More phones run Android than any other mobile OS, and there’s a correspondingly large variety of malware. Based on our testing, these are the best antivirus apps for keeping your Android devices safe.
When you buy a new PC these days, it usually comes with a 30- or 90-day license for antivirus protection. Most people know you should either renew that teaser when it runs out or choose one of the many available windows antivirus products. Nothing similar happens when you buy a new smartphone. You get the default built-in apps with the phone, and the rest of the apps populate from your account online. Security? What’s that? And yet Android is just as attractive a target for malware coders as Windows. Do Android Phones Need Antivirus?
Security software for your Android protects against malware and helps you if your phone is lost or stolen. We can help you choose the security service that’s right for you and your Android. Android protection doesn’t exist in a vacuum, though. The products listed here are all cross-platform solutions, with protection available at least for Windows, macOS, and Android. Most of them also offer some form of iOS protection, though with a feature set that is limited by the closed nature of Apple’s operating system.
Note that the ratings here apply to the product as a whole, on all platforms. They don’t necessarily reflect the quality of the Android product. Bad test scores on Windows might drag a product’s overall score down even if its Android edition tested fine.
Read on for our top picks, followed by what to look for when choosing the right Android antivirus for your devices.Why Isn’t Kaspersky Listed?
Kaspersky Plus includes a comprehensive Android security suite. It scans for malware on demand and in real time and keeps you from visiting dangerous websites. As expected, it lets you locate, lock, or wipe a lost phone, and it includes an integrated VPN. Kaspersky Premium incorporates that suite and adds more features. So why is the list above Kaspersky-free?
For years, Kaspersky has faced accusations and censure based on its Russian origins, though none of the accusations have come backed by hard evidence of malicious behavior. We at PCMag focused on the capabilities of the products, not on the brouhaha around the company. However, the current war in Ukraine has raised the stakes. Governments and third parties are cutting ties with Kaspersky. The FCC labeled Kaspersky a national security risk.
After consideration, we can no longer recommend that you purchase Kaspersky security products. We’ve left the reviews in place, with a warning since they provide useful information. You’ll find Kaspersky’s features mentioned in several places below, for comparison purposes. But at least for now, we’re removing Kaspersky products from our « Best of » lists.Android Antivirus Testing Results From the Labs
Do these Android antivirus utilities work? We look to three independent testing labs to find out.
