Bitdefender Vs. Webroot – Which Is Better
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Are you aware that your identity might be in danger if you are utilizing a PC that has no good antivirus? You see, a lot of cyber criminals out there can easily steal your identity, compromise your financial aspect, and even take your crucial files. This is the reason why antiviruses such as BITDEFENDER as well as WEBROOT are needed. Such software is ready to protect and secure your PC from constant treat and danger.
Now in this article, we want to put BITDEFENDER and WEBROOT in an extensive comparison in order to see which one deserves our recommendation as the most ideal antivirus software you can use. It is the BITDEFENDER? Or is it the WEBROOT that has the capabilities to protect you better. Make sure to stay tuned as we will share you some BITDEFENDER and WEBROOT’s unique approaches before you even clicking that call-to-action button.
Before we even start this battle and head-to-head matchup and download any one of these, make sure to look at our WEBROOT Review as well as our BITDEFENDER review so you can have better understanding of each antivirus. After all, it’s for your security.
Initiating The Match – BITDEFENDER Vs. WEBROOT
In this article, we will be testing both of this antivirus software for a five round matches in order to aid you compared the two. We will try to dig deep into their features, pricing, user-friendliness, how they protect their clients, and of course the customer support of the company. And after that we will go into the final match and decide who wins.
Now, keep in mind that each of these five rounds will result in a winner, which is equivalent to a point. Since we have five rounds, the antivirus software that will receive three or more points shall be the winner. Of course, we will have a little summary on why it got the title.
On a side note, you have the option to skip the summary. However, remember that you will acquire a better comprehension if you read through each match in full description. And lastly, kindly leave any opinion or feedback if you happen to have a different perspective than ours.
Features
For the most part, antivirus developers in the world work tirelessly to aid and overcome cybercrime. However, the sad truth is that not all antivirus offer the same depth features and functionalities. Regardless if your software is ready for those traths will depend on whether how advance it is and what can it offer better than the other competitors. With that said, let’s try to take a deeper perspective at the features of both BITDEFENDER and WEBROOT features.
Let’s start with BITDEFENDER.
Features – BITDEFENDER
First of all, there’s a good reason why this software is one of the most trusted antivirus software out there. You see, BITDEFENDER offers features that cover a myriad of possible cyber treats. On a side note, you might need to spend a little bit in order to access such awesome features. After all, it’s where the developers get their funds to innovate and further improve their products for your safety.
You see, this antivirus offers one of the most comprehensive safety features that you’ll ever see. We will talk about that in the protection part of this article. Now, this antivirus features a malware protection that can seek and halt the most innovated malware running through the cyber world.
In addition, BITDEFENDER backs up its buzzwords which include protection to block access to your webcam and microphone, browser privacy tools, firewall, Wi-Fi security features, and overall real-time data protections.
Furthermore, this software also features extra extensions for your browser if you’re looking to block malicious websites that might harm your computer. Additionally, it comes with SAFEPAY, which is a sandbox browser that is capable of isolating itself with a virtual keyboard in order to aid in blocking anyone who’s monitoring you while accessing your bank or shopping online.
Amalgamated with a virtual private network with 200 megabytes daily limit, users will be able to safely access their most sensitive data even on open Wi-Fi, which significantly lessen s the dangers of public Wi-Fi networks. Moreover, a 200 mega byes data megabytes restriction can easily get exhausted under heavy usage such as streaming videos. That’s why you can’t really see BITDEFENDER as a complete NordVPN alternative.
In order to further enhance your security, BITDEFENDER also provides a secure file tools and password manager to encrypt, shred, or protect your most sensitive data according on your needs. Also, the features we mentioned above are included in the BITDEFENDER’s packages. However, some of these features are applicable to Windows only. This is the reason why it is crucial to keep in mind that protection for mobile devices such as Android or Mac needs pricier subscription.
It is also worth mentioning that BITDEFENDER offers packages such as “Total Security”. The reason is obvious, because BITDEFENDER is trying to be the only software you need in order to secure all of your devices, be it an Android phone, a Mac, or a Windows. With such amazing features, BITDEFENDER is actually doing really great.
Features – WEBROOT
For the most part, this antivirus software has taken an advanced method to its overall protection approaches. Instead of depending on and utilizing up your computer’s system, WEBROOT protects you through cloud detection and innovation.
This implies that your WEBROOT installation will come much smaller. WEBROOT takes advantage of cloud technology with all of its computing information and resources at its arsenal. Additionally, it determines and processes new possible harmful threats, and then sends the information to other users almost real-time. This significantly minimizes the impact on your own personal computer.
Furthermore, WEBROOT utilizes this in order to form its usual innovative threat protection. Such feature is offered across all of its packages for both Mac and Windows users out there. Moreover, WEBROOT comes with anti-malware and anti-phishing features. It is further supplemented with features such as Wi-Fi and network firewall monitoring. It also protects your webcam.
It is a given that specific features will cost a few more. These include WEBROOT’s mobile support and its password manager. On a side note, WEBROOT is not really a Dashlane alternative. However, if you have nowhere to keep your passwords, it will surely make things more convenient.
Also, mobile supports for Android and iOS is another premium feature of WEBROOT. Though it would certainly cost a few more bucks, you will still be able to acquire 25 gigabytes of extra cloud storage which is an amazing value for the price.
Thoughts For The First Round
Since WEBROOT features low footprint and minimal system needs, it is a great choice for older Macs and PCs. Also, as we mentioned above, it offers premium features such as webcam protection and a password manager which is not really bad of a deal.
On the other hand, BITDEFENDER have the same features. However, it comes with anti-theft and file shredding among others. With such innovative features, it is clear who wins this round.
The winner for the ‘feature’ matchup is BITDEFENDER.
Price
Now let’s get into the price factor and lets set aside coupon code and license key first (if you’re thinking about it). If premium antivirus software companies don’t have any affordable price plans, then surely they’re not in this decade anymore. You see, both BITDEFENDER and WEBROOT offer reasonable price plans along with extra features that might cost some bucks.
And with that said, there can only be one winner in terms of pricing. So, without further ado, let’s compare BITDEFENDER and WEBROOT’s pricing plans.
Price – BITDEFENDER
This company offers four pricing plans, free trial not included. And each one obviously comes with an increasing amount of features. The price of these plans will certainly differ depending on what device you want to secure. Also, it comes with activation code and different plan period from 1 to 3 years.
For the most part, BITDEFENDER has good customer service especially that they normally offer discounts of around forty to fifty percent on three-device pricing plans. Due to such reasonable discounts, new customers can afford it even better, and one good example for that is the company’s mid-range BITDEFENDER Internet Security plan. It takes three-device coverage compared to just one device.
As for the least inexpensive offer of BITDEFENDER, they have the Antivirus Plus. Nonetheless, this Windows-only plan is quite basic and as we mentioned, it is only limited to Windows. Moreover, it doesn’t feature and SAFEPAY and webcam protection. But still, BITDEFENDER offers full anti-malware coverage is essential. Also, the plan comes with coverage for up to ten devices, but they be running on Windows.
Moreover, Internet Security is also for those Windows users. On a side note, it still offer the complete set of BITDEFENDER features but not including the anti-theft. Also, it offers coverage for up to ten devices along with one up to five-device plans. For a few more dollars, you’ll be able to support your Mac and Android devices with BITDEFENDER’s Total Security. Of course it comes along with complete BITDEFENDER feature set. Also, we want to mention that BITDEFENDER’s Android support is pretty prominent, that is the reason why we want to recommend it on our best antivirus for Android devices.
And also, company features a Family Pack which is a plan specifically for families with coverage for up to fifteen devices. This is pretty much everything but the kitchen sink version, with max device coverage, and complete support for Mac and mobile, as well as all the features for just an extra twenty bucks a year.
Price – WEBROOT
As for WEBROOT, they offer five antivirus plans. However, some of these plans particularly target certain market audience such as gamers. As the name implies, SECUREANYWHERE antivirus is the basic plan for consumers out there.
For new-customers, WEBROOT offers reasonable discounts. However, for existing clients, Antivirus might costs around ten bucks a year compared to its counterpart – BITDEFENDER Antivirus Plus package. It supports Macs and Windows, while also providing a network firewall, anti-phishing, and identity protection features. The next plan tier of WEBROOT is called the WEBROOT SECUREANYWHERE Internet Security Plus which implements a password manager as well as mobile support for again ten bucks a year. Unlike the SECUREANYWHERE Antivirus, it is better of a deal as it supports three to five devices which are good for a year.
The SECUREANYWHERE Internet Security Plus has the same price as BITDEFENDER’s Internet Security plan. However, WEBROOT’s plan has better option for both Mac and mobile users even though it comes with fewer features. The next one is called the Internet Security Complete which you can get for ten bucks a year. This is clearly more affordable compared to the BITDEFENDER’s Total security. Moreover, it features a system optimization tool which is similar to CCleaner. In addition, it has 25 gigabytes storage and coverage good for five devices.
The next WEBROOT plan that has good price value is called the Internet Security Complete Family Pack. It can cover up to ten devices, and it’s the only plan that is costlier compared to BITDEFENDER’s thirty bucks per year. Among these plans, the Antivirus for PC gamers is the unique one. Well, this particular plan obviously targets those PC Gamers. This WEBROOT plan offer PC gamers with lag-free gaming and silent coverage with other features almost on par with the Antivirus plan. However, this plan for PC gamers only covers one device. But if you’re a gamer, you should know how good it is to play in a lag-free setting.
Thoughts For The Second Round
For the most part, BITDEFENDER did well of spreading the price of its plans, giving large, new-clients discounts as well as a sliding scale for features. On the other hand, WEBROOT offers almost similar plans but with a much cheaper price aside from the family plans. In other words, WEBROOT is the winner for the price round.
Winner: WEBROOT SECUREANYWHERE
User-Friendliness
Antivirus software must be easy to navigate, easy to install, and of course easy to use. If antivirus software is not really user-friendly, you could find yourself confused on what to do if a problem hits you. You can see some great example of hard-to-use antivirus that tackles about BullGuard Antivirus.
Now, in this section, we should find out if BITDEFENDER or WEBROOT is the same in terms of user-friendly factor. As usual, let’s start with BITDEFENDER.
User-Friendliness – BITDEFENDER
BITDEFENDER is easy to install with small user prompts. Additionally, you will end up and operating within just ten minutes. With BITDEFENDER, you’ll have not difficulties at all. On a side note, with a customer built around a dashboard made to make it easy to see your most likely actions. SAFEPAY, virtual private networks, Virus scanning, are all fast actions that BITDEFENDER automatically gives for its clients. But users can modify the dashboard on their own preference.
Nevertheless, BITDEFENDER must not get in your way. Usually, you will receive a recommendation or update. For instance, when BITDEFENDER thinks that you must switch on utilizing SAFEPAY.
Now, if you’re looking to customize your BITDEFENDER setup, then you can easily access your settings or certain advanced features BITDEFENDER offers from the side menu. Also, you can customize or mute your BITDEFENDER experience with the user profiles. You can also utilize a profile like this if you want to lock down your firewall on an open network.
Furthermore, BITDEFENDER is one of the most user-friendly you’ll ever use. It is in fact on part with prominent companies such as AVG. Newbies will not get overwhelmed, while advanced clients will surely appreciate the level of medication available on BITDEFENDER.
User-Friendliness – WEBROOT
Now, let’s go to WEBROOT. As we already know, BITDEFENDER is quick to install. Nonetheless, WEBROOT is much faster as it comes with an installer that is only around 5 megabytes in size. Actually we tried installing it and were scanning away in just less than two minutes. The only additional step for clients is to insert their subscription code, which BITDEFENDER gives when they subscribe.
Additionally, in order to ensure your personal computer is up to scratch, WEBROOT SECUREANYWHERE will operate a first scan of your personal computer and tackle with any existing threats after installation. It is not only efficient but it is also fast. In fact, it has to be one of the fastest as well as lightest scans you’ll ever use.
After you are up and running, the client is very simple, and concentrating around the scanning factor of BITDEFENDER is easy. You will also have a sidebar with easy access to your personal settings and premium features such as password manager. It also comes with advantageous link to WEBROOT’s supports.
The settings part is thorough with a number of modification options for power users out there. They can also modify the intensity of antivirus scanning, for example, enabling a scheduled scans.
If you are not sure about anything then you can simply click on learn more located under any option. It will redirect you to helpful instructions. For instance, clicking the identity protection section will open up a guide that will explain the identity protection WEBROOT has to offer.
When it comes to user-friendliness, WEBROOT provides something for almost anyone. You can modify your protection with a myriad of settings. Nonetheless, if you want to leave things as it is, then WEBROOT is also ready for that.
Thoughts For Round Three
Both BITDEFENDER and WEBROOT look to provide the right balance for newbies and power users in terms of user-friendliness. However, BITDEFENDER’s interface is quite more modern. With that said, there is really not much between this match, which ultimately make this round a draw.
Points for BITDEFENDER and WEBROOT as they are draw in this match.
Protection
It’s pretty common sense that having just a beautiful interface is useless when it comes to antivirus. It doesn’t help protect your pc when the malware beings to appear. Due to that, we are utilizing the reports of three independent security laboratories in order to determine how well WEBROOT and BITDEFENDER can protect you from malwares and viruses.
Protection – BITDEFENDER
First of all, BITDEFENDER’s scores dropped in AV-TEST last May to June 2019. It got a score of 97.1 percent in its protection scores from certain tests made earlier in 2019 year. All in all, this antivirus software scored 5.5 out of 6, and a unique drop for this top-tier company.
On a side note, performance percentages for both BITDEFENDER also decreased a bit, even though the overall score for performance is still the highest which is 6 out of 6. Things are probably much better for BITDEFENDER during its AV comparatives testing that happened in February to May 2019. With 751 blocked threats, it got a success rating of 99.9%. This only means that BITDEFENDER have earned AV comparatives’ Advanced and rating for protection. The same thing can be said to its performance which is the highest offered.
Protection – WEBROOT
Now let’s go to WEBROOT. But before that, it is important to note that WEBROOT handles its antivirus testing quite different compared to other antivirus software out there. It will operate malware in a sandbox in order to test and analyze the behavior and before reporting the data collected. This implies that the approach utilized by the typical labs are not really ideal, and it is also why laboratories like AV-comparatives that have not been tested WEBROOT on Windows even back in 2012. Also, most laboratories expect antivirus software to strike fast to deal with possible threats that might damage the PC – which WEBROOT doesn’t really perform.
This is the reason why WEBROOT have poor results in the AV-TEST on May to June 2019 testing. WEBROOT received a score of 2 out of 6 for its overall protection security, with scores of 81.1 percent in May and a surprising low 66.5 percent in the month of June. Moreover, performance scores were much higher at 5.5 out of 6. But have a low overall protection scores that reflect the proactive method hitting hard here and has low score on it.
Back in the MRG-Efffitas, the last complete spectrum test it conducted on WEBROOT was in Q3 back in 2018. Again, it got very low score. It even received a lower a level two certification with 26.75% of malware samples, which is not immediately detected from a sample size of 329, and 0.3% missed totally.
Nonetheless, they were all detected after twenty four hours, backing up the wait and see method of WEBROOT, which they prefer to do. For comparison, back in Q3 in 2018, the BITDEFENDER was able to block 100% of all malware in the first round of MFG-Effitas testing, with 99.7% blocked immediately.
Thoughts For Round Four
Provided the unique method that WEBROOT does, this is quite hard to analyze. This sandbox method to testing shows that, with delays there are some factors to it. And WEBROOT will monitor and deal most threats after it faces within certain amount of time. But when it comes to technicalities, BITDEFENDER wins this round. In fact, it is still the best performer when it comes to tried-and-tested methods.
For this round, BITDEFENDER got this!
Support
If there are some issues, you must resolve it quick. So, in order to make sure that you will get the right support in emergency instances, we are testing the quality of customer support from both antivirus software companies. We will start with BITDEFENDER.
Support – BITDEFENDER
For the most part, BITDEFENDER is a global antivirus software company that has international support options for its clients. It has 16 phone lines available for your support queries. In addition, it is based in different nations in various continents.
If that doesn’t really get your interest, then you can also make contact through their live support tickets, or even their email or live chat system.
They have twenty four hour support that you can run if you have issues with the software. If your issue is not that major, then you may find that BITDEFENDER’s basic information will answer your issues. It will guide you through videos and instructions on how to install and configure their product.
But if you would prefer to hear from other BITDEFENDER users out there, then they also have community forum that is very beneficial. You can get answers on your questions, and seek support queries from their staff as well as other customers in English and different languages.
Support – WEBROOT
As for WEBROOT, well, they offer support ticketing as well as live-chat system. However, it is crucial to mention that their live chat is only for pre-sales inquiries. You won’t really be able to ask certain things about your software issues until you buy their product. Also, you can’t have answers to support queries.
If you’re looking for an answer within a couple of hours, you have the option to call WEBROOT through their agent. They have centers in Australia, US, and Ireland. If that doesn’t work, then you can get help from the community forums, or simply search answers for your questions.
Moreover, they have a knowledgebase that has an amalgamation of FAQs, which you can search through. They don’t really have any huge number of resources when it comes to customer supports, so you should know your research.
Round Five Thoughts
For the most part, WEBROOT doesn’t really do bad when it comes to support, but their knowledgebase feels somewhat neglected. On a side note, BITDEFENDER matches WEBROOT’s offerings and some features, particularly with their global technical support system.
Obviously, the winner for this round is BITDEFENDER!
Final Thoughts
Though BITDEFENDER won most of the rounds in this roundup, WEBROOT is till an interesting company in the antivirus industry. They have an easy to use and fast product that come with reasonable price which are trying to undercut BITDEFENDER’s own plans. However, when it comes to technicalities, BITDEFENDER is clearly the better choice. But of course, WEBROOT’s own unique approaches have some positives on it.
Their wait and see approach, which analyzes the malware and sees in the wild surely sees results like what we mentioned on the MFG-EFFITAS 24 hour retests above. But still, BITDEFENDER works great as well with the usual approaches and they just offer more features than WEBROOT.
The overall winner is obviously BITDEFENDER. In fact you can browse on Reddit to see more opinions.
How about you? What are your experiences about both antiviruses? Do you agree with our opinions? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section. Thank you!