1. Bitdefender Mobile Security
The best Android antivirus program Bitdefender Mobile Security(opens in a new tab) delivers outstanding protection for your Android device, with a slew of features including anti-theft and top-tier antivirus capabilities. In reality, this Android antivirus mobile software received full marks in the most recent AV-Test roundup, while AV-Comparatives (the second major independent antivirus test lab) reported a protection rate of 99.9 percent. That's quite impressive.
Mobile Security provides real-time protection for Google's Chrome browser, as well as an autopilot feature that claims to be capable of delivering intelligent recommendations for security measures based on your system and regular usage pattern.
There's also a handy privacy adviser application that adds a layer of security to your smartwatch via WearOn technology, alerting you if you unintentionally leave your phone behind - excellent stuff.
Another intriguing addition is a bundled VPN, but don't get too enthusiastic. The offered version is limited to extremely light use (200MB per day), but it could be handy in a pinch.
As previously stated, there are anti-theft features here, and Bitdefender Mobile Security allows you to remotely locate and lock your device, as well as send a message to the phone or tablet (which might be quite useful if you've lost it). If you like, you can even remotely wipe the device.
There are a lot of features on offer here, and the asking price is more than reasonable to cover a single Android device for a year (besides, if you want to try the app before you buy, there's a 14-day free trial available).
2. Norton— Offers cutting-edge mobile protections for app checking
Norton Mobile Security for Android (opens in a new tab) includes a multitude of features, including an App Advisor, which is powered by Norton Mobile Insight and evaluates apps for any potential privacy threats or other undesired behavior, such as being unduly draining on your battery (you can even get these evaluations before you install an application, which is very handy).
According to AV-Test findings, this mobile security suite also receives high ratings for the protection provided by its antivirus engine (the other major test lab did not assess Norton recently).
Other features include call blocking to guard against spam phone calls, Wi-Fi security that informs you when you connect to an unsafe wireless network, and anti-theft capabilities that allow you to remotely lock a stolen (or lost) device or wipe all your data.
All of this adds up to an outstanding level of protection for your Android device - but are there any drawbacks? The app is pricy, or at least the recommended asking price is, but with the discount on offer at the time of writing, it's actually the same price as Bitdefender above (making it an excellent buy currently, given that you get coverage for three Android devices, not just one).
3. AVG AntiVirus Free
AVG AntiVirus Free (opens in a new tab) is another high-quality program for securing your Android smartphone, and it provides an incredible level of security at no cost. In reality, it employs the same popular antivirus engine as Avast mentioned above (remember that Avast bought up AVG back in 2016).
However, this is not the same product, and it lacks some of the capabilities found in Avast's gratis offering. It is, however, still based around very strong core antivirus protection, as well as anti-theft features that allow you to locate, lock, or delete a stolen (or lost) phone. This program, like Avast, is ad-supported, but you may remove the advertisements by upgrading to the premium version.
The paid Pro version of AVG includes a slew of extra features, such as extended anti-theft capabilities (such as the device locking itself and sounding an alarm if the SIM card is replaced), a Photo Vault to secure your photos, an app lock, a Wi-Fi security scanner, and additional privacy settings, such as caller blocking.
There is also a slew of other capabilities, such as speed enhancement methods that try to eliminate superfluous processes, disable battery-draining settings, and delete trash files, such as those typically found in temp and cache directories.
It's worth noting that you can try out all of these Pro features for free for the first two weeks when using AVG AntiVirus Free, but after that, you'll have to pay.
With so many features included in the Pro version, it's no surprise that this software is the most popular antivirus when searching for one in the Google Play store, with over 100 million downloads, over 6.5 million reviews, and an average score of over 4.5.
4. Trend Micro Mobile Security
The Trend Micro Mobile Security(opens in a new tab) software not only checks new apps for malware before downloading and installing them, but it also prohibits newly installed programs from accessing other applications, which can be handy for device administrators and parents.
There's also a privacy scanner integrated into Facebook that informs you if your profile settings are showing sensitive personal information. Indeed, there are numerous features here, including web protection, anti-theft, a Wi-Fi checker to ensure that any wireless networks you connect to are safe, as well as system tuning utilities, a full suite of parental controls, and Pay Guard, which ensures that any online banking or shopping transactions are completely secure.
Furthermore, both independent testing laboratories evaluated Trend Micro Mobile Security as defending against 100 percent of attacks, putting it at the top of the tree in this regard at the time of writing.
There's a lot to enjoy here, but the asking price is relatively high in comparison to many of the choices on this page. That said, you're getting a lot for your money, and there's a free version of the app that gives you access to all functions for seven days before you have to buy a subscription.
5. Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect is embedded into every Android device that supports Google Play, and it would be fantastic if it worked properly. Unfortunately, Google Play Protect's poor malware detection provides the greatest case for utilizing a third-party Android antivirus tool.
We liked how Google Play Protect's UI is simple, there are no adverts, and the system effect is negligible. Some of Android's other built-in functions, such as Find My Device and Chrome Safe Browsing, mimic what third-party antivirus software does on the side.
The best feature of Google Play Protect is that it can remotely disable harmful apps. This is true whether you use third-party antivirus software or not. We recommend that you do not disable Google Play Protect.
However, Google Play Protect is abysmal at protecting you from rogue apps. Please utilize anything else for your own good.
6. McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee, like Avast, has a plethora of useful functions, but its free version is riddled with advertisements and upsell proposals. Malware prevention is adequate, if not exceptional.
McAfee Mobile Security phased down many of its most useful features(opens in a new tab) in the summer of 2021, including App Lock, Guest Mode, Anti-Theft, Memory Booster, and Storage Cleaner. It's unclear why this was done, other than to "modify our product portfolio."
The free edition of McAfee Mobile Security has some useful features, such as a means to track each app's data usage and a Wi-Fi security scanner.
With the "Standard" premium tier, you'll get even more, including a URL screener, 24/7 tech support, and no adverts. However, at $30 per year, it is a bit pricy when compared to Bitdefender and Kaspersky, which provide similar functionality for less.
The top premium tier, "Plus," costs $80 a year and includes the Standard features as well as a limitless VPN connection, but only for that one phone or tablet. For a lower cost, you may obtain one of the top VPN services to protect all of your devices.
7. Avast Mobile Security
Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus is one of the top Android antivirus apps with the most features, including a privacy adviser, a system optimizer, and a customized blacklist.
While Avast's malware protection is adequate, it is far from ideal. Some of Avast's anti-theft features did not operate for us, and its call-blocking feature did not work at all. (It has now been removed.) And the advertising and repeated nags to upgrade in the free version are both obnoxious and obtrusive.
Those ads are removed if you subscribe to Avast Mobile Security's paid tiers, Premium ($2 monthly or $20 yearly) or Ultimate ($7 monthly or $40 yearly). Users of either paying plan also get additional anti-theft protections, an app locker, and tech assistance.
The built-in client for Avast's SecureLine VPN is simply a tease, and the only way to utilize it is to upgrade to the Ultimate tier. Given that SecureLine costs $60 a year on its own, paying an extra $20 on top of the premium Android antivirus tier for unlimited VPN data is not a bad deal.
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