Archives: Reviews

Bitdefender was born in the millennial generation, but this Romanian company actually shows such great maturity when dealing with online security that over 500 million users worldwide already rely on its services. Bitdefender Internet Security is one of the most complete and popular choices given its attractive interface, ease of use, and solid defense against all kinds of menaces. Though it's exclusive to Windows, the extensive antivirus protection and numerous privacy tools are the highlights of a suite that can not only be complemented with extra services but can also be fully customized to fulfil the personal needs of each user. But Bitdefender Internet Security's greatest asset, however, is that it has one of the best quality-to-price ratios, all available for testing with a 30-day free trial.

There are many internet security solution providers out there, but none of them have been more synonymous with the protection of computers than Avast. Although the company's main profile is providing various security apps for PCs running Windows, it also offers specialized solutions for Mac enthusiasts who want to make their devices an impenetrable fortress against cyber attacks. Avast Security for Mac is one such tool that, although mostly an antivirus with additional internet security features, provides sufficient protection against all sorts of issues, whether that is related to malware, vulnerable networks, or the safeguarding of important files. Admittedly, this doesn't seem too much when compared to what other Mac security companies put into their internet security suites, but Avast became a market leader for a reason. As such, Avast Security for Mac can be enjoyed with all the benefits that other Avast products come with, such as the outstanding discount policy – which relies on a more-the-merrier philosophy – the 60-day free trial of the Pro version, and a money-back guarantee that ensures that nobody is left unsatisfied.

Among the many great corporations in the world of online security, Avast Software is one that truly shines bright. The Czech company has built up a reputation for developing some of the most reliable tools across a variety of purposes, all the while focusing on three main areas: protection, privacy, and performance. In fact, these three pillars are so important for the company that the desktop client of Avast Internet Security is built accordingly, putting the user in charge of every decision while protecting their Windows devices from every type of digital menace. More than just enabling its customers with deep customization for a better experience, the program also brings some additional tools and lets everyone get a taste of other Avast software, such as the SecureLine VPN and the handy Cleanup Premium registry cleaner. And, best of all, the company's free trial lasts for a whole month.

When it comes to providing total antivirus protection, it's certainly better to already have access to the tools to do just that. This is what British brand SS Protect has done with TotalAV, which produces other privacy and computer optimization software such as the VPN solution Scanguard and a registry cleaner. While these programs are entirely separate from each other, TotalAV adds the extra benefits of these into a versatile security suite that provides a great level of protection against all sorts of menaces. Even better, the suite is compatible with computers and mobile devices across different operating systems and is suitable for every kind of user thanks to useful preset settings and a handful of customizable details. While TotalAV does come in different shapes and sizes price-wise, the company does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and the first scan is on the house, too.

When hearing the term ‘VPN' for the first time, some people will think they'll need extensive knowledge to successfully configurate one. AVG Secure VPN, however, is as light as VPN software can be while still being an impressive application. That's no novelty within AVG's solution, which is part of the Avast group. Since 1991, AVG has been releasing a series of security services like AVG Antivirus, AVG Internet Security, Tracker Blocker, Secure Browser, and many others. With a portfolio like this, it's no wonder the company has also developed its own VPN service.

Even though the company has its headquarters in Czechia, AVG secure VPN is offered in various languages and distinguishes itself by having 56 locations available in over 35 countries. Users will be satisfied to know that they can try the full software for free for seven days and although licenses are limited to annual contracts, the product can be tested for longer than the trial period since AVG has a refund policy of 30 days.

Photo-editing software is a complicated beast. Add too few features, and the user will complain about the lack of tools. Add too many, and the user will stare at the interface like a deer in headlights because they have no idea where to find what they need. InPixio has decided to tackle this issue by offering two difficulty levels to choose from, as well as the option to customize the workspace to your heart's content. The Parisian developer's Photo Studio software comes with a great range of features that allow you to edit images like a professional – with access to even more tools available in the Pro and Ultimate versions. The Standard subscription costs $49.99 a year, but it's well worth it when you consider how much bang you're getting for your buck. If you're still on the fence, then the 5-day free trial provides you with an excellent opportunity to check out every feature and function that Photo Studio has to offer.

Some software tries to do it all, some hopes to excel at one particular thing, while others simply copy their betters. This is especially true of photo editing software where any number of available programs can fit into one of these categories; with Luminar that means emphasizing image enhancement – rather than editing – and therefore appealing to the same specialized demographic as Adobe's Lightroom. Luminar is designed to be easy to pick up, a purposefully limited toolset that offers only the necessary tools to empower users of any experience with the abilities to improve their photos quickly, easily and effectively. A lower price point represents this specific functionality, too, making it an investment that amateur photographers – on either PC or Mac – might want to consider, while a 14-day free trial means making that decision doesn't need to be done blind.

When Henry Ford started the first production line, it was unlikely that he anticipated the path that automation would take. Now robots can climb stairs, help organize our homes and our day-to-day needs, and even take care for the elderly, but what about creative endeavors? Will robots one day take over our artists, film makers, or musicians? It's a scary thought, but it's perhaps one that developer Skylum has on its mind with Photolemur. With this small piece of software the Luminar creator has created a tool that uses AI to edit your photos for you, making the necessary adjustments invisibly to automatically enhance your photography. If image editing isn't interesting to you and you'd rather put zero effort into the task of perfecting your images, then Photolemur – which is just a one-off payment rather than a subscription – is the only photo editing solution out there that can do just that.

Imagine a time when photo editing software came on a disk. Imagine a time when you could count the features of these tools on a pair of hands. Imagine a time when Corel's long-running PaintShop suite was in a two-horse race with Photoshop. Those days have since flown by, and nowadays there's a bevy of choices and options open to the would-be photo editor, which means that it's particularly important for developers to specialize. Some will focus on providing a cloud-based service, others on vector editing or helping create great social media images, while the rest can be divided up by their respective target audiences. PaintShop Pro, then, has its pendulum swinging heavily towards the professional editing demographic and its software – available for $79.99 alongside a 30-day free trial – is crammed full of features to match this purpose. Newcomers to image editing will have their hands full, but experts will have all they could hope for.

When software tries to cover a broad range of needs, it can often become bogged down in excessive features and unnecessary complication. Fotor is a browser-based image editing suite that aims to touch on any reason to use it, but with an emphasis on keeping things intuitive and easy-to-use. It features a robust selection of tools that you'd expect from any image editing software, as well as extras such as HDR editing, countless filters and effects, and numerous stickers and customization options to round out the package. It includes three core aspects, though: image editing, collage creation, and graphic design for more specialized needs. Though subscribing for as low as $3.33 a month will unlock a number of extras, crucially it can be used completely free with only a handful of limitations – making it a worthy contender as a go-to editing suite, whatever your needs are.