App Review Bitdefender Free Antivirus 2026

[Shadowra]

Content source

https://odysee.com/@Shadowra:f/Bitdefender-Free-Antivirus-2026:3

Bitdefender is a well-known Romanian software publisher in the world of IT security and is also one of the leaders in the field.
For several years now, the publisher has been offering a free version of its antivirus software. It may be lightweight, but is it effective? Let's find out!



Interface :

The interface remains unchanged across versions, as do its paid versions.
What is immediately apparent is that many options are blocked because they are reserved for the paid version.
You get the bare essentials: anti-malware, web filtering, and proactive protection.
Bitdefender can consume a lot of memory on first startup, but it settles down fairly quickly thanks to its Photon technology.

Web protection: 10/10
Everything is blocked by Bitdefender

Fake crack : N/A
The sample is too old and the site that distributed it was down.
Skipped.

Malware Pack : 18 out of 95 threats remain
Bitdefender proves its leadership by blocking unknown threats very effectively.
Only one PUP and ConnectWise remain at the end of the test.

Final scan :
Bitdefender : 0
NPE : 1
KVRT : 1

Spoiler: Final opinion - Picture

Final opinion:

Bitdefender is an excellent security product.
Even though the free version is very limited, it effectively protects your computer against threats.
Recommended.

 

[Parkinsond]

Even though the free version is very limited, it effectively protects your computer against threats.
Recommended.

Thank you for the test @Shadowra
Its efficient behavioral analysis makes up for the limitations.

 

[Parkinsond]

View attachment 295814
NortonDefender ?

Norton safe web extension detects more than Bitdefender trafficlight for me; I have no idea about web protection of the full AVs.

 

[Miravi]

You might have objections to using Bitdefender for any number of reasons, but its sterling reputation and track record for its core purpose—threat detection—still stand strong today. This level of R&D excellence comes from a privately held midsize company with a fairly lean, specialized team. They should be proud.

Thank you for the good work, @Shadowra. Your commitment to thoughtful testing and polished video presentation goes above and beyond to add value to the community.

 

[LinuxFan58]

@Shadowra you posted that Bitdefender free AV has the bare essentials in regard to some AV components.

I have not used Windows AV for a long time, but I recall having read that the most functionality of the paid is also available in the free version, but users can not change the settings of it (theu are on default). Maybe I misunderstood, but I think I have read something about it somewhere. Maybe some members can shine some light on this?

 

[Parkinsond]

@Shadowra you posted that Bitdefender free AV has the bare essentials in regard to some AV components.

I have not used Windows AV for a long time, but I recall having read that the most functionality of the paid is also available in the free version, but users can not change the settings of it (theu are on default). Maybe I misunderstood, but I think I have read something about it somewhere. Maybe some members can shine some light on this?

May God forgive me

@Bot Are features locked behind paywall in Bitdefender free antivirus enabled or disabled?

 

[Bot]

May God forgive me

@Bot Are features locked behind paywall in Bitdefender free antivirus enabled or disabled?

In Bitdefender’s Free edition, anything that’s shown with a lock / “Upgrade” is effectively NOT available to you as protection (i.e., it’s not just “enabled but you can’t change settings”).

What typically causes the confusion is that Bitdefender uses a very similar interface across editions, so you can still see panels/cards for premium modules, but without a paid license they don’t activate.

What is enabled in Bitdefender Free (core protection)
You still get the core “antivirus” layers (real-time detection + behavior/proactive monitoring + web/online threat prevention). That’s why it can test well even as a free product.

What is NOT enabled (paywalled features)
Based on Bitdefender’s own current Free vs Plus comparison, Free is missing several premium layers/tools, for example:

• Ransomware remediation (the “rollback/restore files” part)
• Anti-tracking measures
• Social network protection
• Vulnerability scanning / checking for outdated software and unsafe settings
• Some “do not disturb” type modes/features

So the safe rule of thumb is: if it’s locked, don’t assume you’re getting that protection in the background.

Practical takeaway
Bitdefender Free can be strong for detection, but you should treat the locked items as “not present.” If you rely on those layers (especially ransomware remediation), you either need the paid version or compensate with good backups (offline/external + cloud, with versioning).

Sources

• Bitdefender Free Antivirus Software

 

[Parkinsond]

In Bitdefender’s Free edition, anything that’s shown with a lock / “Upgrade” is effectively NOT available to you as protection (i.e., it’s not just “enabled but you can’t change settings”).

What typically causes the confusion is that Bitdefender uses a very similar interface across editions, so you can still see panels/cards for premium modules, but without a paid license they don’t activate.

What is enabled in Bitdefender Free (core protection)
You still get the core “antivirus” layers (real-time detection + behavior/proactive monitoring + web/online threat prevention). That’s why it can test well even as a free product.

What is NOT enabled (paywalled features)
Based on Bitdefender’s own current Free vs Plus comparison, Free is missing several premium layers/tools, for example:

• Ransomware remediation (the “rollback/restore files” part)
• Anti-tracking measures
• Social network protection
• Vulnerability scanning / checking for outdated software and unsafe settings
• Some “do not disturb” type modes/features

So the safe rule of thumb is: if it’s locked, don’t assume you’re getting that protection in the background.

Practical takeaway
Bitdefender Free can be strong for detection, but you should treat the locked items as “not present.” If you rely on those layers (especially ransomware remediation), you either need the paid version or compensate with good backups (offline/external + cloud, with versioning).

Sources

• Bitdefender Free Antivirus Software

What about memory scan? is it available in Bitdefender free antivirus?

 

[Bot]

What about memory scan? is it available in Bitdefender free antivirus?

Bitdefender’s Free consumer AV generally does NOT give you a separate, user-selectable “Memory Scan” task/button in the way Bitdefender’s business/GravityZone products do (where “Memory scan” is an explicit scan type). ([bitdefender.com](https://www.bitdefender.com/business/support/en/77209-155163-running-tasks-on-endpoints.html?utm_source=openai))

So what happens in the Free edition?

• No dedicated “Memory scan” option (as a standalone scan type you can start on demand) is typically exposed in the Free consumer UI.
• Memory/process checking still happens as part of normal protection: Bitdefender’s real-time protection (“Shield”) continuously scans activity as you access/run things. ([bitdefender.com](https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/13450/?utm_source=openai))
• Some advanced scan toggles are locked in the Free version (can’t be customized), and community discussions indicate those locked options may still be operating at their default levels even if you can’t change them. ([malwaretips.com](https://malwaretips.com/threads/bitdefender-free-antivirus-is-back.112875/page-9?utm_source=openai))

Practical takeaway
If your goal is specifically “scan what’s currently in RAM,” Bitdefender Free may still cover a lot of that via its real-time/proactive layers, but you shouldn’t expect a clearly labeled, manual “Memory scan” feature in the Free consumer product.

If you need an explicit second-opinion memory/process-focused check, use a reputable on-demand scanner alongside (separate vendor), rather than assuming a locked feature is available in Free.

 

[Parkinsond]

Bitdefender’s Free consumer AV generally does NOT give you a separate, user-selectable “Memory Scan” task/button in the way Bitdefender’s business/GravityZone products do (where “Memory scan” is an explicit scan type). ([bitdefender.com](https://www.bitdefender.com/business/support/en/77209-155163-running-tasks-on-endpoints.html?utm_source=openai))

So what happens in the Free edition?

• No dedicated “Memory scan” option (as a standalone scan type you can start on demand) is typically exposed in the Free consumer UI.
• Memory/process checking still happens as part of normal protection: Bitdefender’s real-time protection (“Shield”) continuously scans activity as you access/run things. ([bitdefender.com](https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/13450/?utm_source=openai))
• Some advanced scan toggles are locked in the Free version (can’t be customized), and community discussions indicate those locked options may still be operating at their default levels even if you can’t change them. ([malwaretips.com](https://malwaretips.com/threads/bitdefender-free-antivirus-is-back.112875/page-9?utm_source=openai))

Practical takeaway
If your goal is specifically “scan what’s currently in RAM,” Bitdefender Free may still cover a lot of that via its real-time/proactive layers, but you shouldn’t expect a clearly labeled, manual “Memory scan” feature in the Free consumer product.

If you need an explicit second-opinion memory/process-focused check, use a reputable on-demand scanner alongside (separate vendor), rather than assuming a locked feature is available in Free.

Is there script scan in Bitdefender free antivirus?

 

[Bot]

Is there script scan in Bitdefender free antivirus?

Bitdefender’s consumer “Free Antivirus” typically does not expose a separate, user-controlled “Script scan” feature as a distinct module (for example, a toggle or a dedicated “scan scripts” task). In most cases, script files are handled implicitly by the core protections (on-access/real-time scanning and web protection) when the script is downloaded, saved, or executed.

I can’t verify the exact current UI/feature set for the 2026 Free build from here (Bitdefender changes packaging and what’s exposed in the UI over time), so the most reliable way is to confirm on the installed product:

How to check on your PC

• Open Bitdefender
• Go to the Antivirus/Protection area (wording varies by version)
• Look for Settings/Advanced settings under Antivirus (or “Shield”)
• See if there is any option explicitly mentioning scripts (examples might be “Scan scripts”, “Scan embedded scripts”, etc.)

What you should assume if you don’t see a script option

• There is no separate “script scan” control in that edition/UI
• Scripts are still scanned as normal files/activities by real-time protection (where applicable), but you can’t rely on a dedicated “script scan” feature being present or configurable in Free

Practical next step (safe)
If you want a second opinion on a suspicious script without executing it, upload the file to VirusTotal and review the detections/behavior reports there.

Conclusion: in Bitdefender Free, “script scanning” is generally part of the core real-time/web layers rather than a clearly labeled, user-toggleable feature.

 

[Parkinsond]

Bitdefender’s consumer “Free Antivirus” typically does not expose a separate, user-controlled “Script scan” feature as a distinct module (for example, a toggle or a dedicated “scan scripts” task). In most cases, script files are handled implicitly by the core protections (on-access/real-time scanning and web protection) when the script is downloaded, saved, or executed.

I can’t verify the exact current UI/feature set for the 2026 Free build from here (Bitdefender changes packaging and what’s exposed in the UI over time), so the most reliable way is to confirm on the installed product:

How to check on your PC

• Open Bitdefender
• Go to the Antivirus/Protection area (wording varies by version)
• Look for Settings/Advanced settings under Antivirus (or “Shield”)
• See if there is any option explicitly mentioning scripts (examples might be “Scan scripts”, “Scan embedded scripts”, etc.)

What you should assume if you don’t see a script option

• There is no separate “script scan” control in that edition/UI
• Scripts are still scanned as normal files/activities by real-time protection (where applicable), but you can’t rely on a dedicated “script scan” feature being present or configurable in Free

Practical next step (safe)
If you want a second opinion on a suspicious script without executing it, upload the file to VirusTotal and review the detections/behavior reports there.

Conclusion: in Bitdefender Free, “script scanning” is generally part of the core real-time/web layers rather than a clearly labeled, user-toggleable feature.

This photo shows there is "scan process memory", "scan scripts", "scan command line", and "scan potentially unwanted applications" in Bitdefender free antivirus; are they enabled?

 

[Bot]

View attachment 295815
This photo shows there is "scan process memory", "scan scripts", "scan command line", and "scan potentially unwanted applications" in Bitdefender free antivirus; are they enabled?

It depends on WHERE in the UI those options appear, because Bitdefender shows similar “scan options” in a few different places, and they don’t all mean the same thing.

If those options are shown under real-time protection (Shield/On-access)
In that case, they are part of the always-on protection profile.

• If the checkbox is visible and checked, you should treat it as enabled.
• If it’s visible but greyed-out (can’t be changed), it is usually enforced by policy/defaults (often ON), but I cannot guarantee ON vs OFF without seeing how Bitdefender labels it in that exact screen/build.

If those options are shown under “Custom scan” / “Manage scans” scan settings
Then they only apply to that specific on-demand scan profile (i.e., when you run that manual scan), not necessarily to real-time protection.

What each option usually means

• Scan process memory = attempts to inspect running processes/memory (more relevant for in-memory threats/fileless activity).
• Scan scripts = scan script files (e.g., .js/.vbs/.ps1) and/or script content depending on implementation.
• Scan command line = analyze command-line activity (commonly tied to behavioral detection / attack technique detection).
• Scan potentially unwanted applications (PUA/PUP) = detect adware/PUAs (this can be more “policy” driven than pure malware detection, so some vendors expose it as an option).

How to confirm reliably (without guessing)
Post the screenshot (or describe the exact navigation path, e.g., “Protection -> Antivirus -> Settings -> [section name]”) and indicate:

• Are the boxes checked?
• Are they clickable/toggleable, or greyed out?
• Is there any “Upgrade”/lock icon on that page?

With that context, it becomes possible to say whether they are (1) enabled real-time, (2) enabled only for on-demand scans, or (3) merely shown but not active in the Free edition.

 

[Captain Awesome]

@Shadowra Can you retest K7 Ultimate? Thank You.

 

[Shadowra]

@Shadowra Can you retest K7 Ultimate? Thank You.

Yep

 

[cartaphilus]

In Bitdefender’s Free edition, anything that’s shown with a lock / “Upgrade” is effectively NOT available to you as protection (i.e., it’s not just “enabled but you can’t change settings”).

What typically causes the confusion is that Bitdefender uses a very similar interface across editions, so you can still see panels/cards for premium modules, but without a paid license they don’t activate.

What is enabled in Bitdefender Free (core protection)
You still get the core “antivirus” layers (real-time detection + behavior/proactive monitoring + web/online threat prevention). That’s why it can test well even as a free product.

What is NOT enabled (paywalled features)
Based on Bitdefender’s own current Free vs Plus comparison, Free is missing several premium layers/tools, for example:

• Ransomware remediation (the “rollback/restore files” part)
• Anti-tracking measures
• Social network protection
• Vulnerability scanning / checking for outdated software and unsafe settings
• Some “do not disturb” type modes/features

So the safe rule of thumb is: if it’s locked, don’t assume you’re getting that protection in the background.

Practical takeaway
Bitdefender Free can be strong for detection, but you should treat the locked items as “not present.” If you rely on those layers (especially ransomware remediation), you either need the paid version or compensate with good backups (offline/external + cloud, with versioning).

Sources

• Bitdefender Free Antivirus Software

Wait so the paid version is superfluous since everyone one would want from an AV without any of the other bloat is already in the free version.

 

[Bot]

Wait so the paid version is superfluous since everyone one would want from an AV without any of the other bloat is already in the free version.

Not quite. Bitdefender Free can cover the “core AV” job well (real-time detection + behavior monitoring + basic web protection), but the paid editions are not superfluous because they add protections and controls that many people actually rely on.

Why the paid version isn’t just “bloat”
The paid editions typically add things that are either not present at all in Free, or are significantly more complete:

• Extra protection layers (common examples): dedicated ransomware remediation/rollback, stronger anti-phishing/anti-fraud features, exploit prevention/hardening, network attack protection, etc.
• Firewall / network controls (depending on the product tier): useful on untrusted networks and for containment if something tries to “phone home.”
• Privacy features: anti-tracker, microphone/webcam protection, etc. (varies by tier).
• Banking / payment protection (often “SafePay”-style hardened browser features).
• Support and incident help: paid users usually get better/priority support options.
• Device coverage and management: multi-device licensing, centralized account controls, and more configuration knobs.

What Free is best for

• Users who want strong baseline detection with minimal UI/features
• People who already follow strong practices (standard user account, patched OS/apps, good browser hardening, and—most importantly—reliable backups)

Bottom line
If you only want strong baseline threat detection and you’re disciplined about backups and safe habits, the Free edition can be “enough.” The paid edition becomes worth it when you want additional layers (especially ransomware recovery/containment and network controls), more configurability, and support.

 

[devjitdutta2025]

BD as an Antivirus offers excellent protection with its BB & sigs but it’s very finicky. On my PC when I tried it for 180 days, the program was buggy as hell. At startup the tray icon simply refused to startup. Only because of the bugs I ditched it.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

BD as an Antivirus offers excellent protection with its BB & sigs but it’s very finicky. On my PC when I tried it for 180 days, the program was buggy as hell. At startup the tray icon simply refused to startup. Only because of the bugs I ditched it.

I've given it a test run many times and never found it to be buggy.

 

[entropism]

I've used it a few times over the years (The paid AV), and it used to be buggy as can be for me, but the past few years I've come back to it, and it's running problem free on my system.