Antivirus Android apps continue to be one of the most popular categories of Android apps. In general, if you play it safe, only download apps from the Play Store, and have your security settings enabled, you won’t need an antivirus software. However, other people like to live life on the edge and avoid doing such things. There are a plethora of dreadful antivirus applications available. Even if these applications aren’t required, it’s a good idea to be aware of the safe ones that don’t suck. Here are the best antivirus and anti-malware applications for Android.
One final point to mention is that many antivirus programmes for Android either do nothing or perform a poor job. Here’s a research completed by AV-Comparatives that includes further information regarding how effective various antivirus programmes are. We urge that you look through that list before making any decisions so that you can assist yourself choose the best one.
The Best Android Antivirus Apps
1. Avira
Avira is one of the most recent antivirus applications. Over the previous year, it has grown at a rapid pace. The programme includes the essentials, such as device scans, real-time protection, external SD card scans, and much more. This one also includes a VPN for an extra degree of security. Other functions include anti-theft protection, privacy checking, blacklisting, and device administration. It is far lighter than programmes such as Norton and others. The free version is enough for most tasks. The premium versions are available in three pricing tiers and contain features such as the aforementioned VPN, password creation, more regular virus database updates, and more.
2. Avast Antivirus
Avast Mobile Security is one of the most well-known antivirus programmes available for any platform. It has more than 100 million downloads and a plethora of functions. The usual antivirus scanning, an applock, a call blocker, anti-theft support, a photo vault, and even a firewall for rooted Android smartphones are among the features. As a result, it’s a fantastic utility even if you don’t require the antivirus component very often. There are also certain booster features, but you should avoid them as normal. The free version includes the majority of the functionality and is ad-supported. The premium editions provide additional security measures, no advertisements, and the most costly version also includes a VPN.
3. AVG Antivirus Free
AVG is another another well-known brand in the antivirus software market. In fact, it’s nearly identical to AVAST. AVG was bought by AVAST in 2016. As a result, the experience in both antivirus programmes is comparable. In the same manner, you may examine your phone for any weaknesses. This one offers anti-theft tracking through Google Maps, but it lacks AVAST’s rooted firewall availability. As a result, they are distinct enough to be considered distinct items. Just make sure to avoid the garbage features, such as phone boosting, because they don’t function. AVAST’s price tiers and premium features are same.
4. Bitdefender Free Antivirus
Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the few really free antivirus programmes available. It hasn’t altered significantly throughout the years. It has a basic scanning feature, a simple interface, fast performance, and requires no setting. This is ideal for really simple requirements. All it truly does is scan things and then wait for them to be scanned again. There is a larger, more comprehensive Bitdefender app. However, we believe that this one is ideal for individuals who want something straightforward. It’s also completely free, with no in-app purchases or memberships required. However, there is advertising.
5. Dr. Web Security Space
Dr Web is an older antivirus and anti-malware application. It includes a good range of features, including as rapid and thorough scans, ransomware protection, quarantine space, and even statistics. It also offers strong anti-theft capabilities, call and SMS filtering, URL filtering, parental controls, a firewall, and other features. It’s also reasonably priced. It costs $8-$16 each year for one to two years. A lifetime licence is also available for $89. The lifetime licence is a little pricy, but it allows you to avoid the monthly payment if you so want.
6. ESET Mobile Security and Antivirus
ESET is yet another well-known brand in the realm of antivirus and anti-malware software. It includes scans, anti-theft assistance, a security auditor tool, scan scheduling, and other useful features. The installation procedure is rather invasive. It’s one of the few that necessitates the use of an email address. Otherwise, it performs admirably. Upon installation, you will be given a free one-month trial. It then costs $1.99 per month or $14.99 per year. It isn’t as hefty as AVAST or AVG, but it is heavier than CM Security Lite or Bitdefender. Take the information for what it’s worth.
7. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Kaspersky is a well-known antivirus programme. It comes in both a free and a paid edition. Both versions include SMS and call barring, as well as scans, virus updates, and anti-theft features. The premium edition includes real-time protection, an app lock, and other features. Of course, both editions include virus detection and other features. It isn’t quite as large as the most powerful antivirus software. Furthermore, there aren’t many terrible booster functions that don’t work. It’s refreshing to see an antivirus tool that focuses on what it does best rather than trying to cover all bases. If you just require assistance for one device, the subscription rate is reasonable. There are alternative tiers for five and 10 devices, which may grow rather pricey.
8. Lookout Security & Antivirus
Lookout is another well-known antivirus and anti-malware application. It is pre-installed on many handsets, particularly those sold by carriers such as T-Mobile. It does the fundamentals quite well. Scans, phishing prevention, malware protection, anti-theft measures, and other functions are included. It also has some unique features such as identity protection, identity insurance, and WiFi detection. As a result, it has a somewhat different perspective than other antivirus programmes. There are two levels of security. The first is very normal at $4 per month. The $10 tier includes $1 million in identity theft insurance, identity monitoring, and a few more benefits. The only annoyance is that the software requires you to create an account before it can accomplish anything.
9. Malwarebytes Security
Malwarebytes is one of the most widely used antivirus programmes for Windows. The smartphone version is also quite excellent. It has an aggressively updated virus database, malware and ransomware support, a permission tracker, and other features. It can even search for potentially harmful links in messages sent over WhatsApp, Facebook, SMS, and other platforms. Of course, it performs the expected functions such as scanning. The software looks beautiful, runs well, and isn’t as large as some others. It’s also inexpensive, costing $1.49 per month or $11.99 per year.
10. McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee is one of the most well-known names in antivirus software. It’s also one of the most substantial. Scanning, anti-theft, anti-spyware, and security locking are all included in the app. It can also capture images of your possible phone thief, save locations to the cloud before the phone goes down, and perform other useful things. McAfee also provides a number of standalone applications for various purposes. The user interface is outdated and does not look well. Furthermore, it boasts phone booster functions that do not operate, and becoming pro necessitates the setup of an account. The antivirus aspect of the software performs admirably, and some of the secondary functions are appealing. The entry-level subscription includes photo and video backup, an app vault, and Internet security. The more costly version has greater security for things like internet banking.
11. Norton 360
Norton 360 has its advantages and disadvantages. Imagine how much worse things will get if we post this one here. However, the programme includes many of the standard capabilities, such as malware, spyware, and other malicious software protection. Additional capabilities include the ability to save the position of the device when the battery is low, real-time protection, anti-theft measures, and more. It is one of the more expensive antivirus software solutions. Its $49.99 per year version, on the other hand, includes a VPN and a dark web monitor. If you require it, there is an additional $104.99 a year option that covers support for up to five devices. If you don’t require a VPN, the $14.99 per year plan is the one we’d recommend.
12. Safe Security
Safe Security (formerly 360 Security) is a mixed bag. Some of its security features aren’t half awful, but the other half is. The programme monitors your applications for any malicious activity, albeit its detection rate is a touch higher than we’d like to think. Facebook is horrible, but it isn’t virus yet. In any event, this is a good, basic antivirus programme that will do scans and alert you to any risks. In addition, the software has a slew of phone booster and phone accelerator functions. We don’t encourage utilising such features since they don’t work and will make your phone perform worse. Aside from that, it’s reasonably priced and one of the few that provides a lifetime licence.
13. Sophos Intercept X for Mobile
Sophos is one of our favourite Android antivirus and anti-malware applications. It contains malware protection, a virus scanner, browser filtering, app safeguards, theft prevention, Wi-Fi security, and a slew of other features. It performs all of this for free, without advertising, and without any junk booster functions that don’t truly operate. Its password safe feature is compatible with KeePass, and it also has an authenticator function for multi-factor authentication. We don’t suggest antivirus software to anybody, but if you must have one, try this one first.
14. Trend Micro Antivirus
Trend Micro is a solid overall choice for antivirus software. It includes standard functionality such as device scans to determine whether or not programmes are malicious. Its most notable traits, like most others, are secondary. These include the prevention of malicious apps, a web security function, a public WiFi checker, and a financial transaction security function. It’s not like other antivirus programmes that scan for viruses and then perform a variety of odd things. It like to stay in its comfort zone. Some features are free, but a $4.99 per month or $19.99 per year (recommended if you get it) membership is required to access all of the good things.
15. Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect is the antivirus app for Android. It scans your device’s apps and compares them to the Google Play versions of those apps. It indicates if the two aren’t the same. This, combined with the existing protection in Google Play, creates a very strong security barrier. Furthermore, it’s free, it’s probably already on your device, and you don’t need to do anything to use it. This, along with common sense, works better and is better for your device than virtually any antivirus programme, regardless of manufacturer. It will also save crucial resources because there will be one fewer software operating in the background. This is the one we suggest initially. More information is available by clicking the icon below!