In Today’s digital world almost every user of internet use more than one device to surf internet daily. It’s a fact that enormous amount of data is transferred and received by each user of internet, which may include important financial and personal data. It is most important in today’s world then ever that your computer and mobile devices are equipped with the best antivirus protection software.
There are a number of computer security (antivirus) softwares, claiming the best protection package from malware threats, ransomware, firewalls and light on using system resources. Every company claims their internet protection product is the best making hard for us to choose the best regarding protection, cost and system performance.
Making your hard decision easy we have compiled a list of anti-virus and security products which are best on performance(which does not slow down your system) based on two most trusted anti-virus testing labs and security certifications authorities namely av-comparatives and av-test.org. Following are some good performing security products to choose from. Although there are free antivirus available but to keep the virus signature updated you must buy an annual or monthly subscription.
Although there are various packages offered by each antivirus providers, classified from less to more costly, but for complete protection against the advance digital threats we recommend to invest in the strongest program.
Prior to scrolling down you should note the testing criteria and scoring system of AV-comparatives and AV-test labs.
AV-comparatives test Lab classifies the performance as slow, mediocre, fast and very fast. The overall performance score is determined by the impact score, the products with the lower impact score is considered the best for performance.
AV-Test labs evaluate security products on points based system, there are maximum 6.0 points and the best products are given 6.0 out of 6.0.
1. VIPRE Advanced Security:
VIPRE Advanced Security does not only safeguards your PC against the modern prevalent threats but also protects your personal data and private information with award-winning, top-rated sophisticated antivirus protection, including those that evade traditional antivirus for PCs and Macs.
VIPRE is the best security product performance wise in both the tests conducted in 2019 by AV-Comparatives and AV-Test Labs.
AV Comparative VIPRE performance Test :
According to av-comparatives test, performance is classified as slow, mediocre, fast and very fast (This is for high Performance).
| Task/Operation | Performance |
| File copying | Very Fast |
| Archiving / Unarchiving | Very Fast |
| Installing /Uninstalling Applications | Very Fast |
| Launching Applications | First run -> Very Fast, Subsequent runs -> Very Fast |
| Downloading Files | Very Fast |
| Browsing Webites | Very Fast |
VIPRE got 0.6 impact score (the lower is better) on AV-Comparative test for performance, while ESET Antivirus and Internet Security Solutions has got the lowest impact score of 0.3 and topped the AV-Comparatives performance test but we have not listed ESET here because in 2019 AV-test.org have not listed ESET in their latest test reports. You may want to read Why ESET is the best security package to invest in here , or you can follow Get Protected by ESET NOD 32 antivirus.
AV-Test VIPRE Performance Test:
AV-Test labs evaluate the performance of anti virus products on points from 1 to 6 using real world scenarios. 6.0 are the highest points they give to the best security products in each category. VIPRE scored 6.0 in the category of performance test in AV-Test lab.
| Slowing-down when launching popular websites | 6% on Standard PC | 7% on High end PC |
| Slower download of frequently-used applications | 0% on Standard PC | 0% on High end PC |
| Slower launch of standard software applications | 4% on Standard PC | 3% on High end PC |
| Slower installation of frequently-used applications | 26% on Standard PC | 23% on High end PC |
| Slower copying of files (locally and in a network) | 1% on Standard PC | 0%on High end PC |
VIPRE tops this list in the test category of performance, here we mean low on resources by performance. This product is not cumbersome and will not degrade the performance of your system while defending you against modern digital threats. If you are looking for a security product which is not only light and brisk but also provide powerful defense, making your online life safe and content, VIPRE is the best to consider.
VIPRE Products and Offers:
2. McAfee Total Protection :
McAfee runs in the background keeping your system safe without affecting the speed of file copying, archiving/unarchiving, installing/Uninstalling applications, downloading files and website browsing. On the first run of launching applications it is ranked as fast while on subsequent runs it is classified as very fast.
In terms of performance McAfee total protection scored an impact score of 0.8 on Av-comparatives.org and 6.0/6.0 points on av-test.org performance test,following are the performance test results of McAfee.
AV Comparative McAfee performance Test :
According to av-comparatives test, performance is classified as slow, mediocre, fast and very fast.
| Task/Operation | Performance |
| File copying | Very Fast |
| Archiving / Unarchiving | Very Fast |
| Installing /Uninstalling Applications | Very Fast |
| Launching Applications | First run -> Fast, Subsequent runs -> Very Fast |
| Downloading Files | Very Fast |
| Browsing Webites | Very Fast |
Mcafee got 0.8 impact score (the lower is better) on AV-Comparative test for performance.
AV-Test McAfee Performance Test:
McAfee scored 6.0 / 6.0 in the category of performance test in AV-Test lab.
| Slower launch of standard software applications | 6% on Standard PC | 5% on High end PC |
| Slower download of frequently-used applications | 0% on Standard PC | 0% on High end PC |
| Slowing-down when launching popular websites | 8% on Standard PC | 4% on High end PC |
| Slower installation of frequently-used applications | 24% on Standard PC | 24% on High end PC |
| Slower copying of files (locally and in a network) | 1% on Standard PC | 1% on High end PC |
McAfee Total Protection offers award winning anti virus with Ransomware Guard, Safe Browsing, Identity theft protection, Performance optimization, Password manager, Encrypted Storage and Free support.
3. Avast Free AntiVirus:
Avast antivirus offers fake site protection, download protection, File Shield, Behavior Shield, Cyber Capture and Ransomware Shield. Despite the advanced protection techniques you can enjoy complete protection with Avast free antivirus, Avast is a trusted cyber security company which stops 1.5 billion malware attacks each month, scans 200 billion URLs each month and scans 300 Million new files each month.
In terms of performance Avast scored an impact score of 6.2 on Av-comparatives.org and 6.0/6.0 points on av-test.org performance test,following are the performance test results of Avast.
AV Comparative Avast Antivirus performance Test :
According to av-comparatives test, performance is classified as slow, mediocre, fast and very fast.
| Task/Operation | Performance |
| File copying | Very Fast |
| Archiving / Unarchiving | Very Fast |
| Installing /Uninstalling Applications | Very Fast |
| Launching Applications | First run -> Fast, Subsequent runs -> Fast |
| Downloading Files | Very Fast |
| Browsing Webites | Very Fast |
Avast free antivirus got the impact score of 6.2 which is same as AVG anti virus.
AV-Test Avast Performance:
Avast antivirus scored 6.0 / 6.0 in the category of performance test in AV-Test lab.
| Slowing-down when launching popular websites | 14% on Standard PC | 15% on High end PC |
| Slower download of frequently-used applications | 2% on Standard PC | 1% on High end PC |
| Slower launch of standard software applications | 11% on Standard PC | 10% on High end PC |
| Slower installation of frequently-used applications | 20% on Standard PC | 21% on High end PC |
| Slower copying of files (locally and in a network) | 2% on Standard PC | 3% on High end PC |
If you are looking for a complete security package with a lot of features and gears which will make sure you are safe against all types of digital security threats, you should try Avast Premium.
4. AVG Internet Security:
AVG Free Antivirus offers basic protection which includes complete Computer/PC Protection and Web & Email Protection. If you want serious and complete protection against Hacker Attacks, privacy theft, and payment protection you can upgrade to full protection at any time.
AVG has an impact score of 6.2 on Av-comparatives.org and 6.0/6.0 points on av-test.org performance test.
AV Comparative AVG performance Test :
AV-comparatives test Lab classifies the performance as slow, mediocre, fast and very fast.
| Task/Operation | Performance |
| File copying | Very Fast |
| Archiving / Unarchiving | Very Fast |
| Installing /Uninstalling Applications | Very Fast |
| Launching Applications | First run -> Fast, Subsequent runs -> Fast |
| Downloading Files | Very Fast |
| Browsing Webites | Very Fast |
AVG got the impact score of 6.2 which is same as Avast anti virus.
AV-Test AVG Performance:
AVG antivirus scored 6.0 / 6.0 in the category of performance test in AV-Test lab.
| Slowing-down when launching popular websites | 15% on Standard PC | 13% on High end PC |
| Slower download of frequently-used applications | 3% on Standard PC | 2% on High end PC |
| Slower launch of standard software applications | 11% on Standard PC | 10% on High end PC |
| Slower installation of frequently-used applications | 20% on Standard PC | 21% on High end PC |
| Slower copying of files (locally and in a network) | 2% on Standard PC | 2% on High end PC |
With the score of 6.0/6.0 in AV-Test for performance and the impact score of 6.2 in AV-Comparatives performance test, AVG is number 4 on the list of light weight and low on resources antivirus softwares.
Features of AVG Antivirus Free:
- Stop viruses, spyware, ransomware & other malware
- Block unsafe links, downloads, & email attachments
- Scan for PC performance problems
- Get real time-security updates
If you want more advance protection upgrade to AVG Internet Security, following are some of the advance features of Avg Internet Security.
- Stop viruses, spyware, ransomware& other malware
- Block unsafe links, downloads & email attachments
- Scan for PC performance problems
- Get real-time security updates
- Secure personal folders with an extra layer of ransomware protection
- Prevent peeping Toms from watching you via your webcam NEW
- Keep hackers away with Enhanced Firewall
- Avoid fake websites for safer shopping
- Includes AntiVirus PRO for Android
Exclusive: Get 20% off our best antivirus for unlimited devices!
5. Kaspersky Internet Security:
Kaspersky is out there since 1997 providing sophisticated security solutions and services to protect consumers, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments around the world.
Kaspersky has an performance impact score of 7.9 and performance score of 6.0 according to AV-Comparatives Lab and Av-Tests Lab respectively.
AV Comparative Kaspersky performance Test :
AV-comparatives test Lab classifies the performance as slow, mediocre, fast and very fast.
| Task/Operation | Performance |
| File copying | Very Fast |
| Archiving / Unarchiving | Fast |
| Installing /Uninstalling Applications | Very Fast |
| Launching Applications | First run -> Fast, Subsequent runs -> Fast |
| Downloading Files | Very Fast |
| Browsing Webites | Very Fast |
Kaspersky got the impact score of 7.9 which is preceded by Panda Dome Internet Security(Impact Score 6.6) and Symantic (Impact Score 6.4). We have not included Panda Antivirus and Symantic Antivirus in this List because Av-Test.org have not listed them in their test results of 2019.
AV-Test Kaspersky Performance:
Kaspersky antivirus scored 6.0 / 6.0 in the category of performance test in AV-Test lab.
| Slowing-down when launching popular websites | 28% on Standard PC | 18% on High end PC |
| Slower download of frequently-used applications | 0% on Standard PC | 0% on High end PC |
| Slower launch of standard software applications | 7% on Standard PC | 6% on High end PC |
| Slower installation of frequently-used applications | 12% on Standard PC | 12% on High end PC |
| Slower copying of files (locally and in a network) | 3% on Standard PC | 1% on High end PC |
With the score of 6.0/6.0 in AV-Test for performance and the impact score of 6.2 in AV-Comparatives performance test, Kaspersky is number 5 on the list of light weight and low on resources antivirus softwares.
Kaspersky offers three security packages.
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus.
- Kaspersky Internet Security.
- Kaspersky Total Protection.
Kaspersky Total Protection Include these Features:
- Defends against viruses, ransomware & more.
- Protects – without slowing you down.
- Simplifies security – to save you time and hassle.
- Secures your devices – in any combination.
- Helps you keep your private life… private.
- Protects when you’re online banking & shopping – on PC & Mac.
- Parental controls & extra features – to protect kids on PC, Mac & mobile.
- Manages & stores passwords – and syncs for access from PC, Mac & mobile.
- Helps secure your precious photos, music & files – on PC.
6. Bitdefender Internet Security 23.0
Bitdefender antivirus is out there since 2001 providing cyber security solutions to approximately 500 million systems.
Bitdefender free antivirus is out there along with its most sophisticated paid security packages and subscriptions. You can always try their products functionality using 30 day free trail.
Bitdefender has an impact score of 8.3 according to AV-comparative and performance score of 6.0 score according to AV-Test lab.
AV Comparative Bitdefender performance Test :
Following are the results of performance tests on a system with Bitdefender Antivirus installed.
| Task/Operation | Performance |
| File copying | First run-> Fast, Subsequent runs -> Very Fast |
| Archiving / Unarchiving | Very Fast |
| Installing /Uninstalling Applications | Very Fast |
| Launching Applications | First run -> Fast, Subsequent runs -> Fast |
| Downloading Files | Fast |
| Browsing Webites | Very Fast |
AV-comparatives gave an impact score of 8.3 for an overall average of executing different operations with Bitdefender installed.
AV-Test Bitdefender Performance:
Bitdefender antivirus scored 6.0 / 6.0 in the category of performance test in AV-Test lab.
| Slowing-down when launching popular websites | 19% on Standard PC | 16% on High end PC |
| Slower download of frequently-used applications | 2% on Standard PC | 2% on High end PC |
| Slower launch of standard software applications | 7% on Standard PC | 3% on High end PC |
| Slower installation of frequently-used applications | 17% on Standard PC | 17% on High end PC |
| Slower copying of files (locally and in a network) | 2% on Standard PC | 0% on High end PC |
With the score of 6.0/6.0 in performance category of AV-Test and the impact score of 8.3 in AV-Comparatives performance test, Bitdefender anti-virus is considered one of the top ten light weight cyber security solution.
Although you have stated and created this list of best performing anti virus softwares based on the two security programs testing labs namely av-tests and av-comparatives, but i want you to add Eset antivirus to this test if you can, because i have been using eset nod 32 for the previous one year and so far have not noticed any performance issue caused by eset antivirus. I must say eset nod32 is the best security solution out of the 4 i personally used.
I have purchased Vipre security bundle and was reading different reviews about Vipre antivirus to confirm that i have made a good choice. Thanks for writing this best performing security packages review, i am glad to find Vipre at first spot of this factual review list of best performing antivirus softwares.
On my PC i have installed AVG Internet Security and by far it has not effected the performance of my PC. I would recommend AVG Internet security to everyone reading this post above all other anti-virus softwares as i have personally used it and using it. Dear admin it would be great if you keep AVG at the First position, if not AVG should be at the second spot for best anti-virus performance wise.
Valuable info. Fortunate me I found this post, i was searching for making my final decision on investing in security package which does not only protect my PC and online privacy but which also consume minimum resources of my system. Although you did not listed ESET antivirus here in this list (for obvious reasons you stated), but thanks at least you did have mentioned the performance of ESET internet security.
Update:
I did have read your review about Eset Nod 32 antivirus, thanks for explaining the features of ESET internet security in such a simple and concise way.
Good to know, VIPRE Advanced Security at top of both the tests in performance,Vipre antivirus is not only best in performance but it is also exceptional in other tasks for what it is built.
I am a fan of eset nod 32 antivirus and it is nice to find here in this list of best anticirus performance wise. Eventhough i have searched for the next best security package but cant satisfied myself with any other antivirus, will continue using only eset nod 32.
Hi, loved reading through this list of best performing antivirus softwares. I would like to add to this list for any other readers like me. I have tried avast and avira antivirus, they are both good but cannot beat eset node 32 which i have installed on my laptop for six months, and i have never felt any load on my systems performance so far. You may be confused about your investment but i think eset node 32 will never make you regret your choice.
Many thanks