[Review] - Bitdefender vs Norton: Which One Is Better for PCs?

Both Bitdefender and Norton can be used to protect your PC. But most users just need one antivirus program for their PC. This post from MiniTool introduces information about Bitdefender vs Norton and you can know which one to choose after reading.

This post focuses on Bitdefender vs Norton, so read this post to know which one is suitable for you. Before you know the difference between Bitdefender and Norton, we will introduce some information about Bitdefender and Norton first.

Overview of Bitdefender and Norton

Bitdefender

Bitdefender, founded in 2001, develops and sells antivirus programs, Internet security, endpoint security software, and other network security products and services. You can use this antivirus tool on Windows OS, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Norton

Norton AntiVirus is an anti-virus or anti-malware software product, developed and distributed by NortonLifeLock. It aims to protect your data on Windows, macOS, smartphones, and tablets. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses.

Bitdefender vs Norton

This part is going to talk about Bitdefender vs Norton from 9 aspects, including features, interface, editions, antivirus & malware protection, impact on system speed, parent controls, VPN, pricing, and customer support.

The following is a quick chart about Norton vs Bitdefender.

	Bitdefender	Norton
Virus Scanner	5 scans, perfect detection rate (but higher false positive rate)	4 scan types with perfect malware detection rates
Real-Time Protection	Detects about 99.7% of new malware threats	Detects about 100% of new malware threats
System Performance	Slightly slows down the device	Minimal system impact
Compatible Devices	Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS	Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
Customer Service	24/7 support	24/7 support
Refund Policy	30 days	60 days

Then, let’s see more details about Bitdefender vs Norton.

Bitdefender vs Norton: Feature

The first aspect of Bitdefender vs Norton is their features. Continue to read:

Bitdefender

Advanced malware detection and real-time protection.
firewall.
A secure browser for online finance.
Web protection.
Wi-Fi network protection.
VPN (limited to 200 MB/day/device on most plans).
Parental Control.
System optimization tool.
File Shredder.
Password manager.
30-day money-back guarantee.

Norton

Advanced malware detection and real-time scanning.
Smart Firewall.
network protection.
Device optimization and cleaning tools.
VPN (unlimited data).
Password manager.
50 GB cloud storage.
Parental Control.
Dark web monitoring (select markets only).
60-day money-back guarantee.

Thus, it’s hard to see which one is better in this aspect. It is based on your needs.

Bitdefender vs Norton: Interface

Next, we will compare Bitdefender vs Norton in the interface.

Bitdefender has a customizable dashboard where you can add some quick access shortcuts. Everything else is then divided into 5 categories: Protection, Privacy, Utilities, Notifications, and Settings.

Only half of the Norton homepage is available: the other side is reserved for their stock images. To get to the Antivirus screen, you have to go to Device Security. There, Norton also has 5 categories: Security, Internet Safety, Backup, Performance, and My Norton. Norton 360 Deluxe also includes a web portal where you can manage protection for up to five devices.

Thus, BitDefender has a simpler interface than Norton.

Bitdefender vs Norton: Editions and Prices

The third aspect of Bitdefender vs Norton is their editions and prices

Bitdefender:

Bitdefender Mobile Security – $14.99/year, 1 device (Android and iOS)
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – $23.99/year, 3 devices (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)
Bitdefender Internet Security – $32.00/year, 3 devices (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)
Bitdefender Total Security – $36.00/year, 5 devices (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)

To get more details about the Bitdefender price, you can go to its official website.

Norton:

If you’re just focusing on antivirus services and skipping LifeLock, there are only three options. It is Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 Premium.

Norton 360 Standard – $19.99/year, 1 device (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)
Norton 360 Deluxe – $49.99/year, 3 devices or $59.62/year, 5 devices ((Windows, macOS, Android, iOS)
Norton 360 Premium -$79/year, 10 devices (macOS, smartphones, or tablets)

Bitdefender vs Norton: Impact on the System

For antivirus software to work, it needs to run continuously in the background of the system to defend against any incoming malware attacks. This means that it will constantly use a portion of your computer’s resources to do this, which can negatively affect the rest of the system.

We’ll take a look at Bitdefender and Norton’s performance tests to see which has the least impact on your system resources.

AV-Comparatives Performance Test Take a look at this metric with their performance test. It runs a variety of different tasks, including file copying, installing and uninstalling applications, and browsing websites, while every antivirus is active and running on the machine.

Both Bitdefender and Norton took home the top prize, with Bitdefender only dropping a single point when downloading files, suggesting that it may be slowing down your internet a little because of the way it monitors for any threats. Norton dropped a point when archiving/unarchiving files, suggesting it could have a bigger impact on the computer’s CPU.

AV-Test rated Bitdefender a 5.5 out of 6 and Norton a 6 out of 6.

Another factor to consider here is the capabilities of your own computer. A more powerful computer will feel less affected by antivirus running in the background, not because it runs better on the hardware, but simply because the more powerful computer will have more resources available.

Both Bitdefender and Norton have proven to be excellent when running on your PC, making efficient use of resources and not slowing down your machine significantly. Test results show that both are at the top of all antivirus programs, suggesting that the difference between the two is negligible.

Bitdefender vs Norton: Malware Protection

Bitdefender vs Norton: which one can provide better malware protection for you?

Bitdefender:

System scans are deep scans for hidden threats disguised as normal downloads;
Rescue Environment offers you a solution to get rid of unbearable digital infections;
Vulnerability scans will show if your system is or may be attacked by hackers;
Threat defense fights viruses of different disguises, sizes and origins;
Managing spammers is an odd feature that allows you to see who tends to spam you or ads.

Norton:

A system scan performs the usual scans and cleanups.
A reputation scan scans specific folders or files that you believe may pose a threat. Multi-boot scan checks other operating systems on your device. For example, if you are a Mac user but have Windows as your backup OS.
Anti-Spyware, Antivirus, Malware & Ransomware Protection is an all-in-one tool that will protect you if any malware tries to get through your firewall.
The Virus Protection Promise is a unique feature that promises to refund your money if Norton can’t handle certain viruses or spyware.
LifeLock Identity System notifies you when something unusual happens on your computer.

Bitdefender vs Norton: VPN

Norton’s Secure VPN beats Bitdefender’s equivalent by offering unlimited data for free. Secure VPN is available as a separate app on all of Norton’s plans at no additional cost. Unlike Bitdefender, which only gives you 200MB per day, you’re not limited by Norton’s tiny data allowance. You can use a Secure VPN for online browsing, shopping, and banking as needed.

Norton’s Secure VPN can bypass location restrictions on streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. However, the limited number of server locations (30 worldwide) does result in slower speeds and some buffering while streaming.

Bitdefender’s VPN has faster streaming speeds without lag – over 40Mbps in most locations, which is fast enough for Ultra HD quality. However, server locations are more limited (only 27 worldwide).

Bitdefender vs Norton: Parental Controls

Bitdefender’s parental controls are much more complicated to set up since they are hidden in Bitdefender’s privacy settings.

Parental controls are only available through the standalone Norton Family app, which is included for free with all subscription plans. You can monitor your child’s iPad activity from the Chrome browser through Norton Family’s central dashboard. Norton’s parental controls are more effective on Android and iOS.

Bitdefender vs Norton: Customer Support

The last aspect of Norton vs Bitdefender is customer support.

Bitdefender includes live chat, phone, and email support, as well as a large knowledge database and community support. Phone support and live chat are available 24/7 in English and several other languages during local office hours.

Norton has a ton of customer support options. Support is available through its Facebook and Twitter channels. It offers phone and live chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and supports multiple languages including English, German, Dutch, Mandarin, Arabic, and more.

However, unlike Bitdefender’s free phone support, Norton’s phone support costs extra.

Thus, in this aspect, Bitdefender is the winner.

Back up Important Data in Advance:

Just relying on antivirus software to protect computer data is not enough. Thus, you need other software to protect your data and should back up your important data regularly to prevent file loss.

Luckily, the professional backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker can satisfy your needs. The program allows you to back up important data and systems in simple steps and it supports Windows 11/10/8/7.

Now you can download and try MiniTool ShadowMaker to back up your files.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Step 1: Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker to enter its interface. Then, click Keep Trial.

Step 2: On the Backup page, click Source > Folders and Files, choose the source that you want to backup, and click OK.

Step 3: On the Backup page, click Destination to select your external hard drive or USB flash drive as the storage path.

Step 4: Click Back up Now to perform the file backup task right now.

Bottom Line

Here is all the information on Bitdefender vs Norton. Maybe now you have known which one to choose. Besides, to better protect your data, you should use MiniTool ShadowMaker to back up it. If you have any questions and suggestions, please contact us via [email protected] or leave a comment.

About The Author

Daisy Follow Us

Position: Columnist

Having been an editor at MiniTool since graduating college as an English major, Daisy specializes in writing about data backups, disk cloning, and file syncing as well as general computer knowledge and issues. In her free time, Daisy enjoys running and going with friends to the amusement park.