BullGuard antivirus BullGuard, a reliable antimalware software, is now owned by NortonLifeLock Inc. This means that BullGuard antivirus will eventually be integrated into Norton and will no longer bear the BullGuard name. However, fans and loyal users of BullGuard need not worry as Norton antivirus is widely regarded as one of the top antiviruses available in the market today. Furthermore, Norton offers all the impressive features that BullGuard had, including Parental Control, PC optimization, and cloud backup. In this guide, we will review BullGuard antivirus performance, security, features, usability, and pricing – all the aspects that play a crucial role when picking the right product for your needs.
Company Background
Founded in 2002 by Morten Lund and Theis Sondergaard in Copenhagen, Bullguard is now based in London and has approximately 100 employees working in offices across Europe. In November 2018, Bullguard revealed a collaboration with NordVPN, a highly reputable VPN service globally recognized. The aim of this partnership is to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity solution for the current consumer market. However, there are no indications that this will be integrated into their existing Internet Security package. Instead, it will be sold separately as a stand-alone product.
BullGuard antivirus Features
| 🏅 Overall Rank | out of 74 antiviruses |
| 🔥 Firewall | Yes |
| 👤 VPN | Yes (separate purchase) |
| 🎁 Free Plan | No |
| 💸 Pricing | Starting at INR840/year |
| 💰 Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
| 📀 Operating Systems | Windows, Android, Mac |
BullGuard pros & cons
BullGuard Full Review
BullGuard possesses the majority of the features I desire to encounter in a high-quality Windows antivirus in 2023. However, I am not particularly impressed with all of its tools, and I believe that many other internet security suites offer better value, such as Norton. My main issue with BullGuard is that its Mac application lacks most of the additional features that are included in its Windows application. Additionally, it would be beneficial if BullGuard offered an iOS application, and I also wish that its VPN was provided as part of its antivirus plans. Nevertheless, if you solely require protection for your Windows and Android devices, BullGuard is a satisfactory choice.
When it comes to protecting your devices from malware and cyber threats, BullGuard antivirus is a popular choice. With its range of features and comprehensive protection, it offers peace of mind for users. One of the standout features of BullGuard antivirus is its pricing options, which are affordable and flexible for different budgets. The plans offer a variety of features such as real-time protection, firewall, vulnerability scanner, and parental controls.
In terms of customer support, BullGuard provides 24/7 assistance via phone, email, and live chat. While BullGuard has many pros like its user-friendly interface and efficient scanning capabilities, there are a few cons to consider as well. Some users have reported occasional performance issues and false positives during scans. Overall, BullGuard antivirus provides reliable protection and excellent value for money.
Security Features
If you are searching for a comprehensive security suite, there is no need to look any further than Bullguard. Even the basic version of the program is reliable, providing protection against malware, ransomware, secure browsing, and Game Booster. Additionally, Bullguard’s vulnerability scanner, which is included in the basic package, has received excellent scores in laboratory tests. When considering the Internet Security package, which includes the firewall that is absent in the basic package, you will have access to a fully-featured program at a reasonable price. Overall, Bullguard consistently receives high ratings for its protection, performance, and user-friendliness in tests conducted by AV-Test.
Additional features
The basic version of Bullguard comes with Game Booster, a feature specifically designed to appeal to gamers. What sets Bullguard apart from other antivirus software is its exclusive inclusion of this feature. Game Booster ensures that gamers have protection against malware by optimizing the core processors of their computers. By reallocating open applications to different cores, Bullguard prevents any interruption or fluctuation in game speed. In addition to Game Booster, the Internet Security package offers other noteworthy features such as parental controls and integrated cloud backup.
Ease of use & Performance
Bullguard has received excellent ratings from AV-Tests for both performance and usability, which directly affect the speed of your system. Rest assured that Bullguard will not slow down any task you are working on as it operates efficiently in the background while keeping you protected. For serious gamers, Bullguard is the top choice as it has integrated services specifically designed for this market segment across all its packages. Gamers are highly attuned to performance problems and anything that could potentially impact their gaming experience. Unlike other antivirus programs that can consume a lot of resources, Bullguard is tailored with gamers in consideration.
Plans and pricing
BullGuard comes in three versions: Antivirus, Internet Security, and Premium Protection. Each plan offers different pricing in terms of the subscription length and the number of devices you want to cover.
| Version | Features | Price |
| BullGuard Antivirus | Real-time protection, anti-phishing, anti-malware, anti-ransomware, dynamic machine learning (offline protection), behavioral engine, vulnerability scanner, Game Booster, and live chat support. | From $23.99 |
| BullGuard Internet Security | Everything in BullGuard Antivirus, plus Secure Browser, Firewall, Parental Control, Cloud Integrated Backup, PC Tune Up, Android Protection, and macOS Protection. | From $29.99 |
| BullGuard Premium Protection | Everything in BullGuard Internet Security, plus Home Network Scanner and Ultimate Identity Protection. | From $40.00 |
You can pay with credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, PayNearMe, or a wire transfer. Each product offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to try out the software risk-free.
BullGuard Antivirus
BullGuard Antivirus is the most basic version of the app. It includes the most necessary features like real-time scanning, protection from various online threats (ransomware, phishing, malware), offline protection, vulnerability scanner, and Game Booster. It only covers a single device, and it only supports Windows OS. As a result, it might seem a bit limited.
| Subscription | Price (1 device) |
| 1 year | $23.99 |
| 2 years | $38.39 |
| 3 years | $47.99 |
As you can see, it’s cheaper to buy long-term plans – the three-year subscription offers the most value. You can also get a free 15-day trial.
BullGuard Internet Security
The main contrast between BullGuard Antivirus and Internet Security lies in the range of platforms they support. While Antivirus is limited to Windows, Internet Security can be used on macOS and Android devices as well. Additionally, the subscription for Internet Security allows for coverage of three, five, or 10 devices. In addition to the features provided by Antivirus, this version of Internet Security also includes a secure browser, firewall, Parental Control settings, Cloud backup, and a PC optimizer.
| Subscription | 3 devices | 5 devices | 10 devices |
| 1 year | $29.99 | $41.99 | $70.49 |
| 2 years | $49.99 | $67.49 | $112.99 |
| 3 years | $59.99 | $83.99 | $140.99 |
It’s nice that the free trial of Internet Security is twice as long as the one of Antivirus – you have 30 days to use the tool completely for free.
BullGuard Premium Protection
BullGuard Premium Protection is the highest in terms of features (and price) among all versions of BullGuard. It offers additional functionalities such as the Home Network Scanner and Ultimate Identity Protection. Moreover, it provides coverage for either 10 or 15 devices, making it an ideal solution for small businesses.
| Subscription | 10 devices | 15 devices |
| 1 year | $40.00 | $56.00 |
| 2 years | $64.00 | $89.60 |
| 3 years | $80.00 | $112.00 |
Just like in the case of Internet Security, you have 30 days to use Premium Protection for free.
Number of licenses & Package details
Bullguard offers three distinct protection packages, which include the Antivirus package at the entry level, the Internet Security package in the mid-level, and ultimately, the Premium Protection package.
How good is BullGuard antivirus?
BullGuard is an effective anti-malware solution that can fulfill your online security requirements. Its virus detection rate has consistently been outstanding over the years, ensuring its effectiveness in its primary function. Initially, it may appear that the software provides numerous additional features. However, after conducting a comprehensive BullGuard antivirus review, it becomes evident that most of these features are rather basic and do not offer anything beyond what other anti-malware tools provide. Nevertheless, there is no need to be concerned about whether BullGuard offers all the necessary features. This is because NortonLifeLock has acquired BullGuard and it will soon become a part of Norton antivirus, which not only meets all your needs but also exceeds them.
Customer Support
Bullguard offers 24/7 email support, but this service is only available in English and Romanian. Additionally, the email support for French, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, German, and Swedish speakers is limited to 9 am to 5 pm CET. Apart from email support, Bullguard provides extensive Product Guides and a searchable Help Center with a variety of frequently asked questions (FAQs). Furthermore, Bullguard operates an active user forum called the Bullguard Zone where customers and gamers can ask questions or express concerns. Both their peers and Bullguard’s support staff are available to provide answers on the forum.
The Bottom Line
I want to make it clear that I cannot claim this antivirus is the best on the market, as it is not. In truth, there is no definitive best antivirus because each user and household will have their own unique and specific requirements. As mentioned earlier, if you are a gamer, then this antivirus is undeniably the top choice. However, if you are not and you are seeking a reasonably priced antivirus (compared to its competitors), I would not hesitate to recommend Bullguard. Nevertheless, I would suggest considering upgrading to the mid or Premium tier packages as the slightly higher cost provides several valuable features.