Bitdefender VPN Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Fantastic Speeds With Minimal Speed Loss

Bitdefender VPN is an effective service provider in terms of speed. I noticed very little difference in connection speed, regardless of which server I used. Although there was a noticeable slowdown on the Australian server, the connection speed was still quite acceptable, especially given how far away I am from it.

Speed Test Results

Watching videos while traveling requires a VPN service with decent connection speeds, and Bitdefender VPN performed admirably well. Connecting to a local server barely slowed me down, but doing so with a remote server resulted in a pronounced slowdown.

I performed various tests on both nearby and distant servers to assess the disparity in speed between using a VPN connection and not using one. In the course of these tests, I achieved a download speed of 48.47 Mbps, an upload speed of 29.44 Mbps, and a ping of 23 ms while connected to my local network.

When testing on a local UK server, I noticed an average speed reduction of 24%, which is hardly noticeable in actual use. When I tried connecting to other European servers, I noticed a slight slowdown in speed, but nothing too significant. When I switched to an Australian server, my download speed dropped by 58%, which isn’t terrible considering the vast distance.

The upload speeds of Bitdefender VPN are also fairly reliable. My tests averaged 25.66 Mbps when connected to local servers, 14.42 Mbps when connecting to the United States, and 10.97 Mbps when connecting to Australia.

The speeds I obtained with Bitdefender VPN were very fast, and the losses were barely noticeable when I was browsing the web, streaming, or downloading torrents. Since the high pings on some servers may be an issue for gamers, ExpressVPN’s excellent performance in speed tests makes it my top recommendation.

Server Network — Uses Third-Party Servers

Bitdefender’s infrastructure stretches across 49 countries and includes more than 4,000 servers. Although its server network appears to be sufficient, it pales in comparison to that of market leaders like CyberGhost which has an astonishing global reach.

There is a good distribution of server locations across the world, with the majority located in major hubs like Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the service has servers in many other nations—including the UAE, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Turkey, and many others—that VPN providers typically ignore.

It’s important to know that the Bitdefender VPN network is skewed toward the US. The app’s server locations section shows that there are 15 server locations available in the US. Regions like Africa and the Middle East have little coverage. Asia is marginally more well-represented, but it’s still lacking in comparison to other market players.

Bitdefender utilizes the very same server infrastructure that is utilized by Hotspot Shield. There is evidence that some of Hotspot Shield’s servers are virtual, but the Bitdefender app does not make it clear which ones are. Even so, Bitdefender provides unrestricted access to its servers regardless of which subscription plan you select.

Security — Reassuring Security Profile

Bitdefender has a solid reputation when it comes to its encryption and other security features. With features such as a kill switch and changing your IP address at specified intervals, it makes for an excellent package.

Bitdefender VPN offers these security options:

• Encrypted Connection – Bitdefender VPN employs 256-bit AES encryption, the same standard employed by the U.S. military, to keep your data safe. In addition, it employs perfect forward secrecy that changes your encryption key at the start of each new session so that your data remains secret even if the key is compromised.
• Security Protocols – By default, Bitdefender VPN utilizes Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Hydra VPN protocol. Bitdefender uses OpenVPN, the market standard, as a backup in case Hydra becomes unreliable.
• Kill Switch – The service also includes a kill switch, which prevents your data from being exposed inadvertently in certain situations. This function, which can be accessed on mobile and desktop devices, needs to be activated manually since it is configured to be inactive by default.
• Ad/Malware Blocker – Bitdefender includes a built-in ad/malware blocker, providing a minimal extra layer of protection. Ad-blocking software is a dime a dozen these days, but using a VPN in addition to your current ad blocker is a good idea for added security.
• Public Wi-Fi Protection – The feature automatically connects your device to the VPN if it detects an unsecured Wi-Fi network. With Bitdefender’s auto-on feature, your VPN connection is established immediately after the device startup, guaranteeing that you are never unprotected while surfing the web.
• Split tunneling – This feature enables you to establish a direct connection to specific websites and apps, bypassing the VPN server.
• Auto Connect – Bitdefender’s VPN auto-connect feature is enhanced by the option to tailor activation to unique scenarios. For instance, you can configure your VPN to connect automatically when accessing a public network or engaging in peer-to-peer file sharing. The Auto Connect function can also be set to react to certain applications, web addresses, payment sites, and website types.
• Leak Protection – Bitdefender VPN provides leak protection, so you can rest easy knowing that your DNS or IP address won’t be exposed. This ensures that both your physical location and the data you transmit online will be safe.

I decided to check how well my IP address was protected by running a DNS leak test while connected to Bitdefender VPN. For this test, I tried out connections to servers in Brazil, the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. I did not experience any DNS or traffic leaks across any of these servers.

Privacy — Intrusive Data Logging Practices

Bitdefender’s privacy statement is incredibly brief and essentially states that the company keeps no logs at all. However, after reading its privacy statement, I discovered that it gathers user-generated IDs, device IP addresses, and randomly generated tokens in order to offer the VPN service.

The log collected doesn’t contain a lot of implicating details. But since Bitdefender makes use of Hotspot Shield’s servers, I looked at that company’s privacy statement for more information. While it doesn’t record what sites you visit or what you search for, it does keep tabs on things like device identifiers, browser types, device settings, wireless network details, application version numbers, and operating system version.

Fortunately, Bitdefender’s home base of Romania doesn’t have any data retention regulations. This is a major perk because it means your data is safe from prying eyes beyond hackers and your Internet service provider.

Try Bitdefender VPN risk-free

Torrenting — Allows P2P Traffic on All Servers

P2P file sharing is allowed on all of Bitdefender VPN’s servers, and the service’s speeds are adequate for downloading torrents. The company provides a number of features that are suitable for torrenting, such as an integrated kill switch, military-grade encryption, and DNS leak protection. Additionally, you can configure the VPN to automatically connect whenever you launch a P2P sharing application.

However, Bitdefender VPN’s privacy policy leaves a lot to be desired, and I can’t say for sure that they aren’t keeping track of my activity for malicious reasons when I use it for torrenting. ExpressVPN’s stealth technology ensures that you can download torrents freely and without fear of cyber-spying or connection slowdowns.

As a responsible publisher, it is important to note that my team and I do not endorse or support any illegal torrenting activities. It is crucial for you to be mindful of the laws applicable in your jurisdiction and refrain from downloading copyrighted files without obtaining proper permission beforehand.

Does Bitdefender VPN Work in China? No!

Bitdefender VPN does not appear to be capable of evading the Great Firewall of China in any way, as the app does not provide any means of obfuscation. I looked throughout the Bitdefender system for answers to see if they would corroborate my hypothesis. Unfortunately, there is no mention of China anywhere on the website, not even in the support section.

I took it a step further and contacted the company’s live chat support team with my inquiries. A representative from the support team confirmed what I already suspected, which was that it is impossible to use Bitdefender in China.

VPNs with purpose-built obfuscation technology are the only ones likely to function in heavily censored countries. ExpressVPN is a trustworthy choice that operates in censored nations like China. Please exercise some common sense caution when using a VPN in China because the security it offers does not permit you to carry out unlawful activity.

Support for Bitdefender VPN is available via email, phone, and live chat. The live chat support provided by Bitdefender particularly impressed me. Connecting with a support agent took less than a minute, and my inquiries were always answered within minutes. And when I emailed Bitdefender, I got a response within five hours, which is excellent.

Furthermore, Bitdefender VPN’s website features an unwieldy FAQ section with answers to a variety of questions about the service. You can also find video tutorials that explain how to use the VPN on different operating systems. In addition, Bitdefender hosts a forum where users can voice their opinions on the company’s products and services. Don’t bother posting a time-sensitive query here, as VPN users don’t contribute much traffic to this forum.