Panda Security Antivirus Review 2022: Freeware or a Deluxe Package?

PANDA SECURITY ANTIVIRUS

October 15, 2022 at 7:00 p.m

You can get the security program Panda Security Antivirus as freeware or a deluxe package. Our test shows whether a paid subscription is worthwhile for you.

If you are looking for an antivirus program with a free version, you will find it at Panda Security. Alternatively, the Spanish company offers you numerous premium features in different price models. How do they differ?

In addition to the free Panda Free Antivirus, the Spanish company offers four premium tariffs. At first glance, this wealth of options seems a bit confusing, but it also allows you to adapt the service to your needs. Find out here whether Panda Dome Essential, Advanced, Complete, Premium or the free version is the best choice for you.

Installation and user interface

After choosing the appropriate tariff and payment method, you will be taken directly to the relevant download links for the client on the Panda Security website. There you can select your platform and start the download. Another option is the activation code displayed during the download for quick installation.

Of course, you do not need to enter an activation code if you want to use the free version of Panda. The setup is even easier here. In contrast to the paid version, you will not be asked for an e-mail address for verification after installation.

Clear client

After installation, all the functions that are included in your tariff are available to you in the client. A click on the icon with the word “Improve protection” takes you to a menu in which you can see individual functions of other tariffs if you are thinking about a possible upgrade.

This allows you to specifically search for features that you expect from an antivirus program and select the appropriate tariff. In any case, we recommend trying the client out with the free version first. There you can then get an idea of ​​the functions that are important to you and start a trial month of the payment option of your choice accordingly.

Functions: You can book these features

Panda Security Antivirus offers a wealth of functions that can be selected separately in the client. This includes basic functions such as the manual or automatic virus scan, the firewall or the password manager. Since not all features are included in every tariff, it is worth taking a look at our table below in this article, which compares all the functions of the tariffs.

Encrypt data and remain anonymous

In addition to the traditional features of an antivirus program, Panda Security also offers the possibility of encrypting your data. With the so-called Data Shield, selected files are made inaccessible to third parties, which protects you even in the event of unforeseen data leaks.

The same applies to the integrated VPN function, which allows you to surf the Internet anonymously and disguise your ID. A dark web scanner is also part of Panda Security. This lets you research specifically whether private and confidential information about you is being traded on the Dark Web.

Boost performance and remove legacy issues

Panda Security Antivirus also offers several features that, in addition to security, also optimize the performance of your device. Using a cleanup tool that is available to you with Panda Dome Premium, you can completely delete individual data. In this way, even with a complete data recovery, they do not fall into the wrong hands.

Danger: If the complete deletion is only for a performance boost and you want to use the data in the future, a backup that you save externally (e.g. in a cloud storage) is a good idea. The data is stored permanently, but the performance of your device is not affected.

Panda Security Antivirus: You are safe on these platforms

Panda Security Antivirus is available for Windows and macOS as well as Android and iOS. This sets the service apart from other services such as Surfshark, which do not currently support iOS. If you want to change the platform on which you use Panda, you don’t have to change the tariff. You can easily register with your account in the corresponding client of the new device.

Security and protection with Panda Security Antivirus

The security that Panda Security gives you depends heavily on the plan you pay for. While the free version even lacks a firewall and ransomware protection, Panda Dome Premium offers great advantages with unrestricted access to the integrated VPN service.

Panda Security requires some commitment from you in researching individual plans and features if you want to get the best possible protection. The free USB scans, which the free tariff allows you, do not protect you when surfing the Internet, but they can at least minimize some risks when handling data carriers.

The same applies to the VPN function, which is at least limited in the free version and protects you when surfing. The VPN is limited to 150 MB per month for all tariffs except Panda Dome Premium, which is why you should rather use another VPN provider to bypass country blocks and stream foreign content.

Support: Small FAQ area and paid premium service

The Panda Security website offers you a for small problems and initial inquiries FAQ section. In comparison to other antivirus programs, this only answers a few complex questions. In most cases you will look for personal contact.

A chat function, a hotline and a contact form are available for this purpose. Unfortunately, the former was grayed out in our test and could not be tested. Both a call to the hotline and the Use of the contact form but offer two options that allow you to contact an employee directly.

Interesting: The most expensive tariff Panda Dome Premium lets you, from AnyTech365 support, use support service. He should be available around the clock and all year round and advise you individually.

Panda Security Antivirus: pricing and subscriptions

Panda Security offers a total of 5 different tariffs that are designed to protect you from viruses and other online threats to varying degrees. Only one of these plans, Panda Free Antivirus, is free. All other tariffs are chargeable.

You can think of the Panda Security tariffs as a progressive model in which you can add features for an extra charge. The more expensive tariff always includes the features of the previous tariff. While the differences between Free and Essential are still minimal, other updates offer essential features such as ransomware protection (Advanced) and a password manager (Complete).

While the comparatively small price jumps between Essential, Advanced and Complete can be explained well with the additional features, Panda Dome Premium stands out as a comparatively inexpensive all-in-one solution.

Panda Security Antivirus: price comparison

Panda Dome Premium also includes a VPN flat rate and a cleanup function, combining the features of a VPN service and cleanup software into one comprehensive premium product. Before taking out a Panda Dome Premium subscription, you should therefore check which of these areas you have already covered with other programs in order to avoid possible duplication.

With an annual subscription, you save another 25% on each of the tariffs, but you also give up the option of canceling your tariff on a monthly basis. If you want to commit to the service for a long time anyway, the annual subscription is a good way to save.

Panda Security Antivirus: Unsubscribe

To cancel your subscription to Panda Security, just send an email to customer service. To do this, send an email with your contract information to [email protected]. We recommend that you then wait for a confirmation and if necessary follow up if the provider does not get back to you within a few days.

Uninstall Panda Security Antivirus

If you’ve had enough of Panda Security, don’t forget to uninstall the entire program from your device. Otherwise, unexpected malfunctions might occur as the antivirus programs might conflict with each other.

The best way to completely remove Panda Security is to follow the steps that the company itself lists on its FAQ page. There you will be asked how you Uninstall Panda Security Antivirus can, answered step by step.