I’ll compare the Norton 360 Deluxe plan, their second most expensive, to Bitdefender’s most expensive Total Security plan. Why do you ask?
Because they both claim to offer the same level of protection and supplemental features, by and large, they’re almost identical packages…or so I thought…
? Bitdefender vs. Norton: Malware protection: ?
Now, starting at the top with malware protection: first off, as a customer, you are going to get amazing protection with either. Norton and Bitdefender rely on extensive threat databases to identify malware, producing excellent results. Bitdefender, however, has a slight edge by incorporating machine learning into their detection, meaning they have a greater chance of catching zero-day threats . . . and ultimately produce fewer false positives than Norton.
Again, looking at my virus scan results, both do an excellent job. Comparing them, Norton has fewer scanning options on the surface but does allow more customization, meaning you can scan for specific types of threats. This is useful for more advanced users or those who want to check a specific virus without doing a full scan.
?️ Norton vs. Bitdefender performance: ?️
Bitdefender’s app boots up 2.5 times faster than Norton on average.
2.5 times! Maybe not be that dramatic of a difference if you have a new machine, but for anyone with older hardware prone to slowdowns when multiple apps are open, there’s a chance Norton could slow your machine down while in use. Particularly during scans. Bitdefender is noticeably lighter on its toes, both during boot-up and scanning.
? What are the major Bitdefender vs. Norton differences? ?
For largely the same plan and price, you’re getting exclusive Dark Web Monitoring, and Cloud Storage features with Norton versus Vulnerability Assessment and File Shredder from Bitdefender. All are helpful and valuable additional features, but in my experience,
Norton’s are much handier. Remote Cloud Storage is a game-changer, offering up to 50GB of encrypted, remote cloud storage in their Deluxe plan. This was an amazing way for me to forgo the Dropbox’s of the world and reorient my secure file storage in Norton’s super-safe ecosystem.
Its Dark Web Monitoring, which scans the dark web for any compromised data of yours, is also a great alternative to full identity protection software, which Norton also sells, but separately!
? Quick and Final verdict: ?
First, I have to say: Yes, Norton is a little clunkier at first and costs a bit more later, but you get what you pay for feature-wise. I’d say it’s one of the most feature-rich options for those looking for a little extra. Both desktop and mobile apps worked great across my devices, but the Remote Cloud Storage and Dark Web Monitoring set this plan apart for me.
Bitdefender is great, especially with its machine learning and lighter scans; this provider is an all-around option. But for the entire experience, Norton 2021 arguably has a slight edge.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Related: https://haveibeenpwned.com/ – Check to see if your email or digital identity has been compromised.
