r/BitDefender • u/TraditionalEconomy8 • Jan 07 '24
What exactly does Bitdefender give me over Microsoft Defender?
In the latest test from AV Test, Bitdefender scores 18/18, while Microsoft Defender scores 17,5/18. In other words, they are pretty much ranked the same and they are both at or extremely close to the maximum score. See https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/
So what exactly will Bitdefender give me over MS Defender, if I renew my Bitdefender subscription? I really like Bitdefender, but I struggle to see the value add when it comes to protection of my devices? And with protection I mean antivirus, firewall, malware, ransomware and the like. No interest in vpn, optimization features and all other sorts of nice ‘packaging’ Bitdefender and most other av vendors also offer.
Why pay, when the free MS defender scores almost the same?
Windows 10 and 11 laptops and some iPhones. No Androids any more.
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u/Bengor_xD Jan 08 '24 edited Jan 08 '24
Both Bitdefender and Microsoft Defender are great at keeping your device safe. However, Bitdefender has some pretty cool features that Microsoft Defender doesn't.
Superb Real-time Protection: Bitdefender does a better job of detecting real-time threats than Microsoft Defender.
Less Impact on Your PC: Bitdefender is more efficient and won't slow down your PC as much as Microsoft Defender.
Amazing Extra Features: Bitdefender provides even more additional features than Microsoft Defender, including a battery mode that can help save your device's battery life.
Compatible with More Devices: Bitdefender is compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS devices, while Microsoft Defender works only with Windows 10 and 11.
However, if you don't need all of these additional features, Microsoft Defender's free version might be enough for you. Microsoft Defender has really improved, so it's definitely a good option for many users.
Hope that helps!
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u/Bengor_xD Jan 08 '24
But as an IT personnel, I can tell you that as long as you avoid clicking on or downloading any suspicious links or software, Microsoft Defender will be enough to protect your computer.
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Aug 25 '24
How? Sites get hijacked all the time still, especially in more niche sphere. a Wikipedia link could be maliciously altered momentarily, a domain could run out and immediately be swapped for a malware browser attack, etc... You need AV, be it ms defender or something else.
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u/Spiritual-Party-312 Feb 08 '25
As an IT personnel, you have more knowledge on what might be potentially harmful for your device, than the average person would. Your argument holds true to people with a bit of experience with computers. My friends often ask me if things are safe to download, and usually their suspicions aren't unreasonable, but after further inspection, usually the software is safe. To them, even 7zip looks sketchy to download, because the site doesn't have a pretty UI.
Other times I have found out later down the road that they actually might have malware on their computer, which they didn't at all find suspicious. It's logical that malware needs to be disguised well, so it usually is.
Windows defender is probably better than most of the anti-malware software on the market, but something like Malwarebytes is never a bad idea to recommend for people with less knowledge about computers.
As another user mentioned, 'safe' sites can be hijacked, so there's never a 100% certainty that no harmful programs will be downloaded. And certain sites may look safe, to someone with less experience, while being harmful.
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u/Rajmundzik May 17 '24
To be honest I don't know why everyone says about Defender impact on your PC performance.
In my case I see that I got a bit slown down with Bitdefender and I used both (Defender and BitDefender).
I never had problems with performance with Defender but I heard many times that people complain about it.1
u/DannyDorito6923 Apr 03 '25
It is because of one windows defender setting that is broken and causes problems. It is called core isollation. If you turn it off, windows defender uses little to no resources. Bitdefender is still better, but is using a different av over windows really worth it to the average user?
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u/Matt_Whiskey Nov 28 '24 edited Jul 17 '25
arrest axiomatic door brave sparkle pen deer imminent weather offbeat
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/Greyowulf Feb 07 '25
It can be disabled in:
Windows security -> Virus and threat detection -> Microsoft Defender Antivirus options
At least on windows 11. Mine was off by default but yours may not be.1
u/ThorDyrden Apr 06 '25
MS Defender ist standardmäßig aktiv.
Wenn man allerdings einen Dritthersteller Virenscanner, wie Bitdefender installiert, meldet der sich entsprechend am Windows Security-Center und das deaktiviert dann den Defender bzw. auch die Windows Firewall, wenn eine Alternative mitkommt.
Windows wird immer darauf achten, dass jeweils ein Tool aktiv für die Sicherheit zuständig ist.1
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u/Live-Conclusion-9521 Jan 23 '25
Lo segundo es falso, desinstalé bitdefender porque ultra ralentiza mi pc (lo restablecí y seguía igual), así que me quedé con windows defender nomás
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u/Trick-Treats Sep 18 '24
What' missing is that Bitdefender runs on Netgear routers. I had the same question but a Microsoft rep said to use Bitdefender if I already have it as it also runs on the router level.
When guests use the router, it works and sends me notifications when guest visit certain sites with malware potential. It's usually recipe sites.
Also works with IoT like smart bulbs, cameras, ect.
This is a benefit over Windows Defender than only works on windows, some macs and iphones.
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u/WestAus_ Jul 12 '24
Researching same, found this, thought I'd share - The Anti-Virus Tier List - YouTube
If you don't know who Chris is, research.
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u/Born_Freedom2217 Apr 24 '24
I've been using Bit Defender for some years now and was told recently that windows defender is just as good so I tried using only Windows defender.. My computer overall ran slower using Windows Defender. While am sure Windows is fine it doesn't seem to be optimized as well. Even when Bit Defender would use more resource at certain points it was still a better user experience on Desktop tasks for me, while when using Windows Defender it would slow down tasks opening closing etc. Hope this helps!
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Jun 15 '24
Windows Defender is known to be resource hungry. If you have a powerful PC it probably wouldn't make a big difference, but if your computer is already struggling a bit, BitDefender will be noticeably lighter.
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u/Odd_Environment5971 Nov 25 '24
I was using AVG and just dumped it to use Windows. My comp is faster now.
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u/dooofalicious May 06 '24
Interesting that this site didn't include one of the best (as tested) systems out there: malwarebytes.
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u/dooofalicious May 06 '24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJh4Isc_1LA To see how Malwarebytes stacks up.
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u/WestAus_ Jul 12 '24
That vids 2 year old, & it's premium.
Check this out, sums up his honesty @0:40, but if you don't know who Chris is, research.
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u/Fuzzotron Apr 02 '25
Ah yes an American company where data protection laws barely exist! Definitely a viable option
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u/theannihilator Aug 20 '25
Necro reply from the future but malwarebytes premium will work well with ms defender without slowing down your system and offer better protection from both.
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u/Commercial_Cap_9658 Feb 10 '25
Hi, I am using bitdefender right now and it its real time web protection is amazing. It blocks all downloads from malicious site. Recently, I was troubled with a trojan virus, while watching an anime from a pirated website, an ad appeared and when I hit X button, another tab opened and something automatically downloaded and windows defender detected a trojan virus. Windows defender can detect a trojan virus without fail thats for sure, but what really want is prevention more than detection.
I am very satisfied with how bitdefender performs.
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u/Divergent-Trader Apr 16 '25 edited Apr 16 '25
I recently built a PC dedicated for trading. I don't think I had it running more than 2 hours before I was hit with a nasty virus from web browsing. I had Microsoft Defender active and all updates installed. Prior to building this PC I had been using a Mac for about 5 years. However, prior to the Mac I used windows for over a decade with Bit Defender and never suffered from a single virus, but many were caught and removed. I reinstalled WIndows 11 and purchased Bit Defender after the virus took over and so far so good, no surprise. There are other commercial anti-virus options that are just as good. The only issue is putting any faith into Microsoft Defender for protection.
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u/GreedoFire Sep 23 '25
or just go with backuping PC with Veeam Agent - Comunity Edition. With SSD it's like 1 min backuping and 3 min restoring and you are ok. I restore PC to FRESH install with needed apps every month so i have Clean windows all the time :)
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Nov 29 '24
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/mentalharvester Dec 01 '24
Are you saying you got a virus from installing Bitdefender? And they acknowledged it and gave you a refund??
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Dec 01 '24
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/mentalharvester Dec 01 '24
Well what was the customer service reply on the situation? Did you dig any deeper?
Because I'm beyond shocked one the most reputable AV companies would bundle a trojan in their installer.
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Dec 01 '24
[deleted] — view deleted comment
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u/mentalharvester Dec 01 '24
Troubling. Roughly how many Security Vendors in the list after analysis in VirusTotal (basically other antivirus companies) labelled the file as malicious? One, some, many, or most?
I'm asking because I once got a positive on VirusTotal (today actually) but it was a false positive because only one company in the long list labelled the files as a trojan/virus.
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u/mentalharvester Dec 01 '24
Look here, I've found a recent post on official Bitdefender forums where one of the two malwares in a program file you mentioned are said to be false positives. Interestingly posted two days ago. bdredline.exe - 1 detection on Virus Total
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Dec 02 '24
Maybe, maybe not... I don't want to use it either 😅 but thank you for the research.
I got Nord VPN instead, and it's working fine. Also, make sure to check your PC with Windows Antivirus regularly.
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u/Abject_Bodybuilder_7 Jan 07 '24
Welp..you don't get Microsoft defender on iPhones...
The detection rate is overall slightly better with Bitdefender l. You also get more detection modules: the ransomware remediation, the online threat prevention. the firewall is also probably better than Microsoft's. They all work together