Antivirus software is an important part of any cybersecurity plan, both for individuals and businesses. Webroot and Bitdefender are two competitive options offering slightly different products.
In this article, we cover the differences between Webroot vs. Bitdefender in terms of price, features and the overall impact on your device.
Webroot vs. Bitdefender At a Glance
How Webroot and Bitdefender Stack Up
Below, we’ve compared Webroot and Bitdefender’s main features to help evaluate which company offers a better fit for your needs.
Webroot | Bitdefender | |
---|---|---|
Starting Price | $23.99 for first year, then $39.99 per year | Free; $29.99 for first year, then $39.99 per year |
Free Option | No | Real-time virus, malware and threat protection and system optimizer |
Free Trial | 14 days | 30 days |
Money-back Guarantee | Yes, 70 days | Yes, 30 days |
Operating Systems Supported | Windows, Mac, iOS and Android | Windows, Mac, iOS and Android |
Maximum Number of Devices | 10 | 15 (Family Pack) |
VPN | Paid add-on | Included |
Monthly Payment Option | No | No |
Customer Support | Knowledge base, 24/7 live chat, phone and email support | Knowledge base, 24/7 live chat, phone and email support |
Learn More | ||
Read Reviews | – |
Cost
Overall, Webroot’s subscription plans are more affordable than Bitdefender’s when it comes to one-year plans. However, Bitdefender has a free version for Windows users, an offer most antivirus software companies do not make. Plus, it offers three-, five- and 10-year contracts for more savings.
Webroot’s lowest tier starts at $23.99 and this plan protects one device per year. If you want to protect more than one device—a desktop computer, a smartphone and a laptop, for example— you’ll need the Webroot Plus plan which starts at $35.99.
Operating Systems Supported
Both companies support Windows, Mac and Android. Bitdefender’s free version is only available for Windows, and neither company currently supports Linux.
Webroot’s basic plan ($23.99 for the first year) does not protect smartphones or tablets. If you want to protect these devices as well, you’ll need to get the Plus plan, which starts at $35.99 for the first year ($59.99 thereafter) and protects up to three devices.
Maximum Number of Devices
When it comes to the maximum number of devices you can protect, Bitdefender is a clear winner. The lowest-tier plan protects up to 10 devices, and the Bitfender’s Family Pack can protect up to 15 devices, while the most advanced Webroot plan only protects up to 10.
VPN
A VPN is another important aspect of internet security, which is why antivirus software often (but not always) includes it with their subscription. Bitdefender does include a free VPN with any of its plans. However, there is a daily traffic quota of 200MB per day, which isn’t enough for most internet users. You’ll be able to upgrade to the paid version, Bitdefender Premium VPN, which includes unlimited traffic for up to 10 devices and connects you with 4,000 servers in 49 countries and costs $89.99 for the first year (and $179.99 thereafter).
Webroot offers a package that includes its antivirus software and a VPN for $71.98 for the first year (and $119.98 for following years). You can also purchase the Webroot VPN separately for $35.99 for the first year (and $59.99 for following years).
To learn more about Bitdefender VPN, read our full 2024 Bitdefender VPN review.
Customer Support
Both companies have the same methods of customer support: 24/7 phone, email, live chat and an online knowledge base to find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Cost of Webroot vs. Bitdefender
Bitdefender offers several different plans. Below, we cover how the cost breaks down for each for the first year and how many devices each plan protects.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | Bitdefender Internet Security | Bitdefender Total Security | Bitdefender Family Pack | Bitdefender Premium Security | Bitdefender Ultimate Security | Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus | |
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Starting Cost for the First Year | $29.99 | $39.99 | $69.99 | $74.99 | $79.99 | $89.99 | $119.99 |
Number of Devices Protected | One to 10 | One to 10 | Five to 10 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security plan offers up to $1 million of identity theft coverage, and Ultimate Security Plus provides up to $2 million of identity theft coverage.
Webroot Basic | Webroot Plus | Webroot Complete | Webroot Premium | |
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Starting Cost for the First Year | $23.99 | $35.99 | $47.99 | $77.99 |
Number of Devices Protected | 1 | 3 | 5 | 10 plus 10 identities |
Webroot’s identity protection features are only available for the Premium subscription plan. The identity protection includes dark web monitoring and social security tracking, $1 million fraud expense reimbursement and $50,000 stolen funds reimbursement.
Customer Reviews & Reputation
Bitdefender scored number one in our list of the best antivirus scanners, while Webroot did not make the cut. To create this list, we tested 15 different antivirus scanners and evaluated them based on various factors including performance, ease of use, price and additional features.
Bitdefender’s Trustpilot rating is 3.7 out of five stars and 69% of those ratings are five stars. Many of the users who gave the company five stars reported that the software is easy to navigate and reliable. The main complaint from customers who gave the company one star was slow or unreliable customer service.
Webroot had a higher score on Trustpilot—4.1 out of five stars—but fewer reviews in total (around 800 compared with over 7,500 Bitdefender reviews). Still, 65% of those ratings were five stars. Users who gave the company five stars said that the software was unobtrusive and did not slow their computers down. Users who gave the company one star wrote about high renewal fees.
Additional Features
Both Bitdefender and Webroot offer additional features for various subscription plans.
Bitdefender’s Ultimate Security Plus (the highest-tiered plan) offers:
- A password manager: This can help you store your passwords easily and other sensitive information safely.
- Microphone and camera protection: This will notify users if criminals try to use your webcam.
- Identity alerts: The software will inform you when your personal information has been compromised.
- A secure VPN: This will enable you to secure and anonymize your internet activity.
- Cloud Backup: You can store your important files on the cloud, as an additional safety measure.
- App lock for Android devices: Users are able to lock their sensitive apps with a PIN code.
- WearON: This feature extends mobile security to your smartwatch.
- Parental control: With this feature, parents can monitor all protected devices.
Webroot comes with password manager LastPass, a VPN as an add-on and identity protection for advanced plans.
Top Webroot and Bitdefender Alternatives
While Bitdefender and Webroot are two solid options for antivirus software, we’ve included information about competitors to consider.
In addition to Bitdefender, Avast and McAfee both made our list of the top antivirus software. Avast, which scored best for remote workers, does have a free version. However, in 2020, a joint investigation by PCMag and Vice Motherboard discovered that Avast was collecting and monetizing sensitive user information with an Avast subsidiary Jumpshot, posing a major security concern. Avast has since terminated Jumpshot. However, the security scare is worth considering, particularly for the free version.
McAfee stands out in offering protection for an unlimited number of devices for premium and advanced plans. It’s also highly rated and has minimal impact on a device’s overall performance. McAfee also includes a VPN with higher-priced subscription plans.
Norton is a solid choice for basic antivirus software. The starting rate for the first year is also lower than many competitors for paid plans ($19.99 compared with the starting rate of $29.99 for McAfee). Norton does not offer a free plan. Norton also has a longer money-back guarantee policy (60 days compared with 30 days) and is one of the few antivirus software to be compatible with Linux. However, keep in mind that Norton will only protect up to five devices, while competitors will protect up to 10, or an unlimited number in McAfee’s case.
Avast | Norton | McAfee | |
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Starting Price | Free; $49.99 to $69.99 for the first year | $19.99 to $39.99 for the first year | $29.99 to $89.99for one device for the first year |
Free Option | Real-time virus, malware and ransomware protection | No | No |
Free Trial | Yes, 30-day premium free trial | Yes, 60 days | Yes, 30 days |
Operating Systems Supported | Windows, Mac, iOS and Android | Windows, Linux, Macs, iOS and Android | Windows, Mac, iOS and Android |
Maximum Number of Devices | 10 | 5 | Unlimited (for Premium and Advanced plans) |
VPN | Paid add-on | Paid add-on | Yes |
Learn More | — | ||
Read Reviews |
Bottom Line
As a reliable antivirus software with minimal impact on your device, Bitdefender is likely a better choice overall. Additionally, if you want to test out a free plan and you have a Windows device, use Bitdefender. Bitdefender also offers many additional features that Webroot doesn’t, such as WearON, which extends mobile security to your smartphone, and parental controls.
However, you’ll also want to consider the software’s impact on your device. Based on our testing, we found that Webroot’s scans had much less of an impact on the device’s performance than Bitdefender’s. If you’re looking for antivirus software that’s fast and light on your system, Webroot is a solid choice.
Webroot is best for:
- An antivirus software that’s fast and light on your system
Bitdefender is best for:
- If you need to protect every device in your home, including a mix of operating systems and smart devices, Bitdefender’s Family Pack might be the best solution for you
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will Webroot slow down my computer?
While it is common for antivirus software to slow down your computer during a scan, Webroot stands out in having minimal impact on a device’s overall performance. Webroot antivirus scans only take a few minutes, while daily scans with other software can take up to a couple of hours. Compared with Bitdefender, we found that Webroot had less of an impact on the device’s overall performance.
What antivirus is better than Webroot?
n our recent review of the best antivirus software, Bitdefender scored the best overall. Avira, AVG and McAfee are three other top companies that made the list. To create this list, we researched 15 different antivirus software and considered pricing and fees, essential and additional features, how well it performed during testing and customer reviews.
Should I use Webroot or Bitdefender?
Overall, Bitdefender ranked more favorably in terms of price, features and overall performance. Bitdefender will also protect more devices for a lower subscription fee. On the other hand, Webroot is known to run quick scans that have a minimal impact on devices. Since both have generous trial periods, consider testing how both run on your device before committing to one option. To learn more about antivirus software, read our article on the top antivirus software.