Bitdefender vs Zone Alarm: Which One is Better? [2023 Top Picks]

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Bitdefender vs. Zone Alarm: Which Is Right for You?

Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager

Bitdefender vs. Zone Alarm: Which Is Right for You?

Strong antivirus software should provide two things: advanced malware protection and a broad range of cybersecurity features. Both Bitdefender and Zone Alarm use the latest in signature and heuristic scans to provide security against known and unknown malware attacks. They also address a range of different potential threats, although they do it in very different ways.

Bitdefender, available for multiple operating systems, protects numerous vulnerability points within your system. The hardware scans will check any USB devices to ensure no cross infections occur. It secures the log-in process by offering a virtual keyboard to avoid keyloggers and an encrypted password manager. The Webcam Shield protects your video stream from hackers and a Safe File Vault keeps your important documents safe from ransomware. The SafePay browser is designed specifically to secure your bank details when paying online.

While Zone Alarm is only available for Windows, it offers an impressive range of additional security that makes it worthwhile. The auto-sandboxing technology launches all files in a virtual environment to test them for problems, quarantining them if any threat is detected. The software also scans during the boot stages, which is rare for antivirus providers. The advanced firewall works two-ways, and will even identify tricks commonly used to bypass this type of security. Plus, you get wireless network security that will update the firewall according to the current risk factor. Finally, all users receive an anti-phishing chrome extension, anti-keylogger protocols, 5GB of online backup, and a \”Find My Laptop\” feature should your device get lost or stolen.

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Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
wilfred
Feb. 27, 2021
Bit Defender Free Edition
My Laptop Specs are Intel (R) Core (TM) i7-2620M CPU @2.70GHz RAM...
Frank
Dec. 6, 2020
Excellent Antivirus
This antivirus is very helpful and quickly blocks unsafe websites and...
Vince
Dec. 18, 2018
It works quietly and unobtrusively in the background
Easy installation and handling even for older people. There are no popup...
Maria
Nov. 6, 2018
I love Zone Alarm!
I think Zonealarm is a must for every Windows PC on the internet! I have...
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
David Alden
Sep. 2, 2022
Having tried various platforms
Having tried various platforms all starting up with amounts to start up...
Lisa
Aug. 24, 2022
Pop-up Ads even when Paid for Subscription
Total Security comes with 'Wallet' for passwords but rather than improve...
Sanjay
Nov. 7, 2018
Use to be good, but not anymore
I've been using this program for a very long time and have always been...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
Our Verdict
Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager
Both products promise near-perfect malware protection, however, Zone Alarm offers the most extensive range of features. Unfortunately, the software is limited to Windows. If you want protection for your Mac, tablet, or mobile devices, Bitdefender provides security across a whole range of products.
Time To Decide Which One Is Best For You

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best antivirus for me?

The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.

Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.

It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.

What makes an antivirus secure?

A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.

For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.

What do I need to look for when searching for an antivirus?

An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.

Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.

Go here for a list of the best antivirus software of 2023.

How do I know if one antivirus is better than another?

When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.

You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.

We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.