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7 Best Antivirus for Android of 2023 Reviews | Safeguard Your Mobile With A Reliable Virus Protection

7 Top Picks

4 Reviewers

30 Hours of Research

30 Options Considered

Picking an anti-virus is not easy. There are dozens out there and it is hard to tell which one is the right one for you. Here at VSS Monitoring, we designed an easy-to-take quiz that should only take 1 minute to answer. Completing the quiz will help to determine the #1 antivirus for you based off of your needs.

The best antivirus for Android, based on my tests is McAfee, Norton, Avast, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, AVG, and Trendmicro. After hours of testing, I found these antivirus apps offer nearly flawless malware protection for your mobile devices. In addition to this, to make sure you are maximally protected against all threats, we made sure you are familiar with best antiviruses with VPN in this post, or best internet security software as reviewed here. Also, depending on your needs, you may check out the best security for gamers here, or business antiviruses in this review

3 Top Antivirus for Android

mcafee for gamers

1. [Best Antivirus for Android Overall]

 McAfee

5/5

Mcafee mobile security is one of the awesome apps.


I have used it for 6 years and so far I love its performance; detecting and removing malware. 


It has a free version, its premium plans are affordable and a single subscription will cover your android phones, PC, and tablets.

  • Protection Features including; It’s malware detection and blocking are great. You will also get a network, spyware, data protection, and many more
  • This is the ultimate protection for your android wear and device/s. It will secure your mobile phone and data.
  • Has a free password manager to store your sensitive information such as passwords, social security numbers, and bank details
norton deluxe

2. [Best For The Money] Norton

4.9/5

Another security antivirus app to consider is Norton mobile security. It has received impressive scores on my test plus in independent labs. You will get 100% protection from ransomware, phishing threats, a free version, spyware protection, etc.

Android OS is always under attack and that’s why you need the best antivirus for android like this.


  • You will get 100% mobile antivirus protection from spyware, ransomware, etc
  • Its premium versions are affordable compared to some of its competitors like Avira antivirus. It offers 30 days free trial
  •  It comes with a free password manager to store your sensitive credential and other information
Avast antivirus software

3. [Best For The Cyber Security] Avast

4.8/5

This is a renowned name in the world of online security and one of the best android antiviruses we have on the market right now. It has over 100 million installations and offers much more than Antivirus protection.

Avast mobile security has a free version, a photo vault, an app lock, a VPN, junk cleaner, web shield, Wi-Fi network security, RAM boost, Anti-theft, virus cleaner, Wi-Fi speed test, and many more.


  • There is a free trial and a premium version. Take advantage of the free trial to check how the software works

  • It has over 100 million installs meaning Avast software is trusted by many people unlike many antivirus apps
  • Avast for business secures your company networks, keeping information safe from cybercriminals

Stick around to find out their features including, pricing, detection rate, free and premium versions, pros and cons, just to name a few. I will also include a buyer’s guide to help you choose the best Antivirus apps, and for the best internet protection for Mac look at this article.

Best Antivirus for Android Reviews

[Best Antivirus for Android Overall]

5/5

Mcafee mobile security is one of the awesome apps. I have used it for 6 years and so far I love its performance; detecting and removing malware. It has a free version, its premium plans are affordable and a single subscription will cover your android phones, PC, and tablets.

mcafee for gamers

It gives Peace of Mind

If you have installed android antivirus apps on your smartphones, rest assured that you will be protected against ransomware, viruses, spyware, adware, Trojans, just to name a few.

McAfee mobile security comes with features to safeguard your family and business against malware and they include;

  • Parental Controls; Use this feature to control what your kids watch online. There is also a blocking option.
  • Comes with a free app lock to avoid authorized access to either your old or new apps 
  • Has a free VPN to safeguard your privacy. It is a great tool too to access region-restricted content and hiding your browsing activities from prying eyes such as your ISP.
  • Its Anti-theft features will safeguard your personal information against data miners.
  • Protection Features including; It’s malware detection and blocking are great. You will also get a network, spyware, data protection, and many more.
  • This is the ultimate protection for your android wear and device/s. It will secure your mobile phone and data.
  • Has a free password manager to store your sensitive information such as passwords, social security numbers, and bank details.
  • There are multiple scan options to scan your android devices for any threats such as viruses, Trojans, spyware, ransomware, and many more. The scan options include full scan, quick scan, and custom scan.
  • McAfee Shredder and Optimization Tool; McAfee shredder will permanently delete all the files making them inaccessible by cybercriminals. Use the free optimization tool to remove unwanted programs and optimize browser settings in case your PC is slow.
McAfee Pricing - One thing to note is that McAfee offers a free trial that you can download to test how the mobile security antivirus works. It is better than play protect offered by Google and lasts for 30 days. You will not be required a credit card when downloading since it is free

Its premium packages include a Single Device plan. Its price is $19.99 per year and covers 1 android device. The second paid version is the individual/couples plan at a price of $24.99 per year and covers 5  devices. The third premium package is Family offered at a price of $29.99 per year and covers 10 devices.

McAfee Pros

  • McAfee mobile security comes with many security features to keep your android device protected
  • You will get a free antivirus app and its pricing plans are affordable
  • There is a parental control feature to keep your children safe while surfing the internet
  • Its optimization tool will improve the performance of your android device/s
  •  You can connect up to 10 devices; a good option if you want to cover phones of your friends and family members with a single subscription
  • You will get encrypted storage to store your sensitive files. Many mobile antivirus apps do not offer this.

McAfee Cons

  •  VPN is sold separately

[Best for The Money]

4.9/5

Another security antivirus app to consider is Norton mobile security. It has received impressive scores on my test plus in independent labs. You will get 100% protection from ransomware, phishing threats, a free version, spyware protection, etc.

Android OS is always under attack and that’s why you need the best antivirus for android like this.

norton deluxe

Web Protection

If you love shopping or banking online you will find this antivirus app very helpful.

It will safeguard you from phishing or malicious sites that are known to collect personal information.

Worried about Wi-Fi network security? The Wi-Fi security feature will alert you In case your network is under attack or if there is a data breach. 

This will help you take the necessary measures to prevent your data from being stolen or your android app/s from being compromised.


App Advisor

This is the feature that I really love about Norton mobile security and is not found in many Antivirus apps. Your smartphones have many apps from Google play. Most of them are free and could be filled with ads, be fake, or even not be effective.

Norton mobile security will advise on particular apps before you download them. However, it must be turned on so you can know if an app is infected with malware or not.

You will also be informed if an app is sharing your data with third parties or not.

Other useful Security Features- Other useful features include a free VPN so you can browse anonymously and keep sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and bank details safe when using public Wi-Fi.

The VPN will also let you block annoying ads, unblock restricted sites, and even perform dark web monitoring to determine if your personal information can be found there or not.

Norton Pros

  • Covers up to 5 devices and they include android phones, PCs, tablets, Macs, android wear and IOS phones
  • Comes with real-time threat protection. Norton mobile security will be running in the background of your phone checking for suspicious behavior.
  • You will get 100% mobile antivirus protection from spyware, ransomware, etc
  •  It has one of the best parental controls to monitor what your kid watch online with his/her smartphone
  •  It comes with a free password manager to store your sensitive credential and other information
  • Its premium versions are affordable compared to some of its competitors like Avira antivirus. It offers 30 days free trial
  • It comes with anti-theft features to protect your private information. Many mobile security apps do not offer this
  • Its VPN will unblock for you restricted content from certain countries and offer anonymity when browsing online

Norton Cons

  • I honestly did not find any limitation when using Norton mobile security

[Best for The Cyber Privacy]

4.8/5

This is a renowned name in the world of online security and one of the best android antiviruses we have on the market right now. It has over 100 million installations and offers much more than Antivirus protection.

Avast mobile security has a free version, a photo vault, an app lock, a VPN, junk cleaner, web shield, Wi-Fi network security, RAM boost, Anti-theft, virus cleaner, Wi-Fi speed test, and many more.

Avast antivirus software

Protect your Privacy

Cyber-attacks are getting worse over time. It is your private information that is at stake because it fetches a good amount on the black market. Keep intruders out of your android phones with the best android antivirus.

This antivirus app will hide your online identity, and what you do online. You will also get a VPN to access geo-restricted content.

  The Best Android Antivirus

Keep your android phones safe with Avast mobile security. It will prevent malware from attacking your smartphones by detecting and blocking them before they have a chance of doing so.

In my antivirus apps test, I discovered it performs regular scans and checks for an app/s that are displaying suspicious behaviors.

Avast Pros

  • There is a free trial and a premium version. Take advantage of the free trial to check how the software works
  • It has over 100 million installs meaning Avast software is trusted by many people unlike many antivirus apps
  • Its malware detection is high and blocks malicious websites and app/s making the internet safer for you and your family
  •  It is easy to install and use. Even its dashboard is user friendly
  • It comes with a free parental control feature so you can control what your kids see online. This is a feature not found in many antivirus apps
  • Avast for business secures your company networks, keeping information safe from cybercriminals

Avast Cons

  • Some of its notifications are annoying. There is an option to disable them in the menu

4.7/5

If you are looking for the best android antivirus, consider Kaspersky. It is an Antivirus app that you can rely on to give security to your mobile phones. I ran several tests on its premium version and was impressed by its performance, even its call blocking.

kaspersky protection

Advanced Malware Protection

Kaspersky internet security is one of the world’s security companies. Also, it has over 20 years of offering malware and virus protection. It uses artificial intelligence to detect and block malware.

Its rate of detecting and blocking suspicious apps and websites (phishing protection) is high. It has protection anti-theft tools to protect your data and stops spyware from monitoring texts and calls.

Extra Features

Important features of this security for android include;

  •  Offers cloud protection features. You will download lightweight free android antivirus apps on your phones. Because it is light, the performance of your phone will not get slowed down
  • Has a password manager to store your sensitive information and passwords. It can also create passwords for you and enter them in your favorite websites when you are logging in.
  • Kaspersky premium also offers a Safe money tool. Its goal is to protect your financial transaction when banking online.
  • You will get a VPN when you choose this security for android. A VPN will let you surf the internet privately plus allow you to access geo-restricted content.
  • It also offers Wi-Fi security.

It has free antivirus but for 30 days and it is better than play protect. It has various premium packages and they include Kasperky Antivirus-Essential PC antivirus at a price of $29.99 for 1 PC per year. The second one is Kaspersky Internet Security at a price of $44.99 for 1 android device billed annually and Kaspersky Total Security at a price of $59.99 for 1 device billed annually.

Kaspersky Pros

  • It malware protection is great. Kaspersky has gained popularity for fighting against cybercrime
  • Its premium versions are affordable compared to some of its competitors like Avira antivirus
  • It is lightweight hence will not any android app to slow down
  • Its Anti-theft features will safeguard your sensitive information from data miners
  • Its password manager will keep your important information and passwords safe
  • It comes with a free privacy cleaner and VPN to safeguard your privacy
  • It has over 100 million download means it is trusted by many people

Kaspersky Cons

  •  I did not find any limitation with this Kaspersky internet security or mobile antivirus

4.6/5

Bitdefender is one of the best antivirus apps that provide malware protection for Android phones; this is according to an av test conducted in October 2020. Another company, AV-comparatives, also tested Bitdefender and found that it blocked 99.7% of all malware missing just 2 cases out of more than 700.

bitdefender protection

Best internet security

When it comes to features, Bitdefender mobile security has basic and advanced features including;

  • Malware detection
  • Phishing protection
  • Virus scanning of infected app/apps
  • Ransomware protection
  • Call blocker of spammers
  • Disk cleaner of infected android app/apps
  • Parental controls
  • File shredder
  • Startup optimizer
  • A virtual vault
  • VPN
  • Highly encrypted safe pay browser for all of your online transactions

Bitdefender Mobile Security Prices

How much does Bitdefender cost? Their premium plans are affordable. First of all, the company has a 14-day free trial version so you can test how it works. Here are some of the security packages available;

  • Bitdefender mobile security for one android device is about $14.99 for a year.
  • Bitdefender total security for five android devices is about $34.99 for a year of protection.

Simple Installation

With just a few clicks, you will install Bitdefender antivirus. Creating an account is very easy from your phone or tablet.

When you first open the anti-malware application, you will realize it has a user-friendly dashboard.  It has a section at the top with important recommendations on how to get the most from your Bitdefender antivirus security app.

Bitdefender Pros

  • It delivers excellent malware protection for your android smartphones
  • Bitdefender comes with a  free antivirus to test how the software works
  • It has a simple and easy to use interface unlike many free android antivirus apps
  • They have great 24/7 support via live chat, social media, and phone number to reach them anytime
  • This security App is lightweight designed not to slow down the performance of your phone

Bitdefender Cons

  • Support for iOS is limited

6. AVG

4.5/5

AVG is well suited for companies that require a high level of security. It is worth the spend since it comes with advanced features such as data anti-theft tool, a VPN, payment protection, and many more. Also, it comes with a free version and affordable premium versions and will not cause any app to slow down.

AVG pricing plans

Android Scanning options

This security product has various scans that you can perform on your system, such as;

  • The scheduled scan allows you to set up regular PC scans daily, weekly, or monthly to check for viruses and other malware.
  • Deep scan  takes a little longer and is more intensive and thorough in terms of malware scanning on your PC
  • Performance scan checks your PC's speed performance problems.
  • The boot-time scan runs before the operating system fully loads up to check for viruses.

One thing to note is that scan settings can be customized according to user parameters.

Prices

You can choose any of the three security products depending on the level of security that you want.

  • Avg antivirus free only provides malware protection
  • The AVG internet security is a premium version and its features include malware protection, verifies Wi-Fi network security, secure against phishing sites, and provide payment protection. It covers 10 android devices at a price of $3.99.
  • AVG ultimate has the AVG internet security features plus the following features; tune-up, call blocking, VPN, and much more. It covers 10 phones at a price of $6.49.

The Behavior Shield

It's a great feature that sniffs out any suspicious behavior of any app from Google play running on your android device and will warn you if something seems off.

This free feature also protects against attacks or any malicious key loggers that secretly record typed passwords or bank account details.

AVG Pros

  •  It has a secure VPN to offer online anonymity
  •  AVG offers all in one protection from malware
  • Has great device scanning capability plus its virus definitions are always kept up-to-date
  • Plans are offered at an affordable price unlike many antivirus apps
  • Supports unlimited android devices which makes it a great option for people with family
  • The  android antivirus apps that you will install on your smartphones are lightweight and easy to install
  • Great for troubleshooting and increasing system performance every day. Most Antivirus apps do not offer this.
  • The company offers great customer support
  • It has free anti-theft features to safeguard your sensitive information from being shared by a malicious app.
  • The software supports many platforms including  Mac, windows, and android

AVG Cons

  • The free version is limited to some functions

4.5/5

Trend Micro is a good product and this is why; it scans the entire device, has a great anti-malware engine, comes with Wi-Fi networks protection, app tune-up, premium installation, and app security health check.

trend micro packages options and pricing

Product features

  • PC health checkup to optimize your device
  • Computer scans. You can choose between a full scan, scheduled, or quick scan.
  • Pay guard to provide safety whenever you are doing online banking. Again, this is a feature that is not found in most free android antivirus apps.
  • Data Anti-theft protects you from spyware or other internet users from stealing your sensitive data
  • Password manager to securely store your internet passwords
  • Free Parental controls feature to monitor your kids online

The Data feature has extra security to block ransomware from taking your files hostage. This is achieved by adding extra protection to specific folders. It also comes with Security erase to remove sensitive files so that data cannot recover them.

Trend Micro Pros

  • This antivirus software has all-round protection for all possible threats
  • TrendMicro provides a reliable solution at a very affordable price
  • It has very useful tools such as anti-ransomware, device anti-theft, and web protection
  •  Trend micro comes with a free encrypted password manager to store your passwords safely
  • The user interface looks professional and is easy to use. This is unlike many antivirus apps
  • They have good customer support ready to solve your problem
  • Trend Micro offers the best mobile security and privacy

Trend Micro Cons

  •  I did not find any

Best Android Antivirus Buying Guide

The best Android antivirus apps in 2023

Android phones carry a lot of important information hence make them a good target for cybercriminals. If hackers manage to break into their devices, they will steal your sensitive information and sell it to the black market or worse, use it to commit more crimes with it.

Google play protect is not enough to safeguard your android apps. Install the best android antivirus apps in 2023 with anti-theft features to protect your personal data such as social security numbers, bank details, passwords, just to name a few. The best Security apps also offer real-time protection, privacy and free updates so you can stay safe always from online threats.

Best Android antivirus app comparison chart

The Google play store has not been the most secure place to download antivirus apps. There are many malicious apps that get their way into the Play store despite being screened during admission.

To determine the best antivirus apps, I did a test on all of them and came up with this comparison chart. It will help you find the best security solution for your android phones.

 

McAfee

Norton

Avast

Kaspersky

Bitdefender

AVG

TrendMicro

Free antivirus

Yes

Yes

yes

yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Online Privacy

80%

100%

80%

100%

100%

90%

84%

Malware Protection

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

98%

Anti-theft features

Yes

Yes

yes

yes

Yes

Yes

yes

How to choose the best Android antivirus app for you

There are various features to consider when selecting the best mobile antiviruses for your android devices. The features include anti-theft tools, a free version, affordable premium plans and can cover several phones with 1 subscription.

 The Antivirus apps should also have call blocking, real-time protection, phishing protection; recovery of lost or stolen data, and excellent malware protection so they may earn a good rating.

How we tested the best Android antivirus apps

I tested all the antivirus apps that I have listed here. Here is how I tested them. Whatever features the anti-malware offered, I had to test them. Some of them had free phishing protection while others did not have it.

Many antivirus apps offered free anti-theft features, online privacy, real-time protection, app lock, free parental tools, and many more. I tested all the features the products offered. I used my smartphone with android apps from the Play Store that is infested with malware to test their ability to remove them.

Some of the malware triggered real-time protection and were eliminated on sight.

FAQs:

1. What is the best antivirus for Android?

Here are the Top Antivirus applications for Android that we recommend.

1. McAfee -
Mcafee mobile security is one of the awesome apps. I have used it for 6 years and so far I love its performance; detecting and removing malware.  It has a free version, its premium plans are affordable and a single subscription will cover your android phones, PC, and tablets.
2. Norton -
Another security antivirus app to consider is Norton mobile security. It has received impressive scores on my test plus in independent labs. You will get 100% protection from ransomware, phishing threats, a free version, spyware protection, etc.
Android OS is always under attack and that’s why you need the best antivirus for android like this.
3. Avast -
This is a renowned name in the world of online security and one of the best android antiviruses we have on the market right now. It has over 100 million installations and offers much more than Antivirus protection. Avast mobile security has a free version, a photo vault, an app lock, a VPN, junk cleaner, web shield, Wi-Fi network security, RAM boost, Anti-theft, virus cleaner, Wi-Fi speed test, and many more.

2. Does mobile antivirus really work?

Mobile antivirus software is designed to protect mobile devices from malware and other security threats. While there are many different types of mobile antivirus software available, not all of them are effective. It is important to research the different options and choose one that has a good reputation and has been proven to be effective.

3. Is Norton Antivirus good for Android?

Norton will protect your phone extremely well. Norton Security and Antivirus for Android provides comprehensive protection against threats posed by malicious applications, phishing websites, and thieves. It is slightly more expensive than competing apps, but the generous license plan more than compensates.

4. How do I keep my Android secure?

What you can do depends on the version, carrier, and hardware.

1. Determine the Android version and update to the newest one.
2. Conduct a security and privacy audit on your phone.
3. Create a calendar reminder for twelve months following the audit.
4.Consider using end-to-end encrypted apps.
5. Immediately cease disclosing your location.
6. When not in use, turn off Bluetooth and WiFi.

5. How do I check for viruses on my Android phone?

An antivirus scan is an effective way to check for malware on your Android phone. Before you purchase antivirus software for your phone, ensure that you choose the most comprehensive product available for your device. On the market, there are a plethora of antivirus software options. Some are available for free, while others are available for purchase.

About Dusan Stanar

I'm the founder of VSS Monitoring. I have been both writing and working in technology in a number of roles for dozens of years and wanted to bring my experience online to make it publicly available. Visit https://www.vssmonitoring.com/about-us/ to read more about myself and the rest of the team.