Panda Free Antivirus Review 2025: Lightweight Security with Built-in VPN

Panda Free Antivirus is a lightweight cloud-based antivirus solution for Windows developed by the Spanish company Panda Security. Known for its minimal system impact and simple interface, Panda Free Antivirus stands out among free antivirus options in 2025 thanks to its built-in VPN and unique recovery tools. This makes it an attractive choice for users seeking both efficiency and extra features.

This software was featured in our top 7 best free antivirus programs for Windows in 2025.

See the complete ranking of the best free antivirus for Windows in 2025

Main Features

• Developer: Panda Security (Spain)
• Protection level: High, though slightly behind top leaders like Kaspersky and Bitdefender
• Interface: Modern, minimalist, available in multiple languages
• Supported OS: Windows, macOS, Android
• Updates: Real-time updates via cloud technology

Pros and Cons

Pros

• ✅ Cloud-based technology results in minimal load on your PC
• ✅ Free VPN (150 MB/day)
• ✅ Game mode to disable notifications during gaming
• ✅ Rescue USB tool for system recovery
• ✅ Fully free with an easy-to-use interface

Cons

• ❌ Protection level is slightly lower than top competitors
• ❌ VPN is limited (usage cap and no country selection)
• ❌ Lacks advanced features (no parental controls or firewall)
• ❌ Not officially available for download in some regions (VPN required for access)

Performance and System Impact

The key advantage of Panda Free Antivirus is its lightweight nature. Thanks to cloud-based threat processing, the impact on CPU and memory is minimal, making it an excellent choice for older or less powerful PCs. During everyday use, the program runs quietly in the background, almost unnoticeable.

Additional Features

• VPN (150 MB/day) powered by Hotspot Shield
• Game mode - disables notifications during games or movies
• Rescue USB - create a bootable recovery flash drive
• Basic web protection and anti-spyware modules

Who Is It For?

• Owners of older or low-end computers
• Gamers (thanks to the distraction-free game mode)
• Anyone seeking simple and lightweight protection with the bonus of a VPN

Comparison with Competitors

• Lighter than Avast and AVG, but offers fewer features
• Protection is a notch below Kaspersky Free and Bitdefender Free, but Panda includes a VPN out of the box
• The VPN is more generous than Avira Free's (150 MB/day vs. 500 MB/month)

Conclusion

Panda Free Antivirus is an excellent choice for those seeking a lightweight, free antivirus with minimal impact on system resources. It's especially suitable for gamers and users with older PCs, while the integrated VPN and Rescue USB are welcome extras for added security and recovery options.

Compare Panda with other top free antivirus programs for 2025