Bitdefender Antivirus Review

When you’re looking for antivirus software for your Mac, you’ll probably come across Bitdefender products.

Bitdefender produces a range of applications to keep your devices safe and secure, whether you use a Windows PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone. In this article, we’ll focus just on their products for Macs.

If you’re a Mac user, you should learn about removing malware from Mac computers. In the past, many people believed that Apple products weren’t susceptible to malicious software, but we now know that isn’t true. Unfortunately, Macs can get viruses and be vulnerable to other security issues, so it’s important to make sure that you have reliable antivirus software.

I tested out some Bitdefender products and, in this review, I’ll explain some of the features, Bitdefender pricing, and effectiveness.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review: the basics

Before we start:

 

Navigating the wide range of Bitdefender products can be confusing. If you need antivirus protection quickly, why not go for an all-in-one solution like MacKeeper’s Antivirus? In addition to excellent antivirus protection, MacKeeper also includes Mac cleaning tools, performance optimization tools, a VPN, ID theft protection, and an ad-blocker. All of this is included in the standard MacKeeper subscription—and you can even choose to pay monthly if you’d rather not make a long-term commitment.

 

How to use MacKeeper’s Antivirus:

1. Download MacKeeper and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
2. Open MacKeeper and choose Antivirus from the sidebar on the left.
3. Choose Enable to turn on real-time malware monitoring.
4. Click Start Scan to run a virus scan.
5. When the scan is complete, choose to Delete any threats.

What is Bitdefender antivirus

There is a wide range of Bitdefender products available, including solutions for individuals, small businesses, and larger organizations.

Bitdefender produces a range of security products, including:

• All-in-one plans, such as Ultimate Security, Premium Security, and Total Security. These plans include antivirus protection, as well as VPN software, password managers, and identity theft protection, depending on your plan.
• Device security plans, such as Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. There are also equivalent products for Windows PCs, Android, and iOS. These products just provide antivirus protection.
• Additional privacy products, such as Premium VPN and Password Manager. These products are included in most all-in-one plans but can also be purchased separately.
• Identity protection support, available in several different levels. Depending on the product you buy, this may include identity theft insurance, alerts when your information is at risk, and credit monitoring.

Not all of Bitdefender’s products are compatible with macOS, so make sure you check if your device is compatible before you purchase a subscription.

Our expert’s tip: 

 

If you’re a bit overwhelmed with the choices available with Bitdefender, why not consider a simpler all-in-one solution, such as MacKeeper? Just one subscription can cover most of your privacy, performance, and security needs.

Who owns Bitdefender

Bitdefender products are produced by a Romanian company founded in 2001. They currently have headquarters based in Bucharest and California, and work with a variety of other technology companies, such as Microsoft, Citrix, and the Linux Foundation.

The company holds over 540 patents, including various technologies to detect malware.

What does Bitdefender antivirus do

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac keeps your system safe through a combination of real-time malware monitoring and virus scanning.

In addition to scanning, Bitdefender products can also keep your Mac safe through a combination of web and email protection to reduce the risk of accidentally downloading malware.

A hint from our team: If you’re looking for Mac cleaning or other performance optimization features, Bitdefender products won’t be able to help. Instead, why not consider MacKeeper’s all-in-one solution? In addition to antivirus software, MacKeeper includes a range of features to free up storage space, track updates, clear RAM, and uninstall unwanted apps.

Key features of Bitdefender antivirus

A Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review wouldn’t be complete without a full list of all the features included.

Bitdefender includes:

• A malware scanner, with several levels of scan available
• Real-time antivirus protection
• Anti-tracker features, available for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox
• Parental controls
• A password manager
• A VPN service (limited to 200MB per day per device, depending on your plan)
• Antispam email protection, available with certain subscriptions only

However, if you’re used to Bitdefender’s Windows software, you may find that a few features are missing.

For example, Bitdefender’s macOS products don’t include a firewall, anti-theft features, or the SafePay secure browser.

In addition, Bitdefender products don't include some features available in other antivirus software. For example, there’s no way to remove junk files, clear your Mac’s memory, edit login items, or track updates for other apps.

A better alternative from us: 

 

If you want any of those features, I’d suggest installing MacKeeper instead. MacKeeper’s Antivirus is easy to use and can locate and remove 99.7% of known threats. MacKeeper’s Antivirus can protect your Mac with real-time malware detection, daily automatic scans, full system scans, and custom scans on demand.

 

How to use MacKeeper’s Antivirus:

1. Open MacKeeper and choose Antivirus from the sidebar.
2. Click Enable to turn on real-time antivirus protection.
3. Click Start Scan.
4. When the scan is complete, choose to Delete any threats that have been found.

1. Malware scanner

Bitdefender can run three types of scans:

• Quick scans, which just look at critical areas where malware is likely to be
• Full system scans, which look at all files and directories on your Mac
• Custom scans, which let you scan individual files and folders

For this Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review, I tested all of the scan options. Before it ran any scans, Bitdefender needed to update its threat information. This took a couple of minutes.

The latest threat information for Bitdefender came from four days ago. Considering I’d just downloaded the app, I was surprised that it wasn’t more recent. I checked MacKeeper’s Antivirus, and that virus database had been updated earlier today.

The Quick Scan took just over two and a half minutes to complete, scanned over 161,000 items on my Mac, and found no threats.

The Full System Scan took just over 47 minutes. It scanned nearly 1.4 million items and found no threats.

Over three-quarters of an hour felt like a long time for a full system scan, especially as my MacBook Air’s hard disk is less than 200GB in total. In contrast, I ran a full scan using MacKeeper, which only took 25 minutes.

The Custom Scan is easy to use, although you can’t access it from the dashboard page, like the other scan options—instead, you need to choose Protection from the sidebar. From there, you can choose files or folders to scan.

You can also choose to exempt files from scans. When I first installed the app, I noticed that one file was already included in the Exceptions list. This file appears to be used during malware scans and shouldn’t be a concern.

To make sure that your Mac is safe, it’s probably best to avoid adding too many files to the Exceptions list unless you really know what you’re doing. If you only want to scan certain areas of your Mac, use a Custom Scan instead.

2. Firewall

Firewalls are a way to block unwanted connections from your Mac. They stop other computers from making unauthorized connections while you’re online or connected to a local network.

While Bitdefender’s Windows products include a firewall, this is a Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review. Bitdefender’s macOS products do not include a firewall.

However, if you want to use a firewall on your Mac, you can enable the in-built macOS firewall.

How to use a firewall on macOS:

1. Go to Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Scroll to Network in the sidebar, and select Firewall.
3. Make sure that the Firewall slider is enabled.

3. Real-time protection

Real-time malware protection is something that I always look for in antivirus software. It can provide great peace of mind, especially if you regularly download files from the internet or receive a lot of email attachments.

Real-time protection will alert you as soon as it spots malware, allowing you to take action before it harms your data, your privacy, or your system.

Bitdefender includes real-time protection called the Bitdefender Shield. It’s disabled by default, but you can easily enable it on the dashboard when you open the app.

If you want to disable the Bitdefender Shield, you won’t be able to do this from the dashboard, though. Instead, you’ll need to go to Settings and toggle the slider for Bitdefender Shield, or click the Bitdefender icon in your menu bar and choose Turn OFF Bitdefender Shield.

Our friendly heads-up: MacKeeper’s Antivirus also includes real-time malware detection, available through the Antivirus section of the app or via the menu bar.

4. Anti-tracker

Bitdefender’s anti-tracker feature blocks trackers that might collect data about you while browsing online. Anti-tracker tools also have the potential to speed up your web browsing, as they block some features from loading.

The Bitdefender app allows you to access the Anti-tracker feature. It will open your chosen web browser’s settings for you. It’s available for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

Important: If you want an anti-tracker feature that also includes an ad-blocker, MacKeeper’s StopAd can help. Compatible with Safari and Chrome, StopAd blocks ads and stops online trackers following you, helping your browsing experience stay private.

5. Parental control

Bitdefender’s Parental Controls are accessed through the Bitdefender Central web hub.

When you set up parental controls, Bitdefender asks for your child’s age. I have a six-year-old, and when I entered her date of birth, Bitdefender turned on the Toddler Filter. This blocks a variety of categories, including:

• Chat, social networks, and email
• Explicit content
• Gambling sites
• Online dating sites
• News sites

You can choose to set up parental controls on the computer you’re using or on another device using a link or QR code.

6. Anti-theft

Bitdefender’s Anti-theft tools allow users to locate lost or stolen laptops, tablets, or phones. They also allow users to lock or erase all of their data, keeping it safe from criminals—especially useful for people who work with sensitive data.

Unfortunately, the Anti-theft tools are only available for Windows and Android devices. As this is a Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review, this feature isn’t something we can access or review.

However, macOS users can still benefit from the Digital Identity Protection tools, which can help you in the event of identity theft.

Depending on the plan you’ve purchased, you may have access to varying levels of identity protection. If you download the free version or purchase Antivirus for Mac, the basic macOS plan, you won’t be able to benefit from this feature. However, you can buy Digital Identity Protection separately or as part of one of Bitdefender’s all-in-one products.

You’ll access Digital Identity Protection through Bitdefender Central, the online hub. It automatically checks whether your registered email address has appeared in any data breaches.

However, I regularly use three email addresses, and with my Bitdefender subscription, I could only check whether one had been compromised. With MacKeeper’s ID Theft Guard, I can be on top of all issues with all three email addresses, included in the standard MacKeeper subscription.

7. Password manager

Bitdefender’s password manager is a series of browser extensions. Simply download the extension for your web browser, and it should start saving passwords across apps and devices.

The password manager is available for the following browsers:

• Microsoft Edge
• Google Chrome
• Safari
• Mozilla Firefox

You can also download mobile apps for Android and iOS.

However, Bitdefender’s password manager doesn’t include multi-factor authentication (MFA) options, which might make it less secure than other password management solutions.

8. Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender’s VPN is a separate app from Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. You can even purchase premium access to the VPN separately.

However, one of the disadvantages of the VPN in many Bitdefender packages is that it’s capped at 200 MB per day.

200 MB won’t get you very far, especially if you want to use your VPN for online games or streaming movies, TV shows, or music. However, you can purchase unlimited VPN access separately or with one of the more expensive subscription packages.

You can choose from a range of locations and servers, or Bitdefender can choose the best server option for you.

Our expert’s advice: 

 

Like Bitdefender, MacKeeper’s VPN Private Connect offers servers in 50 countries. However, MacKeeper’s VPN offers unlimited access, and is included with your standard MacKeeper subscription.

9. Antispam

If you have a Gmail or Outlook mail account, Bitdefender’s email protection feature can detect spam and phishing emails. You can set this up by going to Protection > Email Protection in the Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac app.

However, if you use a different email provider, Bitdefender won’t be able to help.

In addition, this feature isn’t available on all plans, so if this is important to you, check before you purchase a subscription.

10. SafePay

SafePay is another feature we can’t comment on in a Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review since it is only available on Windows systems.

SafePay is a secure browser that keeps online shopping, banking, and other transactions safe. It protects your computer from keyloggers, screenshots, and filters out scam websites.

11. System optimization

Bitdefender’s macOS offerings don’t include system optimization tools.

Although Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac includes a Performance section when listing the app’s features, it doesn’t offer any ways to improve your Mac’s performance or speed. Instead, it refers to the fact that it scans your computer quickly and shouldn’t impact system performance.

If you’re looking for a range of system optimization tools for your Mac, you should probably consider a different solution. For example, MacKeeper is antivirus software that includes a wide variety of cleaning and performance tools, such as:

• Safe Cleanup, which helps you find and remove junk files
• Smart Uninstaller, which can safely uninstall software and remove any leftover files
• Memory Cleaner, which can free up RAM quickly and help you monitor which programs and processes are using your resources
• Login Items, which can help you reduce your Mac’s startup times
• Update Tracker, which allows you to update outdated apps with just one click

Bitdefender antivirus types and pricing

Bitdefender pricing and subscriptions might seem confusing—after all, there are so many options available and lots of differences between them.

The options available for macOS include:

• Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac
• Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
• Bitdefender Total Security
• Bitdefender Family Pack
• Bitdefender Small Office Security
• Bitdefender Ultimate Security
• Bitdefender Premium Security
• Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security

Warning: Bitdefender pricing may vary depending on country, seasonal offers, and other factors.

Bitdefender antivirus review: a comparison

Are you wondering which solution is right for you? Let’s compare all of the Bitdefender products that work with macOS.

If you want to purchase a solution to support devices throughout your family or business, here are the details on those Bitdefender products:

1. Bitdefender Antivirus Free

• Key features: Antivirus scanning, ransomware protection, phishing protection
• Pros: Free, includes ransomware protection
• Cons: Only suitable for one device, no VPN included, not compatible with macOS
• Compatibility: Windows PCs only
• Price: Free

If you’re a macOS user, this Bitdefender product isn’t for you. However, Bitdefender does provide a free basic app for macOS: Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac. It’s just a basic virus scanner, but it still offers the quick scan and full scan features of the paid Bitdefender options.

2. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

• Key features: Real-time antivirus protection, VPN, SafePay browser
• Pros: Free 30-day trial, real-time protection
• Cons: Limited VPN, not compatible with macOS
• Compatibility: Windows PCs only
• Price: Starting at $39.99/year for one device

Again, as this is a Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review, we can’t comment too much on this product. It’s not compatible with macOS, so if you only use Macs, you’re better off avoiding this one.

3. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

• Key features: Real-time antivirus protection, VPN, adware blocking
• Pros: Free 30-day trial, compatible with macOS, real-time protection
• Cons: Limited VPN, no pay monthly option, doesn’t have all the functionality of Bitdefender’s Windows products
• Compatibility: macOS
• Price: Starting at $39.99/year for one device

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac offers most of the basic features you’d expect from antivirus software, with the addition of a limited VPN and an anti-tracker feature. However, it doesn’t include any Mac cleaning or performance tools, which you’ll find in other antivirus software such as MacKeeper.

4. Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android

• Key features: VPN, option to lock or erase stolen devices, malware scanner
• Pros: Malware scanning, scam alerts, low cost
• Cons: Limited VPN, no pay monthly option
• Compatibility: Android 5.0 or later
• Price: Starting at $14.99/year for one device

5. Bitdefender Mobile Security for iOS

• Key features: VPN, online usage statistics, data breach monitoring
• Pros: Usage insights, data breach monitoring
• Cons: Limited VPN, no malware scanning, no pay monthly option
• Compatibility: iOS 12 or later
• Price: Starting at $24.99/year for one device

6. Bitdefender Total Security

• Key features: Security for up to 10 devices across multiple operating systems
• Pros: Free 30-day trial, supports up to 10 devices
• Cons: Limited VPN, no pay monthly option, the macOS option still has fewer features than Windows
• Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Price: Starting at $74.99/year for one device, or $109.99 for 10 devices

If you have multiple devices that you want to protect, Bitdefender Total Security can support up to 10 devices. If you want to cover a mix of Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, that’s possible too—although Bitdefender’s products for Windows continue to have the most features.

7. Bitdefender Internet Security

• Key features: Webcam and microphone protection, VPN, firewall
• Pros: Free 30-day trial, protection for webcams and microphones, supports up to 10 devices
• Cons: Limited VPN, no pay monthly option, not compatible with macOS
• Compatibility: Windows PCs only
• Price: Starting at $59.99/year for one device

If you’re reading this Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review because you’re looking for a product for your MacBook, iMac, or other Apple computer, this product won’t be able to help you. The webcam and microphone protection is a great feature, but sadly it isn’t available for macOS.

8. Bitdefender Family Pack

• Key features: Covers up to 15 devices, VPN, parental controls
• Pros: Free 30-day trial, supports up to 15 devices, parental controls
• Cons: Limited VPN, no pay monthly option, the macOS option still has fewer features than Windows
• Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Price: Starting at $119.99/year for 15 devices

If you’re looking to cover multiple computers, tablets, or smartphones in the same household, you might be interested in this product. However, as with Bitdefender’s other products, the Windows app continues to have the most features—you won’t be able to benefit from microphone and webcam protection, the SafePay browser, or Wi-Fi security advice as a macOS user.

9. Bitdefender Small Office Security

• Key features: Covers up to 20 devices, VPN, data breach prevention
• Pros: Free 30-day trial, supports up to 20 devices, quick installation
• Cons: Limited VPN, no pay monthly option, the macOS option still has fewer features than Windows
• Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Price: Starting at $99.99/year for 5 devices

If you run a small office with a mixture of operating systems, this might be a good choice for you. However, if your employees regularly use VPNs at work, the 500mb limit could pose a problem.

10. Bitdefender Ultimate Security

• Key features: Everything from Bitdefender Premium Security, plus support for identity theft and email protection
• Pros: Identity theft protection and insurance, unlimited VPN, password manager
• Cons: No free trial, no option to purchase for fewer than 10 devices, most expensive option for personal users
• Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Price: Starting at $179.99/year for 10 devices

This is the next level up from Bitdefender Premium Security. If you’re concerned about identity theft, this could be the option for you—although it comes at a higher cost.

11. Bitdefender Premium Security

• Key features: Everything from Bitdefender Total Security, plus unlimited VPN and password manager
• Pros: Free 30-day trial, unlimited VPN, password manager, priority when contacting support
• Cons: No option to purchase for fewer than 10 devices; Windows app continues to be more feature-rich than the macOS version
• Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Price: Starting at $159.99/year for 10 devices

Bitdefender Premium Security is one level up from Bitdefender Total Security, including an unlimited VPN and password manager.

12. Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security

• Key features: Covers up to 25 users, VPN, data breach prevention
• Pros: Pay monthly option, supports up to 25 users, unlimited VPN
• Cons: The macOS option still has fewer features than Windows
• Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Price: Starting at $79.99/month for 25 users

If you run a small business with 25 or fewer employees, this could be the option for you. It can support a maximum of 25 users and 50 devices.

Which Bitdefender antivirus do you need

There are a lot of different Bitdefender products, and it can be hard to work out which is the right one for you.

When you’re considering purchasing antivirus software, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I purchasing this for a business, family, or personal use?
• How many devices do I want to cover?
• What operating system will I be using?
• Do I just want antivirus protection, or do I also want other features such as a VPN, password manager, or parental controls?
• What is my budget?

Make sure to check out the system requirements before you purchase a subscription. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac has the following minimum requirements:

• macOS X Yosemite (10.10) or later—but if you want to use the VPN service, you’ll need macOS Sierra (10.12) or later
• At least 1GB of storage space

The Bitdefender Central web hub can be accessed on Chrome 56 and later, Firefox 52 and later, and Safari 10.0 and later. If you use Opera, Edge, or another browser, you’ll need to switch to take advantage of the full set of Bitdefender features.

Our expert’s tip: If you’re running low on storage space but still need antivirus protection, check out MacKeeper’s Antivirus. It only requires 113MB of storage space.

How effective Bitdefender antivirus protection is

Bitdefender products are generally considered to be effective, picking up on almost all malware in independent tests—even malware designed for Windows PCs. If you run regular scans and activate real-time protection, Bitdefender antivirus should catch most malware.

However, you need to make sure that you set yourself reminders to run regular malware scans—Bitdefender doesn’t have the option to schedule scans.

If you want to have a scheduled daily scan, you’ll need to consider an alternative solution. MacKeeper’s Antivirus allows you to run an automatic daily check. You can enable this from the menu bar—simply click the MacKeeper icon and select the Daily Scan option.

MacKeeper’s Antivirus can detect and stop 99.7% of known threats, so it’s a good solution to keep your MacBook safe.

Does Bitdefender antivirus slow down your computer

Bitdefender may slow down your computer. The team at Bitdefender admits that it could impact the performance of Windows PCs, and it may also affect your MacBook’s speed. As Bitdefender doesn’t include any performance optimization tools, it may be hard to fix the issue with Bitdefender products.

When I installed Bitdefender on my MacBook Air, I didn’t notice any significant slowing down initially. However, I opened the Activity Monitor during a Quick Scan and discovered that Bitdefender processes used around 60% of my CPU. If your MacBook or other Apple computer already runs slowly, this could impact performance significantly.

More significantly, Bitdefender doesn’t include any cleaning or optimization tools—so if there are performance issues, you won’t be able to speed up Mac without downloading additional programs.

Expert Tip: If you want to use an antivirus solution for Mac that also includes a range of performance optimization tools, MacKeeper could be the all-in-one app for you. Its Memory Cleaner can help you free up RAM and find out which processes are hogging your memory, and its Safe Cleanup feature allows you to quickly and easily remove junk files from your Mac.

How convenient is the Bitdefender antivirus interface

I installed Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac and had a look around the interface to see how easy it was to use.

When you open the app, you can easily start a scan with one click. In addition, the app will recommend that you fix any security issues.

Unfortunately, the macOS version of Bitdefender is missing the Add a quick action button, which is a feature in the Windows app that allows you to add shortcuts to your favorite functions.

I found that the main downside of Bitdefender was that not everything was available within the same app. I had to go to several different locations to access different features:

• The Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac app: enabling real-time protection, running scans, enabling browser protection, and blocking trackers
• The Bitdefender VPN app: connecting to a VPN
• The Bitdefender Central web hub: setting up parental controls and accessing digital identity protection
• Web browsers: accessing the password manager via a browser extension

If you’d like to access all of the features of your security software in the same app, I’d recommend using an all-in-one solution like MacKeeper. When you first launch the app, you can run a complete Find & Fix scan, which can find and fix issues with security, privacy, cleaning, and performance.

In addition, the left sidebar contains links to all of MacKeeper’s features:

• Find & Fix scans, which help you identify threats automatically and get rid of them for you
• Premium Services, where you can get tech support from a team of experts
• Antivirus, including real-time protection and full and custom scans
• Adware Cleaner, offering real-time adware protection and one-click removal
• Safe Cleanup, which scans your Mac for junk files to help you maximize your storage space
• Duplicates Finder, which finds and helps you remove duplicate or similar files
• Smart Uninstaller, which completely uninstalls apps for you, leaving no leftover files
• Memory Cleaner, which frees up your Mac’s RAM and helps you monitor memory usage
• Update Tracker, a tool that helps you keep track of apps that need updating
• Login Items, which helps you choose which apps should launch on startup, allowing you to speed up your Mac’s loading times
• ID Theft Guard, which monitors for data breaches, including your email address
• Private Connect, a secure VPN
• StopAd, which stops trackers and provides ad-blockers for Safari and Chrome

And all of those features, along with a live chat for tech support, are available within one app.

Bitdefender antivirus support

When you install new software, you want to make sure that you have support if anything goes wrong.

When using the Bitdefender app, you can open the User Guide for support. There’s also a link to the Support Center, but when I clicked this button, it took me to a page that wasn’t found.

You can also access support through the Bitdefender Central online hub. This actually takes you to the Bitdefender Support Center, where you can search the online knowledge base and see if the answer to your question is available there.

You can also ask for help through the online community, where other users and Bitdefender experts can answer questions.

Finally, you can get help directly from the Bitdefender team, either through email, phone calls, or web chat.

If you want to contact a member of the Bitdefender team directly, it’s not possible to do so directly through the app. If having quick access to expert support is important to you, there might be better antivirus solutions available.

The MacKeeper app includes a web chat option in the sidebar, so it’s always accessible. In addition, MacKeeper’s Premium Services offer support with any technical issue—not just those related to MacKeeper. If you need help setting up your Wi-Fi router, the MacKeeper team can help.

Is Bitdefender antivirus worth it

Bitdefender Antivirus’ rating is generally good. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is a trustworthy app, and it should help keep your Mac free of malware.

However, deciding on the best antivirus for MacBook is always going to be a personal choice. There’s a variety of factors that will go into your decision, including:

• Budget
• Storage space on your computer
• Personal experience using different apps in the past

In addition, there may be features that you’d like to see bundled with your antivirus software.

Personally, I really value having easy access to Mac optimization tools, such as a memory cleaner. So, for me, Bitdefender Antivirus wouldn’t be the best choice—instead, I’d choose an all-in-one solution such as MacKeeper, which comes with plenty of optimization and performance tools to help keep my Mac running smoothly.