Bitdefender is one of the big names when it comes to personal security, so it’s no surprise that the firm’s suite of products includes a password manager.
Bitdefender Password Manager includes an impressive range of mainstream features and security protocols, and because this app comes from a wider security provider it’s also available as part of Bitdefender’s extensive all-in-one security packages – that’s not a viable option from dedicated password manager software.
We’re going to find out if Bitdefender Password Manager is worth using as a standalone product or as part of your wider security regime – and if it’s worth a place on our list of the best password managers.
Bitdefender Password Manager: Plans and pricing
Bitdefender’s mainstream security status means it’s got a straightforward pricing structure – something we always appreciate.
If you want to buy Bitdefender Password Manager as a standalone product then you don’t have to choose from different tiers with different features. Instead, you simply pick the period you need: a one-year plan usually costs $29.99 / £24.99 / AUD$50 and is frequently discounted, while the monthly plan is poorer value at $2.99 / £2.49 / AUD$5 per month.
You can also buy a family version called Shared, which has up to four accounts for twice the price rather than quadruple. For many families, this will be satisfactory, but other companies offer family plans for up to five or six, so Bitdefender’s is a bit limiting on that front.
You’ll arguably find even better value from Bitdefender’s all-in-one plans. If you buy Bitdefender Premium Security it’ll cost you $63.47 / £49.99 / AUD$95.27 for your first year, and you get Password Manager, protection against malware, viruses, adware and spyware, unlimited VPN traffic and multi-layer ransomware protection. It’s valid for up to 10 devices and automatically renews at the end of the term.
Pay $76.16 / £59.99 / AUD$114.32 for a year of Premium Security Plus and you get all of those features alongside credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and identity theft protection.
Those packages are far more expensive than conventional, standalone password managers, but they offer a far broader array of features – and, if you do just want Bitdefender Password Manager alone, it offers good value from its annual pricing.
Bitdefender Password Manager: Setup
This is a mainstream product, so it’s very easy to start. Once you’ve created an account, you need to pick a master password for account recovery – and Bitdefender immediately evaluates its strength.
Once that’s done, you can copy or download your recovery key and install the app. It’s available as an extension for Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, and as iOS and Android apps. That’s it, though: while that support covers most people, there’s no desktop app or support for more obscure browsers.
Bitdefender’s app can import passwords from other key apps, like 1Password, Dashlane, LastPass, Bitwarden, and Sticky Password, and it’ll also import directly from Chrome and Firefox. It also supports CSV, XM, and text files, which can sometimes be a bit more hit-and-miss. That’s another area where Bitdefender impresses, although other apps go even further in terms of direct app and browser support.
Bitdefender Password Manager: Interface and performance
Bitdefender has a good range of mainstream password management features. It can automatically save your login details and payment cards, autofill all your details, and it’s got a module to search and identify weak, duplicated, or leaked passwords – so you can get on top of potential security risks.
When you want to add new accounts you can add notes, generate a secure password and have it evaluated by the app within the same window, and also enable automatic login and choose which accounts are your favorites for faster future access – it’s a very intuitive method. The password generator is good, too: you’re able to use special characters and specify if you want your new password to be easy to type. This isn’t unique to Bitdefender, but some other generators use a take-it-or-leave-it approach.
The interface is straightforward, too: the extension opens in a small window at the top of your browser and different tabs show you passwords and security reports. There’s an option to secure all of your browsing instantly. Delve further into the main menu and you’ll find the password generator, payment card details, and settings.
We really like the different categories of data you can store in Bitdefender’s password manager, including identities like driver’s licenses and passports. While there are some that have specialized sections for IDs (like Dashlane), the majority overlook this simple addition that can make booking flights online a smoother process.
This tool is good-looking, minimal, and easy to use, and its range of features tackles everything you’ll need for everyday password protection. Fortunately, the web experience reflects the mobile app experience so you should be able to jump between any device and pick up where you left off.
You’ll only want to look elsewhere if you need more robust organization and management settings for business use, for instance, or broader platform support. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with good cybersecurity credentials, Bitdefender is one of the companies we would suggest.
Given the company’s overall outlook on privacy and security, and the fact that it’s geared toward regular consumers, it’s a shame that Bitdefender hasn’t yet announced any plans to bring passkey support to the password manager. Admittedly, rollout has been slow and major operating systems have held some elements of widespread adoption back (that will change in 2023), but many major rivals including Dashlane, NordPass, and 1Password have all declared their commitment to the passwordless login method that’s slowly emerging across the Internet.
Bitdefender Password Manager: Security
We have no qualms with Bitdefender’s security credentials. Your data is protected using AES 256-bit encryption and bolstered with SHA512 and BCRYPT, and all of your data is encrypted and decrypted locally – so no one at Bitdefender can access that information.
As with most other apps, you can use biometric login and various two-factor authentication methods for secure sign-ins. Bitdefender can automatically log you out after a period of inactivity. Users can also specify a PIN to lock the software quickly.
Bitdefender Password Manager: Support
Bitdefender has a comprehensive knowledge base that includes articles, tutorials, and videos that cover all of its products, so it’s a good start if you’re having issues with Password Manager.
Beyond that, an active forum is a good destination for anyone who needs help. A neat wizard can also direct you to potentially helpful articles before you have to get in touch with support. If you do need to make contact, there’s 24/7 chat, a form for sending an email and 24-hour worldwide phone support in English. It’s a very comprehensive offering.
Bitdefender Password Manager: The competition
BitDefender’s mainstream abilities mean it rubs right against apps like LastPass and 1Password. There’s not much between them, although LastPass is better for organization management and 1Password is improved for families. However, both of those alternatives are a bit pricier than Bitdefender’s tool.
If you’d like password management as part of a wider security package, then the Norton password manager and the Kaspersky password manager products are your best alternatives. When it comes to password management, there’s little between Bitdefender and Norton, while both are better than Kaspersky.
If you’re not necessarily after the full cybersecurity package but you want to get access to a VPN, the newly launched Proton Pass is free of charge, though it’s available as a paid premium version and as part of an entire Proton package with VPN.
Bitdefender Password Manager: Final verdict
Bitdefender Password Manager doesn’t have the high-end abilities or business features you’ll find elsewhere, but it impresses in several other key areas. It’s got good mainstream abilities and great support, and if offers decent value in all of its guises.
If you need everyday password management with plenty of support the standalone product is ideal, and the all-in-one security packages are impressive too.
