All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
Best Overall
Our top choice for the best lightweight antivirus is McAfee, as it offers a lot of features and strong protection scores without slowing your device down. In third-party testing, it had the lowest impact score of all tested antivirus software.
Norton scores the highest star rating overall and had low impact scores, but not as low as McAfee. Other choices include Avast for fast scans and Guardio for an option that focuses on keeping your browser safe from malicious extensions, notifications, and websites.
Read on to see what we liked, what we didn’t, and which of these lightweight software providers is right for you.
Our top picks all offer manual and scheduled scans, real-time protection, ransomware protection, phishing protection, and a firewall, except for MacKeeper. The macOS-only antivirus solution lacks a dedicated firewall and phishing protection but includes all the other standard bells and whistles.
 |
 |
 |
 | |
| Star rating | Not yet rated | |||
| Price overview | $29.99–$249.99/yr | Free or $29.99–$299.99/first yr | Free or $9.99-$14.99/mo | Free-$119.88/yr (first year only) |
| Max number of protected devices | Unlimited | Unlimited | 5 | 30 |
| Performance impact score* | 2.6 | 7.6 | N/A | 7.4 |
| EICAR test results | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Firewall | ||||
| VPN | ||||
| Parental controls | ||||
| Password manager | ||||
| Extras | ID theft protection, data removal | Dark web monitoring, performance optimization tools, webcam protection | ID theft protection, data breach monitoring, dark web monitoring | Data breach monitoring |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, ChromeOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Chrome, Edge, Opera, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get McAfee | Get Norton | Get Guardio | Get Avast |
*The lower the performance impact score, the lighter the antivirus.
We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, third-party testing scores, internal testing scores, price, compatibility, and features offered, among other metrics.
This means that our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, protects as it claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We download and run each program on our own computers on home networks, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the antivirus product. This ensures that we can recreate a similar experience for you and give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full antivirus testing methodology here.
Third-party testing is an important evaluation tool that can help you decide which antivirus program is right for you. AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs charge companies to submit their products for testing, which are then rigorously tested.
The results are published without the antivirus company having any say in their presentation. This allows you, the consumer, to see how the software copes with computer viruses and malware.
We also evaluate antivirus software ourselves using third-party test scores and a system called EICAR, which allows us to test against malware, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), and phishing attempts. EICAR testing brings a deeper level of understanding to a product’s effectiveness by showing how it works against threats other than malware.
We retest products frequently to ensure that our information is correct. If a product gets better or worse, we let you know.
Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices
McAfee is one of the most recognizable antivirus names out there, and for good reason. It delivers a whole suite of antivirus features, plus a boatload of extras, all without slowing down your computer.
So if you want an incredibly lightweight antivirus that doesn't skimp out on any of the extras, McAfee is best for you.
/images/2025/02/27/mcafee_review_0125_refresh_01.png)
Lowest performance impact: In AV-Comparatives performance impact test, McAfee scored the lowest impact scores — and it wasn't even close. After McAfee's 2.6 score, the second place software scored 5.0, with the worst one scoring a 31.1.
Good protection scores as well: But just because this antivirus is lightweight doesn't mean it doesn't do its job. McAfee also consistently scores high on all third-party testing.
Lots of bonus features: If you like to bundle your software, McAfee has you covered with a VPN, password manager, identity theft protection, and more.
Features limited for macOS: While McAfee impressed us on our Windows testing, we were disappointed about the lack of certain features on macOS, including a file shredder and tracker blocker.
| McAfee | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | N/A |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.95% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get McAfee |
Tested protection against hackers, viruses, malware, and ransomware
Includes VPN, parental controls, and more
Backed by a 100% Virus Removal Guarantee
Norton 360 is great for anyone who wants a lightweight antivirus with plenty of additional features. Usually, features have to be sacrificed for the sake of processing power, but Norton’s features are light enough not to impact your system. You’ll find extras like Norton’s VPN, identity theft protection, and cloud storage.
No matter if you’re an individual with a single computer or in a large family with a laptop for each person, Norton antivirus can cover your devices, as its Ultimate Plus plan protects unlimited devices.
/images/2024/05/10/norton-vpn-full-suite.png)
Top-rated bundled security: For as much as it offers, Norton is still a pretty lightweight antivirus option. Users looking for an all-in-one solution will enjoy Norton 360’s features, such as cloud storage, a password manager, credit monitoring, parental controls, and more. If you have a lower-end device with limited processing power, Norton has protection features like cloud storage and a password manager, which have minimal CPU or RAM impact.
Usability: When we tested Norton’s usability, we found it intuitive and helpful. Sometimes, security products are difficult to navigate, but Norton makes using its product easy for anyone. The language is clear and geared toward non-technical users, and anyone should be able to open the dashboard and use the program.
Cost: Norton is a great product, but our biggest complaint is always its price. While Norton has reasonably priced tiers on all of its products, if you need broad coverage for a family, other antivirus programs will be more affordable.
Even when you consider the savings you’ll get from bundling Norton’s antivirus, a virtual private network (VPN), and identity theft protection into one package, you’re still likely to pay a lot.
| Norton | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.96% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Norton |
Easy-to-use online security tool that cleans up your browser, removes malicious extensions, and checks for privacy violations
Blocks harmful emails, texts, and webpages
Stops invasive notifications and monitors data breaches for your information
Guardio is a unique option that's ideal for someone who wants to make sure all their web browsing stays safe. Instead of being a standalone app that scans all your files, Guardio lives in your browser and makes sure malicious extensions, files, and notifications don't get on your computer in the first place. This makes it incredibly lightweight while still keeping you safe.
/images/2023/10/25/guardio-review_dashboard-01.png)
Easy to use: While some antivirus programs are incredibly robust, they can also be extremely confusing and clunky. Guardio's unique features make it user friendly right from the start. You just need to add the extension to your browser of choice and you're protected. No confusing settings to play with.
Extra identity and data protection features: On top of making sure no malicious software gets on your computer, Guardio also comes with $1 million in identity theft insurance, plus regular monitoring for data breaches or dark web leaks.
No way to scan your device: Guardio comes with real-time protection that stops malicious files in their tracks, but it doesn't allow you to scan your device on demand.
| Guardio | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | N/A |
| AV-TEST macOS score | N/A |
| AV-TEST Android score | N/A |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | N/A |
| SE Labs results | N/A |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Guardio |
Perfect third-party test results, verifying comprehensive antivirus, ransomware, and malware protection
Includes advanced security features like a VPN, firewall, data breach alerts, privacy tools, device optimization, and more
Avast is good for users looking for an antivirus that offers faster scans. In our testing, a smart scan took 40 seconds, while a deep scan ran just over 5 minutes. This means that even if your device is older and has performance limitations, the disruption to your work won’t be as long. Considering that some heavier antivirus products can take hours, Avast offers top-rated protection with less impact on system performance.
Don’t assume that Avast’s speed makes it unsafe. It comes with excellent protection scores from third-party testers and passes our internal tests with excellent results.
/images/2025/02/14/avast_review_0125_refresh_09.png)
Performance: There’s a lot we like about Avast. Its free tier provides top-notch antivirus protection that’s accessible to everyone. It’s a perfect product for anyone on a tight budget. Even though there are a variety of free antivirus products, Avast stands out to us because of its performance.
Low cost: Not only is the impact score the lowest on our list, but it’s also one of the most robust, free products available. For anyone wanting more, Avast and Avast One’s upgraded versions are still budget-friendly and include so many features. We’re always pleasantly surprised when we see all that Avast can do.
No parental controls: Despite all of the great things we love about Avast, it doesn’t offer parental controls. That may or may not be a deal breaker for you, but we were hoping for something, even if it’s only in the Family plan.
| Avast | |
| AV-TEST Windows score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST macOS score | 18/18 |
| AV-TEST Android score | 18/18 |
| AV-Comparatives malware protection score | 99.93% |
| SE Labs results | 100% |
| EICAR score | 3/3 |
| Learn more | Get Avast |
When we reviewed lightweight antivirus software, important aspects we looked for included:
Fast scans that allow you to use your device unencumbered are the top trademark of a lightweight antivirus. Most of our choices take less than 5 minutes, and none take more than 30 minutes for a full scan. This means that even if the scan does slow down your device, it will only be for a short time and cause minimal disruption.
You’ll also want an AV with great third-party testing scores. Our choices passed our internal tests and were highly rated on AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs, whenever applicable.
Useful features can reduce overall monthly security costs by combining antivirus with a password manager, a VPN, cloud storage, device optimization tools, and more. Of course, you’ll want antivirus software that fits your monthly budget. While many of our choices here have a free tier, options with reasonable pricing are also available for anyone who wants a little more.
If you want something lightweight and easy, avoid a bulky antivirus with high CPU usage, buggy or long scans, and so-so protection scores. We’ve listed some of the ones we found to perform poorly, especially with scans, protection scores, or generally difficult or outdated interfaces.
McAfee is the most lightweight antivirus. It offers the lowest impact score, which means it can run smoothly in the background while you continue to work on your computer. However, Norton does offer slightly more features for a slight increase in processing requirements.
Norton, Guardio, andAvast all have low-impact scores and free tiers. Microsoft Defender’s most significant appeal is that it's free, so why not replace it with a quality free antivirus that offers additional protection and features? Plus, you can use third-party antivirus software concurrently with Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
While opinions might be mixed about using additional antivirus protection on a low-end device, you can as long as the software is lightweight and you aren’t trying to do more processing than the device can handle. If you use Windows 10, keep in mind that Microsoft is ending support for that OS effective October 14, 2025. This means you'll definitely need antivirus protection.
When protecting low-end devices, or devices with lower processing power, you’ll want to make sure your antivirus software isn’t too elaborate. Some features you’ll want to consider:
McAfee is the best overall lightweight antivirus. It balances protection, performance, and usability. Norton, Avast, and Guardio are alternative lightweight antivirus solutions with excellent performance and protection.
Whether you’re using a computer with limited processing power or don’t want a heavy antivirus bogging down your CPU usage, you can still get top-tier protection without sacrificing memory space.
Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices
/images/2023/08/04/total-av-vs-norton.png)
/images/2024/02/21/avg_vs._totalav_antivirus_featured_image.jpg)
/images/2024/11/06/avast_antivirus.png)
/images/2024/10/31/best_mcafee_alternatives.png)
/images/2024/10/30/best_adlock_alternatives.png)
/images/2024/10/29/avg_alternatives.png)
/images/2024/10/29/bitdefender_alternatives.png)
/images/2024/10/26/antivirus_prices_mcafee_antivirus.png)
/authors/mary-james_allaboutcookies-author.jpg){kind=small}
/authors/rebecca-white-headshot.jpg){kind=small}
/images/2023/01/17/logo-mcafee-antivirus.png){kind=logo}
/images/2023/03/03/logo-norton-large.png){kind=logo}
/images/2023/06/15/guardio_logo-svg.png){kind=logo}
/images/2023/01/20/logo-avast.png){kind=logo}
/authors/mary-james_allaboutcookies-author.jpg)