Bitdefender for Mac vs Tidy My Mac, Malwarebytes and Microsoft Defender

What Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac does

• Real-time scanning and on-demand scans for Mac and Windows malware.
• Safe Files lets only apps you trust change the folders you choose, and Time Machine protection guards your backups against ransomware.
• Adware blocking and removal, and an anti-phishing filter for Safari, Chrome and Firefox.
• Autopilot gives security advice, and a basic VPN is included with 200 MB of traffic a day.

It runs on macOS 11.3 Big Sur and later. Its Anti-tracker is a browser extension, so it only works in the browsers you install it in.

How much does Bitdefender for Mac cost?

The first year is $24.99 for one Mac, after a discount. It renews automatically, and Bitdefender says the renewal price “may be higher” without publishing it, so check the price in your account before the year is up. Bitdefender Total Security covers up to 10 devices across Mac, Windows, Android and iOS. The 30-day trial has every feature and doesn't ask for a card.

Is Bitdefender safe for Mac?

Yes. Bitdefender is a large, long-established security company whose engine does well in independent tests, and its Mac app is signed and notarized. Download it only from bitdefender.com: “free Bitdefender” download sites are a common way to spread fake installers.

Bitdefender vs Malwarebytes

• Both scan in real time, remove adware and protect against ransomware. Both renew without a published price for one device.
• Bitdefender adds Safe Files, Time Machine protection, a basic VPN and a 30-day trial, and costs less in the first year.
• Malwarebytes has a free scanner for occasional checks and its Scam Guard message checker. See is Malwarebytes safe, and how it compares.

Microsoft Defender for Mac

If you pay for Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, Microsoft Defender is included and has a Mac app with real-time malware protection, at no extra cost. It is a reasonable choice if you already have the subscription. It has no cleanup tools, ransomware folder protection like Safe Files, or blocking of bad sites across every app. Businesses use a separate product, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which their IT team installs.

Where Bitdefender does more

• Backups: Time Machine protection guards your backups as well as your files.
• A VPN, limited to 200 MB a day. Tidy My Mac has none.
• More devices in one subscription with Total Security, and support for macOS 11.3 and later.
• Price in the first year: $24.99 against Tidy My Mac's $19.99.

Waar Tidy My Mac meer doet

• Web Protection in every app: Web Protection blocks phishing, scam and malware sites, and ads and trackers, in every browser and app, with no extension.
• Cleanup: a junk cleaner, disk map, duplicates and an uninstaller. Bitdefender has none.
• Checks: an outgoing firewall, app updates with security fixes first, a security settings score and alerts for apps with known vulnerabilities.
• A published renewal price: $59.99 a year after the first.

Bitdefender's details were checked on its website on 4 november 2026. We make Tidy My Mac, so read this page with that in mind. See the full comparison for Norton, Intego and the other apps.