11 Best Antivirus Software for Low-End PCs [2024 Guide]
Keep your system safe without slowing your computer
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Key notes
- Some security tools require too many resources and can slow your computer. Thus, we’ve prepared a list of antiviruses for low-end PCs.
- Protect all your devices with one of the best modern, AI-based solutions.
- Choose one of the lightest antiviruses you can use against malware.
- These lightweight cybersecurity options from our list, offer the same protection as more resource-intensive options.
If you want the best protection possible but your PC isn’t quite up to scratch, then these antivirus solutions for low-spec PCs will keep you safe whilst not hogging all its resources.
Antivirus has become very important since the early 2000s with the expansion of the Internet with lots of hackers releasing new viruses and malware.
And recently, ransomware can put computer users at risk of losing information and files or being held for ransom before accessing their system.
It has become increasingly important to have quality antivirus software to protect against such threats.
If your computer is a low-budget PC then the best type of antivirus is light in size and does not use too much of your computer’s resources as this would slow down the PC.
Since low-budget PCs come with lower-end processors, it is vital that the antivirus to be installed should use as few resources as possible while providing adequate security against malicious threats.
Today we review the best antivirus software for low-spec PCs. Any of the following solutions will work on a low-end system because of their minimum resource requirements.
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Best security tool for intense browsing activity.
What is the best antivirus for low specs PC?
TotalAV – Proactive privacy and protection
TotalAV is a reliable antivirus software that protects your device from viruses, malware, and any type of online threats.
It helps you quickly scan your PC for temporary files where viruses are usually found. You can also set a preferred time and schedule an automatic scan for malware, junk files, or tracking cookies.
After TotalAV finishes scanning your device, you can select an action for each of the malicious elements, such as quarantine, whitelist, delete, or many others.
It also has a Real-Time Protection feature that continuously checks your downloads and installs and keeps harmful threats away.
Furthermore, you can browse safely and securely thanks to its WebShield feature that defenses against phishing and “spoofing” websites from compromising your security.
Take a look at other impressive features of TotalAV:
- Blocks unlimited ads and in-play video ads
- Data breach monitoring
- Disable notifications
- Generate and store secure passwords
- Ransomware and phishing scams protection
TotalAV
Defend your device from viruses and online threats with this professional tool.Panda Dome – Lightweight solution
Panda Dome is a great security software that uses cloud processing to clean the PC. In addition, it has a nice user interface making it ideal for novice computer users as well.
Furthermore, Panda has a handy vaccination tool that automatically checks USB drives for malicious software.
Also, an emergency rescue USB drive which users can use to reboot to scan the affected system. This antivirus is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Panda Dome antivirus is a useful antivirus software for low-spec PCs with its cloud-based protection which does not impact too much on users’ PC while still offering other stellar protection features.
The most important features include:
- Excellent malware detection
- Users can create an emergency USB rescue disk
- Lightweight software
Panda Dome
Pick this very light antivirus that uses the cloud instead of your PC resources to protect you.ESET HOME Security Essential – Multi-layered technologies
ESET HOME Security Essential is one of the best antiviruses that you can use. It is a modern antivirus powered by AI, meaning that it adapts and improves itself continuously.
Furthermore, it is a perfect and performant tool for gamers or anyone who wants to have uninterrupted sessions of work or gaming on their computers.
Additionally, the software doesn’t need a lot of your computer resources. So, you can watch movies, play, work, and more, but with this antivirus, you won’t experience any slowdowns.
Some of the best features:
- Compatible with Mac, and Linux operating systems
- Keeps your PC clean of viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware, and all types of malware
- Multi-layered technologies
- Game Mode, to prevent pop-us while playing
- Regular updates
ESET HOME Security Essential
Get one of the best modern cybersecurity solutions, that work great even on old PCs.Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – System optimization
Bitdefender has had the best detection rate for the past 5 years and its solutions are installed on millions of systems across the world.
That’s certainly a very good reason to consider installing Bitdefender Antivirus Plus.
Artificial Intelligence and machine learning technologies anticipate, detect, and block all threats, even the newest ones before they infect your system.
Although it’s a very rich security solution, coming with lots of built-in functions, Bitdefender uses minimal resources from your PC.
Moreover, this antivirus solution features optimization tools that can speed up your PC’s boot-up time and increase its performance.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus also has a very sensitive nose for phishing websites. It detects and blocks them even before you get to see their false promises.
Some great features include:
- AI and machine learning technologies
- Enhancing system performance
- Safe online banking
- VPN integrated
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
This new-age antivirus is an award-winning solution that has a very low impact on your PC.Intego – Low impact on PC resources
Intego is a free-trial antivirus that is suitable for both Windows and Mac devices with low-end performance.
Using this enhanced antivirus, you have overall security against all types of malware or web attacks that targets your device safety.
Plus, you’re covered with 24/7 threat-monitoring technologies that can detect emerging threats and block infected apps before getting into your PC.
Given that Intego is trusted and used by millions, you can install it without a doubt on low-end devices and use it without affecting the OS performance.
In terms of scanning, this antivirus tool helps you with different scan modules that can diagnose multiple areas of your system including folders, files, or RAM memory.
Some of the best features:
- Easy user interface with low-end resource impact
- Improved malware prevention
- Detailed virus report
- Quarantine mode
Avira Free Security – Simple usage
Avira Free Security is one of the popular antivirus software offering free antivirus and is used by millions. This antivirus gives top-notch protection to users’ computers.
The installation of the antivirus is slow and contains lots of advertisements that remind users that they are using free software.
After installation, things get interesting with the user interface opening a homepage consisting of a main window with a slatted menu and panels where users can view the system status.
When clicking on PC protection users can start a scan of the system. Users can also toggle on the real-time protection features and configure the default settings.
However, Avira is slow in running a full scan with each full scan taking about two and a half hours which is far longer than other competitive rivals.
Unlike other antivirus solutions that skip already validated files for subsequent scanning, Avira still validates these same files for every scan meaning that subsequent scans still take more than 2 hours.
Some of the best features that are worthy of your attention::
- The antivirus gives good independent results when used
- Very good at blocking malware
- Includes a free VPN
- Improves PC performance
- Quality protection for users with low-end computers
Avira Free Security
Over 100 million people worldwide use Avira thanks to its great protection but also for its lightness.VIPRE – Premium-level customer support
As threats become more sophisticated and attacks exceed in ingenuity, you need strong protection for your PC even if you don’t have the ultimate configuration.
This is where VIPRE comes in with a promise to have a very low impact on your resources but to pack an impressive punch against any threats.
This awesome security solution defends your PC against ransomware and other emerging threats, viruses, Trojans, rootkits, exploits, spyware, and more.
If you’re in the U.S., VIPRE is your best choice because they offer an award-winning customer service team ready to help you for free.
This clever antivirus software is always on the look for malicious activity, blocking any snooping or any attempts of data theft.
The most important features include:
- Free premium-level customer support and service for the U.S. residents
- Top-rated, award-winning protection
- Easy to install and simple to use
Malwarebytes – Good detecting feature
Malwarebytes is unique software, best used in conjunction with another antivirus as it helps to detect unwanted bugs that accompany software downloads, especially if you like to download free software.
Also, it gives layers of protection that specializes in the detection of malware and malicious files.
Web protection blocks traffic to known dangerous addresses, whether by the browser or by a malicious application.
Ransomware protection watches for the behaviors that occur when an unknown program is getting ready to encrypt your files.
Malwarebytes is an ideal software to have in conjunction with a regular antivirus as it helps to boost it by detecting security threats.
It also takes little resources from users’ PCs which makes it one of the lowest impact antivirus solutions for low-spec PCs.
More important features that are worth mentioning:
- Performs fast scans and provides good protection.
- Detects threats normal antivirus may miss
- Great malware protection
Emsisoft Antivirus – Improved interface
Emsisoft Anti-malware is an extremely powerful security software designed to run smoothly on low specs PCs and laptops. It is highly compatible with Windows 10 running on both x32 and x64 platforms.
This tool is offering real-time protection and blocks malware before it can be executed, using the high-performance dual-engine scanner or the behavior analysis.
In addition, the surf protection feature was recently improved and warns you about many phishing sites when you try to access them.
Emsisoft Anti-Malware stands out as the top security software with a redesigned interface, significant improvements, and recent awards from AV comparatives and Virus Bulletin.
This is a reliable tool that protects the most important parts of your system against malware, ransomware, adware, you name it – and it is the lightest antivirus to use on your low-spec PC.
Some of the most important features:
- Dual-engine scanner
- High compatibility with Windows 10
- Redesigned interface
Avast Free Antivirus – Gaming protection feature
Avast is a worldwide giant in the antivirus industry with hundreds of millions of users worldwide.
Avast incorporates features such as excellent detection of malware and malicious software with real-time protection which makes the antivirus consistently rank among the best in the world.
Avast Free Antivirus features browser protection using specific plugins with just little delays when installing this plugin.
This software competes comparatively well in browser protection, especially against malware threats, and highlights dangerous links in search engine results while blocking trackers.
In addition, the gaming feature prevents displays of updates or pop-ups that can disrupt users’ gaming experience.
The main features include:
- A myriad of features are available
- Excellent URL filtering options
- Ideal antivirus for low specs PC
- Gaming mode
Microsoft Security Essentials – Easy setup
Microsoft Security Essentials may not be one of the top-rated antiviruses but it is still among the best when it comes to its functions and compatibility with low-spec PC.
This malware protection software which was launched by Microsoft in 2009 has gotten a reputation as decent antivirus software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is free to download for Windows, which is a plus, and comes with well-programmed protection tools geared towards antivirus and anti-malware protection.
It is also compatible with multiple Windows versions from Windows XP to Windows 10 and comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit which is a crucial aspect for low-end PCs.
Furthermore, one of its unique advantages is that it can be installed and run on more than 8 systems simultaneously because it is small to download and utilizes low resources.
Users can also determine how much of the CPU resources would be allocated to the software for a scan with the default at 50%.
Microsoft Windows essential is the ideal antivirus for a low specs PC with its small size and easy installation appealing to users.
Some of the best features include:
- Easy to install and use
- Compatible with numerous versions of windows O.S
- Gives protection with access to a large database of virus definitions
If you’re still using an old computer with low specification, no worry about using an antivirus. Any of the above solutions will not make it run slower.
Please tell us which one you prefer and how is your experience with the software you have chosen in the comments section below.
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