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Bitdefender Total Security vs Dashlane

Bitdefender Total Security logo

Bitdefender Total Security

Software

The world's #1 rated antivirus

From
$19.99/year
Rated
-
Dashlane logo

Dashlane

Software

Password management made easy for businesses

From
$4.99/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Bitdefender Total Security vPN limited to 200MB per day, insufficient for streaming video or extended browsing sessions; Dashlane highest pricing among major password managers at $60/year with no monthly subscription option
  • They diverge on capability: Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Dashlane covers Password manager.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitdefender Total Security and Dashlane actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitdefender Total Security and Dashlane differ
AttributeBitdefender Total SecurityDashlane
Starting price$19.99/year$4.99/month
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions
Founded20012009

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Bitdefender Total Security

  • Advanced threat defense
  • Multi-layer ransomware protection
  • Real-time data protection
  • Network threat prevention
  • VPN
  • Parental advisor
  • Anti-tracker
  • Microphone monitor

Only in Dashlane

  • Password manager
  • Digital wallet
  • Dark web monitoring
  • VPN for WiFi protection
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Password generator
  • Secure sharing
  • Security dashboard

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Bitdefender Total Security

  • Antivirusnot Dashlane
  • Internet Securitynot Dashlane
  • Endpoint Protectionnot Dashlane

Dashlane

  • Password managementnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Identity protectionnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Secure credential sharingnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Compliance requirementsnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • VPN protectionnot Bitdefender Total Security

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

Dashlane

  • Highest pricing among major password managers at $60/year with no monthly subscription option
  • Restricted free tier with only 25 passwords on single device compared to Bitwarden's unlimited free tier
  • No traditional desktop application, users must rely on browser extension or mobile apps
  • Closed-source code prevents independent security verification unlike open-source competitors
  • Limited 2FA options supporting only authenticator apps, not biometric or SMS authentication

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitdefender Total Security

$19.99/year

No published plan breakdown. See the Bitdefender Total Security review.

Dashlane

$4.99/month
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • Secure vault
    • Password generation

Which should you pick?

Choose Bitdefender Total Security if

  • You need advanced threat defense.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want multi-layer ransomware protection.

Choose Dashlane if

  • You need password manager.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions.
  • You also want digital wallet.

Questions people ask

Is Bitdefender Total Security or Dashlane better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year and Dashlane at $4.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitdefender Total Security or Dashlane?
Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year and Dashlane at $4.99/month.
Does Bitdefender Total Security or Dashlane run on more platforms?
Bitdefender Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Dashlane runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions.
What is Bitdefender Total Security best used for?
Bitdefender Total Security is most often used for antivirus, internet security, endpoint protection. Of those, antivirus and internet security are not what Dashlane is typically brought in for.
What can Bitdefender Total Security do that Dashlane cannot?
Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Multi-layer ransomware protection, Real-time data protection, Network threat prevention. Dashlane covers Password manager, Digital wallet, Dark web monitoring, VPN for WiFi protection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Dashlane: What happened to Dashlane's free plan?

Dashlane discontinued its free plan in September 2025. The entry-level plan now starts at $4.99/month (billed annually) for Premium, or businesses can use a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service.

Source
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.

Dashlane: What platforms does Dashlane support?

Dashlane is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chromebook. Browser extensions work with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Brave. However, Dashlane no longer has a traditional desktop application.

Source
Dashlane: Does Dashlane support SSO integration?

Yes, Dashlane integrates with SAML 2.0 Identity Providers for SSO, plus SCIM for user provisioning and deprovisioning. However, the Safari browser extension does not support self-hosted SSO due to Apple limitations.

Source

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