The Internet has revolutionised our way of life, but it also entails certain risks. Cybercrime and malware pose a threat to your privacy and sensitive data. This calls for antivirus software.
There is an abundance of antivirus software on the market today, making it difficult to select the best one. This comparison of Bitdefender and Sophos, two industry leaders in antivirus software, should help you make a more informed decision.
The comparison will emphasise the unique characteristics of Bitdefender and Sophos, including features, usability, and cost.
Which of Bitdefender and Sophos is superior?
Bitdefender is vastly superior to Sophos. It offers superior protection against malware and advanced threats. It is simple to use and offers extraordinary additional features that would benefit both occasional and frequent Internet users.
Summary
Bitdefender Premium Security
Ransomware protection Password manager Unlimited and secure VPN
Sophos Home Premium
Privacy security
Safe navigation
Real-time security
Background analysis
Bitdefender
Bitdefender was founded in Romania in 2001 and has more than 500 million clients globally. It aspires to be the world’s most trusted cybersecurity provider by providing consumers with innovative and transformative online safety solutions. Bitdefender safeguards both residential and commercial users.
Sophos
Sophos is a British company founded in 1985 in Abingdon, England. Although it provides free and paid antivirus software for personal use, it focuses primarily on protecting organisations and large businesses. Sophos currently safeguards more than 400 thousand organisations in more than 150 countries.
Costs and compatibility are considered.
The cost of antivirus software varies. There are many options available, including some that are free of charge. Free services are often less secure than their paid counterparts, despite their appeal. As demonstrated in the table below, both Bitdefender and Sophos offer free and paid antivirus software that protects against the most common threats.
Two distinct differences exist between the two pricing structures. Sophos is considerably easier to comprehend due to the fact that it provides only two plans: a free version and one premium option. You have access to additional privacy features, such as webcam and browser protection, and can install it on up to ten devices with the premium version.
Bitdefender, on the other hand, offers a variety of plans to satisfy your requirements. Its annual pricing ranges from free to $159.99, with the priciest plan protecting up to ten devices. There are also a family bundle, a modest business plan, and the brand-new Bitdefender BOX.
Bitdefender and Sophos both offer a free 30-day trial, so if you’re still dubious, you can try before you buy. After a 30-day trial, Sophos Home Premium reverts to its free version, which is ideal if you wish to avoid being charged automatically. Bitdefender provides installations of fully functional trial versions of its software without requiring a credit card.
At the time of writing, both brands are eligible for discounts. The annual cost of Sophos Home Premium is $44.99, a discount of 25%. Additional discounts are available for extended subscription terms. Bitdefender, on the other hand, offers discounts on all of its programmes, with Bitdefender Premium Security costing $49.99 annually.
Compatibility is another factor to consider before making a purchase. Windows, Android, and MacOS are supported by both Bitdefender and Sophos.
Sophos is substantially less expensive than Bitdefender, but the value you receive for your money is comparable.
Protection against malware
Malware is an all-encompassing term for any software that poses a danger to your computer. It includes ransomware, adware, viruses, and trojans, among others. These threats evolve as technology advances. The effectiveness of Bitdefender and Sophos against malware was evaluated through a series of experiments.
The real-time detection of four malware samples obtained from the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR) was disabled. The second test measured the effectiveness of malware detection and quarantining in real-time, as well as the overall efficacy of the software.
The testing revealed that both Bitdefender and Sophos provided outstanding malware protection. Bitdefender received a perfect rating from AV-Test, making it the victor.
impact on computer performance
If you use your device frequently, especially for work, you should ensure that your antivirus software has minimal CPU and memory impact. Bitdefender and Sophos’s impact on the PC was evaluated during a comprehensive and rapid scan. Note that Sophos does not have a quick scan function.
Sophos completed the comprehensive scan in a mere 15 minutes. In comparison, Bitdefender required 110 minutes to conduct a complete examination. Throughout this time frame, Bitdefender scanned 4,200,000 objects. Unusually for antivirus software, Sophos does not divulge the number of objects it examines.
The test illustrates how antivirus software effects a computer’s performance when executing eight common tasks.
Downloading documents
Exploring websites
File duplication: initial and subsequent runs
Installing and removing application software
Archiving and deleting archives
Application launch: initial and subsequent runs
Bitdefender outperforms Sophos in terms of PC performance and impact. This demonstrates that Bitdefender offers superior protection against malware while having minimal impact on your device.
Features
Bitdefender Premium Protection
Unlimited VPN bandwidth
Priority Assistance
Device Optimizer
Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS security
Parental Control
Layers of Ransomware Protection
Security from malware, spyware, and adware
Sophos Home Premium Protection
Malware Eliminator
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Real-Time Antivirus
Ransomware Protection
Banking Security
Privacy Security
Identity Security
Superior Web Security
Parental Web Filtering
Remote Management
Premium Support
Customer Support
The best providers of antivirus software offer superior customer service, which ultimately fosters rapport and confidence between the brand and its customers. Bitdefender provides 24/7 support via phone, online chat, and support requests. If your request is not urgent, you can utilise the extensive online support centre, which contains top solutions and instructional videos.
Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Sophos Home Premium customers can reach the support team via phone or online chat. It is essential to note that Sophos does not offer any support beyond the website’s knowledge base for free residential users. This means that you must contact Sophos directly if you have any complex questions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bitdefender is victorious. Sophos prioritises business clients over home users, as exemplified by its intuitive interface and feature set. Sophos only provides two programmes (free and premium), limiting customer options. Bitdefender is a leader in the antivirus industry, with exceptional malware protection and performance rates, as well as a VPN and superior privacy protection. Although considerably more expensive than Sophos, the increased privacy and security justifies the additional expense.