They will have the same definitions, but the paid version possibly has better behavioural protection due to being updated more frequently. While it's not long since the free version was updated, I believe before the latest update it went for a few years without being updated, which is a long time for an antivirus to not receive product updates.
Yes when you set it to hardened mode and install Simple Windows hardening, you are good to go
Yes no issues, Avast protection wise is way way better than Bitdefender.
From my own tests, I don't agree with this statement.
In my new gaming PC, Bitdefender blocked the internet conexion, that's why this year I stopped using it. I think the problem was something related to the firewall because I tried the free version and worked well (although the UI was a bit buggy).
Most of these are just cosmetic locks to make users feel that they are missing many key features. I'm not a fan of this since it gives users a wrong impression. For example BD Free definitely detects PUPs despite what this setting page says. Out of the ones I see in the screenshot, Scan scripts is the only one that is not available in Bitdefender Free. Here by Scan scripts, it means AMSI scanner. BD Free doesn't have AMSI integration. Other core features that I can think of that BD Free does not have (not present in this screenshot) are memory scanning and command-line scanner. So, its behavior blocking component is indeed a bit weaker than the paid versions but for most things it's enough. Bitdefender's BB aka ATC is very powerful. Product updates are the same for BD Free and BD paid. There is no difference there. Bitdefender Free is the same thing as BD paid with some features removed. BD's setting file is human readable. I read that and it can be easily seen that in the free versions some things are disabled. I even tried replacing BD Free setting file with BD paid one. Hehe..but it resets itself to the default BD Free setting file.
Kaspersky free of course.
From my tests 100% true, Avast is more accurate ;-)
Kaspersky free although a great AV is still a blacklist solution with probably the best behavioral blocker out of all free AV's. But blacklist always is weaker than whitelist. When you are using SAC with Avast free you have two whitelists only allowing known good.Kaspersky free of course.
If I am not mistaken, BD free does have a ransomware module in the sense that it can protect in real-time with its signatures and behavioral modules but lacks the feature to contain selected files and folders from getting encrypted in case there's a missKaspersky free of course.
However, avast and Bitdefender are both great. I really like Bitdefender attack chain diagram when detecting a threat, but the lack of pure anti-ransomware module in the free version is way too much nowadays. Maybe if combined with AppCheck it would be a good combo.
It is possible. I didn't use it for a while now. But does it have rollback ability in the free or in the pro versions? If not, then I guess one can add AppCheck Free/Pro or Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware for Home to fill that gap. Too bad that WiseVector StopX is no longer an option.
Oh yes! WiseVector's cease of operations was quite a surprise; I was even told by their support that they had plans to release a paid version. Nonetheless, I am not sure about the rollback ability in BD Free but you can go with KART; it works really well
