The 10 Best Android Antivirus to Use in 2024

Many Android users install antivirus software on their smartphones to protect them from malware attacks. However, the utility of an antivirus goes beyond malware protection. A strong antivirus can also protect you from online attacks or threats, ensure your device’s recovery in cases of theft, and offer advanced features to improve your device’s security.

In this article, we’ve provided a list of the best antivirus you can install on your Android to guarantee all-around security and privacy. Continue reading to compare their features to make an informed decision when selecting an antivirus for your Android device.

Top 10 best antivirus for Android – Quick list

Here’s a quick list of the best 10 Android antivirus apps.

How to select the best Android antivirus

Top antivirus programs usually have these features:

Performance effect	Light
Security features	Malware scans, real-time protection, and Wi-Fi scanner
Additional features	Password manager, VPN, and anti-theft protection
Effectiveness	96%

• Performance effect: The impact of an antivirus program can cause a rapid drain on your device’s battery health. Hence, confirming the battery power the antivirus software requires before installing is essential so you don’t download a program too heavy for your Android device.
• Advanced protection features: A reliable Android antivirus must have regular security features and advanced technologies to guarantee premium security from malware and other threats. These features include device scans, real-time protection, and a Wi-Fi scanner.
• Additional features: An added advantage is having an Android antivirus with extra features. Although these features are not compulsory, they contribute to a robust antivirus experience. These additional features include web filters, VPN, and Identity theft protection.
• Customer support: You should only consider Android antivirus programs with an active and functional customer support system that runs 24/7. This can benefit you as they can resolve any technical challenge you face while using the program.
• User interface: The user interface of some Android antivirus programs is difficult to navigate, especially for first-time users. Hence, you should opt for an Android antivirus with a straightforward and user-friendly app to enjoy a great user experience. 
• The value offered: Confirm that the antivirus program’s subscription matches its services. You can do this by gathering reviews from previous or current users. 

Best Android antivirus apps compared

Here’s a table showing the best Android VPNs and their unique features:

	Bitdefender	Norton	Surfshark	TotalAV	NordVPN	ESET	Avira	Kaspersky	Trend Micro	Panda
Rating	4.9	4.7	4.4	4.6	4.3	4.3	4.2	4.3	4.2	4.3
Free Version	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Price	From $19.99 yearly	From $199.99 yearly	From $41.88 yearly	From $19.00 yearly	From $3.29 monthly	From $39.99 yearly	From $30.99 yearly	From $41.99 yearly	From $19.95 yearly	From $19.20 yearly
App lock	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Advisor	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No
ID theft guard	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
VPN	Yes, about 200MB daily	Yes, unlimited data	Yes, unlimited data	Yes, unlimited data	Yes, unlimited data	No	Yes, unlimited data	Yes, unlimited data	Yes, unlimited data	Yes, about 150MB daily

The best Android antivirus today – Detailed list

Here’s a comprehensive list of the best Android antivirus programs, including their features and subscription fees.

1. Bitdefender Mobile Security

• Official link: Bitdefender.com

Bitdefender Mobile Security is a popular antivirus software for Android and other devices. It offers robust protection services beyond detecting malware.

When you install Bitdefender Mobile Security on your Android device, the software recommends steps to improve device usage and ensure general protection. It has a potent malware scanner that can detect almost 100% of malware on your Android device without draining your battery or requiring too many resources. The scanner also verifies if you have installed adware, ransomware, or other potentially dangerous applications.

Bitdefender Mobile Security also has a Web Protection feature that scans every website you visit for malicious content. The software application is also device friendly and functional.

Other additional features include a strong VPN service and anti-theft protection. Like every standard VPN service, Bitdefender Mobile Security can unblock geo-restricted content with advanced encryption and privacy features.

With the anti-theft feature, you can lock your Android device, scan for malware, or clear the data from your device. There’s more – it can inform you of a potential breach on your online account. You can also use an App Lock to safeguard selected applications with a PIN. All in all, the antivirus gives you control over your Android device.

Drawbacks

Bitdefender Mobile Security’s VPN service offers users about 200 MB daily to use the internet. However, this data is usually insufficient to interact on the internet using the VPN service. So you might have to opt for a separate Android VPN service with unlimited data caps for extensive use.

Subscription plans

To enjoy Bitdefender Mobile Security, you only have to pay $19.99 yearly. The service covers only one device, and you can test it for 30 days without incurring risk.

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2. Norton Mobile Security

• Official link: Norton.com

Norton Mobile Security is a leading antivirus software for Android devices. It focuses on providing quality services in three primary areas; privacy, security, and identity protection.

Norton has premium VPN technology that ensures subscribers’ data are safe when interacting on the internet. To access this service and other services like password management and parental control system, you have to download the specific application from Google Play Store. You’ll also need to connect to a Deluxe or Standard plan.

Norton guarantees security by conducting regular malware scans to identify malware on your device. It alerts you when the operating system has technical issues and informs you when you connect to insecure networks. This can help you prevent malware attacks or threats when you connect to a public Wi-Fi.

Norton has a Web Protection feature that restricts you from accessing websites with malicious components. It updates the blocklist regularly, marking malicious websites to avoid. This feature helps you access the internet freely without worrying about being a victim of malicious attacks. It also reduces situations of identity theft to the barest minimum. If you want a dedicated ID theft guard, you can install Norton LifeLock.

Another advantage of this antivirus is the Advisor feature. When you activate this feature, the app can verify your downloads and alert you of a potentially dangerous file or application. You can also activate automatic verification for the app to conduct in the background.

Drawbacks

The only drawback to this Android antivirus is the amount of resources it requires to conduct a complete device scan. It cannot achieve 100% accuracy in detecting malware on your device without utilizing its resources.

Subscription plans

Overall, Norton Mobile Security is a perfect choice for an Android antivirus program. The subscription covers only one Android device, costing about $19.99 yearly. Norton also has a 30-day money-back policy for customers to test the program risk-free.

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3. Surfshark Antivirus

• Official link: Surfshark.com

Surfshark Antivirus is a top Android antivirus program with multiple functional features to prevent malware attacks and safeguard your device and data. Like every other top antivirus software, it also offers real-time protection. This feature ensures that the program regularly scans your device to detect threats.

Surfshark’s years of providing quality privacy and protection services have made it secure a place as one of the best and most reliable Android antivirus. It can detect and block up to 99% of malware attacks, ensuring your device functions properly. 

You should consider Surfshark Antivirus because you can get its VPN service when you subscribe to the Surfshark One bundle. You get the best of both worlds on your Android device – a robust antivirus and solid VPN. The bundle merges both services in a single application. While Surfshark VPN helps create an encrypted connection, prevents third parties from monitoring your data online, and guarantees anonymous browsing, the antivirus prevents malware attacks.

It allows subscribers to monitor their ID data and assigns a private search engine for online safety. These technologies ensure that your details, such as your email address, ID information, and credit card details, are safe.

Drawbacks

Like other services, Surfshark also has its drawbacks. Malware scans, especially full ones, can be heavy for your device. It may cause your Android to freeze or malfunction while running the scan. However, you can resolve this by closing all other applications until the app completes the scan.

Subscription plans

You can get Surfshark Antivirus for your Android device for $41.88 yearly. It offers five simultaneous devices and a 30-day money-back policy, so you can get your money back if unsatisfied with the services.

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4. TotalAV antivirus

• Official link: TotalAV.com

TotalAV Antivirus is a high-grade antivirus software that brings desktop-level performance to your Android device. You should consider this program if you’re looking for an antivirus app that guarantees safe browsing at an affordable price.

It has a malware scanner with about a 100% malware detection rate. The advanced technology thoroughly scans your device to identify malware components or potentially dangerous files that might have snuck into your device via file transfer or downloads. TotalAV can detect malware types that other top Android antivirus programs may miss.

TotalAV also has a VPN service that hides users’ IP addresses, encrypts data traffic, and hides interactions from third parties like the government and ISPs. Unlike other antivirus programs that place a data cap on their VPN service, TotalAV provides unlimited data.

Other advanced features include the App Lock that improves security and privacy on your Android device. You can also free up space on your device with the Device tune-up feature. The feature lets you clear junk files on your Android and saves battery life.

You can benefit from the Wi-Fi security checker if you connect to public hotspots frequently. The feature scans public hotspots to confirm if they’re safe and alert you if there are potentially dangerous users sharing the same network.

Drawbacks

The drawback with TotalAV antivirus is that it doesn’t have a web filter. Hence, you must pay attention to the sites you load and the links you open.

Subscription plans

TotalAV antivirus is affordable and offers excellent value for the subscription fee. You have slots for five Android devices when you pay the subscription fee of about $19.00 yearly.

It also has a free version to test the protection and VPN services and a 30-day money-back policy. The policy is associated with paid plans, allowing you to test the services risk-free for 30 days.

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5. NordVPN Threat Protection

• Official link: NordVPN.com

NordVPN Threat Protection is a protective feature that comes with the NordVPN app. The feature provides additional security to your Android device. It prevents malware and spyware from gaining access to your device, blocks the activities of potentially dangerous and intrusive ads, and guarantees a safe experience online. 

NordVPN Threat Protection had a strong malware scanner and web filter like other top antivirus programs. The malware scanner examines every app and file you download to detect malicious components, while the web filter restricts you from accessing potentially dangerous websites. The web filter also blocks repetitive ads that can frustrate your browsing experience.

Although Threat Protection is a feature of the VPN service, you don’t need to connect to a VPN server to enjoy the protection services. All you need to do is enable the feature on your Android device. Once you enable it, your device enjoys premium protection in the background.

However, you must connect to the internet to enjoy NordVPN’s complete functionality. You can access the leading VPN service to unblock geo-blocked content, encrypt your data traffic, and interact online anonymously. It also ensures your data and device remain safe when you connect to public Wi-Fi.

Drawbacks

The only drawback is that conducting a malware scan on your device may be impossible. However, it scans downloads to prevent malicious content from infiltrating your phone. Hence, if you enable NordVPN Threat Protection immediately after you purchase your Android phone, you don’t need to worry about malware scans.

Subscription plans

All you need to get NordVPN Threat Protections is to subscribe to a NordVPN plan. For a token of about $3.49 monthly, you can secure up to six devices simultaneously. (You can also test NordVPN free for 30 days using their money-back guarantee.)

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6. ESET

• Official link: ESET.com

ESET Mobile Security is one of the best antivirus programs offering advanced robust protection services for Android devices. Its numerous features guarantee a malware-free experience whether or not you’re connected to the internet.

One of its outstanding features is Real-Time Scanning. With this feature, you can control when the software performs malware scans on your Android device. You can schedule the plan or automate it to begin when you plug your device into power. Hence, you can perform your daily tasks without any interference from the antivirus.

Another feature that gives ESET an edge over other antivirus programs in the market is the independent tests. It is a protection tool that detects malware threats on your device and clears them. The tool is strong and reliable as it can detect virtually any malware threat on your Android device.

ESET has an anti-theft feature that helps you confirm your smartphone’s location and IP address if it goes missing or gets stolen.

You can also enable the web filter feature to restrict your access to malware or phishing websites. This is helpful when you’re unsure about a website and must enter your billing information to process a payment. It has dedicated protection for payment and credit card details which activates when you launch your online banking app. The benefits of using ESET are endless.

Drawbacks

ESET’s only drawback is that beginners may find it challenging to navigate the application. However, you can resort to step-by-step guides before you get a hang of it.

Subscription plans

ESET has different subscription options and plans. You can pay $14.99 yearly to protect only your Android device or $39.99 yearly to protect your mobile device and desktop.

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7. Avira

• Official link: Avira.com

Avira Mobile Security is a simple-to-use antivirus software for Android devices. Although it offers lightweight protection, it has a robust suite that enhances your device’s performance and guarantees privacy and protection.

The Web Protection feature functions like a web filter, restricting your access to websites with malware and phishing threats. Multiple tests have rated Avira’s malware detection rate high – about 90%. Hence, the antivirus can detect and block any kind of malware attack or threat.

Avira also provides anti-theft tools to enhance the recovery of a lost or stolen Android device. It also allows you to back up your contacts and retrieve them if your device’s storage gets corrupted or compromised.

Regarding privacy, Avira provides a free VPN to encrypt your data traffic and unblock geo-restricted content. It also has a Network Scanner to identify other devices sharing your network. This helps discover individuals with unauthorized access to your internet.

Additional features include Call Blocker, camera and microphone protection, and Identity Safeguard. Identity Safeguard helps you protect your details and monitor data related to your email.

Avira provides a System Optimizer to clear junk or duplicate files on your smartphone to enhance your device’s performance. You can clean up clutter and optimize your device storage with this feature.

Drawbacks

The drawback with Avira is its impact on your Android device and the resources it requires to conduct a scan. You may be unable to use your device while the malware scan runs.

Subscription plans

You can install Avira Mobile Security on your Android device and get it running for $30.99 yearly. This subscription fee covers only one device, and you can get a complete refund within 30 days if you’re unsatisfied with the services.

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8. Kaspersky

• Official link: Kaspersky.co.za

Kaspersky is a top Android antivirus with one of the best anti-theft suites and malware scanners in the market today. However, you may need to pay for the Android antivirus app together with the app for other devices, as Kaspersky only offers bundle plans for Android devices. 

Kaspersky’s malware scanner is a powerful technology with about 100% malware detection rate identifying virtually all kinds of malware on Android devices. There’s more – it completes a full scan within less than five minutes.

The real-time protection feature is another reliable protection strategy. It prevents you from downloading applications or files with malicious content. The antivirus intercepts the download and puts the app or file in quarantine.

You can lock your Android device, find its location, activate the alarm, secretly take a photo if it gets stolen, and even wipe your phone using the anti-theft tools that Kaspersky provides. It doesn’t stop there. You can do all these things remotely.

The anti-theft tools provide state-of-the-art technologies to ensure data safety on a stolen device and the recovery of such devices. You can also configure it so your device locks when inserting a new SIM card.

Moreover, the Kaspersky app has Uninstall Protection, preventing unauthorized users from uninstalling the app to gain unrestricted access to your device. 

Drawbacks

Although Kaspersky has impressive features, it also has its drawbacks. For example, it doesn’t alert you about risky applications before downloading. As long as it doesn’t detect malicious content, you can download any app.

Also, Kaspersky doesn’t have some essential features that you may find on other Android antivirus programs like the device tune-up tools on TotalAV, app advisor on Norton, and secure browser on TotalAV.

Subscription plans

The Kaspersky subscription plan can cover up to 10 devices, smartphones, and desktops. The Standard plan costs about $41.99 yearly, the Plus plan costs around $56.99 yearly, and the Premium plan costs around $81.99 yearly.

The Plus plan comes with additional services such as home Wi-Fi monitoring, password manager, and unlimited data for VPN. In contrast, the Premium plan provides 24/7 remote customer support and an ID protection wallet to safeguard sensitive documents and access them on any device. You get a 30-day money-back guarantee for any plan you select. 

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9. Trend Micro Mobile Security

• Official link: TrendMicro.com

Trend Micro Mobile Security is a powerful Android antivirus program with a user-friendly application. It utilizes AI technologies to detect malware threats and other security protocols to ensure safe browsing.

According to reports from numerous tests, Trend Micro’s malware scanner is thorough, attaining up to 100% malware detection rate. The scanner can detect any kind of malware on your Android device.

Trend Micro also guarantees complete privacy, preventing sneaky intruders or prying eyes from accessing your device or activities online. Hence, it provides features such as Pay Guard for secure online shopping, Social Media Privacy Protection to prevent third-party access to your account, and dark web monitoring to protect your details when you open a malicious website.

Like other top antivirus programs, Trend Micro allows you to add a VPN proxy for an extra cost. This proxy can help you protect your IP address and ensure anonymous browsing. It also provides a paid or free password manager to safeguard your passwords.

Drawbacks

The drawback is that Trend Micro’s virus detection rate is not stable. Some days it has a 100% virus detection rate; other days, it may record 80%. Trend Micro also does not have a firewall and has limited licensing options. Hence, it may be susceptible to hacker activities.

Subscription plans

Trend Micro has a free version for users to test the services before subscribing. The subscription fee is about $19.95 yearly, covering up to 10 devices. You can also test the paid version risk-free within 30 days, as the free version is limited.

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10. Panda Dome

• Official link: PandaSecurity.com

Finally, Panda Dome is an Android antivirus program offering premium malware prevention and anti-theft services. It utilizes technologies such as malware scanners, privacy auditing, and web protection to ensure optimum protection.

Panda Dome malware scanner is above average when it comes to detecting malware on an Android device. It also incorporates real-time protection to ensure that you don’t download apps or files with malware or other potentially dangerous components.

Another impressive feature is the Anti-theft tool. Panda allows you to connect your Android to an Android smartwatch, so you can also control the app and your device from your wrist. When you activate this feature, the antivirus triggers your smartphone’s alarm when it is far from your smartwatch.

Drawbacks

While Panda is a top Android antivirus to consider for your device, there are specific drawbacks you may want to know.

First, the safe browsing feature is not the best. Unlike other Android antivirus programs on this list, Panda may not detect some prominent phishing sites or suspect malicious links. Hence, you must pay attention to the sites you open, even while using Pand Dome on your Android device.

Another drawback is the privacy auditing feature that’s no match with other competitors like Norton. Apart from the VPN service not being great for streaming, it doesn’t have a kill switch or DNS leak protection. So you cannot rely on the VPN for privacy and anonymous browsing. 

Although Panda Dome has its drawbacks, they don’t change the fact that it is a decent antivirus program for Android devices. Its malware and anti-theft features help it seal its position as a top Android antivirus. 

Subscription plans

Panda Dome can run on a maximum of five devices simultaneously, and the fee is $19.20 yearly.

It also offers other services like the Panda Dome VPN for unlimited VPN data at $77.34 yearly, the Panda Dome Password to manage your passwords at $26.39, and the Panda Dome Family for parent and guardian control at $19.20 yearly. You can test all these plans risk-free for 30 days, after which you must pay.

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Other worthy Android antivirus we tested

Although multiple antivirus programs are on the market, we streamlined this list to include only the 10 best antivirus programs for Android devices. Yet, the following antivirus programs are some great alternatives you can also consider.

• McAfee: Provides strong protection for Android devices, tested and trusted by numerous tests. Its malware scanner can detect about 80% of malware threats. The downside is that McAfee requires a large volume of resources to complete the quick and full scan. 
• Malwarebytes: Offers advanced protection against different kinds of malware threats. It also has an 80% malware detection rate. However, the downside is that its use of your device CPU is unstable and demands high resources. 

Do I need an antivirus on my Android?

Yes, you need an antivirus on your Android device to protect it from malware threats and avoid ID theft. A VPN is also ideal when streaming content on websites for free movies and similar platforms. Although recent Android operating systems have robust security protocols, they are not always enough.

Below are a few reasons why you should get an antivirus for your Android device:

• Guaranteed data protection in cases of a missing or stolen phone: Most of the antivirus programs in the list we’ve provided and other leading programs in the market allow you to lock your phone, activate the alarm, restore factory settings, and identify your phone’s location remotely. When you install this program, unauthorized third parties, including thieves, cannot access your data. 
• Manufacturers delay updating security protocols: Just as manufacturers introduce new technologies to improve their product’s security, technical experts with ulterior motives create new forms of malware every day. Hence, an antivirus can give you the required protection when manufacturers take too long to implement a security update.
• Google Play Protect’s oversight: Some kinds of malware are not easily detectable. Only antivirus programs with advanced technology protocols can identify and expel this malware from your Android device.

The best Android malware protection (and more)

Almost all the Android antivirus apps in this list share a few features in common. While they all scan applications and files before you can download them, some also allow on-demand scans. While only a few allow you to schedule the scan to happen automatically, it isn’t much of a drawback since this feature is more useful on Windows.

Besides, all the antivirus programs on this list also guarantee safe browsing, restricting your access to fraudulent websites or URLs with malicious components. Some of these websites model authentic websites and deceive you into entering your login details, so a robust antivirus can save you from falling prey to such sites.

Besides these expected anti-malware functionalities, the following are a few more helpful features through which an antivirus ensures thorough security for your Android device.

Malicious app detection

Leading Android apps can also flag installed apps when they detect a potential breach of privacy. They notify you of applications seeking permissions to access your call log, view your contacts, send text messages, or scan your location.

If a transportation app like Uber seeks permission to scan your location, that’s understandable. However, if a transportation app seeks permission to access your gallery, that’s suspicious. 

Anti-theft Protection and Device Tracking

Anti-theft protection for a stolen or lost Android device has been the backbone of antivirus programs for a long period. However, due to technological developments, Android continues to develop strategies to improve protection. One of these strategies is the development of Android’s in-built protection for Android devices.

Antivirus programs that still provide anti-theft technologies allow customers to track their device’s location on the map. If your phone gets missing from your house, you can activate a noisy alarm to discover where it is. You can lock your phone to prevent unauthorized third parties from accessing your Android device or wipe the data if you know getting the phone might be impossible. 

Typically, when a thief steals a smartphone, the first thing they do is remove the SIM card and insert a new one. Premium Android antivirus programs have security technologies to handle this situation. When you enable SIM card protection, you can set it to lock your phone when a new SIM card is inserted or send a text message with the new phone number. You can identify and track the thief when you find the phone number.

VPN and other add-ons

The basic focus for every Android security app is antivirus and anti-theft. However, some apps offer additional services. These additional services include battery optimization, contact and photo backup, and task killers.

VPN service is another essential component of top security apps. This service is essential for Android and other mobile devices because they often connect to private, public, safe, or insecure networks.

FAQs