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Bitdefender Total Security vs Qualys VMDR

Bitdefender Total Security logo

Bitdefender Total Security

Software

The world's #1 rated antivirus

From
$19.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Qualys VMDR logo

Qualys VMDR

Software

Vulnerability management, detection, and response

From
$3/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Qualys VMDR listed on UK G-Cloud at £18.75 to £61.58 per device per year for the Qualys Cloud Platform and VMDR, via reseller Barrier Networks Limited
  • They diverge on capability: Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Qualys VMDR covers Vulnerability scanning.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Bitdefender Total Security and Qualys VMDR differ
AttributeBitdefender Total SecurityQualys VMDR
Starting price$19.99/year$3/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidWeb, Cloud, Api
Founded20011999

Identical on both: 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 Qualys VMDR

  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Threat detection
  • Asset discovery
  • Compliance checking
  • Remediation tracking
  • Cloud asset visibility
  • API access
  • Custom policies

What people use each for

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

Bitdefender Total Security

  • Antivirusnot Qualys VMDR
  • Internet Securitynot Qualys VMDR
  • Endpoint Protectionnot Qualys VMDR

Qualys VMDR

  • Vulnerability Managementnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Asset Managementnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Compliancenot 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

Qualys VMDR

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £18.75 to £61.58 per device per year for the Qualys Cloud Platform and VMDR, via reseller Barrier Networks Limited

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitdefender Total Security

$19.99/year

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

Qualys VMDR

$3/month
  • VMDR$3/month
    • Per asset
    • Vulnerability scanning
    • Detection
  • VMDR+$5/month
    • All VMDR features
    • Advanced analytics
    • Cloud integration
  • VMDR Complete$7/month
    • All VMDR+ features
    • Threat intel
    • Response automation

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.
Bitdefender Total Security review

Choose Qualys VMDR if

  • You need vulnerability scanning.
  • You work on Web, Cloud, Api.
  • You also want threat detection.
Qualys VMDR review

Questions people ask

Is Bitdefender Total Security or Qualys VMDR better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year and Qualys VMDR at $3/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitdefender Total Security or Qualys VMDR?
Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year and Qualys VMDR at $3/month.
Does Bitdefender Total Security or Qualys VMDR run on more platforms?
Bitdefender Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Qualys VMDR runs on Web, Cloud, Api.
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 Qualys VMDR is typically brought in for.
What can Bitdefender Total Security do that Qualys VMDR cannot?
Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Multi-layer ransomware protection, Real-time data protection, Network threat prevention. Qualys VMDR covers Vulnerability scanning, Threat detection, Asset discovery, Compliance checking.

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.

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.

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