As our lives become increasingly mobile-centric, smartphones are an indispensable tool for communication, work, entertainment and more. But this reliance on our devices comes with significant risks, as mobile malware and cyberattacks continue to rise at an alarming rate.
According to Kaspersky‘s 2022 Mobile Malware Evolution report, 3,648,543 malicious installation packages were detected on Android devices in the first 10 months of last year alone. That represents a nearly 10% increase from the previous year. Other disturbing trends included the spread of dangerous banking trojans, advanced spyware, ransomware targeting mobile crypto wallets, and sophisticated scams spread via SMS and messaging apps.
Clearly, if you own an Android smartphone or tablet, having strong antivirus protection should be an absolute priority to safeguard your sensitive data, financial information, and privacy. But with hundreds of security apps available on the Google Play Store, finding a reliable and effective solution can be overwhelming.
To help you make an informed decision and keep your Android devices protected against the latest threats, I‘ve thoroughly tested and analyzed the top antivirus apps on the market. Whether you‘re looking for free protection, a full-featured security suite, or advanced anti-theft capabilities, these are the best of the best for Android in 2024.
Top 3 Android Antivirus Apps Compared
| App | Price | Malware Detection | Extras | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender Mobile Security | $14.99/year | 100% | VPN, anti-theft, app lock | Very simple |
| AVG AntiVirus FREE | Free | 100% | Anti-theft, app lock, Wi-Fi scan | Extremely easy |
| Norton 360 | $29.99/year | 100% | VPN, dark web monitor, password manager | Straightforward |
1. Bitdefender Mobile Security – Best Overall Android Antivirus
Bitdefender is my top pick for the best antivirus app for most Android users in 2024. It offers flawless malware protection, a robust set of features, and an intuitive, lightweight interface. And with plans starting at just $14.99/year, it provides unbeatable value for the money.
In the latest independent evaluations from industry experts at AV-TEST, Bitdefender earned a perfect 6 out of 6 score for Android protection, performance, and usability. It detected 100% of the nearly 6,000 malware samples used, with minimal impact on battery life and device speed.
But Bitdefender is much more than just an on-demand virus scanner. Its paid app packs in:
- Real-time malware monitoring
- Anti-theft tools to locate, lock, or wipe a lost/stolen device
- App Lock to password-protect sensitive apps
- Account Privacy scanner to check for data breaches
- Secure VPN for anonymous browsing (200 MB/day)
- Scam Alert to block malicious links in messaging apps
If you just need basic protection, Bitdefender also offers a free, standalone antivirus scanner app for manual scans. But at this price, the premium version is a no-brainer for most people. You can also get Mobile Security bundled with Bitdefender‘s award-winning antivirus suites like Internet Security for complete protection across all your devices.
2. AVG AntiVirus Free – Best Free Android Antivirus
For the best free antivirus app for Android, look no further than AVG. Owned by the same company as TotalAV, it shares the same core malware scanning engine that has aced AV-TEST‘s rigorous evaluations. Even without paying a dime, you get real-time protection against viruses, spyware, unsafe apps and settings, and other threats.
Like Bitdefender, AVG excelled in the November 2022 AV-TEST Android results, catching 100% of malware without any false positives. Its extra free features are also impressive – including an app lock, Wi-Fi security scanner, and anti-theft tools to track your device‘s location and remotely trigger an alarm.
The recently revamped AVG app is a breeze to use, with a simplified interface and one-tap buttons for quick actions. For tech novices and anyone else looking for no-fuss, set-it-and-forget-it protection, it simply doesn‘t get better than this.
However, if you want access to premium features like app privacy reports, a VPN, or more frequent updates, AVG‘s Pro version is also very affordably priced at $11.99/year for 1 Android device. That‘s the lowest-priced paid app on this list.
3. Norton 360: Best Premium Android Security Suite
At the opposite end of the spectrum, if you‘re willing to pay more for the most complete Android security solution, Norton 360 is my top recommendation. For $29.99/year, it delivers unrivaled protection and extra features, all accessible through a sleek, streamlined app dashboard.
Norton is another regular in AV-TEST‘s winners‘ circle, consistently earning perfect or near-perfect marks for malware detection and removal. Some of its standout premium features include:
- Unlimited VPN for anonymous web browsing and Wi-Fi protection
- SMS spam and scam text blocking
- Dark Web Monitoring to guard against identity theft
- Secure Password Manager
- 10 GB cloud backup
- Parental control tools
You can cover up to 5 Android and desktop devices under one Norton 360 Deluxe subscription. At just $6/device/year, it‘s a fantastic deal for families or individuals wanting cross-platform protection. Norton also throws in a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
Other Excellent Android Antivirus Apps
Those 3 winners aren‘t the only great choices for securing your Android device. Here are a few more top contenders worth mentioning:
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Avast Mobile Security boasts an impressive array of free features beyond malware scanning, like RAM boost, junk cleaner, app insights, call blocker, and photo vault. Its AV-TEST results are equally stellar.
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Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus is one of the lightest and fastest Android security apps. Even the free version includes top-notch antivirus, anti-theft, call filtering, and automation tools. Premium adds a VPN and real-time protection.
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TotalAV Antivirus & VPN offers a fantastic user experience and covers all the mobile security essentials. Standouts include a Smart Scan to optimize device performance, a data breach checker, and a Safe Browsing VPN.
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McAfee Mobile Security provides cross-device malware and web defense, Wi-Fi guard, anti-theft and guest mode. Its Identity Protection service is a nice bonus to monitor the dark web and your credit.
Key Features of the Best Android Antivirus Apps
With so many solid choices available, how do you narrow them down? Focus your Android antivirus search on these core capabilities and features:
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Malware Protection: Verified, independently tested defense against viruses, spyware, ransomware, adware, and more. Look for high (ideally perfect) detection rates in evaluations from trusted labs like AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives.
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Real-Time Scanning: Automatic, continuous monitoring of apps and files to block and remove threats as they occur. On-demand and scheduled scanning options are also helpful for regular checkups.
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Mobile-Optimized, User-Friendly Interface: A clean, intuitive app design goes a long way in making mobile security painless. One-tap actions, helpful tips and minimal slowdowns are key.
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Anti-Theft Tools: The ability to remotely locate, lock, set off an alarm on, or wipe your device if it‘s lost or stolen. Snap a stealth photo of the thief is a nice plus.
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Safe Browsing & Phishing Defense: Proactive web shields that block dangerous links, websites, and downloads across all your apps. SMS/call filtering is also crucial as scam texts become more common.
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Wi-Fi Scanner: Automatically scans and alerts you to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks or malicious hotspots that could try to hack your device and data.
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Integrated VPN: A virtual private network encrypts your internet traffic to safeguard your privacy on public Wi-Fi. It can also mask your location for anonymous browsing. The best offer unlimited data.
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App Lock: Prevents snoops and thieves from accessing sensitive apps like banking, email, or social media. Fingerprint and face unlock support make this feature even more seamless.
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System Tune-Up Tools: Real-time performance monitoring and helpful utilities to optimize speed, battery life, and storage. These include clearing cache/temporary files, closing background apps, and more.
Android Antivirus FAQs
Do I really need antivirus protection on my Android device?
Absolutely yes. Mobile malware is growing fast, with increasingly dangerous strains that can steal personal data, empty your bank account, spy on you, lock your device for ransom, and wreak other horrible damage. If you use an Android phone for any sensitive activities, you need antivirus software.
What are signs my Android phone may have a virus?
Red flags of a malware infection on Android include:
- Sudden slowdowns, crashes, freezes
- Quickly draining battery
- Skyrocketing data usage
- Too many invasive ads
- Unknown apps on your home screen
- Random pop-ups, even when not using a browser
- Unexpected charges on phone bill for premium texts/calls
Are free Android antivirus apps good enough?
It depends on your needs and risk level. Top free Android antivirus apps like AVG or Kaspersky can absolutely keep you safe from most threats and are way better than no protection. However, paid apps offer more advanced defense layers, useful extras like VPNs, and cross-platform protection that are worth it for many users.
How do Android phones get viruses?
The most common ways Android devices get infected with malware include:
- Downloading apps from outside the Google Play Store
- Tapping malicious links in phishing emails, texts, or messaging apps
- Visiting hacked or fraudulent websites
- Connecting to compromised public Wi-Fi hotspots
- Plugging into an infected USB port or charging station
- Jailbreaking (rooting) your device, which bypasses built-in security
What else can I do to secure my Android device?
In addition to using a reputable antivirus app, follow these Android security best practices:
- Always update to the latest Android version and security patch
- Download apps only from the Google Play Store
- Carefully review app permissions before installing
- Enable Google Play Protect security scans
- Use a VPN when on public Wi-Fi
- Set a strong PIN, pattern, or biometric lock
- Don‘t click suspicious links or respond to unsolicited messages
- Regularly back up your data to the cloud or a computer
- Factory reset your device before selling/giving it away
The Bottom Line
Mobile threats are too serious to leave your Android device unprotected. But with the right antivirus app, you can use your phone or tablet without fear of malware, snoops, scammers, or thieves.
While you have many great Android mobile security suites to choose from, Bitdefender, AVG, and Norton 360 stood out as the best of the best in my expert testing and analysis. Bitdefender offers the ideal balance of simplicity, security, and affordability. AVG is the king of feature-rich free protection. And Norton delivers the most comprehensive defense.
Whichever app you pick, the peace of mind of knowing your sensitive data and privacy are protected is priceless. Download one of these top antivirus apps for Android today, and browse, work, and play safely on your phone or tablet in 2024 and beyond.
