Is Bitdefender free antivirus really free?

Yes. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition for Windows is a permanent free product, not a trial. It is limited in features, not in time.

What is the difference between Bitdefender Free and Antivirus Plus?

Both share the detection engine. Antivirus Plus adds multi-layer ransomware protection, anti-tracker tools, a capped VPN, safe online banking and support options the free edition does not include.

Where is the official Bitdefender download?

bitdefender.com. The free edition and the paid trials each have their own official download page; avoid third-party mirrors.

Does Bitdefender slow down a PC?

Its cloud-assisted scanning keeps day-to-day impact low. Expect noticeable disk activity only during the first full scan.

Bitdefender S.R.L. · download

Bitdefender Download

Name: Bitdefender
Author: Bitdefender S.R.L.

Download Bitdefender from the developer only. This page explains what the installer does, what the free and paid tiers include, and how to set it up cleanly.

Before you download

• Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
• Windows support: Windows 11 and Windows 10 are supported for current builds. Legacy Windows support has been retired.
• Free version: Yes — Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition for Windows provides real-time protection and on-demand scans at no cost, with no time limit.
• Trial: Paid suites are offered with a developer-set trial period. Length varies by campaign.
• Paid plans: Antivirus Plus, Internet Security, Total Security, and Premium Security in the US lineup.

Installation steps

1. Remove any other real-time antivirus first.
2. Download from bitdefender.com — the free edition has its own download page.
3. Create a Bitdefender Central account; even the free edition requires one.
4. Run the installer, allow the driver components, and reboot if prompted.
5. Run a full system scan once, then let the product manage itself.

If you need to remove it later

1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps → remove Bitdefender.
2. If the entry fails, run Bitdefender's official Uninstall Tool for your product line.
3. Reboot and confirm Windows Security is active again.

Download

Start the Bitdefender download directly from this page.

Download Bitdefender

Developer Offer + 1 Extra Month

Current offer published by the software developer at checkout

+ 1 extra month of coverage provided by VirusGuardHub

Valid:: Ongoing while the developer promotion remains live
Eligibility:: New subscriptions purchased through the link on this page, for customers in the United States.
Available in:: United States
Terms:: The extra month is supplied by VirusGuardHub and applied after your purchase is confirmed. The developer sets the base price, currency, renewal terms and refund window.

Download Bitdefender

Offer last verified on August 9, 2026. Promotions are set by the developer and can change without notice.

Some links on this page may be partner links. If you purchase through them we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This never changes our editorial assessments or the order of our recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bitdefender free antivirus really free?: Yes. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition for Windows is a permanent free product, not a trial. It is limited in features, not in time.
What is the difference between Bitdefender Free and Antivirus Plus?: Both share the detection engine. Antivirus Plus adds multi-layer ransomware protection, anti-tracker tools, a capped VPN, safe online banking and support options the free edition does not include.
Where is the official Bitdefender download?: bitdefender.com. The free edition and the paid trials each have their own official download page; avoid third-party mirrors.
Does Bitdefender slow down a PC?: Its cloud-assisted scanning keeps day-to-day impact low. Expect noticeable disk activity only during the first full scan.

Bitdefender full profile

Product

Bitdefender free