Bitdefender and Norton are the best internet security suites out there. They both have perfect malware detection rates, a wide range of useful extra features, and excellent customer support.
However, there are a few differences that it’s useful to know about. I’ve summarized each product’s core strengths and differences below to help you decide which one is right for you.
Short on Time? Bitdefender vs. Norton 2024: Final Verdict:
- 1st place:
- 2nd place:
Norton provides better security and a more comprehensive range of extras. If you want the best protection available in 2024, go with Norton.
Bitdefender is better for price, ease of use, and is more lightweight. If you want a secure, easy-to-use, and affordable internet security suite, go with Bitdefender.
Norton vs. Bitdefender: Quick Summary
Malware Protection
Bitdefender
Bitdefender has a powerful but lightweight malware scanner. It uses machine learning combined with a huge malware directory to identify all kinds of malware threats. And because it uses a cloud-based scanner, it has no noticeable impact on your device’s performance during scans.
Bitdefender’s full scan found 100% of my test malware. I downloaded hundreds of malware samples onto my computer for the tests, and the scan found everything in around an hour (I didn’t notice any false positives, either). The real-time protection is top-notch — it successfully blocked 100% of the malware files in my tests before I could download them.
Norton
Norton’s powerful anti-malware engine is one of the best around. It uses machine learning, advanced heuristics, and a consistently updated directory of malware, and it’s capable of finding every kind of malware — including viruses, trojans, ransomware, cryptojackers, zero-day attacks, and more.
Norton’s scanner detected every malware file I hid on my computer, and its real-time protection successfully blocked every new piece of malware I tried to download. The full disk scan also only took around 40 minutes, had minimal impact on my computer’s performance, and reported no false positives.
Web Security
Bitdefender
Bitdefender has excellent anti-phishing and web protection. Its anti-phishing protection works by comparing the websites you visit against an extensive, frequently updated database of known malicious sites, and it blocks access to any that match. During my tests, it successfully prevented access to all phishing sites I attempted to visit (50 out of 50, to be precise). Additionally, it provides information on which sites were blocked and the reasons for the block — allowing you to whitelist any sites incorrectly flagged as malicious.
There’s also a secure web browser called Safeplay. It’s made for online banking and has keylogger protection, a VPN, a built-in screenshot blocker, and a password manager. Safepay worked really well in my tests. Its built-in screenshot blocker prevented me from capturing my screen, and I couldn’t even copy-paste passwords or 2FA codes! However, pages load more slowly, so it won’t replace your everyday browser.
Bitdefender can also block access to web pages with downloadable malware, encrypted websites, or sites with fraudulent content.
Norton
Norton’s web protection includes Safe Web, a browser extension available for all major browsers, and Norton Private Browser, a dedicated secure browser.
Safe Web analyzes websites for potential threats, providing color-coded safety ratings for search results and visited pages. It also blocks access to malicious sites, protects against phishing attempts, and offers detailed reports on website safety. While it generally worked great in my tests, it did have occasional inaccuracies in site classifications (but it erred on the side of caution, which is the better option of the two).
Norton’s Private Browser comes with Safe Web preloaded. It also includes built-in ad and tracker blocking, anti-fingerprinting technology to prevent online profiling, and Norton’s secure password manager. Other notable Norton features integrated with this dedicated browsing environment are Web Shield (blocks malicious sites and downloads) and a customizable security and privacy center (for easy management of privacy settings). You can use Norton Private Browser for everyday browsing (unlike Bitdefender), which is a nice bonus.
Features
Bitdefender
Bitdefender has a range of plans that cover up to 10 devices and include:
- Advanced malware detection and real-time protection.
- Firewall.
- Secure browser for online finances.
- Web protection.
- Wi-Fi network protection.
- VPN (capped at 200 MB/day on most plans).
- Parental controls.
- System optimization tools.
- Password manager.
- File shredder.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- And much more…
Bitdefender offers an excellent selection of extras, most of which are genuinely helpful. The parental controls are particularly noteworthy — they include a wide range of useful customization options, and you can even set restricted geographical locations on the mobile app.
The password manager is probably a little too basic for most people, and the VPN only includes 200 MB/day on most plans. However, it’s as good as most standalone VPNs, and it does come with unlimited data on the top plan, Premium Security, which is also one of the most cost-effective plans on the market.
Norton
Norton has a range of excellent plans, with 360 Deluxe being the best-value plan — it covers up to 5 devices and includes:
- Premium malware detection and real-time scanning.
- Smart firewall.
- Web protections.
- Device optimization and cleanup tools.
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- Password manager.
- 50 GB cloud storage.
- Parental controls.
- Dark web monitoring (select markets only).
- 60-day money-back guarantee.
- And lots more…
Norton has the best additional features of any antivirus software in 2024. The password manager is one of my favorite antivirus-bundled password managers. The parental controls are excellent, the optimization tools are really useful and easy to use, and the dark web protection is among the best on the market.
The VPN is also decent. It has really good security features, pretty fast speeds, and works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Max (but not Disney+ and Hulu). However, it doesn’t allow torrenting on all servers.
Norton has a huge range of plans, all of which are worth exploring — especially the LifeLock plans (US customers only) that include advanced identity theft tools such as credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, social security and driver’s license monitoring, protection for 10 or unlimited devices, and much more.
Apps & Ease of Use
Bitdefender
Bitdefender’s desktop apps are very easy to use, with a well-designed and intuitive desktop dashboard. All features are organized into 3 main categories — Protection, Privacy, and Utilities — making it easy to find everything.
Bitdefender’s default settings are good enough for most users, but there are also lots of customization options for almost every feature — including a Quick Action button that lets you customize your interface by adding more buttons to the main dashboard.
As for mobile apps, Bitdefender has an app for iOS and Android that is well-designed and intuitive. The Android app is excellent with a wide range of features, while the iOS app is more limited but still very good. I especially like the App Anomaly Detection feature for Android, which continuously monitors the behavior of the apps on your device, alerting you to any suspicious activity that may indicate malware, spyware, or other threats. Likewise, I really like the Scam Alert feature on iOS, which scans links in your calendar and text messages and alerts you of anything harmful.
Norton
Norton’s desktop app is relatively intuitive and easy to use, but there is a bit of a learning curve. Norton is a huge program that has far more additional features than most antiviruses, so it takes a while to find your way around. That said, Norton has a web-based dashboard that’s easier to use than the desktop app.
The desktop app’s main interface is clean and uncluttered, and there are lots of customization options, which is great. But the main dashboard only displays the core tools, and some of the other features are hidden behind too many sub-menus.
Norton’s mobile apps are really well designed and easier to use than the desktop app, with the features designed in a slightly more intuitive way. Like Bitdefender, Norton’s Android app is more feature-rich than the iOS version. Its standout feature is the App Advisor, which scans apps before you download them as well as monitoring those already installed on your device, providing insights into privacy risks, recent installations, and battery usage. The iOS app has a feature similar to Bitdefender’s Scam Alert called Secure Calendar. It blocks spam and phishing iOS Calendar notifications.
Customer Support
Bitdefender
Bitdefender has excellent customer support. It 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 during local office hours in various other languages. The phone support even has 28 local numbers in multiple countries and a worldwide line.
The support options were largely satisfactory. Regardless of the medium — be it email, live chat, or the community forum — I was met with prompt, informative, and friendly feedback. The only issue is that reaching agents is a bit of a process. The community forum stood out, as I got helpful insights from other users shortly after posting my questions.
Norton
Norton offers support through several channels. It has 24/7 live chat and phone support in several languages, including English, German, Mandarin, Arabic, and others.
The phone assistance was impressive once I got hold of it: my calls were answered, and the help I received was friendly and knowledgeable. However, the live chat was disappointing, with sluggish and glitchy connections.
Norton also has a good range of product guides, a handy FAQ section, and a decent community support forum.
