Bitdefender vs Avira – Head on Head Comparison

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Hey there, can’t decide which antivirus to opt that will promise to fulfill your day to day protection need. Have a dilemma between Bitdefender and Avira? Well in this article we’ll give you a detailed description of both Bitdefender and Avira antivirus and compare them head to head. So that the readers can understand the difference between the 2 and choose the one which suits them best in terms of their daily usage.

So, Let’s get started.

If we focus on the current world scenario, internet users are booming at a very high rate. In this internet-driven world, where almost everyone seems to use it daily. People are vulnerable to get infected by many types of online threats and malware. Therefore, their security comes into consideration and hence software responsible for the same is known as Antivirus software.

Hence, there are 2 leading Antivirus in the market. Bitdefender and Avira. People while opting an antivirus software often fails to decide which one to opt among these 2. Since they pack a lot in them and hence offer a lot of features to their customers. Although they may lack a couple of things or may excel to one another in some things which often tend to be the reason differentiating the two. Hence, the detailed comparison for the same is carried out making it easier for readers to decide between them.

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Security products offered by both the companies for home users

The list below explains about products offered by the companies for home users.

Bitdefender Antivirus Suites

  • Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition (Windows Only).
  • The plus version of the software. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (Windows Only).
  • Bitdefender Internet Security version  (Windows Only).
  • Total security version. Bitdefender Total Security (Both Windows and Macintosh).
  • Bitdefender Family Pack (Both Windows and Macintosh).
  • The Virus Scanner version(Macintosh Only).
  • And the dedicated Mac version. Bitdefender Antivirus for Macintosh (Macintosh Only).

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Avira Antivirus Suites

  • The free suite, Avira Free Security Suite (Windows Only)
  • Avira Antivirus Pro (Both Windows and Mac)
  • Internet Security version, Avira Internet Security Suite (Windows Only)
  • The Optimization suite, Avira Optimization Suite (Windows Only)
  • Avira Total Security Suite (Windows Only)
  • Free Antivirus for Mac (Mac Only)

Therefore, the above list provides readers with the availability of all antivirus software provided by the 2 companies for home users.

Pre-Comparison Result (Short Verdict)

Note: This section of the article is for those who want to skip the effort of reading an in-depth comparison report of the 2 antiviruses and directly know the result.

As per the research,  Bitdefender is the winning contender of the Comparison. Since it offers more security features and provides users with many different types of utility tools than Avira has to offer. Although, Both Bitdefender and Avira proved to be equal in the “Protection” category. Also, as per the Lab test reports Bitdefender excels with a slight difference from Avira in an impact test.

It is recommended to kindly read the full comparison report for in-depth knowledge of what both the software has to offer before opting for any one of them.

A detailed description of everything included in Bitdefender’s Antivirus Suites

Bitdefender is a very well-known name in the field of antivirus. It is because of its product quality as well as because of the features it offers to its customers. The company provides its users with many versions to choose from according to their needs. Hence the detailed description of those versions are as follows:

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

This is the first in the line software company provides to the user. It is a free version and hence protects from basic malware. Like ransomware, viruses, worms, etc. But it does not provide users with advanced protection features. Although protection against online threats is induced in the software.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

The next step up is to Bitdefender’s Antivirus Plus software. It comprises of features like WiFi Security Advisor which tends to block threats trying to spread through the network, A Vulnerability Scanner which holds regular checks in for outdated software and security holes in the OS and a file shredding utility which helps you delete your files with complete security and makes it insanely hard for anyone but you to recover them. Also, Advanced multi-layered ransomware protection, A hardened web browser, and a password management utility. They all are present here in this version of the software.

Note: A single subscription of the Plus version lets you protect up to 3 PCs.

Bitdefender Internet Security

This is the next version up in the list of software provided by the company. It consists of all those features present in the Plus suite. As well as offers a two-way firewall, A spam filter and a file encryption utility which tends to monitor ongoing and outgoing connections and blocks of malicious ware. Also, it Blocks junk emails and messages and protects personal files and documents from hackers respectively.  It also features a limited parental control utility which is responsible for blocking age-sensitive content as well as helps in monitoring children’s usage of the internet and a limited VPN.

Note: This version also lets a single subscription of the software protect up to 3 PCs.

Bitdefender Total Security

This is the full-blown version of the software company has to offer. Meaning it contains all the feature which the company has to offer. In simpler words, it consists of all the features from the previous version and hence adds Anti-theft Module which is responsible for finding lost and stolen devices. Also, it adds up the performance-enhancing tools. Such as OneClick Optimizer, Disk Cleanup, Startup Optimizer.

Unlike other Antivirus suites, this particular version is compatible with Macintosh Systems as well.

Note: This particular version lets you protect up to five PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS devices. With a single Total Security Subscription.

Bitdefender Family Pack

If you are looking for a family subscription. Then there is no better option available other than this. As this particular subscription lets, you protect unlimited no. of PCs, Macs, Androids and iOS devices. That too with “Total Security” Subscription.

Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac

This is a specialized premium version of the software created for Mac OS. It is incorporated with all the features and is capable of blocking every type of Mac-related malware and dangerous files. Also, is equipped with a VPN and an encryption utility. Therefore, on the upper hand, it is also incorporated with protection against annoying adware and dangerous phishing attacks.

Note: Both Bitdefender Family pack and Bitdefender Total Security are compatible with Macintosh OS.

A detailed description of everything included in Avira’s Antivirus Suites

Avira is a very well established name in the field of antivirus. It is because of its product quality as well as because of the features it offers to its customers. The company provides its users with many versions to choose from according to their needs. Hence the detailed description of those versions are as follows:

Avira Free Security Suite

The freeware by Avira includes essential security-related features followed by some handy essentials utility tools which are just helpful. Moreover, it also consists of a bootable rescue disk, a password manager and a software updater.

Also, a free limited VPN service is provided by the company which offers a free data volume of 500 MB every month. The software also incorporates a limited optimizer tool in it. Avira also offers a Safe Search Plus browser which ensures safe browsing for an individual when he/she surfs through the web and it also offers a Safe Shopping extension that provides hot deals throughout the web, blocks of disturbing Ads and hence provides protection from fraudulent websites.

Avira Antivirus Pro

Avira Antivirus Pro is the next step up after the freeware. It consists of everything present there in the free version followed by email and network protection, data and identity protection, ransomware protection, a device control option (scans connected devices for malware protection purposes),  a secure shopping/banking experience, and premium customer support.

Another useful feature by Avira Antivirus Pro is of firewall control. It keeps check on your Microsoft Firewall and makes sure that it to remain active all the time.

Avira Internet Security Suite

The next level up in the list is Avira Internet Security. It also consists of everything that previous versions had to offer, followed by an advanced firewall manager, which helps you utilize the most out of the Windows firewall.

Avira Optimization Suite

This particular suite adds up all the optimization tools to the system. It also consists of every feature that comes with the “Internet Security Suite”.

Note: Due to some reasons it doesn’t consist of a firewall.

Avira Total Security Suite

This is the full-fledged Antivirus software offered by Avira. It is the companies top-notch software. It offers everything included in the previously explained versions, also it adds up the full VPN service (Responsible for the protection of privacy while surfing online).

Note: All the explained software versions are only compatible with Windows, except for Antivirus Pro Suite, it is also supported by Mac OS.

Bitdefender vs Avira (in terms of providing better protection)

As of the 2 software. Both of them are considered to be really good Antivirus.  Because,  as of today’s time virus is more likely to hit a system. Since there is a growing number of internet users day by day, threats are also increasing at a faster rate.

Therefore, the tests were held by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives to check how well an Antivirus is against such increasing threats. Since these are the software responsible for an individual’s internet security and safety.

Note: Whereas Avira uses a signature method of threat detection (Search and try to match for a threat from a large library) and a Heuristic method (Behavioral check of the files) for malware detection.

AV-Test (Tests)

The AV-Test held a study in July and August 2018. In which Bitdefender and Avira were tested against 19,747 widespread malware samples and 275 zero-day malware samples. As of the results. Bitdefender showed excellent outcomes. It detected 100% of both types of malware in both months and received a perfect score of 6 out of 6 in the “Protection” category.

Whereas Avira, on the other hand, showed a slightly less protection rate of 99.2 % against zero-day malware in June. But apart from that showed a pretty impressive result and also attained 6/6 rating from the AV experts in the “Protection” category.

 

AV-Comparatives (Tests)

The AV-Test held a study in the period of February-June 2018. In which both of them were tested against real-world malware conditions in the “Real-World Protection Test” and simple malware conditions in the “Malware Protection Test”.

As for the outcome, Both Bitdefender and Avira were bagged with the topmost “ADVANCED+” awards as they showed near perfect protection rates of 99.8 and 99.7, respectively in “Real-World Protection Test”. With Bitdefender returning 2 false positives and Avira returning 6 false positives.

And for the “Malware Protection Test” which was held on March 2018. Bitdefender and Avira both again got the topmost “ADVANCED+” award due to their near-perfect score of 99.9% respectively, Where Bitdefender was responsible for ringing the false positive alarm twice, and for Avira, it only rang it once.

Hence, for the protection test on two software, It is clear that Bitdefender and Avira are pretty capable of providing with the best protection to their customers, but as of the result they both proved to be equal in this category as they came up with almost the similar score in the “Protection” category making the result of this section a tie between the 2 Antiviruses.

Bitdefender vs Avira (in terms of impact on system)

Antivirus is majorly known for performing in the background to carry out the process of Real-Time scanning. Although, it is been a concern of people since they tend to eat up most of the CPU performance. But is important for the sake of safety and security.

Therefore, for antivirus to be perfect it should imply less strain on PC because the heavy strain can be a particular reason for unexpected pauses and hang in a system that can be pretty annoying sometimes.

Therefore, tests were conducted by independent labs to carry out the result of how the 2 software fared in a particular category. By carrying out a couple of activities like launching popular websites, downloading and installing, commonly used applications, copying of files, and more.

Note: The tests were carried out on a standard PC as well as a High-end PC.

Bitdefender’s impact Test

As for the test which was carried out on Bitdefender. The Antivirus once again got a 6/6 rating in AV-Test in the “performance” category.

Below are the test results of Bitdefender’s Impact test held by AV-Test.

And for the AV-Comparatives test, Bitdefender was one of the few software to receive the highest “ADVANCED+” award in the test, with a pretty low impact score of 6.7.

Below are the test results of Bitdefender’s Impact test held by AV-Comparatives.

Avira’s impact Test

As for the test which was carried out on Avira. The Antivirus managed to get a 6/6 rating in AV-Test in the “Performance” category.

Below are the test results of Avira’s Impact test held by AV-Test.

Whereas, for the AV-Comparatives test for performance. Avira was awarded the second best “ADVANCED” award, Because of the pretty high impact score of 15.6 which was relatively high as compared to Bitdefender’s impact score.

Below are the test results of Avira’s Impact test held by AV-Comparatives.

Note: The lower the impact score the better the antivirus.

As for this test conclusion, it is clear that both of the software is pretty stable and tend to provide minimal impact on the system. Whereas, if we go for the stats, Bitdefender tends to dominate this section of the comparison making it better than Avira in terms of impact on the system.

 Bitdefender vs Avira in terms of Pricing

Almost both companies resulted in attaining a good score and almost contains similar features. But as for the price tags, it might not be the same case. As in this section, we’ll be stating the allotted price of each software version provided by both companies. Hence making it easier for readers to decide which one falls in their budget range.

Bitdefender’s Antivirus Software Pricing

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  • Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

The Antivirus Plus subscription is available in 29.99 dollars for 1-year plan.

  • Bitdefender Internet Security

The Bitdefender Internet Security is available for 34.99 dollars for a 1-year subscription.

  • Bitdefender Total Security

The total security version of Bitdefender Antivirus is available at 38.99 dollars for a year subscription.

  • Bitdefender Family Pack

One can get a 1-year subscription of this version at 54.99 dollars.

  • Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac

This Mac dedicated Antivirus software can be purchased for 34.99 dollars a year.

  • Bitdefender Small Office Security

One can purchase this for 99.98 dollars. And it includes a 1-year subscription for 10 devices.

Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different types of Bitdefender software.

Avira’s Antivirus Software Pricing

  • Avira Antivirus Pro

The particular version is priced at INR 1,376 for a year subscription which covers the protection plan of 1 device.

  • Avira Internet Security

The Internet Security Suite is priced at INR 1,769 for a year Subscription which covers the protection plan of 1 device.

  • Avira Optimization Suite

The Optimization Suite is also priced at INR 1,769 for a 1-year subscription which covers the protection of 1 device.

  • Avira Total Security Suite

The Total Security Suite is priced at INR 4,768 for a year subscription which also covers the protection of 1 device.

Therefore, the context stated above tells the readers about the prices available for all different types of Bitdefender software.

Final Thoughts (Winner?)

Getting a premium antivirus in today’s time is everybody’s need. Since they tend to provide individuals with security and safety from online threats. As of the 2 Antivirus software discussed in this article. Both Bitdefender and Avira proved to meet our needs. Although, the comparison is for people to understand the software better and to opt for the one which suits best for their needs.

Hence, the conclusion is that both of the Antivirus software are very well functioning and, are pretty successful in protecting the individual from online threats and malicious ware. But as of the result of the comparison between the 2. Bitdefender excels, Because of its streamlined features as well as prices and options available for all the customers. Also, it highly excels in terms of giving out false positives. Meaning that it tends to report very few safe files as a threat in comparison to that of Avira Antivirus and tends to protect from 100% of malicious files followed by giving out less impact on the system.

Therefore, it is clear that Bitdefender is the winning contender of this head to head comparison between Bitdefender and Avira.

Note: Both Bitdefender and Avira tend to have similar scores but Bitdefender excels in some parts making it the winner of the head to head comparison.

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