Bitdefender VPN Review 2024: A Surprising VPN With Lots of Features

Bitdefender VPN is a strong and useful virtual private network (VPN) from a trusted cybersecurity name. While many VPNs included with security software tend to fall short, this one impressed us. 

Bitdefender VPN premium offers fast speeds and the ability to unblock some streaming platforms. The network of virtual server locations is accessible with any paid plan. The free plan offers a daily bandwidth limit and three server locations, but it’s still a strong way to encrypt your online activity.

There are a few hiccups, like a limit on simultaneous connections, but the benefits outweigh the pitfalls (there aren’t many). Even the pricing is great for this VPN subscription. To learn more about our experience and what streaming services it didn’t work with, scroll down for our Bitdefender VPN review.

Bitdefender VPN review at a glance

Our experience

We didn’t have high hopes for Bitdefender VPN. VPNs offered in conjunction with other software, particularly cybersecurity software, tend to be a bit meh. 

Bitdefender, however, pleasantly surprised us. Not only was it ridiculously fast, but it unblocked streaming services in the U.S., U.K., and Canada without a twinge of lag time. It didn’t unblock Netflix everywhere, though, so we wouldn’t entirely rely on Bitdefender VPN for all our international streaming.

We experienced a smooth, easy test. The most we had to do was grant access to Bitdefender’s VPN protocol in our settings. After that, it was simple to use. 

This was a pleasant surprise, as we sometimes dread testing new software on our Macbook running an M2 chip, especially since we just updated to Sonoma. A lot of software doesn’t prioritize the most recent Mac updates or even the new proprietary chips Apple has been putting in its Macbooks. We’re glad to see Bitdefender VPN is compatible with new macOS updates. We also tested Bitdefender VPN on a Windows PC and had no issues installing the service. 

There are many standalone, powerhouse VPN providers. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access (PIA), and Privado are all excellent options with many features, but Bitdefender can give them all a run for their money. We love that Bitdefender VPN comes from an already established security company and that it offers all the features its competitors do for a significantly cheaper price. Seriously, this is one to watch.

Who is Bitdefender VPN best for?

• Recommended for anyone who wants a well-rounded VPN

Usually, we try to look at the virtual private network and how it works to determine who it would be best for, but this VPN really is great for anyone. It’s comprehensive, offers a lot of features, has a small price tag, and comes from a trusted cybersecurity name. 

Our only gripe is that it has a 10-device limit, which isn’t that bad. Other VPNs from antivirus services like Norton VPN only allow for up to 10 simultaneous connections, and services like CyberGhost allow for 7 simultaneous connections. But you can connect unlimited devices with VPN providers like Surfshark and PIA. 

Bitdefender VPN prices and subscriptions

Pricing is very simple with Bitdefender Total Security. There’s a monthly price and a yearly price. The language on the site indicates that Bitdefender doesn’t believe in multi-year contracts or expensive pricing models. It keeps it simple and affordable.

Bitdefender VPN features

A good, well-rounded VPN offers a variety of features that allow you to do more than just turn it on and browse. A variety of server options, tools like a kill switch, and a solid no-logs policy are all hallmarks of a worthwhile VPN. 

VPNs work by encrypting your data, but they really shine when giving you access to geo-restricted content, allowing for split tunneling and torrenting, or stopping ads and trackers. Bitdefender VPN checks many of these boxes, and we were surprised by the robustness of the features.

Premium VPNs will give you extra security features, but the bare minimum is a kill switch, which can protect your IP address in the event your VPN connection drops. Luckily, Bitdefender offers three VPN protocols, split tunneling, and a kill switch. In our testing, we found these features were easy to access and use.

Server count and countries

• 4,000 servers in 50+ countries

Bitdefender VPN’s paid plans offer 4,000+ servers in over 50 countries. Although this isn't the highest server count and available locations we've seen, Bitdefender’s virtual servers are strong and efficient. 

We found that Bitdefender VPN’s servers are fast, unblock streaming, and are easy to use. If you’re using the free plan, you still have access to fast and secure servers, but you can only choose from (at most) three server locations.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• Bitdefender VPN logs policy: No logs
• Bitdefender VPN headquarters: Romania and the United States

Bitdefender’s dual headquarters can make privacy concerns a little confusing. Romania offers a lot of privacy guarantees, while the U.S. definitely allows for spying on internet users. 

Bitdefender partners with Pango to offer VPN services, and Pango's Partner VPN platform was audited by Aon Cyber Solutions in November 2022. The audit revealed no critical findings, and less-critical findings were rectified.

It’s important that your VPN doesn’t keep logs. If you value your privacy (and you should), then having a VPN that doesn’t log is key. Keeping your identifying information and online activity private is a key component of a VPN. 

In countries like the United States, where privacy isn’t protected, your VPN provider may be legally required to turn over any data it collected on you. This includes logs of everything you’ve done online. Fortunately, if that VPN doesn’t keep logs, it can’t turn any over.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling isn’t always offered, but it's useful if you want to maintain a VPN connection while also accessing websites that don’t allow unblocking by a VPN. Split tunneling is when a VPN offers the ability to route some traffic through a VPN connection and some not. This is helpful for websites like online banking, which tend to be distrustful of VPN traffic.

Kill switch

A kill switch disables your internet connection to protect the anonymity of your IP address if the VPN connection is lost or drops when you switch between servers. Bitdefender VPN makes it super easy to use the kill switch, which is featured right on the main dashboard. We also accessed the kill switch feature via the Privacy Settings.

VPN protocols

Having at least two VPN protocols to choose from helps you control your security and can give you advantages for specific activities, like gaming, streaming, or browsing online. Bitdefender uses WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Catapult Hydra protocols. 

Hydra is considered extremely fast and is often used by gamers and streamers. It doesn’t allow for obfuscated servers though, which can be a problem for unblocking geo-restricted content. WireGuard is also fast, safe, and open source (unlike Catapult Hydra, which is proprietary), allowing for speed and security while also lacking obfuscated technology. Finally, OpenVPN is also open source and known to be a secure protocol. 

Ad and tracker blocker

Ad blockers and anti-trackers improve your online experience and can protect against malware. You can toggle the ad blocker and anti-tracking technology off and on separately, but if you want to whitelist a site, it’ll apply the whitelisting to both. Despite this, the ability to add extra protection to your VPN is a valuable tool.

App traffic optimizer

Unique to Bitdefender is the app traffic optimizer. This feature allows you to prioritize your top three apps to ensure a smooth, fast internet connection. 

Bitdefender VPN test results

We test VPNs for speed, streaming accessibility, and security. Some VPNs allow you to watch the Cleveland Browns while lounging by the pool in Cancun or the U.K. show “Back To Life” from the comfort of your Montana home. We want to make sure you know which ones are worth your while before downloading and paying for a service. 

Speed tests

• Bitdefender VPN speed test results: Bitdefender VPN maintained consistent speeds while connected to U.S., U.K., and Canadian servers from the U.S. but experienced marginal speed drops while connected to more distant servers in Australia.

True to its word, Bitdefender was extremely fast. Ideally, we want to see our download and upload speeds increase when connected to a VPN. In turn, we want our latency (or ping) to decrease. With VPN servers, you won't always see consistent (or ideal) results because speeds are dependent on several factors, including connectivity and server overload.

We were pleased to see that our upload and download speeds stayed pretty consistent across servers, except for those in Australia. We noticed a little lag when connected to the Australian server, but this is common since Australia is much further from our testing locations. 

Our latency (ping rate) was much higher the further we got from our actual location. The higher the latency, the more you’re apt to notice the lag time when loading a webpage. Since we didn’t have success getting Australian Netflix to work, we’re wondering if the high latency alerted Netflix to our VPN usage.

The only quirk of note was that sometimes the VPN connection would drop if we hadn’t been active on our computer in a while. Otherwise, this is a fast VPN that impressed us.

Bitdefender VPN speed test results

Bitdefender VPN Netflix tests

• Bitdefender Netflix test results: Bitdefender VPN worked with U.S., U.K., and Canadian servers but failed to unblock content on Australian servers from the U.S.

Unblocking geo-restricted content libraries on streaming services isn’t the only reason you may want to watch Netflix (or Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, etc.) with a VPN. You may be using public Wi-Fi — like in a hotel, coffee shop, or library — or you may just want to stop your ISP from throttling your speed while streaming. Whatever your reason, a VPN that works with your streaming service of choice is a bonus.

Bitdefender VPN works like a dream with streaming from some countries. We didn’t experience any lag time or loading issues when we connected to the U.S., U.K., and Canada to watch Netflix. 

But when we tried to watch while connected to an Australian server, Netflix automatically registered us as in the U.S. Weird. 

We also tested to see whether this was a fluke or if Bitdefender VPN just has issues bypassing Netflix internationally. We connected to a server in Vietnam for the final test, but Netflix detected our use of a VPN. 

If you’re looking for a VPN to use for streaming, we suggest downloading the 7-day free trial and testing out if the country you want works.

Bitdefender Netflix test results

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• Bitdefender VPN DNS leak test results: Pass
• Bitdefender VPN WebRTC leak test results: Pass

Domain name system (DNS) is the internet’s phonebook. It translates the language we speak into computer language and back again, so what we type into our web browsers takes us to the page we’re looking for online. This also means that personal information like your IP address is shared in these online interactions.

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) communicates similarly to DNS by trading information, but when you’re establishing a phone or video connection. In this capacity, there’s also the potential that your IP address is leaked, so making sure your VPN masks it is essential for privacy.

Bitdefender VPN passed both tests without issue, keeping our IP address private in every test.

Kill switch test

• Bitdefender VPN kill switch test results: Pass

A kill switch works to cloak your IP address even if your VPN connection drops. So if you're switching between servers, for example, and don't want your IP exposed, a kill switch can keep you protected. Bitdefender VPN displays the kill switch feature on the main dashboard for easy access and clear visibility. You know at a glance whether you're covered. Bitdefender passed the kill switch test with no problem. Even when toggling between servers, our real IP never displayed. 

Bitdefender VPN compatibility

Bitdefender works with The Big Four operating systems, meaning Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. You can download the VPN for your Windows PC or Mac or the mobile apps for Android, iPhone, and iPad. 

In the Apple App Store, Bitdefender VPN has a 4.8-star rating, but the reviews are mixed on its effectiveness. In the Google Play store, the Android app has a slightly lower 4.4-star rating, but the reviews are much more positive. 

It’s important to be able to take your VPN with you, whether it’s on your laptop or phone, as you need more protection on public Wi-Fi than your home network.

Bitdefender VPN customer support

The Bitdefender VPN dashboard offers the option to consult community forums or go to the customer support page. If you choose the support page, you’ll have to navigate a bit through the self-help guides to reach the 24/7 live chat, phone, and email options. 

You can also access the Support Center directly from the Bitdefender VPN support website. 

Support Center

If you need help using Bitdefender VPN, you must navigate through the Support Center to access the 24/7 live chat, phone, and email options. The center offers support categories. From there, you'll answer self-guided questions until you're offered a list of support guides that may help address your issue. 

This whole process can be tedious, but it's not wholly ineffective. The guides are comprehensive and include corresponding videos. But if you need more in-depth support than the guides can offer, the center will eventually direct you to other support options.

Chat with a live agent

We reached out to support because we were having problems with the VPN automatically disconnecting. The chat service connected us quickly, but the agent's reply took longer than normal, which made the conversation as a whole take unnecessarily longer.

Our agent was great, though. She identified the problem as related to other software on our Mac. We weren’t thrilled that we had to disable our personal antivirus software, but after we did, the VPN issue was fixed. Other than taking a while, we found this support experience to be helpful and pleasant.

Top alternatives

You can download a 7-day free trial of Bitdefender to test it out. If it still isn’t your cup of tea, try one of the suggestions below. Each of these has plenty of features, fast servers, and the ability to unblock streaming services.

Price	$3.09–$15.99/mo	$2.19–$17.95/mo	$2.19–$12.99/mo
Free version
Max # of connected devices	10	Unlimited	7
# of servers	6,300+ servers in 111 countries	3,200 in 100 countries	Servers in 100 countries
VPN protocol	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Encryption	AES 256-bit	AES 256-bit	AES 256-bit
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs	No logs
Headquarters	Panama	The Netherlands	Romania
Netflix access
Learn more	Get NordVPN	Get Surfshark	Get CyberGhost

There’s a reason NordVPN is everywhere when you even whisper “VPN.” It’s one of the most trusted and powerful VPNs available. Whether you’re looking to stream or just want excellent protection, NordVPN delivers. See how this popular VPN compares in our Bitdefender VPN vs. NordVPN review.

For anyone looking for an antivirus/VPN combo, Surfshark can offer that with Surfshark One. If you want identity theft protection rolled in with those, Surfshark One+ includes it. Unlike a lot of bundled services, these all have strong and unique features that work great on their own or together.

If you like Romanian privacy laws, CyberGhost is a solid choice. It’s headquartered in Romania, great for streaming, and takes security seriously. It also uses NoSpy and obfuscated servers that can trick sites like Netflix into thinking you aren’t using a VPN.

FAQs

Bottom line: Is Bitdefender VPN good?

Based on our testing and research, we think Bitdefender VPN is a good service. The server and country count are high, and we found all the servers we tested to have consistent quality. There are plenty of extra features like ad and tracker blocking, as well as split tunneling and a kill switch. Mix all of this with the ability to access regional streaming libraries, and you have a great VPN.

If Bitdefender VPN isn’t what you’re looking for, then we suggest NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost. They’re some of the best VPNs available. No matter what you’re looking for in a VPN, you should be able to find it in one of these excellent options.

4.5

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On Bitdefender VPN's website

VPN

Bitdefender VPN

• Seamlessly unblocks Netflix in the U.S., U.K., and Canada
• Good size server network with thousands of available virtual servers
• Annual paid plan is reasonably priced compared to other premium VPN providers
• Free plan has data caps and server limits
• Simultaneous connections capped at 10 devices

Author Details

Mary James

About the Author

Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.

Kate Quinlan