Cybersecurity · head to head
Authelia vs Bitdefender Total Security
Authelia
Cybersecurity
Open-source authentication and two-factor portal for reverse proxies
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Bitdefender Total Security
Cybersecurity
The world's #1 rated antivirus
- From
- $19.99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Authelia has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Authelia depends on a reverse proxy: it is not a standalone identity provider; Bitdefender Total Security vPN limited to 200MB per day, insufficient for streaming video or extended browsing sessions
- They diverge on capability: Authelia covers Reverse proxy integration, Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Authelia and Bitdefender Total Security actually diverge.
| Attribute | Authelia | Bitdefender Total Security |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $19.99/year |
| Pricing model | Open source, no licence fee | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 2001 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Authelia
- Reverse proxy integration
- Two-factor authentication
- Access control rules
- Lightweight backends
Only in Bitdefender Total Security
- Advanced threat defense
- Multi-layer ransomware protection
- Real-time data protection
- Network threat prevention
- VPN
- Parental advisor
- Anti-tracker
- Microphone monitor
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Authelia
- Putting a login and 2FA in front of self-hosted services that have nonenot Bitdefender Total Security
- Adding SSO across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platformnot Bitdefender Total Security
- Home and small-team infrastructure behind a single reverse proxynot Bitdefender Total Security
Bitdefender Total Security
- Antivirusnot Authelia
- Internet Securitynot Authelia
- Endpoint Protectionnot Authelia
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Authelia
- Depends on a reverse proxy: it is not a standalone identity provider
- Configuration is YAML-first with no administrative interface, so changes mean editing files
- Not a full IAM: user management, provisioning and federation are limited compared with Keycloak
- Scales poorly as an organisation-wide identity solution, which is not its target
Bitdefender Total Security
- VPN limited to 200MB per day, insufficient for streaming video or extended browsing sessions
- Limited features on Apple devices with iOS version lacking scheduled scans, firewall, file shredder, and other tools
- Failed to detect 10% of virus samples during in-house testing, falling short of perfect detection rates
- Auto-renewal billing issues with complaints about unauthorized recurring charges and difficulties with refunds
- Device optimization tools less extensive than competitors, lacking game booster, driver updater, startup manager, and battery usage manager
Pricing, plan by plan
Authelia
Free- AutheliaFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
Bitdefender Total Security
$19.99/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the Bitdefender Total Security review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Authelia if
- You need reverse proxy integration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted.
- You also want two-factor authentication.
Choose Bitdefender Total Security if
- You need advanced threat defense.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want multi-layer ransomware protection.
Questions people ask
- Is Authelia or Bitdefender Total Security better?
- Neither clearly leads. Authelia starts at Free and Bitdefender Total Security at $19.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Authelia or Bitdefender Total Security?
- Authelia has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Authelia and $19.99/year for Bitdefender Total Security.
- Does Authelia or Bitdefender Total Security run on more platforms?
- Authelia runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Linux, Self-hosted. Bitdefender Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Authelia for free?
- Yes. Authelia has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year.
- What is Authelia best used for?
- Authelia is most often used for putting a login and 2fa in front of self-hosted services that have none, adding sso across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platform, home and small-team infrastructure behind a single reverse proxy. Of those, putting a login and 2fa in front of self-hosted services that have none and adding sso across a small set of internal tools without a full identity platform are not what Bitdefender Total Security is typically brought in for.
- What can Authelia do that Bitdefender Total Security cannot?
- Authelia covers Reverse proxy integration, Two-factor authentication, Access control rules, Lightweight backends. Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Multi-layer ransomware protection, Real-time data protection, Network threat prevention.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Authelia: Is Authelia free?
Yes, open source with no licence fee.
Bitdefender Total Security: What are Bitdefender's main features?
Total Security includes real-time antivirus, anti-phishing, anti-ransomware, firewall, secure VPN (limited), password manager, file shredder, and anti-tracker. Additional features include parental controls, advanced threat defense, privacy firewall, and webcam/microphone protection.
Authelia: Does Authelia need a reverse proxy?
Yes. It integrates through forward authentication with Nginx, Traefik, Caddy or HAProxy rather than sitting in front of traffic itself.
Bitdefender Total Security: What did Bitdefender score on AV-TEST?
Bitdefender scored 6/6 across protection, performance, and usability in the January-February 2026 AV-TEST evaluation, and AV-Comparatives named it Product of the Year with a 99.98% detection rate.
Authelia: Authelia or Keycloak?
Authelia is far lighter and aimed at protecting self-hosted services behind a proxy. Keycloak is a full identity and access management platform, and much more to run.
Related pages
More on Bitdefender Total Security
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