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Bitdefender Total Security vs Things 3

Bitdefender Total Security logo

Bitdefender Total Security

Software

The world's #1 rated antivirus

From
$19.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Things 3 logo

Things 3

Software

The award-winning personal task manager

From
$9.99/one-time
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; Things 3 no team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
  • They diverge on capability: Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Things 3 covers Today view.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bitdefender Total Security and Things 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where Bitdefender Total Security and Things 3 differ
AttributeBitdefender Total SecurityThings 3
Starting price$19.99/year$9.99/one-time
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS
Founded20012004

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 Things 3

  • Today view
  • Projects and areas
  • Quick entry
  • Tags
  • Calendar integration
  • Apple Calendar
  • Siri
  • Shortcuts

What people use each for

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

Bitdefender Total Security

  • Antivirusnot Things 3
  • Internet Securitynot Things 3
  • Endpoint Protectionnot Things 3

Things 3

  • Schedulingnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Appointment bookingnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Time trackingnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Resource managementnot Bitdefender Total Security
  • Team coordinationnot 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

Things 3

  • No team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
  • Apple ecosystem only, with no Windows, Android, or web version
  • No third-party app integrations beyond Apple's ecosystem
  • Cannot attach files or images to tasks, only text notes
  • No time blocking or calendar integration for scheduling tasks into specific time slots

Pricing, plan by plan

Bitdefender Total Security

$19.99/year

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

Things 3

$9.99/one-time
  • iPhone/Watch$9.99/one-time
  • iPad$19.99/one-time
  • Mac$49.99/one-time

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 Things 3 if

  • You need today view.
  • You work on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
  • You also want projects and areas.
Things 3 review

Questions people ask

Is Bitdefender Total Security or Things 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year and Things 3 at $9.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bitdefender Total Security or Things 3?
Bitdefender Total Security starts at $19.99/year and Things 3 at $9.99/one-time.
Does Bitdefender Total Security or Things 3 run on more platforms?
Bitdefender Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Things 3 runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
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 Things 3 is typically brought in for.
What can Bitdefender Total Security do that Things 3 cannot?
Bitdefender Total Security covers Advanced threat defense, Multi-layer ransomware protection, Real-time data protection, Network threat prevention. Things 3 covers Today view, Projects and areas, Quick entry, Tags.

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.

Things 3: Does Things 3 support team collaboration?

No. Things 3 is designed for individual use only with no task sharing, team workspaces, task assignment, or commenting features.

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.

Things 3: What platforms does Things 3 run on?

Things 3 is exclusive to Apple devices: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS. There is no Windows, Android, or web version.

Source
Things 3: How much does Things 3 cost?

Things 3 uses a one-time purchase model: $9.99 for iPhone/Watch, $19.99 for iPad, and $49.99 for Mac. Total cost for all platforms is approximately $80 with no subscription required.

Source
Things 3: Does Things 3 sync across devices?

Yes. Things Cloud keeps your to-dos in sync across all your Apple devices automatically. There is no extra cost for cloud synchronization.

Source
Things 3: Can you attach files or images to tasks in Things 3?

No. Things 3 does not support attachments. You can only add notes (text) to tasks.

Source
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