side by side, the competition ran pretty close and even when I declared TotalAV as the winner, Bitdefender wasn’t left too far behind. However, because of its ease of use, well-rounded feature set, and great PC performance parameters, TotalAV comes out as the winner of this battle.

TotalAV caters to the needs of both advanced and beginner antivirus software users with its intuitive applications and feature set, including a robust VPN, an ad blocker, and a password manager, which make for a well-rounded cybersecurity solution. And, even if TotalAV seems like the pricier choice, it offers a better price-to-value ratio than Bitdefender.

As for Bitdefender, it’s in no way a bad antivirus software, offering an extensive feature set including such advanced features as a webcam and microphone lock, a VPN, and a firewall. However, it’s simply not as well-rounded and not as easy to use as TotalAV.

So, while the race was pretty close, TotalAV offers a slight edge over Bitdefender. However, the final choice is only up to you and your personal preferences, as both of these software are excellent at protecting your devices and data from threats and malware.

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FAQ

Which is better TotalAV or Bitdefender?

TotalAV is better than Bitdefender by a slight margin. Both of them are well-trusted and secure antivirus software, but TotalAV offers a more well-rounded feature set and better usability. Simply because of that, TotalAV might be a better choice if you’re looking for a straightforward cybersecurity solution.

Can you trust TotalAV?

Yes, you can trust TotalAV as it is a legitimate, secure, and safe antivirus software trusted by many users all over the world. Additionally, we did our own in-house testing and research to prove its effectiveness against cyber threats further.

Is TotalAV better than Bitdefender?

TotalAV is a better choice than Bitdefender if you’re looking for more easy-to-use software. Other than that, both software are excellent in keeping your devices and data safe, and your personal information well-guarded.

How much is a subscription to TotalAV?

You can get a TotalAV subscription starting at $29.00/year for the Antivirus Pro subscription. The mid-tier subscription called Internet Security costs $39.00/year and includes a VPN. The most comprehensive pack, Total Security, includes all the features from lower-tier plans, plus gives access to identity Theft Protection and Password Manager features.

Does TotalAV get rid of hackers?

Yes, TotalAV can get rid of hackers. The software's real-time scans, dark web monitoring, and anti-phishing features safeguard your devices against malware, viruses, and Trojans, protecting them effectively against data breaches, hacking attempts, and snooping.