Bitdefender vs Norton AntiVirus Plus
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Bitdefender
Antivirus with a free Windows edition and paid suites covering Mac, Android and iOS.
Norton AntiVirus Plus
Gen Digital's entry-level paid antivirus for Windows and Mac, the base of the Norton 360 range.
The short answer
Bitdefender suits Windows users who want a free antivirus with real-time protection and an upgrade path to multi-device plans. Norton AntiVirus Plus suits people who want a paid antivirus for one Windows PC or Mac with a firewall and password manager. The main difference is that Bitdefender has a free Windows edition with no time limit, while Norton has no free tier.
Bitdefender or Norton AntiVirus Plus: our take
Both are long-running consumer antivirus brands with strong records in independent lab tests, but they start from different places. Bitdefender Antivirus Free is a pared-back Windows app with real-time scanning, behaviour-based detection and a basic VPN capped at 200 MB per day, with few pop-ups and no time limit. Its downside is that it runs only on Windows and has almost no settings to change. Norton AntiVirus Plus, from Gen Digital, has no free tier, only a free trial. Its entry plan covers one Windows PC or Mac and goes beyond scanning with a firewall, a password manager and a small cloud backup allowance.
On paid plans, Bitdefender publishes clear yearly prices: Antivirus Plus Multiplatform is $29.99 a year for 3 devices, Total Security is $59.99 a year for 1 member and up to 5 devices, and Premium Security is $79.99 a year. Total Security covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS and adds ransomware remediation, web protection, a vulnerability scanner and parental tools. Norton's bigger Norton 360 bundles add more devices, a VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls and, in the US, LifeLock identity protection. Phones need either those bundles or the separate Norton Mobile Security apps. Both companies discount the first year and renew at a higher price.
Norton's in-app prompts to upgrade to Norton 360 are a common complaint, while Bitdefender's free edition is known for staying quiet. Norton offers phone support and a familiar name, which matters to some home users.
For a single Windows PC where cost is the main concern, Bitdefender's free edition is the obvious starting point. For several devices across platforms, Bitdefender's published multi-device plans are easier to compare. Norton AntiVirus Plus makes more sense for someone who wants a firewall and password manager in the same paid package for one computer, and values Norton's support and brand.
Which should you pick?
Choose Bitdefender if…
- Windows users who want a quiet, high-scoring free antivirus with an upgrade path
- You want a free option (Norton AntiVirus Plus is paid only)
- You need Android and iOS, which Norton AntiVirus Plus doesn't list
- Free Windows edition with no time limit and few alerts
- Basic VPN included even in the free version
Choose Norton AntiVirus Plus if…
- Home users who want a well-known paid antivirus for one computer with support to call on
- Long-established brand with consistent results in independent lab tests
- Includes a firewall and password manager, not just a virus scanner
About each app
What is Bitdefender?
Bitdefender is a Romanian security company whose antivirus regularly scores near the top in independent lab tests. Bitdefender Antivirus Free is a pared-back Windows app: real-time scanning, behaviour-based detection that watches for suspicious changes, and a basic VPN with a small daily data allowance, all with few pop-ups and no time limit. The paid line starts with Antivirus Plus for one Windows PC and goes up to Total Security, which covers Windows, macOS, Android and iOS on up to 10 devices and adds ransomware remediation, web protection, a vulnerability scanner and parental tools. Plans are yearly subscriptions, with introductory discounts that rise at renewal. It suits people who want strong detection with little interference; the free version has no settings to tweak and runs only on Windows.
What is Norton AntiVirus Plus?
Norton AntiVirus Plus is the current form of Norton AntiVirus, one of the longest-running consumer antivirus brands, now owned by Gen Digital (the company formed from NortonLifeLock and Avast). It is the cheapest Norton plan and covers a single Windows PC or Mac with real-time malware scanning, a firewall, a password manager and a small allowance of cloud backup. Bigger bundles in the Norton 360 range add more devices, a VPN, dark web monitoring, parental controls and, in the US, LifeLock identity theft protection. Phones are covered by separate Norton Mobile Security apps for Android and iOS. It is sold as a yearly subscription with a free trial; there is no free tier, and first-year prices are usually discounted before renewing at a higher rate with auto-renewal switched on. It suits home users who want a familiar name and phone support rather than relying only on the antivirus built into Windows or macOS.
Side by side
| Attribute | Bitdefender | Norton AntiVirus Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS |
| Best for | Windows users who want a quiet, high-scoring free antivirus with an upgrade path | Home users who want a well-known paid antivirus for one computer with support to call on |
| Status | Active | Active |
Bitdefender vs Norton AntiVirus Plus pricing
Bitdefender: free plan + paid
- Free version: Yes, Windows only source
- Free VPN allowance: 200 MB per day source
- Total Security plan: $59.99 a year, 1 member, up to 5 devices source
- Premium Security plan: $79.99 a year source
- Antivirus Plus Multiplatform plan: $29.99 a year, 3 devices source
- Free plan: Yes, Windows only, no time limit source
Norton AntiVirus Plus: paid
We couldn't verify Norton AntiVirus Plus's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | Bitdefender | Norton AntiVirus Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Bitdefender facts
8 of 8 verified- Free version
- Yes, Windows only
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Antivirus Free is a free antivirus software especially designed to protect your Windows PC.”
- No time limit
- Yes
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Antivirus Free offers top-notch protection for your Windows PC without any hidden costs or time limits.”
- Free VPN allowance
- 200 MB per day
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Total Security also includes a basic VPN with up to 200 MB per day of encrypted traffic for your devices.”
- Platforms (Total Security)
- Windows, macOS, Android, iOS; up to 10 devices
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Total Security offers cross-platform protection that covers Windows PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets running Android or iOS for up to 10 devices.”
- Total Security plan
- $59.99 a year, 1 member, up to 5 devices
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “products ts_i/5/1, ts_f/25/1 monthly-products ts_i/5/2, ts_f/25/2 ts_i/5/1 (Bitdefender Total Security Individual) USD 59.99”
- Premium Security plan
- $79.99 a year
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “(Bitdefender Premium Security Individual) USD 79.99”
- Antivirus Plus Multiplatform plan
- $29.99 a year, 3 devices
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “(Bitdefender Antivirus Plus Multiplatform) USD 29.99”
- Free plan
- Yes, Windows only, no time limit
- Checked Nov 8, 2026bitdefender.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Bitdefender Antivirus Free offers top-notch protection for your Windows PC without any hidden costs or time limits.”
Norton AntiVirus Plus facts
3 of 3 verified- Mobile apps
- Norton Mobile Security for Android and iOS
- Checked Nov 8, 2026support.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Norton Mobile Security for Android Norton Mobile Security for iOS”
- Current edition
- Norton AntiVirus Plus
- Checked Nov 8, 2026support.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “AntiVirus Norton AntiVirus Plus”
- Owner
- Gen Digital
- Checked Nov 8, 2026support.norton.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Problem launching on Windows Copyright © 2026 Gen Digital Inc.”
Pros and cons of Bitdefender
- Free Windows edition with no time limit and few alerts
- Basic VPN included even in the free version
- Total Security covers up to 10 devices across four platforms
- Free edition is Windows only
- Free VPN is capped at 200 MB a day
- Paid plans renew at a higher price than the first year
Pros and cons of Norton AntiVirus Plus
- Long-established brand with consistent results in independent lab tests
- Includes a firewall and password manager, not just a virus scanner
- Easy upgrade path to Norton 360 bundles with VPN and identity protection
- No free tier, unlike Avast, AVG or the built-in Microsoft Defender
- Renewal prices are well above the discounted first-year price
- Frequent in-app prompts to upgrade to bigger Norton 360 plans
Other apps to consider
MalwarebytesInstead of Bitdefender
Simpler suite and a free on-demand scanner for cleaning an infected PC.
KasperskyInstead of Bitdefender
Similar tiered suites, from basic antivirus up to full security with VPN and password manager, on all major platforms.
ESET NOD32 AntivirusInstead of Norton AntiVirus Plus
Lightweight paid antivirus with fewer upsell prompts and detailed settings for power users.
Bitdefender vs Norton AntiVirus Plus: common questions
Is Bitdefender better than Norton AntiVirus Plus?
Bitdefender suits Windows users who want a free antivirus with real-time protection and an upgrade path to multi-device plans. Norton AntiVirus Plus suits people who want a paid antivirus for one Windows PC or Mac with a firewall and password manager. The main difference is that Bitdefender has a free Windows edition with no time limit, while Norton has no free tier.
Is Bitdefender free?
Bitdefender has a free plan, with paid plans for more features. See its verified pricing facts above for current limits.
Is Norton AntiVirus Plus free?
No. Norton AntiVirus Plus is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Bitdefender or Norton AntiVirus Plus open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Bitdefender and Norton AntiVirus Plus support?
Bitdefender: Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Norton AntiVirus Plus: Windows and macOS.