Buying guide · 4 picks
Best antivirus for Android
Android lets security apps scan installed apps and files, so antivirus is meaningful here, unlike on iPhone. Our picks come from AV-TEST's September 2026 Android test and AV-Comparatives' Mobile Security Review 2026.
Ranked by the AVSO Editorial Desk
Prices and lab results verified How we scoreEditorial policy
Short answer:Bitdefender Total Security. 100% detection at AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST's Best Android Security award for 2025.
View Bitdefender pricing (opens in a new tab)Best antivirus for Android: our 4 picks, ranked
Top pick Best overall for Android
Editorial score 9.0 out of 101. Bitdefender Total Security
Plan: Mobile Security (in Total Security)
Why it’s here: 100% detection at AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST's Best Android Security award for 2025.
The evidence
Price
$59.99 first year, 5 devices
Best Android suite
Editorial score 8.8 out of 102. Norton 360 Deluxe
Plan: 360 Deluxe
Why it’s here: 99.6% detection, full AV-TEST marks, and the VPN works on the same phone.
The evidence
Price
$49.99 first year, renews $124.99
View Norton 360 pricing (opens in a new tab)60-day money-back guarantee (annual plans)
Read review: NortonBest free Android antivirus
Editorial score 8.5 out of 103. Avast Premium Security (10 devices)
Plan: Avast One Free
Why it’s here: The free app matched Norton's 99.6% at AV-Comparatives.
The evidence
Price
Free
Also tested
Editorial score 8.5 out of 104. McAfee Total Protection Plus
Plan: Mobile Security
Why it’s here: Full marks in AV-TEST's Android round; not in AV-Comparatives' mobile review.
The evidence
- AV-TEST Android · Sep 2026 · 6 / 6 / 62
Price
From $39.99 first year, 5 devices (secondary source)
Not verified on vendor siteView McAfee pricing (opens in a new tab)30-day money-back guarantee (secondary source)
Read review: McAfee
Side by side
Lab results and prices for these picks. Product names open their reviews.
| Compare4 picks | BitdefenderTop pick | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | Editorial score 9.0 out of 10 | Editorial score 8.8 out of 10 | Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 | Editorial score 8.5 out of 10 |
| First year | $59.99first year | $49.99first year | $69.48first year | $39.99first yearUnverifiedLowest |
| Renewal / year | Not stated | $124.99 | $99.99 | Not stated |
| Real-World protection | 99.5%ADVANCED+Highest | 99.3%ADVANCED+ | 99.3%ADVANCED+ | 98.5%ADVANCED |
| False positives | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Performance impact | 8.7 | 4.9 | 5.2 | 3.1 |
| VPN | 200 MB/day | |||
| iOS app | ||||
| Get it |
Google Play Protect is not enough on its own
Every certified Android phone runs Google Play Protect. The labs don't publish a 2026 score for it among our sources, so we can't compare it directly. The bigger risk on Android is sideloaded apps from outside the Play Store.
Frequently asked questions
Does Android need antivirus?
It's more useful than on iPhone, because Android allows apps from outside the Play Store and lets security apps scan them. In AV-Comparatives' 2026 review the best apps caught 99.6–100% of samples.
Is ESET available for Android?
Yes, ESET's HOME Security plans cover Android, but ESET was not in either lab's 2026 Android test, so we don't recommend it here on evidence.
Top pick · Best antivirus for Android
Our pick: Bitdefender
The most consistent lab record of 2026. Total Security: $59.99 first year · 30-day money-back guarantee.
We may earn a commission through affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources
All accessed
- 1.AV-Comparatives Mobile Security Review 2026 (Android). av-comparatives.org/tests/mobile-security-review-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
- 2.AV-TEST Android test, September 2026. av-test.org/en/antivirus/mobile-devices/android/september-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
- 3.AV-TEST Awards 2025 (consumer). av-test.org/en/news/av-test-awards-2025-celebrating-the-very-best-of-it-security-products/ (opens in a new tab)