Lookout's Android antivirus app was one of the first, and its ease of use and functionality explain its popularity among Android users. There's a free tier; a regular premium tier for $30 per year.
- Top Free Android Virus Protection
- Best Free Android Virus Scanner
- Best Free Android Virus Scanner Software
Antivirus Android apps remain one of the most popular types of applications on Android. Generally, you don’t need an antivirus app if you play it safe, only download apps from the Play Store, and keep your security settings enabled. However, there are those who like to take a walk on the wild side and not do those things. There are a ton of really bad antivirus apps out there. Even if these apps aren’t necessary, it’s good to know the safe ones that don’t suck. Here are the best antivirus apps and anti-malware apps for Android. All prices are current as of January 2018. You can also check out the best antivirus apps on other platforms on our sister site DGiT by clicking here!
One final thing to note that a lot of antivirus apps on Android do literally nothing or a very bad job. Here’s a study that AV-Comparatives conducted with additional information about what antivirus apps are good and the ones that aren’t.
Related:
Here are some more security apps that actually probably work better.
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15 best Android VPN apps of 2019!
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360 Security
Price: Free / $5.49 per year
360 Security is a bit of a mixed bag. Some of its security stuff isn’t half bad and then the other half is quite bad. The app scans your apps for potential malware activity, although its find rate is a little bit higher than we’re willing to believe. Facebook is bad and all, but it’s not malware yet. In any case, this is a decent, super basic antivirus app that will do the scans and show you potential vulnerabilities. The trick is to uninstall the app yourself instead of enabling every little (usually snake oil) feature the app wants to enable on its own. There are some booster features, but we recommend ignoring those. Once you decline most of the app services, this one functions as a good, lightweight scanner and storage cleaner. You can remove ads for $5.49 per year.
Avira
Price: Free / $11.99 per year
Avira is one of the newer antivirus apps comparatively speaking. It grew rather quickly over the last year. The app comes with the basics, including device scans, real-time protection, external SD card scans, and a lot more. Some other features include anti-theft support, privacy scanning, blacklisting, and even device admin features. It’s much lighter than apps like Norton and others. It’s also relatively inexpensive and there is a free version. We also highly recommend its Stagefright Advisor tool.
Avast Antivirus
Price: Free / $2.99 per month / $11.99 per year
Avast Mobile Security is one of the most popular antivirus apps on any platform. It boasts over 100 million downloads and tons of features. Some of the features include the classic antivirus scanning, an applock, call blocker, anti-theft support, a photo vault, and even a firewall for rooted Android devices. It also includes booster features, but we don’t recommend those. They do more harm than good and they can really mess things up with your phone. Avast’s subscription prices aren’t bad comparatively speaking. The app comes with a 14-day free trial to demo the product.
AVG Antivirus 2019
Price: Free / $2.99 per month / $11.99 per year
AVG is another big name in the antivirus apps space. In fact, it’s basically the same as AVAST. AVAST actually purchased AVG back in 2016. Thus, the experience is similar in both antivirus apps. This one does offer a few differences. The app has anti-theft tracking via Google Maps, but it also doesn’t have the rooted firewall availability. Like AVAST, there are a swath of pointless battery, memory, and phone boosting features that don’t actually work. Otherwise, it’s not a bad antivirus. Like AVAST, this one goes for $2.99 per month, $11.99 per year, and contains a 14-day free trial.
Bitdefender Free Antivirus
Price: Free
Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the few actually free antivirus apps. It hasn’t changed much over the years. It offers a basic scanning feature, a simple interface, quick performance, and no configuration. This is a great one for super basic needs. All it really does is scan stuff and then sit there and wait to scan stuff again. There is a larger, more in-depth Bitdefender app. However, we think this one is better for those who just want something simple. It’s also actually free with no in-app purchases or subscriptions. There is advertising, though.
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Dr. Web Security Space
Price: Free / $7.99 per year / $15.99 per 2 years / $74.99 lifetime
Dr Web is one of the older antivirus apps and anti-malware apps. It has a decent set of features, including quick and full scans, protection from ransomware, a quarantine space, and even stats. Along with that, it has good anti-theft features, call and SMS filtering, URL filtering, parental controls, a firewall, and more. It’s also fairly inexpensive. It goes for $7.99-$15.99 for one to two years. There is also a lifetime license for $74.99. The lifetime license is a tad pricey. However, it does mean you only pay once.
ESET Mobile Security and Antivirus
Price: Free / $1.99 per month / $14.99 per year
ESET is another big name in the antivirus and anti-malware world. It has a decent set of features, including scans, anti-theft support, a security auditor feature, scan scheduling, and more. The setup process is a bit intrusive. It’s one of the few that require an email address. Otherwise, it works pretty well. You get a free one month trial upon installation. From there, it goes for $1.99 per month or $14.99 per year. It’s not quite has heavy as something as AVAST or AVG, but it is heavier than CM Security Lite or Bitdefender. Take that info for what it’s worth.
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Price: Free / $14.95 per year
Kaspersky is one of the most popular antivirus apps. It has both a free and pro version. Both versions offer SMS and call blocking, scans, virus updates, and anti-theft. The premium version adds things like real-time protection, an applock, and more. Of course, both versions have device scanning for malware and stuff like that. It isn’t nearly as heavy as the biggest antivirus apps. Plus, it doesn’t have any nasty booster features that don’t work. It’s nice to see an antivirus app that doubles down on its purpose instead of trying to stretch out to stuff that doesn’t make sense. That makes it a decent middle-of-the-road option for a lot of folks. The premium version goes for $14.95 per year.
Lookout Security & Antivirus
Price: Free / $2.99 per month / $29.99 per year
Lookout is another popular antivirus and anti-malware app. It comes pre-installed on many devices, especially on carriers like T-Mobile. It does the basics fairly well. That includes scans, phishing protection, malware protection, anti-theft features, and more. It also comes with some unique stuff like identity protection, identity insurance, and WiFi scanning. That gives it a bit of a different perspective than most antivirus apps. It goes for $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year. It’s reasonably good for an antivirus or anti-malware app.
Malwarebytes Security
Price: Free / $1.49 per month / $11.99 per year
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular antivirus apps on Windows. Enrique iglesias songs free download. The mobile version is pretty good too. It features an aggressively updated virus database, support for malware and ransomware, a permission tracker, and more. It can even scan messages in WhatsApp, Facebook, SMS, etc for potentially dangerous links. Of course, it does the usual stuff like scanning as well. The app looks nice, works well, and it’s not too heavy like others. It’s also reasonably priced at $1.49 per month or $11.99 per year.
10 best applocks and privacy lock apps for Android! (Updated 2019)
10 best privacy apps for Android
McAfee Mobile Security
Price: Free / $2.99 per month / $29.99 per year
McAfee is one of the biggest names in antivirus apps. It’s also one of the heaviest. The app includes scanning, anti-theft, anti-spyware, and security locking features. Additionally, it can take photos of your potential phone thief, record locations to the cloud before the phone shuts down, and more useful stuff. McAfee also has a variety of standalone apps for other things. The UI is old and it doesn’t look very good. Additionally, it has boost features that don’t work and it requires an account creation to go pro. The antivirus portion of the app does work rather well and some of the tertiary features are nice. However, it’s still one of the weaker options in our top 15.
Norton Mobile Security
Price: Free / $14.99-$39.99 per year
Norton Security has its ups and downs. Just imagine how much worse it gets if we put this one here. The app has a lot of the basic features though, including protection from malware, spyware, and other bad stuff. Additional features include saving device location when the battery is low, real-time protection, anti-theft features, and more. It’s one of the pricier options in antivirus apps. However, it does have a suite available for $39.99 per year that covers your mobile device as well as your computer. Norton also has other apps, like a dedicated applock app, that are actually not half bad.
Sophos Mobile Security
Price: Free
Sophos is one of our favorite antivirus and anti-malware apps for Android. It includes all of the basic stuff such as malware protection, a virus scanner, web filtering, app protections, theft protection, Wi-Fi security, and all kinds of other stuff. It does all of this for free, without advertising, and it doesn’t include any garbage booster functions that don’t actually work. Its password safe function is KeePass compatible and it even comes with an authenticator function for multi-factor authentication. We don’t outwardly recommend antivirus apps to anybody, but if you’re going to have one, try this one first.
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Webroot Mobile Security
Price: Free / Up to $79.99 per year
Webroot is another excellent and simple antivirus app. You get the basics such as device scanning, protection from malware, and real-time device monitoring. Additionally, it comes with a built-in call and text blocker should you need one. All of that stuff comes with the free version. Those who go pro get anti-theft features, remote phone wiping (if needed), a SIM card lock, and a battery and network monitor. It doesn’t seem like a long list of features, but it feels like Webroot took away a lot of the bloat in favor of a fast and functional experience. The Android subscription is much cheaper than the PC variant, but you can get both for up to $79.99 per year (often on sale for $59.99 per year).
Google Play Protect
Price: Included with Android
Google Play Protect is Android’s antivirus app. It scans the apps on your device and then compares them to the Google Play versions of that app. It lets you know if the two aren’t the same. This combined with the existing protection in Google Play creates a really good barrier of security. Plus, it’s free, it’s probably already on your device, and you don’t have to do anything to use it. This along with common sense work better and are better for your device than basically any antivirus app, no matter what company makes it. It’ll also save valuable resources with one fewer app running in the background. We recommend this one first. Hit the button above for more information!
Thank you for reading! Here are some final recommendations from us to you!10 best gallery vault apps for Android!
5 best encrypted private messenger apps for Android! (Updated 2019)
Thank you for reading! Here are some final recommendations from us to you!
10 best gallery vault apps for Android!
5 best encrypted private messenger apps for Android! (Updated 2019)
If we missed any great antivirus Android apps, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists!
Comments
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Android is the most widely-used operating system in the world, and that means having the best security apps and antivirus tools for Android installed on your device is essential, as Google's OS is often targeted by malware due to its popularity.
Whatever software you use with your Android phone or tablet, you’d be wise to have an antivirus or a security app installed on your device. In this article, we’re going to highlight 10 of the best antivirus tools for Android in 2019 - most of which are completely free apps to download.
Many of them do much more than run automatic scans, and they’ll actively try to prevent malicious web pages and files from being opened or downloaded in the first place.
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1. Avast Mobile Security
Gives you handy extras like a firewall and remote wipe
Call blocking
Ad supported
Antivirus giant, Avast, has used its considerable skills to create an app which goes above and beyond a mundane scanner. Extra features in the free version include a call blocker, firewall and even an anti-theft measure allowing you to remotely lock or wipe your Android device if it goes missing.
The app used to be paid but is now free, supported by ads. You can pay a small monthly or yearly premium to remove these. Another very useful premium feature is ‘in-app locking’ whereby your device will ask for a PIN before opening certain apps. This prevents malware from launching apps such as internet banking automatically.
- If you need a more rounded security suite, check out Avast Ultimate bundle which comes with a VPN, a system cleanup and a password management solution.
2. Bitdefender Antivirus Free
Minimal impact on your OS
You must schedule virus scans
Bitdefender is a big name in the security community, and its free antivirus program is extremely lightweight. In fact, it doesn’t run in the background which frees up system resources and saves on battery life.
This does mean you have to schedule scans or run them manually to be safe. This said, any new apps downloaded to your device are automatically scanned. Another advantage of this app is that it’s ready to go as soon as it is installed – no additional configuration is required.
Just be sure that If you require extra security, sign up for a free 14-day trial of Bitdefender Mobile Security. This includes the basic antivirus as well as real-time protection for Google's Chrome browser and anti-theft features.
There's also a nifty Privacy advisor tool and adds a layer of security to your smartwatch via its WearOn technology which alerts you if you leave your phone behind. Security, not in the traditional sense.
3. AVG
Great range of features
Additional privacy settings
AVG antivirus for Android is a feature-packed security app. As well as the core antivirus feature, it also includes a wi-fi security scanner, app lock, and photo vault to help protect your files.
There are also a host of other features such performance enhancement, which aims to kill unnecessary process, turning off battery-draining settings, as well as deleting junk files such as are commonly found in temp and cache folders.
Anti-theft protections are included, too, such as the ability to track a lost phone with Google Maps, and even to lock it down remotely with a lockout message. If you think your phone has been stolen you can even make it emit a siren. If that's not enough, it also takes selfies of anyone unsuccessfully trying to unlock your phone and emails the images to you, plus it can record audio of any attempts, too.
Additional security features include the ability to lockdown the phone if someone else tries to change the SIM card, and even wipe your phone and SD card content remotely if you fear someone else has somehow been able to unlock it without authorization.
There are also additional privacy settings, such as for blocking callers, and a VPN is included for anonymous surfing. Additional insights are also provided via a dashboard to see which apps you use, which are using the most data, and discover potential privacy issues.
With so many features bundled in, it's no wonder this app is arguably the most popular in the Google Play store, with over 6.5 million reviews and an average score of over 4.5.
4. McAfee Security & Power Booster Free
Sports some nifty features and blocks malicious sites
Polices installed apps for data leakage
McAfee is another well-known name when it comes to antivirus software for the PC, and this Android app - McAfee Mobile Security - doesn’t disappoint. Besides the antivirus scanner itself, free features include tracking a lost device as well as locking and wiping it remotely. If your device is stolen, the app can even take a picture of the thief…
Other highlights include the ability to scan apps to check if they leak sensitive information, and lock them if necessary. McAfee will also block access to potentially malicious websites, as well as allow you to keep a blacklist of nuisance callers and texters.
- The paid premium version of the app allows you to remove ads and receive phone support.
5. Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Tackles the core job of sniffing out malware with aplomb
Blocks malicious sites or links
Kaspersky has a reputation up there with the big players like Bitdefender. The free version of its security app has some impressive features, and it’s very good at picking up on malware, with a detection rate of 99.9% according to AV-Test’s trials from November 2017.
Kaspersky Antivirus & Security will also try to block any malicious sites or links before you click through to them, preventing an infection from happening in the first place. A key feature is support for Android Wear which simplifies security management.
- Kaspersky Internet Security for Androidis the premium version of the app; it offers extra security features such as automatic scan, anti phishing, a confidentiality feature plus call and text filtering.
6. Sophos Free Antivirus and Security
Award-winning protection from Sophos
No adverts
Sophos’ free antivirus app has previously won the AV-Test award for best protection in 2015. Unlike other free scanners, Sophos doesn’t contain any adverts. It does, however, block websites with potentially spammy or illegal content.
Apps are scanned for malware or otherwise harmful content as they are installed and Sophos alerts you if they might leak any sensitive information. The antivirus scanner can be scheduled to scan files and folders periodically, and the malware database itself is updated daily.
The app also includes a handy QR code scanner which can be used to set up secure Wi-Fi connections. There’s also an authenticator that can generate one-time passwords for two-factor authentication.
7. Norton Security and Antivirus
Another big name offering tight security for your mobile
Remote locking of phone
This free app from Norton was able to detect 100% of all Android malware when benchmarked by AV-Test a few months ago. The scanner is powered by Norton Mobile Insight and can detect viruses inside apps and files, then remove them automatically.
Other useful security features include the ability to lock your phone via an SMS message, or if the SIM card is removed. You can also choose to remotely lock your device if it goes missing (or have it locked after 10 unsuccessful attempts to enter the passcode).
- For extra protection, try Norton Mobile Security which boasts extra features such as SafeWeb filtering that blocks malicious websites.
8. Trend Micro Mobile Security & Antivirus
Impressive security with parental control features
Integrated privacy scanner for Facebook
Top Free Android Virus Protection
Trend Micro’s effort not only scans new apps for malware, but prevents newly installed apps from accessing other programs, which can be useful for device admins and parents.
There’s also a built-in privacy scanner for Facebook which warns you if your profile settings are displaying sensitive personal information.
There is a free version of the app, along with a paid-for version with a premium list of features. These include a malware blocker which is capable of scanning apps before they are even installed to pre-emptively avoid any potential infection. There are also utilities for safe surfing, as well as call and text filtering.
9. AhnLab V3 Mobile Security
An app which runs well even on older Android devices
Plenty of features
This security app from South Korean AhnLab is not as famous as the others on this list, but nonetheless has very high detection rates for Android malware according to AV-Test (99.6%) and runs well even on older Android devices. Indeed, it has a built-in booster to help speed up your phone’s performance.
The app comes with a free 10-day trial of the anti-malware features which proactively search for vulnerabilities and warn you if apps could potentially leak sensitive personal information.
Other handy privacy features include a hidden gallery for personal photos and a privacy cleaner to securely clear your browsing history. Other features include the ability to stop phishing URLs, as well as to selectively block unwanted and unknown calls, and there’s also built-in protection to stop malware from uninstalling the app.
10. Avira Antivirus Security
Has a smart system of categorising apps on a privacy scale
Neat Identity Safeguard feature
Avira’s mobile offering will not only scan files you download and content on your phone’s memory, but it can also scan external storage such as your SD card. Applications are rated using a privacy scale to help you easily decide how much they can be trusted with your data.
Best Free Android Virus Scanner
The integrated ‘Identity Safeguard’ regularly checks if the email addresses in your contacts list have been involved in any major data breaches. The app is controlled by a web-based management portal, which is extremely useful if you want to set up a common policy over multiple Android devices.
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Best Free Android Virus Scanner Software
The premium version includes better support, automatic blocking of malicious websites, and more frequent updates.
- Also check out the best antivirus for your PC