App Review Bitdefender Free Antivirus 2026

[Parkinsond]

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 could not decide

 

[Nunzio_77]

In my opinion, Bitdefender Free is the best free antivirus option currently. It's a robust, secure, and complete (for a free antivirus) free antivirus, with no annoying pop-up ads.

 

[Parkinsond]

In my opinion, Bitdefender Free is the best free antivirus option currently. It's a robust, secure, and complete (for a free antivirus) free antivirus, with no annoying pop-up ads.

Avast is more robust (according to AVC and the last compartive test by @Shadowra ), as secure as, and more complete (includes additional components missing in B); may be the popups is the only downside.

 

[Nunzio_77]

Avast is more robust (according to AVC and the last compartive test by @Shadowra ), as secure as

What is the latest comparison test of @Shadowra ?

 

[Parkinsond]

What is the latest comparison test of @Shadowra ?

Comparing multiple AVs using the same test lab is more informative than testing a solitary AV with no "control" AV.

App Review Thread 'Shadowra's Big Comparative - Episode 1 : Free Antivirus'

Dec 26, 2024

In this video, we compare 8 free antivirus programs.
The aim is to see how effective they are, and rank them from worst to best.

Please note:

- the antiviruses are already ranked in the video, I've taken into account Web blocking, the reaction to an attack, my malware pack and how the antivirus will defend itself.
- Please be courteous and respect my ranking. Filming took over 9 hours and 2 hours of preparation.
- the winning antivirus goes straight to the final, episode 3.
- all antivirus are default, I've only activated IF NECESSARY some options that the editor...

• Shadowra
• Replies: 174
• Forum: Video Reviews - Security and Privacy

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[annaegorov]

In an effort to be fare, or is it fair...

Anyway. As I stated here before BD slows down my AMD PC.

BUT the free version ran nicely, it wasn't the fastest on my PC, but it wasn't that far behind either.

IF I had to choose a free solution that ran fast on my PC, it would be BD Free or Avast One.

 

[Shiz]

I been running windows defender hardened based on CIS level 2 and some STIGS but I am curious how other solutions perform. I haven't used Bitdefender since 2024 so its nice seeing it ace a test. I would like to see a refresh of Avast one/free to see how it performs since the last test I think Shadowra did was in 2024.

 

[Shadowra]

I been running windows defender hardened based on CIS level 2 and some STIGS but I am curious how other solutions perform. I haven't used Bitdefender since 2024 so its nice seeing it ace a test. I would like to see a refresh of Avast one/free to see how it performs since the last test I think Shadowra did was in 2024.

I made Norton, which is a clone of Avast, if you're interested
But if you really want Avast One, I'll make a note of it.

 

[Shiz]

Well isn't Norton paid? I think it would better reflect free features if Avast was done.

 

[Khushal]

Bugdefender and False positives a love story wriiten in Romania.

 

[lokamoka820]

@Shadowra Do you recommend using the free Bitdefender program instead of Microsoft Defender?

 

[Nunzio_77]

@Shadowra Do you recommend using the free Bitdefender program instead of Microsoft Defender?

In my opinion yes. I prefer Bitdefender Free.
In my opinion is the best antivirus free in this moment.

 

[Shadowra]

@Shadowra Do you recommend using the free Bitdefender program instead of Microsoft Defender?

Bitdefender

 

[annaegorov]

I think this guy is a member here. He has been doing tests on major AV vendor products. Here is his test for BD Free, notice test and comments.

 

[annaegorov]

Here is a tier list of AV's and Bitdefender does go to the top

 

[Jonny Quest]

Most of the tests are malware tests, and not real world, in real time downloading the samples from the internet, and seeing if their flagged at the "non hosting" malware site and on download. A lot of the test are in a zip file where a module has to be disabled, or some such nonsense, to unpack the files? Unpack the files, don't run them, especially in bulk, but just do a scan of the files themselves and see where were at? It's not as sensational or "fun to watch" something that could be over in 1/2 the time? And I realize some like F-Secure and McAfee flag files as they're run, post execution.

I didn't view the above YouTube post, as I've seen him before, and maybe not so impressed. No offense to you @annaegorov but I'm finding myself to be less and less impressed with these type of tests. Granted, the lesser know, or more obscure AV's are "entertaining" to see how much of and what they miss

 

[lokamoka820]

This YouTuber in particular, he gets paid to show a specific result, and unfortunately their number has become large now, and their videos appear first when searching for tests in general.

 

[Parkinsond]

I was testing the newly installed Bitdefender free against phishtank websites.
One of them automatically started a download after page loading.
I have accepted to download; it was not blocked by B.
After download, scan by B has been clean.
Then I have uploaded the exe file to VT.

 

[Khushal]

I was testing the newly installed Bitdefender free against phishtank websites.
One of them automatically started a download after page loading.
I have accepted to download; it was not blocked by B.
After download, scan by B has been clean.
Then I have uploaded the exe file to VT.

View attachment 299630View attachment 299631

as expected poor protection by B against remote admin abuse similar to C.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

as expected poor protection by B against remote admin abuse similar to C.

Did you test BD against this sample?