What Was Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition?

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition used to be one of the best free antivirus programs due mostly to the fact that it didn't put a toll on system resources, but it still did a good job blocking dangerous threats.

Bitdefender Retires the Free Edition

Unfortunately, as of December 2021, this software from Bitdefender is no longer free-to-use software. You can install the similar Bitdefender Total Security from the same company, but it's free only for 30 days.

Here's the company's reason why they've pulled the program:

Bitdefender is committed to delivering innovative, effective security solutions to its customers. As platforms evolve, so do our products and technologies. As a result, Bitdefender continuously develops and shapes its solution set.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition Overview

This free virus scanner was easy to use and didn't bombard you with a bunch of tools that most antivirus programs include. You got a clean virus scanner that was easy for anyone to understanding, but it didn't skimp on features either.

The virus shield helped stop zero-day exploits, spyware, and other malware. Although the scanner would check all your files, it never seemed to overwhelm system resources, which means your computer didn't take a large performance hit like it often does when using AV software from other companies.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Alternatives

What should you use instead? While Bitdefender's free antivirus software reached EOL in December 2021, it's technically still available for download from their website. But given that support ended June 2022, they recommend their Total Security software as a replacement. But before going that route, remember that there are plenty of other free antivirus programs to pick from.

Avira Free Security and Adaware Antivirus Free are two examples we're comfortable recommending. They top our list of the best free antivirus software available today because they're robust, aren't complicated to use, and include great features that help keep you safe when you go online.