Avast One vs Bitdefender
A free tier that is genuinely usable against the highest score on this site. Two cents a month separates the paid plans.
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Avast One
The most complete free plan, with an asterisk on privacy history.
Bitdefender Total Security
Lab-test royalty that stays out of your way.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | Avast One | Bitdefender Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.3 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Price | From $4.19/mo | From $4.17/mo |
| Renews at | n/a | $99.99/yr |
| Free plan | No | |
| Best for | Free users wanting extras | Most people, most devices |
| Category | Free & built-in | Complete suites |
| Provider | Gen Digital | Bitdefender |
| Visit Avast One | Visit Bitdefender Total Security |
Our verdict
Bitdefender wins on protection and Avast wins if you would rather pay nothing. Bitdefender Total Security is $4.17 a month, $49.99 for the first year, and holds the highest score we give on this site at 4.7. Avast One is $4.19 a month, $50.28 for the first year, at 4.3.
The paid plans are two cents a month apart, so price is not the argument. What separates them is what you get for free. Avast One Essential costs nothing and still includes the antivirus engine, a firewall and a limited VPN, which is unusually generous. Bitdefender has no free tier at all on these plans.
The honest downside of Avast is its history: Gen Digital, the parent company, sold browsing data through a subsidiary and shut it down in 2020 after it became public. That is settled, but it belongs in the decision.
The honest downside of Bitdefender is that the interface hides useful settings behind several clicks, and the first year price is a promotional rate that goes up on renewal. You want the strongest protection and $49.99 is fine: Bitdefender.
You want solid protection for nothing: Avast One Essential, and skip the paid tier because at $50.28 you are paying more than Bitdefender for a lower score.
“Still the most complete free antivirus, and the paid tier is a decent suite. We dock points for history: in 2024 the FTC fined Avast $16.5 million for selling browsing data through its Jumpshot subsidiary. The protection is excellent; just go in with open eyes.”Editorial team, on Avast One
“The best mix of protection, speed, and price in this lineup. Top marks at AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST again in 2026, noticeably light on system resources, and the suite features feel useful rather than bolted on. Watch the renewal price, like everywhere in this market.”Editorial team, on Bitdefender Total Security
Frequently asked questions
Is Avast One good enough on the free plan?
For a careful user, yes. Avast One Essential is free and still includes the antivirus engine, a firewall and a capped VPN, which is more than most free tiers offer. What you give up is the unlimited VPN, identity monitoring and priority support that come with the paid tier at $50.28 for the first year.
Which of the two protects better?
Bitdefender on our reading, and it holds the highest editorial score on this site at 4.7 against 4.3. That is our judgement based on published independent lab results and daily use, not a test we ran ourselves. Both sit near the top of the market; the gap is real but small.
Why does Avast cost more than Bitdefender?
It barely does: $50.28 for the first year against $49.99, a difference of 29 cents. Both are promotional first year rates that rise on renewal. At effectively the same price the choice comes down to the free tier at Avast and the higher protection score at Bitdefender.