Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Bitdefender Total Security is a very effective putz for keeping your devices safe , whether you ’re using a Mac , Windows PC , an iOS or an Android gimmick . While the bundled VPN was very basic , the rest of the rooms of tool is good and easy to get by .
Best Prices Today: Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender Total Security is a security measure software software that protects your Mac ( and other devices ) from a wide kitchen stove of problems from web internet browser hack attempts to more rarified but worrying literal malware action and also secures your on-line natural process with a VPN .
This is a measure up from the most basic Antivirus product , but sits below Premium Security . you may run Total Security on macOS , Windows , Io and Android , and a stock subscription can be used on five twist at once ( versus three with Antivirus and 10 with Premium ) .
However , whether ‘ full ’ is an accurate description is becoming debatable these days , peculiarly where privacy is concerned , as Bitdefender does n’t offer as many features as rivals in 2021 , and the lineament place for macOS is considerably smaller than on Windows 10 .
Features
Once install and the necessary permit have been granted , Total Security will persist its real - time protective covering in the background , follow your files for any undesirable deportment .
While the macOS version , which we ’re sharpen on in this review , does n’t have a schedule scan option , its real - prison term protection makes this unneeded as long as a full system of rules Scan has been run ab initio to catch anything that may be already on the operose cause .
Quick Scan does the same but only in certain locations . you could also rake a specific file , booklet or bestride volume on demand but there ’s no button offered for this : you need to drop down it into the chief window for ascertain .
Bitdefender ’s VPN service facilitate keep your online activity secure , but in Total Security , you only get circumscribed manipulation of it . Very special , in fact .
Without purchasing Premium Security , or the additional Premium VPN choice , VPN usage is capped at 200 MB of traffic a solar day and you ’re not allowed to select a specific virtual locating . That ’s prefer mechanically .
This liken poorly with some competitor such as Avira Prime VPN ’s unlimited traffic and so is n’t that attractive , but other browsing auspices are more substantial .
For full VPN characteristic , check out our round of golf - up of thebest VPNs for Mac .
The TrafficLight web browser plugin , for example , obstruct any sites bang to be malicious ( using a live database ) . There ’s also an anti - tracker web internet browser extension and an adware blocking agent wich safeguards the internet browser itself .
Total Security ’s Autopilot lineament provides recommendations based on your ironware and usance rule . It ’s not real AI of course ; the thing it suggested were along the lines of reminders to establish the various file name extension and web browser plugins . However , it ’s still a useful way to ensure things do n’t get forget .
Other features admit Safe Files which protect files in specific fix from alteration by untrusted software , and it ’s gravid to see Time Machine Protection which does the same with your Time Machine patronage .
Performance & Usability
The substantial - clock time protection , called Bitdefender Shield in the orientation , proved to be effective and unnoticeable ; we did n’t acknowledge any picky impingement on world-wide performance while it was combat-ready .
Running a full System Scan in the background was likewise promiscuous on execution impacts , although it did use more central processing unit and GPU ability . It also took a very long time – a shade over four hours in our organisation – so you probably would n’t carry that often ( but you also should n’t necessitate to ) .
nimble Scan only substantiation for unwanted software program in the most probable areas rather than every possible area , which mean it run more quickly than the full System Scan ; under 15 minutes in our trial run .
As part of our tests we trawled through some unsavoury sites to see how the TrafficLight browser app plugin act . Sites name in Bitdefender ’s databases were identified both forthwith and in DuckDuckGo search solution .
We saw a few undetected instances of issues such as ‘ your Flash is out of appointment ’ endeavor to deliver chancy installers ( which the real - clip protective cover caught when downloaded ) , but most sites were field appropriately . Our results mirror those from AV-Test.org which gave Bitdefender top marks for performance and useableness and a high-pitched but not perfect scotch for protection .
The latter is a sexual conquest that is generally in slight fluxion as new menace seem and record are update , so we do n’t regard that as significant – particularly as it achieve ‘ Advanced+ ’ in tests run by AV - Comparatives .
Price & Availability
Like all bear - for certificate software package Bitdefender Total Security is offered as a rolled subscription . The standard program address a sum of five macOS , Windows , iOS and Android devices for a year . The first year is discounted , so remember to factor in subsequent year - by - year cost .
The cost is comparable with other packages , but because Total Security is relatively canonical on the Mac it is n’t quite as good time value as some of its competitor , let in the already - mentioned Avira Prime .
you’re able to see Prime and alternative choices in our roundup of thebest antivirus for Mac .
Verdict
If your goal is to keep your Mac protected from malware , then Bitdefender does a swell job . But when you equate what the Mac version offer compared to the Windows interpretation , you ’ll feel quite severely done by . There ’s no password manager , no societal mesh protection , no webcam or mike protection , no Wi - Fi surety advisor and slew of other feature article that Windows drug user get for the same price .
Bitdefender is also dawdle behind its rivals with no individuality protection , so you may well favour to spend your money elsewhere .
