The Best Android Antivirus for 2025

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Many malware coders attack Windows rather than macOS because it’s widespread and comparatively insecure. For precisely the same reasons, Android phones make better targets than devices running the more security-forward iOS. For protection against malware and theft, you need a security app that includes Android support. The security suites listed here all protect Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS. Our top two recommendations are Bitdefender Total Security and Norton 360 Deluxe, both of which are Editors’ Choice winners for overall security protection. All the products listed here provide a wealth of security features for Android, and most get top scores from independent labs. Read on and learn how to pick the best antivirus for your Android devices.

Android Antivirus Testing Results From the Labs

Do these Android antivirus utilities work? We look to three independent testing labs to find out. All but one of the listed apps appear in results from at least one lab; two appear in reports from all of them.

Researchers at AV-Comparatives challenged each Android antivirus app to defend against over 3,000 prevalent Android malware samples found in the wild. In the latest round of testing, Avast, AVG, and Bitdefender scored a perfect 100%. Avira, ESET, and Trend Micro have scored 100% in previous tests, but weren't included in the current round of testing.

The latest test from AV-Test Institute hit more than a dozen Android antivirus solutions with thousands of malware samples. Researchers also installed thousands more non-malicious programs to ensure the antivirus didn't wrongly identify them as malware. They assigned each antivirus up to six protection points for blocking malware, six points for minimal impact on performance and battery life, and six usability points for refraining from mistakenly blocking valid programs. All of our top picks scored a perfect 18, except for Trend Micro, which didn't participate in this test.

London-based MRG-Effitas tested seven Android antiviruses, reporting each app's ability to detect and eliminate threats before launch and the ability to detect and neutralize threats during installation. They checked more than 160 samples, ranging from Trojans to adware, with some known valid programs thrown in to check for false positives. They noted whether an app caught samples early or waited until they were about to be installed. Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, and Norton earned a perfect 100% score. ESET came close, with 99.25%, while Trend Micro didn't participate.

Two Android protectors stand out as the darlings of the labs: Avast and Bitdefender. Both received perfect scores from all three labs.

The Best Android Malware Protection (and More)

All the Android security apps mentioned here include an antivirus component that scans new apps and offers an on-demand scan. A few can also run scans on a schedule, a feature perhaps more useful on Windows than on Android. All also provide some form of safe browsing to keep you from surfing to URLs that might try to plant malware or fraudulent sites that might trick you into giving away your username and password for the login page they imitate.

In addition, all these security tools check your installed apps for potential privacy problems. Typically, they flag programs that request permission to do invasive things like view your contacts, scan your call logs, learn your location, or send texts. If a communication app needs access to contacts, that makes sense. However, if a goofy game wants to paw through your private info, consider deleting it.

Antitheft protection for a lost or stolen device has long been a mainstay of Android security apps. Still, with the growing strength of Android's built-in protection, some companies are dropping this feature. Norton purged antitheft in 2019, and McAfee's updated Android app also omits it. Both Avast and AVG now defer to Android's built-in antitheft, though ESET and Trend Micro continue to offer this feature.

You can find your device's location on a map with those solutions that offer antitheft protection. If you've mislaid it around the house, you can trigger a noisy alarm to help you find it. You can lock the phone to keep a thief out of your apps and data. And if you determine that you'll never get the device back, you can remotely wipe it. All the apps with antitheft features let you manage them using an online console. Some offer the option of triggering antitheft events using coded text messages, and many also surreptitiously snap a photo of whoever is using your device.

One of the first things a typical smartphone thief does is claim the device by swapping out the SIM card. Many of our recommended apps include some form of SIM card protection, and some of them lock the device when the SIM card changes.

Android Security Beyond Antivirus and Antitheft

Antivirus and antitheft are typical components for any Android security app, but some go way beyond the basics. Common bonus features include backup for contacts and photos, a battery monitor to show which apps are draining your battery life, and a task killer to send those battery hogs packing. Several of the apps warn when you connect to an insecure Wi-Fi network.

Blocking unwanted calls and texts used to be a common feature, but ongoing changes to the Android operating system have made it more difficult. Avira, ESET, Panda, and Trend Micro still manage to offer call blocking.

As noted, almost all these security tools scan your installed apps and report on those that might be privacy risks. Avast, Norton, and Trend Micro take that skill to the next level, reporting on apps as you view them in the Play Store so you can avoid downloading anything that might be problematic.

VPN protection is more important on mobile devices than desktops because mobile devices usually connect to many networks. Bitdefender and Panda include a bandwidth-limited Android VPN app, which is nice, but Avast, Avira, and Norton include VPN protection with no bandwidth limit.

A few of these apps feature less-common bonus features. ESET lets you time-schedule your call blocking, allowing only family members to call you at night. Trend Micro offers to scan your Facebook settings and warn about any security problems it finds. Panda's theft protection extends to motion sensing, so nobody can grab your Android while you're looking the other way.

Editors’ Note: Given that the US government has banned new sales of Kaspersky security products, we no longer recommend them.