Android is the most popular operating system in the world, powering over 3 billion devices. However, with great popularity comes great risk. Android devices are also the most targeted by malware, ransomware, phishing, and other cyber threats.

That’s why it’s essential to protect your Android device with a reliable antivirus app. But with so many antivirus apps available, how do you choose the best one for your needs? Don’t worry. We will introduce you to the 7 best free antivirus apps for Android in 2024, based on their features, pros, and cons. Let’s get started!

Best Free Antivirus Apps for Android in 2024

Antivirus App	Pricing	Pros	Cons
Avast Mobile Security	Free	Rich and versatile features	Some features require a subscription
Bitdefender	Premium	Cloud-based scanning	Limited features compared to the paid version
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus	Premium	High malware detection rate	In-app purchases and subscriptions
AVG AntiVirus	Free	User-friendly interface	Some features may slow down your device
McAfee Mobile Security	Freemium	App lock and VPN features	Limited features compared to the premium version
Norton Mobile Security	Premium	Perfect malware detection rate	Some features may consume your data or battery
Sophos Intercept X	Free	App advisor feature	Limited webcam protection for the home version

Best Free Antivirus Apps for Android

According to a report by AV-TEST, an independent security institute, there were over 20 million new malware samples detected for Android in 2023. A good antivirus app can scan your device for malware, block malicious websites, protect your privacy, optimize your performance, and more. Let’s see some of the best Antivirus Apps for Android.

Avast Mobile Security

Avast Mobile Security is one of the popular and trusted free antivirus apps for Android, with over 100 million downloads on the Google Play Store. Avast Mobile Security offers a comprehensive set of features, including malware protection, web protection, Wi-Fi security, app lock, VPN, junk cleaner, battery saver, and more.

Features

• Photo Vault: A secure place to store your photos with a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint lock. The free version allows up to 10 photos, while the paid versions have unlimited storage.
• Hack Alerts: A service that notifies you if your email address or passwords have been compromised in a data breach.
• Malware Force Uninstaller: A tool that helps you remove unwanted apps that may harm your device or privacy.
• VPN: A feature that encrypts your online traffic and lets you access geo-restricted content. This is only available in the Ultimate version of the app.
• Anti-Theft: A feature that helps you locate, lock, wipe, or sound an alarm on your lost or stolen device. You can also use SMS commands to remotely control your device.
• Privacy Advisor: A feature that scans your apps and shows you how they access your data and permissions.
• Wi-Fi Scanner: A feature that checks the security of any Wi-Fi network you connect to.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free

Bitdefender is one of the best free antivirus apps for Android, offering a simple and effective solution for malware protection. Bitdefender Antivirus Free uses cloud-based scanning technology to detect and remove malware from your device, without affecting your battery life or performance.

Features

• Antivirus engine that scans and removes malware, spyware, ransomware, and other threats.
• On-demand and on-install scan that checks your device and apps for malware whenever you want or whenever you install a new app.
• Cloud scanning that uses the latest threat intelligence from Bitdefender’s servers to detect and eliminate new and emerging threats.
• Anti-theft that allows you to locate, lock, wipe, or send a message to your lost or stolen device remotely.
• VPN that encrypts your internet traffic and allows you to access geo-restricted content (200 MB per day limit).

Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus

Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus is another well-known and reputable free antivirus app for Android. It provides a high level of malware protection, as it has a 99.9% detection rate according to AV-TEST. It also has features such as web protection, anti-theft, app lock, call blocker, and more.

Features

• Malware protection: The app scans your device for viruses, ransomware, Trojans, and other threats. You can also schedule scans and quarantine suspicious files.
• Anti-theft protection: The app lets you remotely locate, lock, wipe, or sound an alarm on your device if it is lost or stolen. You can also take a picture of the thief or block unwanted SIM cards.
• App lock: The app allows you to lock your sensitive apps with a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint. This prevents unauthorized access to your personal data, such as messages, photos, or banking details.
• Call filter: The app helps you block unwanted calls and SMS from unknown or spam numbers. You can also create a whitelist of trusted contacts and a blacklist of nuisance callers.
• Internet security: The app warns you of dangerous links and websites when you browse the web using Chrome. It also protects you from phishing attempts and identity theft.

AVG AntiVirus

AVG AntiVirus is another free antivirus app for Android that is developed by the same company as Avast Mobile Security. AVG AntiVirus Free offers similar features as Avast Mobile Security, such as malware protection, web protection, Wi-Fi security, app lock, VPN, junk cleaner, battery saver, and more. It also has a premium version that adds more features, such as camera trap, SIM security, and app insights.

Features

• Malware scanning: The software scans your devices for viruses, ransomware, Trojans, and other threats. You can also schedule scans and quarantine suspicious files.
• Real-time protection: The software continuously scans your system in the background and alerts you of any potential dangers.
• Phishing protection: The software keeps you safe from phishing attacks by blocking malicious websites and emails that try to steal your personal information.
• Enhanced firewall: The software monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and prevents unauthorized access to your devices.
• Password protection: The software helps you create and store strong passwords for your online accounts and encrypts them with a master password

McAfee Mobile Security

McAfee Mobile Security is another free antivirus app for Android that has over 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store. McAfee Mobile Security offers a range of features, such as malware protection, web protection, Wi-Fi security, app lock, VPN, storage cleaner, battery booster, and more. It also has a premium version that adds more features, such as anti-theft, photo vault, and guest mode.

Features

• Identity Monitoring: Monitor personal info like email accounts, phone numbers, and more. If any breaches are found, you’ll get early alerts so you can take action.
• Secure VPN: Connect privately with VPN on public Wi-Fi and protect your personal data and credit card info from hackers and identity thieves.
• Antivirus: Scan your device for viruses, malware, spyware, and other threats. Remove them with one tap and keep your device safe and clean.
• Safe Browsing: Block risky links from emails, texts, and social media and avoid phishing and scam websites.
• System Scan: Check your device for the latest updates and security patches and optimize your battery, storage, and memory.

Norton Mobile Security

Norton Mobile Security is another free antivirus app for Android that is developed by a renowned security company. Norton Mobile Security offers a solid malware protection, as it has a 100% detection rate according to AV-TEST. It also has features such as web protection, Wi-Fi security, app advisor, and more.

Features

• App Advisor: Scan your apps for malware, ransomware, adware, and privacy leaks using award-winning app scanning technology.
• Wi-Fi Security: Detect and alert you when a network you join is dangerous or under attack to help protect your personal and financial information.
• Internet Security: Block fraudulent and malicious websites when using your preferred browser, app, SMS, MMS, Email, and social networking sites.
• Device Security: Check your device for vulnerabilities and take action to help protect your device from cybercriminals.
• Privacy Monitor Assist: Find your personal information on public sites and request removal on your behalf.

Sophos Intercept X

Sophos Intercept X is one of the free antivirus apps for Android. Sophos Intercept X offers a robust malware protection, as it has a 99.8% detection rate according to AV-TEST. It also has features such as web protection, Wi-Fi security, app lock, password manager, QR code scanner, and more.

Features

• Anti-Ransomware: It uses CryptoGuard technology to detect and stop ransomware encryption attempts and automatically recover any damaged files.
• Anti-Exploitation: It blocks fileless attacks and zero-day exploits by stopping the techniques used throughout the attack chain. It also adapts its defenses dynamically in response to active adversaries and hands-on-keyboard attacks.
• EDR and XDR: It provides powerful tools to hunt for, investigate, and respond to suspicious activity and indicators of attack across endpoints, servers, firewalls, and email. It also offers a cloud storage option for forensic data and scheduled queries.
• MDR: It delivers a fully managed detection and response service that provides 24/7 lead-driven threat hunting, security health checks, threat neutralization and remediation, and full-scale incident response.
• ZTNA: It integrates a zero trust network access agent that allows secure and granular access to applications and data based on user identity and device posture.

How to Choose the best Antivirus Apps for Android

Choosing the best antivirus app for your Android device can be a daunting task, as there are many options available in the market. However, there are some factors that you can consider to make an informed decision, such as:

• Security features: The main purpose of an antivirus app is to protect your device from malware, viruses, and other threats. Therefore, you should look for an app that offers real-time protection, scans your apps and files regularly, and detects and removes any malicious or suspicious activity. Some antivirus apps also offer additional features, such as anti-theft, VPN, spam call blocker, app locker, and more, that can enhance your security and privacy.
• Performance impact: Antivirus apps can affect your device’s performance, such as battery life, speed, and storage. Therefore, you should look for an app that is lightweight, efficient, and does not consume too much of your device’s resources. You can also check the app’s ratings and reviews on the Google Play Store to see how other users rate its performance and impact.
• Price and value: Antivirus apps can vary in price, from free to premium. Free antivirus apps may offer basic protection and limited features, while premium antivirus apps may offer more advanced protection and extra features. However, price does not always reflect quality, so you should compare the features and benefits of different antivirus apps and see which one offers the best value for your money. You can also look for free trials, discounts, and money-back guarantees to test the app before committing to a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Android devices are vulnerable to various cyber threats, such as malware, phishing, and data breaches. Therefore, having a reliable antivirus app installed on your smartphone is essential for your security and privacy. However, not all antivirus apps are equally effective, trustworthy, or affordable.

Each app has its own strengths and weaknesses, so you should choose the one that suits your needs and preferences. However, you should also remember that no antivirus app can guarantee 100% security. By doing so, you can enhance your device’s security and enjoy a safe and smooth Android experience.