Norton or Bitdefender is the better PC protection solution?

You don't want to overpay for a program with overblown features, but you also don't want to find yourself stuck with something shoddy.

Let's take a look at two popular antivirus programs, Norton and Bitdefender, to see which one you should choose.

Packages and prices

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Like many antivirus software vendors, both Norton and Bitdefender offer different packages to users at different price points. Let's start by discussing Norton packages.

1. AntiVirus Plus: $19.99.
2. Standard: $39.99.
3. Deluxe: $49.99.
4. Select and LifeLock: $99.99

Next, take a look at Bitdefender's packages.

1. Antivirus Plus: $19.98.
2. Internet Security: $29.99.
3. Total Security: $34.99.
4. Family Pack: $39.98.

Norton's package list starts with AntiVirus Plus. This is the cheapest package you can get, but that doesn't mean it's not worth the money. You'll still get a high-quality antivirus product with this package, just without the extra features and equipment. Choose the more premium plan, you'll get access to more perks.

Bitdefender has only 4 main packages: Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, Total Security and Family Pack. You can consider the Antivirus Plus plan as the most basic, although it can still give you a lot in terms of protection. As you can see, Norton's top-end plan is more than twice as expensive as the one offered by Bitdefender.

Outstanding Features

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The quality of a security suite is judged by the features it provides.

Norton packages

Norton's most basic package, AntiVirus Plus, gives you the base of malware and virus protection. Along with antivirus tools, this Plus package also gives you:

1. Support for one device.
2. 2GB of cloud backup storage.
3. Firewall.
4. Password manager.
5. Protection against spyware and ransomware.

Next is the Standard plan, which comes with all of the features above, as well as an additional 8GB of cloud backup storage and webcam protection. Plus, Norton's Standard plan gives you a built-in virtual private network (VPN).

In addition to all the aforementioned features, Norton's Deluxe plan gives you support for 4 more devices, 40GB of extra cloud backup storage, parental control and activity management tools. your child's movements during distance learning. You'll even get Norton's Dark Web Monitoring tool, a dark web search engine that finds your email address and alerts you if it's found there.

Norton's most expensive plan, called Select and LifeLock, has a few extras you might like: Support for 10 devices, identity recovery support, social media monitoring, credit reporting and credit warnings.

Bitdefender Packages

The most basic Bitdefender plan also known as Antivirus Plus gives you real-time protection against malicious programs as well as a built-in VPN. Antivirus element comes with a bunch of useful features, including vulnerability assessment, file shredder, anti-cheat engine, and anti-tracking tool.

Bitdefender's Internet Security plan comes with all of the above features, as well as parental controls and a security firewall. This plan can also be used on three separate devices at the same time.

Bitdefender's Total Security plan can be used on a total of 5 devices and also provides you with anti-theft tools, automatic upgrades, and free online support.

Finally, the Family Pack. As you might have guessed, it's a home app, so it's no surprise that it can be used on up to 15 devices per household. With this plan, you'll also get protection for all the devices in your household.

Protection success rate

Before moving on to the customer service factors of these two antivirus providers, it's important to know how well they can keep you safe. An easy way to determine this is to look at the success rate of protection.

The great thing about Norton and Bitdefender is that they both have very high detection rates, above 95%, so you can rely on them to keep you safe. Note that no anti-virus program can protect you 100% of the time. Sometimes, cybercriminals can outsmart even the most sophisticated security tools. But having a reliable, high-quality antivirus running on your computer gives you the best chance of being protected.

Customer service

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Customer service can be invaluable if you have a problem, so how do Norton and Bitdefender perform in this area?

Norton's customer service and general help resources are impressive. You can contact Norton's support team via live chat, phone, or email. You can also find answers in many of Norton's tutorials, notes, and FAQ pages.

Same with Bitdefender. This provider offers support via live chat, email, and phone, and offers FAQs for common problems or questions. Bitdefender also has a platform called "Expert Community", which you can use to connect with knowledgeable individuals who can help you troubleshoot your issues.

Ease of use

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No one likes dealing with unwieldy apps. Such programs can be both time-consuming and frustrating, which you don't want if you've already paid for the service. So are Norton and Bitdefender hard to navigate?

Fortunately not. It doesn't take long to learn how to use Norton and Bitdefender's interfaces. Each of these providers is user-friendly, including tech novices and professionals alike, although it's important to note that Norton has separate apps for certain services, such as such as VPN. If you prefer a streamlined experience, Bitdefender might be a better fit for you.

Bitdefender vs Norton: Which is better?

There is really no clear winning option when comparing Bitdefender and Norton as both of these antivirus programs are very impressive. If you care about the price, Bitdefender has the upper hand, and this provider also simply sets up the better app. But aside from that, there's not much that sets this show apart from the competition.

Both Bitdefender and Norton are great antivirus options. If you're looking for a solid antivirus, then both Bitdefender and Norton might be right for you. These providers offer some super useful features and user-friendly interfaces without costing customers too much. Regardless of which program you end up choosing, you can rest easy knowing that your digital safety is on hold.

Samuel Daniel

Update 17 February 2023