Bitdefender VPN
Bitdefender VPN
Bitdefender are a well-known cyber-security and anti-virus company who have now established a reputation in the VPN (Virtual Private Network) market.
Unfortunately to be able to use Bitdefender VPN service you must also have a Bitdefender security solution already installed onto your devices or you must also sing up to those services when joining their VPN.
Whilst it does make them an attraction option for those who already have an ongoing account the company, it does make it a more expensive option to use them for their VPN although you are of course getting a much more all around security service including anti-virus and anti-malware software amongst other products.
Another issue to keep in mind is that the company uses the server network, protocols and encryption of HotSpot Shield.
Who Are BitDefender VPN?
Bitdefender are a private Romanian cybersecurity and technology company that expertise is almost all aspects of cybersecurity including endpoint protection, cloud security, antivirus software and IoT security.
Although based in the city of Bucharest, they have a worldwide focus and have a large userbase in the United States something which must have seemed a distant dream back in 1990, when they become one of the first IT start up businesses in post-communist Romania.
Since the turn of the millennium, the company have expanded great to all parts of the world thanks to mergers, acquisitions and expansion and it is in a similar vein that they have made the move into the VPN world by using the HotSpot Shield technology in the form of Catapult Hydra protocol.
Is It Worth Upgrading To BitDefender Premium VPN?
It is fair to say that the basic product offered is well…basic but the company do offer the chance to upgrade to a BitDefender Premium VPN service and whilst that does give a lot of benefit over the regular service offered, it does still have many limitations and the extra cost involved means you are paying well over the odds when compared to better standalone VPN products that are on the market and that can be seen on this website.
Does Bitdefender Offer a Free Trial?
Yes and no is the best way to answer as you will need to take up the premium service to get a 7 day free trial.
Does Bitdefender VPN Offer a Money Back Guarantee?
There is a 30 day money back guarantee offered, so you can try the product and see if you like it.
Does BitDefender Respect My Privacy?
This is something that they certainly claim to do but with such close ties to Hotspot Shield, it is difficult to check what data is sent between the 2 and whilst they do have a privacy policy, it has to be said that it Is basic at best.
Where Are BitDefender Server Locations?
When using the product you get to choose from well over 1000 servers in over 30 locations and whilst that does seem a lot, it is no where near the level of over products but it is something that is constantly changing, with signs of improvement been seen recently.
BitDefender VPN Key Facts
| Number of Servers: | 40 |
| Locations: | 26 |
| Encryption Type: | 256-AES |
| Daily Traffic: | 200MB per device (option for unlimited) |
| Devices Supported: | PC, Mac, Mobile Devices, Tablets |
| Desktop Operating Systems Supported: | Windows, MacOS |
| Mobile Operating Systems Supported: | iOS, Android |
| Support: | 24/7 via live chat and email. Office hours for phone. User forum and knowledgebase. |
| Money Back Guarantee: | 30 Days |
| Free Trial: | NO |
| Logging Policy: | No Access Granted |
| Headquartered: | Bucharest, Romania |
| Supported Protocols: | Catapult Hydra |
| Simultaneous Connections: | 10 |
Bitdefender VPN Review
If you are looking for a review of Bitdefender VPN, you are in the right place. Here at Thorn VPN we review the service offered in our Bitdefender VPN review.
Bitdefender VPN Strengths and Weaknesses
Conistant Speed
Most devices supported
Basic Client
Lack of Location Choice
Must be purchased alongside a Bitdefender security suite service
Already respected in the antivirus field, the question that you may be asking yourself is why would choose an antivirus company for a VPN provider and that is a question that has no good answer, aside from it can be easier for some users to bundle their service with ones that you already have.
With that said, the service offered by them is powered by Hotspot Shield, a product that is well respected and should be an indicator that you will get a sturdy service if you do decide to go ahead and purchase the VPN offered by BitDefender.
Positives
The main benefits of using Bitdefender is it’s strong encryption and it is easy to add to a subscription to the companies anti-malware and anti-virus software.
Negatives
Unfortunately the negatives far out way the positives as there is no kill switch, no option to choose a trusted WI-FI network, no split tunnelling, no choice to change protocols and no browser extensions.
Is BitDefender VPN Worth It
It really depends on what you are wanting from a VPN as whilst the basic offering from Bitdefender may be of use to those just wanting a basic extra level of security to add on to their existing Bitdefender subscription, if you are wanting an advanced VPN solution or if you don’t have a BitDefender subscription, it is provably not worth purchasing.
Does Bitdefender Use Of HotSport Shield Make It Unsafe?
That is just the right type of question to be asking before deciding upon a VPN to use but it is also a question that is difficult to answer.
On the face of it, you should always be wary of any service that shares technology or that is built on the back of others technology as the main reason to use a Virtual Private Network is to stop your data and details from been shared by companies.
The company do state that nothing is shared and there is no reason to doubt them at the moment.
