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Software · head to head

ProtonVPN vs Bitdefender VPN

ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

Software

High-speed Swiss VPN that safeguards your privacy

From
Free
Rated
-
B

Bitdefender VPN

Software

Digital privacy and freedom is as easy as flicking on a light switch

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only ProtonVPN has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time; Bitdefender VPN caps a single subscription at 10 devices (Windows, Mac, Android and iOS), per bitdefender.com/en-us/solutions/vpn.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ProtonVPN and Bitdefender VPN actually diverge.

Attributes where ProtonVPN and Bitdefender VPN differ
AttributeProtonVPNBitdefender VPN
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWeb
Founded2014Unknown

Identical on both: 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 ProtonVPN

  • No-logs policy
  • Secure Core
  • Kill Switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • Tor over VPN
  • Split tunneling
  • NetShield ad-blocker
  • VPN Accelerator

Only in Bitdefender VPN

Nothing recorded that ProtonVPN does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

ProtonVPN

  • Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot Bitdefender VPN
  • Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot Bitdefender VPN
  • Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender VPN

No use cases recorded yet. See the Bitdefender VPN review.

Where each one falls short

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

ProtonVPN

  • Free plan limited to one device at a time
  • Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
  • Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable

Bitdefender VPN

  • Caps a single subscription at 10 devices (Windows, Mac, Android and iOS), per bitdefender.com/en-us/solutions/vpn.
  • Activation requires creating a Bitdefender Central account after purchase, per bitdefender.com/en-us/solutions/vpn; the product cannot be used without that account.

Pricing, plan by plan

ProtonVPN

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.

Bitdefender VPN

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Bitdefender VPN review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ProtonVPN if

  • You need no-logs policy.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want secure core.

Choose Bitdefender VPN if

Nothing in the data separates Bitdefender VPN from ProtonVPN on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Questions people ask

Is ProtonVPN or Bitdefender VPN better?
Neither clearly leads. ProtonVPN starts at Free and Bitdefender VPN at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ProtonVPN or Bitdefender VPN?
ProtonVPN has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ProtonVPN and On request for Bitdefender VPN.
Does ProtonVPN or Bitdefender VPN run on more platforms?
ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Bitdefender VPN runs on Web.
Can I use ProtonVPN for free?
Yes. ProtonVPN has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bitdefender VPN starts at On request.
What is ProtonVPN best used for?
ProtonVPN is most often used for privacy-focused browsing without subscription cost, multi-device protection with plus plan supporting 10 devices, integrated access to proton email and cloud services via unlimited plan. Of those, privacy-focused browsing without subscription cost and multi-device protection with plus plan supporting 10 devices are not what Bitdefender VPN is typically brought in for.
What can ProtonVPN do that Bitdefender VPN cannot?
ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection.

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