Bitdefender VPN Review
"A great offering by cybersecurity experts"
Pros & Cons
- 10 devices concurrently
- Kill Switch and Split Tunneling
- Parental Controls
- P2P Support
- No-logs Policy
- Limited VPN Protocols
- No Linux Support
- Lack of Security Audits
- Limited Payment Options
Quick facts
- 📱Devices (up to): 10
- 🖥️Servers: 4000
- 🌍Available countries: 50
- 📍Company location: Romania
- 🔒Logging policy: No logs
- 🎥Streaming: no
- 🌊Torrenting: no
Subject to additional terms and conditions of Bitdefender.
Bitdefender, a cybersecurity titan hailing from Romania, has been a trusted name in the industry since its founding in 2001. Initially celebrated for its powerful antivirus software, Bitdefender expanded its offerings to include a VPN service, one that was often relegated to the sidelines as a free add-on to premium antivirus packages. However, recent developments have seen this VPN service step out of the shadows, proving itself to be a standalone service worth serious consideration.
Bitdefender's VPN is characterized by its affordability and user-friendly nature, making it an attractive option for beginners. The applications are easy to navigate, devoid of perplexing menus and options that often confuse less experienced users. As for the technological aspects, the VPN employs the Catapult Hydra protocol from Hotspot Shield, delivering exceptional speeds that are complemented by AES-256 encryption for optimal security. The server network is expansive, boasting over 1,300 servers spread across 42 countries. A crucial element of Bitdefender's VPN is its commitment to privacy; it keeps no activity logs and does not share technical information with third parties. While it might not boast an array of features to entice power users, the simplicity and low cost make it a compelling choice for novices.
As for the technical specifications, Bitdefender VPN comes with a competitive pricing structure, starting at $2.49 per month. It supports a wide range of operating systems, including Android, Windows, Mac, and iOS, and allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. Payment options are flexible, including PayPal and credit cards, among others.
Speed and security are often considered the two cornerstones of a reliable VPN service. Bitdefender's VPN shines in these areas, maintaining a significant portion of the original internet speed even when using heavy encryption. Our tests demonstrated a consistent speed performance, without notable fluctuations during daily use. Connection to any server was quick, with the exception of Japan, where the ping was slightly higher due to distance. However, it's worth noting that Bitdefender seemed to affect upload speed more significantly than download speed, a minor trade-off given the overall high speed performance. This makes Bitdefender's VPN a worthy contender if your internet activities are heavily reliant on speed, such as streaming, downloading content, and online gaming.
In terms of security, Bitdefender VPN provides a basic but robust security package. It uses AES-256 encryption, known for its strength, and runs on the Catapult Hydra protocol, which is renowned for its speed. An automatic kill switch is included, enhancing the security offered by this VPN service. The Catapult Hydra protocol was developed by Hotspot Shield as a means to reduce VPN latency, effectively mitigating the speed loss typically caused by strong encryption.
In conclusion, Bitdefender's VPN service stands as a testament to the company's commitment to adapt and evolve. It offers a well-rounded package of speed, security, and simplicity, all while maintaining a competitive price point. As we delve deeper into the specifics of this VPN service in the following sections of this review, we invite you to join us in exploring the intricate details that make Bitdefender's VPN a service worth considering.
Pricing, Trial, Money Back, and Cancellation
- Monthly Plan: $6.99
- 3-Month Plan: $6.99 per month
- 6-Month Plan: $6.99 per month
- 1-Year Plan: $3.33 per month
- 2-Year Plan: $3.33 per month
- 3-Year Plan: $3.33 per month
Features
- Kill Switch: This feature disconnects you from the internet if the VPN connection is lost, ensuring your data isn’t exposed inadvertently.
- Split Tunneling: This allows you to route some apps through the VPN while others bypass it, providing a balance between speed and security.
- Concurrent Devices: Bitdefender supports up to 10 devices on a single subscription, allowing multiple devices to enjoy secure browsing simultaneously.
- Parental Controls: This offers parents an additional layer of control and security for their children’s online activities.
- Dedicated IP
- No
- Parental Controls
- Yes
- Split Tunneling / Bypassing
- Yes
- P2P Support
- Yes
- Ad and malware blocking
- Yes
- Bandwidth limits and data caps
- Yes
- Live Chat
- Yes
- Customer Service 24/7
- Yes
Security, Privacy, and Logging
- Encryption
- aes-256
- OpenVPN
- No
- WireGuard
- No
- IKEv2/IPsec
- No
- Hydra
- No
- Config File Generators
- No
- Kill Switch Feature
- Yes
- No Logs Policy
- Yes
- DNS Leak Protection
- No
- IPv6 Leak Protection
- No
- Double VPN / Multi-Hop Feature
- No
- Server Obfuscation
- No
- Independent Security Audits
- No
- Warrant Canary
- No
About Bitdefender
- Headquarters
- Romania
- Founded in
Apps and Platform Support
- iOS
- Yes
- MacOS
- Yes
- Android
- Yes
- Chrome
- No
- Firefox
- No
- Windows
- Yes
- Linux
- No
Reviews from Elsewhere
- Trustpilot Rating
- 3.7 (out of 7500 reviews)
- Google Play Store Rating
- 4.7 (out of 369000 reviews)
- iOS App Store rating
- 4.8 (out of 5500 reviews)
Payment Methods
- PayPal
- Yes
- Sofort (Klarna)
- Yes
- Swish
- No
- iDEAL
- No
- Giropay
- No
- Amazon Pay
- No
- Google Pay
- No
- Apple Pay
- No
- Samsung Pay
- No
- Visa
- Yes
- Mastercard
- Yes
- Discover
- Yes
- American Express
- Yes
- Monero
- No
- Bitcoin
- No
- Ethereum
- No
- Wire transfer
- Yes
- Cash
- No