Best Antivirus Software
For Android 2025

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We’ve gathered the best antivirus deals — ratings, side-by-side price comparison, and discounts up to 80%. Get reliable protection without overpaying.

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Protection
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Performance
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Ease of Use
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Value
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All-in-one security with strong identity protection and mobile optimization.

Check Multi-layered protection against mobile threats
Check Focus on privacy and personal data
Check SafeCam and Parental Controls, family security
Check With a VPN and Dark Web Monitoring
From $2.50/mo
Get 50% Off
From $2.50/mo
Protection
Star Star Star Star Star Star Star
Performance
Star Star Star Star Star
Ease of Use
Star Star Star Star
Value
Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

Award-winning security with minimal device impact and powerful features for the average user.

Check Scam Prevention and behavioral analysis
Check Minimal performance impact
Check Autopilot mode for easy management
Check With a VPN and Parental Controls
From $2.92/mo
Get 50% Off
From $2.92/mo
Protection
Star Star Star Star Star
Performance
Star Star Star Star
Ease of Use
Star Star Star Star
Value
Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

All-in-one security for the entire family with powerful identity protection and performance.

Check Focus on privacy and personal data
Check Holistic protection for the entire family
Check Innovative approach to security
Check Security rating system
From $10/mo
Get 55% Off
From $10/mo
Protection
Star Star Star Star Star
Performance
Star Star Star Star
Ease of Use
Star Star Star Star
Value
Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

A simple and effective solution for next-gen protection and mobile optimization.

Check Next-gen, AI-powered protection
Check Optimized performance for mobile devices
Check Intuitive interface and automatic settings
Check Flexible pricing plans
From $4.58/mo
Get 50% Off
From $4.58/mo

Android Security FAQ — Best Antivirus & Virus Protection Apps

1. Do Android phones really need antivirus?
Yes — unlike iOS, Android allows apps from multiple sources, which makes it more exposed to malware and spyware.

Even if you only use Google Play, infected or fake apps still appear regularly.

Common Android threats include:

  • Hidden adware and background trackers
  • Spyware that records activity or messages
  • Fake "cleaner" or "update" apps that steal data

Installing a trusted Android antivirus app helps detect and remove these threats before they cause damage.
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2. What does an Android security app actually do?
A modern Android security suite provides much more than virus scanning.

It usually includes:

  • Real-time malware detection for apps, links, and downloads
  • Web protection against phishing and malicious websites
  • Privacy permissions audit for apps accessing camera or location
  • Junk and cache cleaning to boost performance
  • Wi-Fi security scanning for unsafe connections
  • Anti-theft tools like device location or remote lock

In short, it protects your phone, data, and privacy — all in one app.
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3. What's the best antivirus for Android in 2025?
The best antivirus apps for Android combine high detection rates with lightweight performance.

When choosing, look for:

  • ✅ Real-time scanning and background protection
  • ✅ Anti-phishing and web filter
  • ✅ Privacy advisor and permission control
  • ✅ App lock or VPN support

Top-rated tools like TotalAV, Bitdefender, and Norton provide complete Android protection — they scan, block, and clean automatically without slowing your phone down.
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4. How do I remove a virus or malware from my Android phone?
If your phone is behaving strangely (battery drain, pop-ups, overheating), follow these steps:

  • Switch to Safe Mode — it disables malicious background apps.
  • Uninstall suspicious or unknown apps.
  • Clear browser cache and downloads.
  • Run a full antivirus scan using a trusted app like TotalAV or Norton.
  • Update Android OS — new patches close security loopholes.
  • Restart your phone after cleaning to finish the removal process.

A reliable Android antivirus can remove most malware automatically and stop it from reinstalling.
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5. Are free antivirus apps for Android effective?
Free Android antivirus tools can detect some known threats, but they lack full real-time defense and advanced privacy protection.

Most free versions don't include:

  • Web protection
  • Anti-tracking tools
  • VPN or data-breach alerts
  • Automatic background scans

For full security — especially if you use mobile banking or store personal files — choose a premium Android antivirus app that updates its threat database daily.
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6. How can I keep my Android device safe long-term?
Follow these habits to stay clean and protected:

  • Install apps only from Google Play or trusted stores.
  • Avoid APKs from unknown sites.
  • Keep Android updated to patch vulnerabilities.
  • Use an antivirus app with real-time scanning enabled.
  • Review app permissions regularly — deny access to anything unnecessary.
  • Avoid public Wi-Fi without VPN.

Consistent habits and reliable security software are the best defense against Android threats.
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Security Shield

Why Do You Need an Antivirus?

Hack Every 39 Seconds

A Hack Every 39 Seconds

In 2025, hackers strike over 2,200 times a day — that's one attack every 39 seconds. Without antivirus, your data is always exposed.

Ransomware Daily Siege

Ransomware's Daily Siege

Ransomware now makes up 68% of all threats, with 1.7 million attacks every day. One hit can lock your files forever.

AI-Powered Attacks

AI-Powered Attacks at Digital Speed

Cybercriminals use AI to launch 36,000 scans per second. Modern antivirus is the only way to keep up.

2.1 Billion Stolen Logins

2.1 Billion Stolen Logins

In 2024 alone, malware stole over 2.1 billion credentials. Without protection, yours could be next.

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Price comparison

Price/mo Devices Per device/mo Notes CTA
TotalAV
$1.58 3 $0.53 Top Antivirus
Best Price
Get Deal
Norton
$4.17 5 $0.83 Best for Power Users Get Deal
Avast
$4.58 1 $4.58 Best for Families Get Deal
Bitdefender
$5.42 5 $1.08 Get Deal
McAfee
$10.00 Unlimited Unlimited devices Get Deal

*Information updated often, but verify on the provider's website before purchase.

Ratings Overview

Protection Performance Ease of Use Value
TotalAV
6 x Star
6 x Star
5 x Star
10 x Star
Bitdefender
7 x Star
5 x Star
4 x Star
9 x Star
Norton 360
6 x Star
5 x Star
4 x Star
9 x Star
Avast
5 x Star
4 x Star
4 x Star
7 x Star
McAfee
5 x Star
4 x Star
4 x Star
7 x Star

Comparative Review of Antivirus Brands

🛡️ Protection

Star Star Star Star Star

TotalAV advertises real-time protection against a wide range of threats. It defends against phishing scams, ransomware, and potentially unwanted apps (PUA). The product includes an anti-phishing feature called WebShield to provide safe browsing, and also protects against malicious apps.

Rating: The manufacturer mentions protection from 5 types of threats, including viruses, trojans, malware, phishing, and ransomware. Additionally, they claim real-time protection, cloud scanning, and dedicated tools to combat phishing and ransomware.

🚀 Performance

Star Star Star Star Star

TotalAV is positioned as a "lightning-fast" antivirus that "will not slow down" the system. It claims to provide background protection without slowing down your device. The product also includes system tune-up tools to optimize performance.

Rating: TotalAV positions itself as a "lightning-fast" antivirus that "will not slow down" the system. In addition, it offers built-in PC optimization tools, which are also available in the Android version.

✅ Ease of Use

Star Star Star Star

The product is advertised as "easy to use" across all devices, including Android. Its simplicity is supported by 24/7 customer support.

Rating: The product is advertised as "easy to use" on all devices. An additional factor confirming its simplicity is 24/7 support.

💎 Features & Value

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

TotalAV offers multi-device, cross-platform support. Key features available include WebShield for safe browsing, an ad-blocker, a password vault, and data breach monitoring. More expensive packages also include a VPN for encrypted browsing. The product also offers anti-theft protection.

Rating: TotalAV includes a variety of additional features. Among them are WebShield (safe browsing), an ad-blocker, a password manager, and data breach monitoring. More expensive packages also include a VPN.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive protection: Comprehensive protection against a wide range of mobile threats.
  • Performance-oriented: Lightning-fast performance that won't slow down your device.
  • A multitude of additional features: A multitude of additional features, including a VPN and anti-theft tools.
  • Ease of use: Intuitive and user-friendly design.

Summary

TotalAV is positioned as a comprehensive digital security solution for Android that provides extensive threat protection, a wide range of additional tools, and a simple, fast user experience.

🛡️ Protection

Star Star Star Star Star Star

Norton 360's messaging focuses on comprehensive, real-time defense against threats. It claims to protect against viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing scams. The product includes an AI-powered feature called Genie Scam Protection to help users avoid phishing. Cross-device security is also emphasized.

Rating: The manufacturer directly states protection against viruses, malware, ransomware, hacking attempts, and phishing. "Genie" Scam Protection is also specifically mentioned. A key element is the "100% Virus Protection Promise," which emphasizes the manufacturer's confidence in the effectiveness of its protection.

🚀 Performance

Star Star Star Star Star

Norton is promoted as security that "won't slow you down".

Rating: The review has several direct mentions: "won't slow you down," and "minimal impact on system speed". Additionally, Norton offers performance management tools that fit the criterion.

✅ Ease of Use

Star Star Star Star

The product is marketed as "powerful protection that's easy to use". Its intuitive dashboard is designed to make security maintenance straightforward for non-technical users. Additionally, Norton offers 24/7 support.

Rating: The manufacturer positions the product as "powerful protection that's easy to use". This simplicity is supported by features like Auto-Protect and Silent Mode, which run in the background, as well as an intuitive interface and 24/7 support.

💎 Features & Value

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

Norton 360 is positioned as an all-in-one solution. It includes a Secure VPN for privacy, a Password Manager, and Dark Web Monitoring for personal data leaks. Parental Controls are also included in some plans. The availability of multiple plans allows users to choose the features they need for their devices.

Rating: Norton 360 offers a very wide range of additional features. These include: VPN, a password manager, cloud backup, parental controls, and Dark Web monitoring. In LifeLock packages, it even offers identity theft protection services. The availability of multiple subscription plans allows users to choose a set of features that meets their needs.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive, multi-layered protection: Comprehensive, multi-layered protection against mobile threats.
  • Focus on privacy and personal data: Focus on privacy and personal data, with a VPN and Dark Web Monitoring.
  • Powerful features for device and family security: Powerful features like SafeCam and Parental Controls for device and family security.
  • Flexible and scalable subscription plans: Flexible and scalable subscription plans.

Summary

Norton 360 is positioned as a comprehensive, multi-layered digital security solution that goes beyond traditional protection, offering extensive features for ensuring privacy and personal data protection on Android.

🛡️ Protection

Star Star Star Star Star

Avast's protection is highlighted as "next-gen," using AI to combat viruses, spyware, ransomware, and zero-day threats. The product uses an AI-powered scam detection assistant to guide users away from phishing websites. The product also protects against malicious apps.

Rating: The manufacturer mentions protection from 5 types of threats: viruses, spyware, ransomware, hidden web threats, and network attacks. The use of AI to combat phishing and "zero-day threats" is also emphasized.

🚀 Performance

Star Star Star Star

Avast's software is marketed as being efficient with a "small footprint" on the system. It offers a Cleanup Premium tool in paid bundles to boost speed and remove junk files.

Rating: Avast states that its products are "efficient" and have a "small footprint" on the system, operating in the background.

✅ Ease of Use

Star Star Star Star

The product is promoted as "easy to install, effortless to use", with an intuitive interface. The company also provides clear status reports and automatic settings.

Rating: Avast repeatedly emphasizes that its products are "easy to install" and "effortless to use". This simplicity is achieved through automatic settings and an intuitive interface.

💎 Features & Value

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

Even the free version of Avast includes a Wi-Fi security scanner. Paid versions offer additional features like a password manager and a VPN. The Avast One app is described as a newer all-in-one app with a simplified experience. The company offers a wide range of paid and free packages.

Rating: Avast offers a wide range of additional features, especially in its paid versions. These include: a VPN, a password manager, webcam protection, and other tools that make the product a multifunctional solution.

Key Features

  • Next-gen protection: Next-gen, AI-powered protection against online scams and threats.
  • Performance and optimization: Lightweight and optimized performance for mobile devices.
  • Convenience for beginners: Convenience for beginners with an intuitive interface and automatic settings.
  • Flexible pricing plans: Flexible pricing plans, including a powerful free option.

Summary

Avast is positioned as a simple and effective solution for next-gen threat protection on Android, offering a full set of tools to ensure security, privacy, and performance in its paid packages.

🛡️ Protection

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

Bitdefender's multi-layered engine defends against a wide range of threats, including viruses, trojans, worms, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, and cryptojacking. The product includes Scam Prevention & Detection and an AI-based Scam Copilot to help users avoid phishing and other online fraud.

Rating: Bitdefender claims protection against 7 types of threats, which already gives it a high rating. A special emphasis is placed on "Scam Prevention," "Scam Copilot," and web fraud filtering, as well as the use of AI and behavioral analysis.

🚀 Performance

Star Star Star Star Star Star

Bitdefender explicitly claims to have the "lightest impact on performance". It runs silently in the background.

Rating: The manufacturer directly states that its product has the "lightest influence on performance". This is supported by Photon™ and Global Protective Network technologies, which perform most of the work in the cloud, helping to reduce system load.

✅ Ease of Use

Star Star Star Star

The product is positioned as "easy to use" and promotes a blend of power and simplicity. The Autopilot mode automatically makes decisions for the user. The Bitdefender Central management hub allows users to manage all their devices in one place.

Rating: Bitdefender is positioned as easy to use despite its power. Key features are "Autopilot" mode, which makes decisions for the user, an intuitive interface, and the unified Bitdefender Central management center.

💎 Features & Value

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

Bitdefender Total Security extends protection to multiple operating systems, including mobile. The product offers a very wide range of additional features, including a VPN, a password manager, and Parental Controls. Higher tiers also add dedicated features for Dark Web monitoring and Identity Theft Insurance.

Rating: Bitdefender offers a very wide range of additional features. These include: a password manager, a secure browser for online banking (Safepay), a VPN, parental controls, and special features for identity theft protection in premium packages.

Key Features

  • A leader in protection: A leader in mobile protection with Scam Prevention and behavioral analysis.
  • Minimal performance impact: Minimal performance impact due to cloud technologies.
  • Power and simplicity: Power and simplicity with Autopilot mode for easy management.
  • Advanced privacy protection: Advanced privacy protection with a VPN and Parental Controls.

Summary

Bitdefender is positioned as a premium, award-winning solution that provides a high level of protection without slowing down Android devices, while remaining simple enough for the average user thanks to its Autopilot mode.

🛡️ Protection

Star Star Star Star Star

McAfee markets its solution as holistic protection for modern threats. They claim to "defend yourself and the entire family against the latest virus, malware, ransomware and spyware threats," combining traditional antivirus with new AI-driven features. A standout in their messaging is scam and fraud protection: McAfee includes a "Scam Detector" to catch phishing texts, fake websites, and even deepfake scams in real time.

Rating: The manufacturer claims protection against 5 types of threats: viruses, malware, ransomware, spyware, and phishing. "Scam Detector" and "WebAdvisor" functions are specifically highlighted, as is the proactive approach to informing users about risky websites.

🚀 Performance

Star Star Star Star

McAfee leans into performance claims by calling itself the "#1 antivirus for PC performance." Their software is designed with a minimal background footprint and has a PC Optimizer module to boost system speed (by cleaning temporary files, tuning startup, etc.). The suite will delay non-critical tasks when you're gaming or streaming (they have an auto mode for that).

Rating: McAfee positions itself as "No. 1 in performance," which is a direct claim. This is supported by the "PC Optimizer" module and a special mode that delays non-critical tasks to avoid interrupting gaming and streaming.

✅ Ease of Use

Star Star Star Star

McAfee's website uses phrases like "easy-to-use antivirus protection you can count on," directly underscoring user-friendliness. The installation is straightforward, and the interface presents a Protection Score and colored status (green means good) which simplifies understanding security at a glance. McAfee has a single "My Home" dashboard for all features, avoiding the need to juggle multiple apps – a selling point for simplicity.

Rating: The review repeatedly emphasizes that the product is "easy to use." Convenience is achieved through the unified "My Home" dashboard, the "Protection Score" system, and automatic updates.

💎 Features & Value

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

McAfee has evolved into a security bundle covering privacy and identity in addition to devices. Key features highlighted include: an Unlimited VPN (Secure VPN) for privacy on public Wi-Fi, Identity Monitoring with 24/7 alerts, Personal Data Cleanup (a tool that scans data broker websites for your personal info and requests its removal), and up to $2M Identity Theft Insurance (in their top plan) to cover losses from identity fraud.

Rating: McAfee offers an exceptionally wide range of additional features that go far beyond a traditional antivirus. Key features include: unlimited VPN, personal data monitoring with alerts, tools to remove personal information from data broker websites, identity theft insurance, parental controls, and even a "Social Privacy" function.

Key Features

  • Focus on privacy and personal data.
  • Holistic protection for the entire family.
  • Innovative approach to security.
  • Security rating system.

Summary

McAfee is positioned as a comprehensive, all-in-one digital security solution that goes beyond a simple antivirus and focuses on holistic protection of personal life and privacy for all family members.