5 Best Antivirus Apps For Android in 2024

Mobile devices, much like computers have evolved a great deal over the years. While this has some obvious advantages, there are a number of problems as well. Malware, for example, has plagued the Android platform for quite some time. While Google has done everything possible to curb this menace, there are still some users out there who manage to visit shady links and get malware attacks on their devices.

So how can you protect yourself from this? Well, just like you would on a Windows PC, you can get anti-virus software for your smartphone as well. All the major names that you remember from the PC anti-virus software are present for Android as well. We’re going to talk about five of the best anti-virus software present on the Google Play Store to keep your devices safe from malware or virus in general.

5 Best Antivirus Apps For Android

AndroHelm AntiVirus

The name here is pretty self-explanatory and the app does a solid job of protecting your smartphone from malware attacks. It comes with features like scanning app downloads from third party sources, a dedicated quarantine mode to keep malware away from your crucial apps, and anti-theft tracking features. This makes it a highly functional app as it can not only keep your device safe from virus or malware but also help you in case of theft. You can also lock your sensitive apps from prying eyes, making this a very comprehensive solution to all your privacy and security woes.

While apps downloaded from the Play Store don’t need scanning, the app looks for virus within existing apps and also checks new downloads. This is an essential safety feature to make sure you don’t accidentally download malware infested applications from the internet. The app is free to download, but comes with ads. There are in-app purchases on board too, allowing you to remove ads and access some more features within the app.

Avira Antivirus Security 2018

Avira might not be known to everyone out there, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s an amazing antivirus software. The developers also have a Stagefright Advisor tool following the embarrassing Stagefright bug that surfaced a couple of years ago across Android. The best part about this app is that it’s light on your device, so it won’t eat up too much RAM on usage.

The app allows you to make real time scans of your entire device, check SD card downloads, and even alert you when there are some threats onboard. These features make for a hassle free antivirus protection, and we highly recommend every Android user to try this out. Much like other anti-virus offerings, Avira has a free and a paid version. The free version also comes with ads.

Avast Antivirus 2018

Avast has been around for a while, and many of you might have even tried it on Windows. You get the same kind of protection on your Android device using Avast, including features like call blocking, anti-theft protection, and comprehensive scanning of your entire device. If you have a rooted Android device, you will be pleased to know that the app also comes with a dedicated firewall. There’s a photo vault features to keep your private memories away from others who might access the phone. This has become the feature of most anti-virus apps, so we’re not surprised to see it here.

The app also comes with a feature to clean up RAM memory right away. This hasn’t worked as expected in my experience, although we won’t completely rule out its advantages. Avast can be downloaded for free, but comes with a 14-day free trial, following which you will have to buy a subscription to keep using. The free app also comes with ads on board. The app is frequently updated with new features, so you can be assured of accessing the latest features as and when they become available. Avast is compatible with devices running Android 4.1 and above.

AVG AntiVirus 2018

AVG is a name that many of our readers will be synonymous with. It has provided antivirus software for quite a few years now, and has elevated to become one of the leading names among antivirus offerings. The Android version is no different and is immensely popular with the users. In terms of features, the AVG AntiVirus 2018 comes with all the extensive antivirus features like scanning your device, and even Wi-Fi networks for malware.

The app also comes with a bunch of security features to help you locate your lost phone through Google Maps, or store all your photos in a secret vault. There’s a Power Save feature here by default, allowing you to eliminate unnecessary tasks on the device and save battery. Speed booster features are also available by default, although it’s not recommended. Sensitive applications can be locked using PIN, pattern or even your fingerprint (supported devices only). Taking these factors into account, one can say that AVG is one of the best antivirus offerings for Android today. It is free to download, but comes with ads and in-app purchases/subscriptions.

Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus

Kaspersky is yet another popular PC antivirus software maker, and it’s only natural that they have an Android offering too. It can run extensive scans on your device to check for viruses and Trojans. You also get access to a web filter which will warn you when you’re visiting a site that is known to pose risks for the users. You can also block callers, password protect your apps, and hide sensitive financial information away from prying eyes when you’re shopping online.

Most of the antivirus checks happen in the background, so the users don’t need to check manually every other day. An interesting Find my Phone feature also exists, allowing you to locate your lost phone. You can download the free version of the app to check out its features. This version has no ads but has in-app purchases. The app works with devices running Android 4.1 and higher.