Avast Free Antivirus vs Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Both are free antivirus & security tools. Here is how they actually differ.
Avast Free Antivirus and Bitdefender Antivirus Free at a glance
| Feature | Avast Free Antivirus | Bitdefender Antivirus Free |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Avast (Gen Digital) | Bitdefender |
| Licence | Free tier | Free tier |
| Cost | Free tier | Free tier |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | No |
| Linux | No | No |
| Mobile | Yes | No |
| Source code | Closed | Closed |
Avast Free Antivirus: what it's good at
Avast Free Antivirus provides continuous real-time scanning against viruses, ransomware and malicious websites at no cost. It is one of the most widely installed consumer security products in the world, and the free tier covers the essentials most home users need.
- Real-time virus and ransomware shield
- Malicious and phishing website blocking
- Wi-Fi network security scanning
- Optional paid upgrade for firewall and VPN
Bitdefender Antivirus Free: what it's good at
Bitdefender Antivirus Free pairs the detection engine that consistently scores at the top of independent AV comparison tests with a deliberately minimal interface. It is designed to install and then stay out of your way, making it a good fit for machines you maintain for other people.
- Highly rated detection engine
- Very low system impact
- Almost no configuration required
- Real-time threat defence
Which should you choose?
Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.
Both run on Windows. Only Avast Free Antivirus supports macOS, Android, iOS.
We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Avast Free Antivirus better than Bitdefender Antivirus Free?
Neither is universally better. Avast Free Antivirus long-established free antivirus with real-time protection, while Bitdefender Antivirus Free minimal-configuration antivirus with a top-rated engine. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.
Are both really free?
Avast Free Antivirus is free tier and Bitdefender Antivirus Free is free tier. Both can be downloaded without paying.
Can I install both?
Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.