In depth

In Depth

Pricing

ThreatLocker’s quote-based model makes it harder to budget upfront but often makes sense for MSPs managing multiple client environments. Bitdefender offers transparent per-device pricing with two tiers: standard Business Security and premium (adding EDR/XDR capabilities). For a small business, Bitdefender is more accessible; for MSPs, ThreatLocker’s approach aligns better with allowlisting-as-a-service offerings.

Features & Deployment

ThreatLocker is a Zero Trust allowlisting platform, not traditional AV. Its core strength is granular control:

• Application allowlisting + ringfencing
• Storage & elevation control
• Designed for MSPs to wrap around existing AV

Bitdefender GravityZone is a full endpoint protection suite:

• Industry-leading AV engine (top independent lab scores)
• EDR/XDR available as higher tier
• Risk analytics, patch management, full-disk encryption as add-ons
• Cloud or on-premises deployment

The key difference: ThreatLocker replaces your security model (allowlisting vs. detection), while Bitdefender is a traditional detect-and-respond platform. They address different needs—ThreatLocker excels at locking down MSP client networks; Bitdefender excels at broad threat detection affordably.

Ratings & Verdict

ThreatLocker wins if: You’re an MSP prioritizing Zero Trust ringfencing, can afford ongoing tuning, and want 24/7 support bundled in.

Bitdefender wins if: You need proven AV detection, transparent pricing, and want a single platform covering SMB basics without upsells—or plan to add EDR only where needed.

Verdict: These solve different problems. ThreatLocker is specialized allowlisting for security-conscious MSPs; Bitdefender is the sensible all-rounder for most businesses. If you’re unsure, start with Bitdefender. If you’re an MSP seeking defense-in-depth, layer Bitdefender with ThreatLocker.