Best Antivirus App for Android

According to some studies, around 3 billion people use Android smartphones. As they have become a part of our lives, we use them for many different reasons. This could range from social media to online shopping, mobile banking and many more. But this ease comes at a cost. With massive features and storage, it’s no surprise that our Android smartphones carry a lot of sensitive data and information. This makes it a potential target of bad guys.

As Android is an Open-Source operating system, it can be modified to create vulnerabilities. This provides an opportunity to malware creators and hackers. The aim of these threats is to steal private data and push money-making ads and annoying pop-ups. Some of them are even not detected by the inbuilt Google Play Protect.

To protect financial and sensitive data from malicious malware, we need an antivirus for our Android device. Premium antivirus is recommended because it offers comprehensive anti-malware security as well as advanced security-enhancing features and functions, including secure online banking and shopping, web filters and anti-phishing protection, app manager and app lock, a secure backup utility, an anti-theft utility, a VPN, system optimization tools, and many more. They also not sell the personal data to third parties, but it can also vary from company to company and is something which you should check before buying any premium antivirus app.

In this article, we will cover the five best antivirus software for Android. We have evaluated and judged each antivirus app on some key criteria which includes features, malware protection, system performance, user interface, and pricing.

1. Norton Mobile Security

Our best recommendation to any Android user is Norton Mobile Security. With its proven track record and decades of experience, Norton has gained the trust of more than 50 million customers worldwide. The antivirus app offers protection of Android devices from cyber threats and malware. The app comes with Android antivirus and web protection, an app advisor powered by Norton Mobile Insight, surveillance app protection, device and Wi-Fi security, call blocking, system advisor and safe search along with privacy report.

Norton even goes a step further to let users know whether the Android operating system has vulnerabilities. This is helpful against zero-day attacks. The app does not take a lot of resources and not affect the battery life of the Android device.

Norton offers one subscription plan for Android, which costs $29.99 per year. First-time users get a yearly subscription at the cost of $14.99 for the first year. The renewal of this subscription goes for $29.99 per year. Unlike most other antivirus software, Norton does not have a free version for its Mobile Security antivirus for Android. Nonetheless, the premium version comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Click here to download Norton Mobile Security

2. Bitdefender Mobile Security

Bitdefender Mobile Security is another fully featured antivirus product for Android recommended by experts in the cybersecurity industry. This antivirus offers unbeatable and absolute protection for Android devices. As a global leader in cybersecurity, Bitdefender offers excellent antivirus solutions. The Bitdefender Mobile Security package for Android packs features in three distinctive categories. Under protection features, Performance features, and Privacy features.

Under protection features include a malware scanner (for on-demand and on-install scans), web protection, anti-theft tools and Smartwatch protection. Performance features include the useful Autopilot feature, and a battery saver.

Privacy features include a secure VPN, App lock (with pin code, fingerprint, and smart unlock), and online accounts privacy. Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android employs cloud-based malware detection technology.

As for the user interface, Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android features a minimalistic interface with in-depth information about various functionalities and threats. The app offers a fluid interaction with zero hindrance regarding navigation. Everything is neatly organized, and the app does not impact the device’s usability. Bitdefender offers no free plan for Android. It has two premium subscription plans for its antivirus. The monthly subscription goes for $1.37 per month. However, the best deal is the annual subscription, which costs $14.99 per year. These subscriptions are limited to one account.

Click here to download Bitdefender Mobile Security

3. McAfee Mobile Security for Android

McAfee is one of the well-known antivirus providers in the industry. It offers one of the robust antivirus suites for Android, called McAfee Mobile Security. This product gives the ultimate mobile and web protection.

McAfee Mobile Security for Android ensures personal safety via its security and privacy features, which includes a powerful antivirus, privacy and security engine, anti-theft and find my phone module, a safe Wi-Fi advisor tool, performance optimization utilities such as phone cleaner, data tracker, memory and battery booster. Safe web device security utilities such as app lock, guest mode, media and contacts back-up and many more.

McAfee’s antivirus malware protection on Android is top-notch. It utilizes the McAfee Global Threat Intelligence security engine. This engine’s security scan has won awards for detecting and protecting Android devices against malware, viruses, and the latest cyber threats.

As far as its user interface is concerned, McAfee Mobile Security uses its signature red interface on Android. The intuitive interface also features other colours to indicate various functionalities. Navigation is hassle-free, and the antivirus does not affect the device’s usability at all. Its pricing structure includes both the free and premium versions. Despite having most features, the free version offers limited functionality with too many in-app ads.

We will recommend the premium suite for better security and more features. The standard one-device plan of the McAfee Mobile Security suite comes at a monthly cost of $2.99, while the yearly subscription goes for $29.99. The plus plan for one device costs $9.99 a month while the yearly subscription is available for $79.99. The premium plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, you do not have to worry about intrusive ads or popups.

Click here to download McAfee Mobile Security for Android

4. Kaspersky Internet Security for Android

Kaspersky also offers one of the best antivirus suites for Android, which guarantees advanced security for safeguarding sensitive data and privacy.

The Kaspersky Internet Security for Android uses Kaspersky’s Machine Learning technology to protect against new threats in the Android landscape. It offers streamlined features such as antivirus protection, call block app manager and app lock, web filter and anti-phishing utilities such as anti-theft and find my phone to protect phone and tablet.

As for malware protection, Kaspersky’s top-notch malware engine ensures no viruses, spyware, ransomware or Trojans passes it. Its real-time on-demand and background checks guard the Android device against threats. The Antivirus can also clean and block malicious apps, links, and files.

Kaspersky’s user interface is also very easy. Most of the features are on the main page. Additionally, this antivirus for Android does not impact the device’s usability. Kaspersky offers both free and premium versions. The free version should eb avoided since it lacks advanced security and has limited features.

The premium subscription plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The monthly subscription costs $3.99 per month. The yearly subscription costs $10.95 per year. They also offer a 7-day premium trial, which can be cancelled cancel anytime.

Click here to download Kaspersky Internet Security for Android

5. Trend Micro Mobile Security

Trend Micro is a top-notch antivirus that offers excellent malware protection and a range of privacy and anti-theft features. The company has nearly 30 years of experience in the security industry. Some notable features included in the Trend Micro Mobile Security for Android are a Malware scanner and cleaner – which encompasses a pre-install scan, web guard, and a privacy scanner. Pay Guard mobile for banking, a Wi-Fi checker, a System tuner Parental control and Utilities such as app manager and app lock, lost device protection, system health check, and secret snap.

In terms of malware protection, Trend Micro uses a cloud-based Smart Protection Network and Mobile App Reputation. These technologies scan and safeguard the Android devices against malicious apps, viruses, ransomware, crypto-miners, identity theft, and phishing.

Trend Micro also has a decluttered interface which is appealing to a minimalist user. Navigation is also minimal, as all the features are within reach. Trend Micro has two subscription plans for its Mobile Security. A monthly auto-renew subscription costs $4.99. A yearly auto-renew subscription goes for $35.69. Both subscription plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. Trend Micro also offers a two-week free trial period.

Click here to download Trend Micro Mobile Security

Price Comparison of Antivirus Software