Bitdefender vs Adaware: Which One is Better? [2024 Top Picks]

Find the best antivirus for you and your devices.
We compare security, extra features, ease of use, and more to help you decide.

Bitdefender vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager

Bitdefender vs. Adaware: Which Is Right for You?

There are so many good names in the antivirus industry that smaller providers can get overlooked. We put Bitdefender and Adaware against each other to determine which was actually the best for your security. Both providers offer advanced malware protection, combining signature-scanning with behavior-monitoring so even unknown threats are detected. However, it’s their additional features that make a difference.

Bitdefender is a well-known name with a wide variety of extra features. The Safe File Vault protects all your important documents from ransomware attacks and the SafePay browser ensures your bank details are safe during online transactions. The Webcam Shield keeps your video stream safe from hackers who may try and blackmail you, and you can lock down your log-in process with the virtual keyboard and password manager. The software even scans external hardware such as USB devices and drives to ensure no infections are transmitted to your device. However, all these can noticeably slow down your system.

Adaware offers more straightforward protection. Along with anti-malware features, it automatically scans ports for any threats. There is also built-in email protection and a safe sender list. The parental control tool is invaluable for anyone with a family, allowing you to create age-based templates and apply them to different users. While Adaware may not be as extensive as Bitdefender, it’s considerably cheaper and lightweight.

Starting Price
Money Back Guarantee
Free Trial
$17.49
30 Days
$49.99
30 Days
Security
Features
Ease of Use
Support
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Latest Positive Review*User reviews are not verified
JFG
Jan. 21, 2022
Wow, just wow
I saw so many of bad reviews here. And my impression when using...
wilfred
Feb. 27, 2021
Bit Defender Free Edition
My Laptop Specs are Intel (R) Core (TM) i7-2620M CPU @2.70GHz RAM...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
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No reviews yet
Latest Negative Review*User reviews are not verified
Oct. 31, 2023
Been using it for some years
I feel like it blocks maybe a few more things than it should. But thats...
Benny Sargent
Oct. 13, 2023
RIP OFF !
I've been running Bitdefender for a few months and I can honestly say it...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No reviews yet
Our Verdict
Katarina Glamoslija
Katarina Glamoslija
Head Content Manager
If you’re looking for comprehensive security from a variety of threats then Bitdefender is the obvious answer, but if your computer runs processor-heavy tasks then you could struggle. Adaware is better in this case, or if you share your devices with children. It’s also ideal for those looking to keep costs low.
Time To Decide Which One Is Best For You

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best antivirus for me?

The first thing to do is to understand what you need — all antiviruses come with different internet security tools to help you stay protected, so identifying what level of protection you want will help you figure out which product is right for you.

Some antiviruses have a virtual private network (VPN), some have safe browsing extensions, and some have a password manager. Some only work on certain operating systems, while others cover all operating systems across multiple devices.

It’s important to compare the best antiviruses on the market to find the perfect one with the functionality you need.

What makes an antivirus secure?

A high-quality antivirus suite will detect, flag, and remove viruses and various types of malware. It will also offer real-time protection against all threats, regardless of whether you are browsing the internet, downloading software, shopping online, or opening email. For additional security, many antivirus suites offer a VPN, secure storage, and a password manager — these things all add several layers of protection against various cyber threats.

For more information on how antiviruses work, read this.

What do I need to look for when searching for an antivirus?

An antivirus needs to protect against all types of malware — trojans, rootkits, worms, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and anything else that might cause damage to your devices. This is done in a variety of ways, but the most essential feature of an antivirus is real-time protection — this makes sure that an active threat is effectively stopped before anything serious can happen.

Other things to look for include — excellent detection rates, fast system performance, included extra features (like a VPN, password manager, etc.), easy-to-use interface, good customer support, and overall value.

Go here for a list of the best antivirus software of 2024.

How do I know if one antivirus is better than another?

When researching antiviruses, it’s a good idea to visit a few well-known antivirus software websites such as Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender to directly compare each antivirus’s features.

You can also look at the expert opinions of our reviewers at SafetyDetectives.com to find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the best cybersecurity products on the market today.

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