The Google application store has an immense catalog of apps, and a large part of them are dedicated to computer security. Finding a good antivirus for the Android operating system is quite simple, but not everyone has the same quality of protection or against all possible attacks. But does an antivirus need Android to protect our smartphone? What is the best free antivirus for android that we can install on our mobile devices?
AV-TEST is an independent organization that evaluates and qualifies antivirus and security suite software for Microsoft Windows and Android operating systems, so there is no better ranking than the ones they recommend after evaluations every two months. Today, these are the best valued by the company specialized in protecting our smartphone or our tablet.
Antivirus for Android: why you don’t need to install one
Several well-known security companies perform mobile applications but mainly focus on computers. The theoretical function of these applications is to protect us from all types of malware, phishing among other malicious software. But, really Android terminals are not in danger of being infected.
Many of the magical applications that promise to protect our phone are not always as good, but with this, we are not saying that they do not fulfill their function. If we realize it, they not only limit themselves to being a simple antivirus but they arrive with many more functions such as optimizing the device or VPN functions. For the most part, what they really will do is consume device resources and lower their performance.
Even so, in this article, you will find the best free and paid Android antivirus, so you can decide which one is preferable to install according to the added functions that they bring. All are in Google Play, so you should not resort to an external APK.
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How to determine which are the best antivirus
Before we go to see what are the best free antivirus for Android, we must see what are the rules of AV-TEST to issue a blessing and affirm that one is better than another. Three different sections are measured: protection, performance, and usability. The maximum score they can reach is 6 points, while the minimum score is 0, for each specific section.
The company performs tests with malware in real-time, the most recent malicious programs and those with more time present exceeding the last four weeks. Note that the maximum total score achievable is 18 points. This is what is tested in each section:
- Protection: security level that guarantees antivirus software against malware.
- Performance: load on system hardware resources by antivirus.
- Usability: functions available to the user and facilities in the configuration.
The best free antivirus for Android, for mobile phones and tablets
Before starting to list them, we want to remember that at the end of the article we will state when the last update is based on the evaluation data of the AV-TEST company. Now yes, these are the best free antivirus for Android to protect your smartphone.
AVL
Indeed, it does not have a very striking interface, but it perfectly fulfills its mission thanks to its virus scanner. With AVL, we can start the search for malicious software both manually and in real-time to protect our Android smartphone.
We have a free version, and it will be more than enough to receive alerts from applications that pose a risk to our data. So you can be protected, with an excellent score.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
AVL Sec
It belongs to the same company, but in this case with a more careful aesthetic and offers some extra options. We can see in a list the applications that are safe and which may be infected for a complete uninstallation.
One of the options is the possibility of activating or deactivating the scanning of dangerous applications in real-time, so it does not work should be consuming resources. Only when we are interested.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Avast Antivirus – Mobile Security & Virus Cleaner
One of the most famous companies in this aspect of security is Avast, which also has its Android application. Despite being better known in computers, it not only acts as an antivirus on our smartphones but is similar to a multi-purpose knife. It has full and real-time analysis, but it also lets us free RAM, take advantage of a VPN connection, performs a speed test of our network connection or cleans up trash.
We have a lot of options to enjoy it, and perhaps it is the most complete that we can install on our phone. Also, we have a striking design that invites its use.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
AVG AntiVirus 2019 for Android Security Free
AVG is also a well-known program on personal computers, and in this case, we have an option if our mobile is stolen. We also have statistical data to see the use of applications, which we already have natively in Android 9 Pie, but it is also optimized to offer the maximum performance of the phone without affecting its performance.
Of course, it also allows you to analyze applications in real-time, stop tasks that slow down your device to increase speed, extend battery life with Energy Saving, etc.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Avira Antivirus Security 2019-Antivirus & AppLock
It obtains a full score, 18 points, thanks to not only protecting the device against malware but also blocking applications with specific security systems. We also have protection for Internet browsing, as well as options to mitigate the theft of our electronic device.
It also protects us against applications that misuse the camera or microphone. Therefore, we could rate it as one of the best free antiviruses for Android.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus
According to the company AV-TEST, it is one of the best security products for Android from 2015 to the present. Not only it is an antivirus, it also functions as a VPN, for safe and anonymous browsing, since we have 200 MB of free traffic per day, but we can have it unlimited in the paid application.
Also, we have WearON, so with Bitdefender Mobile Security, we can protect devices with Android Wear, but Android 4.3 or higher is required.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Security Master – Antivirus, VPN, AppLock, Booster
This antivirus for Android without advertising also has a trash cleaner, an applock to protect your applications, secure connection via VPN as well as protect the WiFi network. The company says it offers real-time protection and improved mobile phone performance.
It is a free app that protects your mobile from viruses, malware, adware, keeps your personal information safe. It also gets the best possible score.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Mobile Security & Antivirus
We will have 30 days free to try the application, and if it convinces us we will have to pay for it, if we want all the premium features available. It is also widely known for protecting Windows operating systems in homes.
It offers us tools against the theft of our phone as well as preventing phishing attacks, in addition to ransomware. Although the application has a minimal impact on phone performance.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
G Data Internet Security
G Data Internet Security not only has anti-phishing and other threats on the Internet, but it is a very safe antivirus for Android. The app protects the device memory and installed applications against malware or suspicious behavior, without affecting battery performance or the device’s operation.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Mobile Security: VPN Proxy & Anti Theft Safe WiFi
Protect your Android devices and personal information and keep your private data safe from curious eyes with the McAfee Mobile Security application. This is also among the best free antivirus for Android without advertising that we can find in the Google app store. It is widely known in the computer platform.
We also have anti-theft functions, so if someone tries to unlock your device and fails, it will take a picture so you can know who has tried to look at your smartphone or tablet.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Norton Mobile Security and Antivirus
It protects the device against threats such as malicious applications, theft, and websites created to steal your information and money. It also analyzes to protect the mobile phone in public WiFi networks and warns if they are not secure.
Norton is among the best free antivirus for android 2019 because it has a secure search engine, among other functions such as the one mentioned above. Get the highest score like the rest of the applications in this article.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 6 points.
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus: AppLock & Web Security
Kaspersky Internet Security is a lightweight free antivirus for Android with which you can protect phones and tablets, as well as your private information, against the dangers of the Internet. It also performs an analysis on-demand and in real-time in search of viruses, spyware, ransomware, and Trojans.
It also has anti-theft protection, as it protects personal information against thieves by deleting it from the device. In this case, AV-TEST gives one less point in terms of usability compared to the rest. Kaspersky is an international company dedicated to computer security with a presence in approximately 200 countries around the world.
- Protection: 6 points.
- Performance: 6 points.
- Usability: 5 points.
