Bitdefender vs Avast: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Bitdefender Total Security includes a password manager and a VPN (200 MB a day per device; unlimited on Premium Security) and has a Family plan for 25 devices. Avast Premium Security is built around scam protection — email, SMS, calls and websites — and comes as 1 PC plus 1 mobile or 10 devices, with a free version and a 30-day trial that needs no credit card. Both advertise a first-year price that rises at renewal.
Option A
$109.99/yrBitdefender Total Security
Official price before tax: $109.99
Price checked
Bitdefender price and plans
Option B
We compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Bitdefender | Avast |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Total Security, Family, Premium Security | 1 PC + 1 mobile, or 10 devices |
| Free version | Not listed | Avast Free Antivirus |
| Password manager | Yes | Not listed |
| VPN | 200 MB/day; unlimited on Premium | Not listed |
| Trial | 30 days | 30 days, no card |
Independent lab tests
These numbers come from lab tests. The scales differ between tests, so we don’t merge them into one score.
| Test | Bitdefender | Avast |
|---|---|---|
Real-world protection AV-Comparatives: Real-World Protection Test February-May 2026 · published June 15, 2026 | Blocked 398 of 400 attacks — 99.5% false positives: 5 Tested version: Bitdefender Total Security | Blocked 397 of 400 attacks — 99.3% false positives: 5 Tested version: Avast One Free Antivirus |
Malware protection AV-Comparatives: Malware Protection Test March 2026 · published April 15, 2026 | Online — 99.94%, offline detection — 97.6% false positives: 4 Tested version: Bitdefender Total Security | Online — 99.97%, offline detection — 96.3% false positives: 9 Tested version: Avast Free Antivirus |
Impact on computer speed AV-Comparatives: Performance Test April 2026 · published April 22, 2026 | Impact score 9.6 (lower is better) Tested version: Bitdefender Total Security | Impact score 5.5 (lower is better) Tested version: Avast Free Antivirus |
AV-TEST scores AV-TEST: Windows 11 - June 2026 · tested 2026-05–2026-06 | Protection 6/6, performance 6/6, usability 6/6 Tested version: Bitdefender Total Security | Protection 6/6, performance 6/6, usability 6/6 Tested version: Avast Free Antivirus |
Two of the best-known consumer antivirus brands in the US. Bitdefender sells feature tiers; Avast sells one feature set in two device counts.
If you don’t want to read further
Password manager, family of 25 devices, unlimited VPN on Premium — Bitdefender. Scam protection for email, texts and calls, a free version and a no-card trial — Avast.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
Free version?
Bitdefender
Bitdefender’s US plan pages list paid plans with a 30-day trial.
Avast
Avast Free Antivirus covers the essentials.
If you won’t pay, Avast Free.
Password manager and VPN?
Bitdefender
Password manager on Total Security and Premium; VPN 200 MB/day per device, unlimited on Premium Security.
Avast
Not listed among Premium Security’s features; Avast protects passwords stored in your browser.
For a password manager in the same subscription, Bitdefender.
Scam protection?
Bitdefender
Scam Protection on every plan; Scam Protection Pro on Premium Security.
Avast
Email Guard for up to five inboxes, SMS and call scam blocking on mobile, website checks.
If scam emails and calls are your main worry, Avast spells out more channels.
Device counts?
Bitdefender
5 devices for one account, or 25 devices for 5 accounts (Family).
Avast
1 Windows PC plus 1 mobile, or 10 devices.
Large families — Bitdefender Family.
Trial?
Bitdefender
30-day trial, and a full refund within the first 30 days.
Avast
30-day trial without a credit card; 30-day money-back.
Avast lets you try without entering a card.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
First-year pricing
Both advertise a first-year price; renewal is higher.
Windows, Mac and Android
Both cover them; Bitdefender also lists iOS.
30-day money-back
Both refund within 30 days.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| A family with many devices | Bitdefender Total Security Family | 5 accounts, 25 devices, parental control. |
| You want a password manager included | Bitdefender Total Security | Included. |
| You get a lot of scam texts and calls | Avast Premium Security | SMS and call blocking on mobile. |
| You won’t pay | Avast Free Antivirus | The essentials. |
- Bitdefender’s VPN on Total Security and Family is capped at 200 MB a day per device.
- Avast’s Stay Safe Virus Guarantee only applies while automatic renewal is on.
- Both advertise a first-year price; check the renewal price before you buy.
- Bitdefender prices are plus applicable sales tax.
Where the facts come from
Sources: bitdefender.com and avast.com for the US. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Bitdefender or Avast
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “Antivirus software” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — number of protected devices: Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender Total Security: 5 (4,0/5) · Avast Premium Security: 2 (2,0/5)
If what matters most is — protection online: Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender Total Security: 99,5 % (5,0/5) · Avast Premium Security: 99,3 % (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — price jump in the second year: Avast Premium Security
Bitdefender Total Security: +83 % (2,0/5) · Avast Premium Security: +59 % (3,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: