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Head-to-head · Anti-Phishing Software

Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) vs Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) #3 in Anti-Phishing Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Bitdefender
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen #6 in Anti-Phishing Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Microsoft

Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) leads on 0 checks, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresMicrosoft Defender SmartScreen · 5 of 6

Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) scores higher on our rubric for anti-phishing software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) is the better fit for people seeking free browser-based protection. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is the better fit for windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations.

  • Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) fits best

    People seeking free browser-based protection

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen fits best

    Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #3 in Anti-Phishing Software #6 in Anti-Phishing Software
Best for People seeking free browser-based protection Windows users and Microsoft-managed organizations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Browser extension Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Chrome extension Windows
Support Email Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) 0/6 · Microsoft Defender SmartScreen 5/6
Phishing URL blocking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Email phishing detection Not checked yet —
Browser protection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Credential protection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Real-time scanning Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Threat detection dashboard Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • Checks pages against Bitdefender threat intelligence in real time
  • Blocks dangerous pages and rates search results
  • Includes tracking-script blocking and website permission controls
  • Checks URLs and webpages for phishing and suspicious behavior
  • Checks downloaded files and apps against reputation data
  • Supports policy management through Group Policy and Intune
Cons
  • Protection is delivered as a browser extension, not broad email security
  • Premium features require an eligible Bitdefender subscription
  • A Bitdefender account is required to use the extension
  • Email phishing detection is not included
  • Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
  • Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Our verdict

Bitdefender Web Sage, formerly TrafficLight, is a browser security extension for people who want protection while browsing in Chrome or Edge. Its free Standard version checks pages in real time against Bitdefender threat intelligence,…

Read the review →

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is a built-in Windows and Microsoft Edge security feature for people and organizations seeking protection from phishing and malicious content while browsing. It checks visited URLs against reported threat…

Read the review →
  1. Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage)Anti-Phishing Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Microsoft Defender SmartScreenAnti-Phishing Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage) — where it wins

    • Checks pages against Bitdefender threat intelligence in real time
    • Blocks dangerous pages and rates search results
    • Includes tracking-script blocking and website permission controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Protection is delivered as a browser extension, not broad email security
    • Premium features require an eligible Bitdefender subscription
    • A Bitdefender account is required to use the extension

  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen — where it wins

    • Checks URLs and webpages for phishing and suspicious behavior
    • Checks downloaded files and apps against reputation data
    • Supports policy management through Group Policy and Intune

    Where it doesn't

    • Email phishing detection is not included
    • Credential warnings depend on supported Windows 11 configurations
    • Organization reporting requires Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
  • Bitdefender TrafficLight (now Bitdefender Web Sage)9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free Chrome and Edge extension for real-time web protection, not email security.

    Visit BitdefenderFull verdict →
  • Microsoft Defender SmartScreen8.8/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows and Edge safeguard for suspicious sites, downloads, and credential entry.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Anti-Phishing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update