Choosing The Best Antivirus for Android That Meet Your Needs

What is the best Android antivirus app?

In reality, there is no perfect antivirus app for everyone. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing the best Android antivirus app for your needs. Here are some things to consider:

• Developer Reputation
• Comprehensive Protection
• App Features

Developer Reputation

When downloading any app to your Android phone, it's important to make sure that the app you choose is from a reputable developer. There are a lot of fake antivirus apps out there, which can put your device at risk. Unlike other apps, antivirus apps need a lot of access to your device to do its job right, so a fake app can wreak havoc.

Comprehensive Protection

When it comes to investing in the right security app for your Android device, you'll want to make sure that the app offers comprehensive protection. For example, a good antivirus app should be able to scan for and detect viruses, malware, and other threats. However, it should ideally also have real-time protection to block new threats as they appear.

Features

Before committing to an antivirus app, you should carefully consider the features that each app offers. While some apps include extra features like call blocking and text filtering, others have more robust privacy controls.  

Although endless features are all great to have, you don't necessarily need them, and they might end up taking more space on your device for no reason. With this, it's best to choose the app that offers the right mix of features for you.

7 Best Android Apps for your Android Phone

Now that you know what to look for, here are seven of the best Android antivirus apps available right now:

• Best all-in-one solution: Clario
• Best free antivirus for Android: Avast Mobile Security
• Best Android security app: Bitdefender
• Best anti-malware for Android: Malwarebytes
• Best anti-spyware for Android: Surfshark Antivirus
• Best anti-adware for Android: McAfee Mobile Security
• Best light antivirus for Android: Avira Mobile Security

Best all-in-one solution: Clario

When it comes to protecting your Android device from all-around threats, Clario is the perfect app for you. Aside from being an award-winning, multiplatform service, Clario is a powerful mobile malware scanner with VPN and real-time antivirus protection.

Unlike other apps which focus on temporary concerns, Clario is committed to giving you long-term peace of mind. Through its 24/7 support and breach monitoring, you can be safe from not just viruses, but all kinds of security threats. With Clario, you have access to instant ad blocking, real-time safe browsing, and more.

Once you’re sold on Clario's features, you can experience true digital protection for only $4.17/month for three devices when billed annually or $8.99/month when billed monthly.

Best free antivirus for Android: Avast Mobile Security

One of the most popular antivirus apps on the Google Play Store, Avast Mobile Security offers comprehensive protection against viruses, malware, and other threats.  

If you're looking for a free antivirus app with premium features, Avast is a great option. However, because it's free, it does have some setbacks. For example, some users report that the Avast app can be a battery hog. Additionally, keep in mind that the app does display ads, which can get annoying and potentially lead you to unsafe websites. However, it does offer interesting features like its encrypted photo vault, password leak notification, and built-in VPN.

On the other hand, if you're satisfied with Avast services, you can also get a single-license subscription to Avast Premier plus for $99.99 per year. With this paid version, you have access to other features such as Avast SecureLine VPN, Cleanup Premium, and AntiTrack.

Best Android security app: Bitdefender Mobile Security

Among Android security apps in the market, Bitdefender Mobile Security gives the most well-rounded malware protection out of all the options on this list. Not only does it flag malicious links from your messaging apps, but it also has app locking, Wi-Fi scanning, and data breach notifications.

In addition, Bitdefender also offers features like VPN, website blockers, and even an Android Wear watch integration. Although, it's important to note that Bitdefender only gives users 200MB free for its VPN, and you'll have to shell out an annual fee of $50 per year to use it more frequently.

However, you can still have access to all the best Bitdefender features for as low as $1.67 per month for long-term plans. If you're unsure if it's worth the investment, Bitdefender offers a 14-day free trial. In addition, if you're only looking for a good way to scan for malware, Bitdefender also has a free Antivirus app for Android.

Best anti-malware for Android: Malwarebytes

Compared to other options on this list, Malwarebytes focuses primarily on protecting users from malware and other related threats with its comprehensive protection.

With Malwarebytes, you have access to four system scan modes, advanced malware remediation such as remote or local remediation, command-line interface for disinfection, dissolvable agent system, and quarantine systems to prevent reintroduction of malware after it has been managed.

If you're looking for an anti-malware app with great protection and features, Malwarebytes is a great option for as low as $3.75 per month for one device when billed annually. Although, if you want to splurge with an integrated VPN, you only have to pay $8.33 per month or $99.99 a year for five devices.

Best anti-spyware for Android: Surfshark Antivirus

If you're worried about spyware, real-time protection is key to making sure you're safe from harm, 24/7. With Surfshark Antivirus, you can protect your device from a number of threats, such as malware blocking, privacy protection from unsafe network connections, and ad blocking with CleanWeb. In addition, Surfshark has a private search engine and data breach alert monitoring.

Should you want to make the jump with Surfshark Antivirus, subscriptions range from $14.44/month with discounts for longer-term plans. All Surfshark subscription options have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which shows how serious they are with what their app can deliver.

Best anti-adware for Android: McAfee Mobile Security

When it comes to pesky ads on Android, you may want to use McAfee Mobile Security to help remove them from your view.

With McAfee, you have access to a number of features to help you remove adware and other unwanted programs from your device, such as App Manager, Ad Detector, and Ad Blocker. Using these features, you don't just scan apps and websites for signs of adware and other unwanted programs but also block ads on websites and in apps.

McAfee Mobile Security is a great option if you're looking for an app with comprehensive adware removal tools. However, keep in mind that the app is not free. For the McAfee AntiVirus Plus, it costs $24.99/year for up to ten devices.

Best light antivirus for Android: Avira Mobile Security

Avira Mobile Security is a lightweight antivirus app that offers basic protection against viruses, malware, and other threats. It also has a number of features, including a network scanner, anti-theft tools, contact back-up, call blocker, text filter, and other additional privacy controls.

Aside from this, Avira also gives its users the ability to reduce the bloatware on their device with its system optimizer. With this, you can declutter your Android phone and get more space for the things that matter.

If you're looking for a lightweight antivirus app, Avira combines all the best parts of some of the best anti-virus apps in the market for a fraction of the storage space. With prices starting at $12.99/month for one device, Avira also offers a full refund within 30 days if you're unhappy with their services.

Protect yourself with the right antivirus app and better internet safety habits

Finally, keep in mind that no single antivirus app is perfect. Even the best Android antivirus app will miss some threats. That's why installing an antivirus app is only one part of the equation. Aside from investing in security apps, it's best to have good internet safety habits and common sense when using your Android phone.

If you're feeling like you want a security app that you can trust with not just your Android phone, you can also invest in apps like Clario. Clario offers a wide range of security and privacy features that offer real-time protection from malware, data breaches, unsecured Wi-Fi, and more. With Clario, you can be sure that all your devices are protected from Android, Windows, Mac, to iPhone.