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Best antivirus for Android — and when Google Play Protect is enough

Every Android phone with Google Play already has free Android virus protection built in: Google Play Protect, switched on by default. So the useful question isn't only which Android antivirus app is best. It's whether you need one at all, and what a security app adds to what Google already does.

PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Kirill Prosandeev Reviewed Oct 29, 2026 12 min read
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A smartphone on a dark desk with a glowing glass shield standing over it as red threat particles bounce off

This guide compares the six antivirus brands we review that make an Android app: Norton, TotalAV, McAfee, Avast, Avira and VirtualShield. We go by what each vendor and its Google Play listing say the app does — scam-text and web protection, Wi-Fi checks, a VPN, anti-theft and app privacy checks — plus what the free version includes and the oldest Android version it supports. Where a vendor doesn't say, we write "not stated" rather than guess. System Mechanic isn't here because it runs only on Windows.

On an iPhone instead? Apple's rules change the picture — see our guide, Do iPhones need antivirus?

Do you need antivirus on Android? What Google Play Protect already covers

Google Play Protect checks apps from Google Play before you download them and scans your phone for potentially harmful apps from other sources. When it finds one, Google says it can warn you, disable the app or remove it. It may also block an unverified app from installing if it asks for sensitive permissions that scammers commonly use for financial fraud. It's on by default, and Google recommends always keeping it on — so a third-party antivirus works alongside Play Protect, not instead of it.

Play Protect isn't the only layer, either. Google Messages has spam and scam protection turned on in standard mode where it's available: it can check links with Google and hide suspected scams in a Spam & blocked folder. Chrome's Safe Browsing is on by default and warns you about sites and downloads identified as dangerous. Android's theft protection can lock the screen if someone snatches the phone, and with Find Hub on you can ring, locate, secure and erase a lost device. Google notes that some features vary by device maker, and some theft-protection steps need Android 10 or Android 15 and up.

So for a lot of Android users, the honest answer is no. If you install apps only from Google Play, read your texts in Google Messages, browse in Chrome and your phone still gets security updates, the built-in tools are a reasonable baseline. A security app doesn't replace system updates, though: Google says older devices can't always run newer Android versions, and you need the latest version available for your device to get its latest security update.

A security app earns its place in the gaps. Think of scam texts in a messaging app other than Google Messages, links opened in another browser, apps that someone at home installs from outside Google Play, public Wi-Fi you'd rather route through a VPN, or one subscription that also covers the family's computers. Each pick below says which of those its vendor documents for Android.

What an Android security app should add

  1. 1

    Check what Android already covers

    Make sure Play Protect is on, your phone has its latest security update, and spam and scam protection in Google Messages and Safe Browsing in Chrome are switched on. If that covers how you use the phone, you may not need more.

  2. 2

    Name the gap you're filling

    Apps from outside Google Play call for real-time app scanning, scam texts in other messaging apps for SMS filtering, public Wi-Fi for a VPN, and a phone that goes missing for Find Hub, which is built in, or an app's anti-theft tools. Pick an app that documents that feature on Android.

  3. 3

    Try the free version first

    Free versions range from a full scanner with web protection to a breach check. Install from the vendor's own Google Play listing, see what the free app does, and pay only for a feature you'd miss.

Our Android picks

6 compared
Editors' choice
1

Norton (Gen Digital)

Best overall for scam texts and risky apps

Our take: Norton's Android app (Norton360 Antivirus & Security on Google Play) covers more of Android's gaps than most apps here. Safe SMS filters spam texts that may contain phishing, Safe Web checks for scams on the pages you visit, Wi-Fi Security warns about unsafe networks, and App Advisor flags malware and privacy risks before you install from Google Play. Norton lists no free version, and Norton Mobile Security on its own doesn't include the VPN.

Strengths

  • Safe SMS for scam texts; Safe Web in your browser and apps
  • App Advisor checks apps for malware and privacy risks before you install them
  • Wi-Fi Security alerts for unsafe networks

Worth knowing

  • No free version, only a trial tied to a subscription
  • VPN only with Norton 360 or Mobile Security + VPN
  • Needs Android 10 or later
Platforms: AndroidWindowsmacOSiOS

Bottom line: Pick Norton if scam texts and app risks are your main worry — and choose a Norton 360 plan if you also want the VPN.

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2

TotalAV (Protected.net)

Paid app with web, QR-code and Wi-Fi checks

Our take: TotalAV's paid app lists the core protections: real-time protection, WebShield against phishing and scam sites, a QR Checker for links hidden behind QR codes, a Wi-Fi checker and a VPN. Its free version is thin, though: the Google Play listing names only a data breach check and AppLock. It also supports older phones than Norton, McAfee or Avast.

Strengths

  • WebShield and QR Checker against scam sites
  • Wi-Fi checker and VPN in the premium app
  • Runs on Android 8 and later

Worth knowing

  • Free version has no malware scanning
  • No scam-text filtering stated for Android
Platforms: AndroidWindowsmacOSiOS

Bottom line: Pick TotalAV if you're buying a plan anyway and want web, QR-code and Wi-Fi checks in one app — don't install it expecting free malware protection.

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3

McAfee

Best for scam alerts on the family's phones

Our take: McAfee's app (McAfee: Stay Secure & Private) is built around Scam Detector, which flags risky messages, blocks harmful sites and identifies suspicious emails. Its antivirus and virus cleaner run only on PCs and Android devices, according to the listing. The free tier covers one device; paid plans add Safe Browsing, a text scam detector, Secure VPN and identity monitoring, and the full Scam Detector, which also checks emails, is listed only for the top McAfee+ Advanced plan.

Strengths

  • Scam Detector for texts and emails (McAfee+ Advanced plan)
  • Free tier with antivirus, Wi-Fi and identity scans
  • Paid plans add VPN, Safe Browsing and identity monitoring

Worth knowing

  • Free tier is one device, without web protection or VPN
  • Needs Android 11 or later, per its Google Play listing
Platforms: AndroidWindowsmacOSiOS

Bottom line: Pick McAfee if you want scam-message alerts and identity monitoring on everyone's phones and computers under one plan.

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4

Avast (Gen Digital)

Best free app with web protection

Our take: Avast One Mobile is replacing Avast Mobile Security on Google Play, and its free version goes further than most: a virus scanner and cleaner, Web Guard to block phishing links and unsafe sites, Wi-Fi checks, password-leak alerts and the Avast Assistant for questions about suspicious messages. Blocking scam texts and calls, app locking and the VPN come with a paid upgrade. Review the privacy settings after installing, as our Avast review explains.

Strengths

  • Web Guard against phishing links in the free app
  • Free Wi-Fi checks and password-leak alerts
  • Paid upgrade blocks scam texts and calls

Worth knowing

  • Contains ads, per its Google Play listing
  • Needs Android 10 or later
Platforms: AndroidWindowsmacOSiOS

Bottom line: Pick Avast if you want the broadest free toolkit, web protection included, and might pay later for scam-text and call blocking.

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5

Avira (Gen Digital)

Most complete free tier on Android

Our take: Avira's Google Play listing says all of its main features are free: a virus scanner and cleaner, a VPN capped at 100 MB a day, breach checks, Privacy Advisor (which shows which apps request sensitive data), AppLock and clean-up tools. Avira's site adds a network scanner and anti-theft tools to locate a lost phone and lock it remotely. Web protection and camera and microphone protection need the Pro version.

Strengths

  • Free VPN (100 MB a day) and Privacy Advisor
  • Anti-theft tools to locate and lock a lost phone
  • Runs on Android 9.0 and later

Worth knowing

  • Web protection against phishing sites is Pro-only
  • No scam-text filtering stated
Platforms: AndroidWindowsmacOSiOS

Bottom line: Pick Avira if you want to start free with more than a scanner — and upgrade only if you need web protection.

Read full Avira review
6

VirtualShield LLC

Plain real-time scanning for older phones

Our take: VirtualShield Antivirus offers real-time protection against viruses, malware and ransomware, according to its Google Play listing, and its Google Play listing says it needs Android 8.0 or later (its help center says 7.0), the same minimum as TotalAV. Its help center says Active Protection may need to be switched on by hand on phones and can affect battery life. The app needs VirtualShield's Ultimate plan or its Antivirus add-on, and the VPN is a separate app. The app itself states no web, scam-text, Wi-Fi or anti-theft features; VirtualShield pairs it with its Ad & Malware Blocking service for threats online. It isn't in AV-TEST's September 2026 Android test or AV-Comparatives' Mobile Security Review 2026.

Strengths

  • Real-time Active Protection with scheduled scans
  • Runs on Android 8.0 and later
  • Antivirus on up to three devices

Worth knowing

  • No free version; no web, scam-text or Wi-Fi features stated in the app
  • Its Virus Defense Promise is worded for computers
Platforms: AndroidWindowsmacOSiOS (VPN only)

Bottom line: Pick VirtualShield if you want plain real-time scanning on an older Android phone — not if you want scam or web protection in the app.

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Android fit at a glance

What separates the Android apps — not a spec sheet.

Norton

Android app on Google Play
Norton360 Antivirus & Security
Free version
None (trial only)
Scam texts
Safe SMS
Web protection
Safe Web
Wi-Fi checks
Wi-Fi Security
VPN
With Norton 360 or Mobile Security + VPN
Anti-theft
Not stated
App privacy checks
App Advisor, Privacy Advisor
Oldest Android supported
Android 10
Skip it if
You want a free app

TotalAV

Android app on Google Play
TotalAV Antivirus & Security
Free version
Breach check + AppLock
Scam texts
Not stated
Web protection
WebShield (premium)
Wi-Fi checks
WiFi Checker (premium)
VPN
Premium
Anti-theft
Not stated
App privacy checks
Not stated
Oldest Android supported
Android 8.0
Skip it if
You want free malware scanning

McAfee

Android app on Google Play
McAfee: Stay Secure & Private
Free version
Antivirus, Wi-Fi and identity scans
Scam texts
Text scam detector (paid)
Web protection
Safe Browsing (paid)
Wi-Fi checks
Wi-Fi Scan (free)
VPN
Paid plans
Anti-theft
Not stated
App privacy checks
Not stated
Oldest Android supported
Android 11
Skip it if
You only protect one phone

Avast

Android app on Google Play
Avast One: Antivirus, Security
Free version
Scanner, Web Guard, Wi-Fi check
Scam texts
Safe SMS (paid)
Web protection
Web Guard (free)
Wi-Fi checks
Network Inspector (free)
VPN
Paid upgrade
Anti-theft
Not stated
App privacy checks
Not stated
Oldest Android supported
Android 10
Skip it if
You don't want ads in the app

Avira

Android app on Google Play
Avira Security Antivirus & VPN
Free version
Scanner, capped VPN, privacy tools
Scam texts
Not stated
Web protection
Web Protection (Pro)
Wi-Fi checks
Home network scanner
VPN
100 MB a day free
Anti-theft
Locate and lock remotely
App privacy checks
Privacy Advisor
Oldest Android supported
Android 9
Skip it if
You need web protection free

VirtualShield

Android app on Google Play
VirtualShield Antivirus
Free version
None
Scam texts
Not stated
Web protection
Not stated in the app
Wi-Fi checks
Not stated
VPN
Separate VPN app
Anti-theft
Not stated
App privacy checks
Not stated
Oldest Android supported
Android 8.0
Skip it if
You want scam or web protection

On price: paid plans run first-term promotions that rise at renewal and vary by region. Check what the free version includes before you upgrade.

Norton

Best all-in-one bundle

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TotalAV

Best simple, all-in-one setup

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McAfee

Best for families & many devices

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Avast

Best familiar all-rounder

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Avira

Most complete free tier

VirtualShield

Antivirus with a removal promise

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Free vs paid antivirus on Android

"Free antivirus for Android" means very different things from brand to brand, from a full scanner with web protection to a breach check with no malware scanning at all. The list below sets out what each vendor or its Google Play listing says the free version includes.

  • Avira: a virus scanner and cleaner, a VPN capped at 100 MB a day, breach checks, Privacy Advisor, AppLock and clean-up tools; Avira's site adds a network scanner and anti-theft tools. Web protection and camera and microphone protection need Pro.
  • Avast: a virus scanner and cleaner, Web Guard against phishing links and unsafe sites, Wi-Fi checks, password-leak alerts, storage clean-up and a lock for up to 10 photos.
  • McAfee: one device, with an antivirus scan, a Wi-Fi scan and an identity scan.
  • TotalAV: a data breach check and AppLock. Real-time protection, malware scans and WebShield are premium.
  • Norton and VirtualShield: no free Android version. Norton offers a trial tied to a subscription; VirtualShield's antivirus needs its Ultimate plan or the Antivirus add-on.

What you mostly pay for on Android is scam-text and call filtering, a VPN without Avira's 100 MB daily cap, web protection, which TotalAV, McAfee and Avira keep for paying users, and coverage for more devices. If none of that matters to you, a free app on top of Play Protect is a sensible setup — or Play Protect on its own.

Two things to check before you upgrade inside an app. Norton's and TotalAV's Google Play listings say their trials start a subscription that renews automatically unless you cancel it in your Google Play account, so note the date. And five of the six listings say the app uses Android's Accessibility permission, mainly to check the websites you visit. Grant it only to an app you've decided to keep.

Before you install a security app on Android

  • The feature you're paying for is listed for Android, not only for Windows or Mac.
  • Your phone meets the minimum on the app's Google Play listing: Android 8.0 for TotalAV and VirtualShield, 9 for Avira, 10 for Norton and Avast, and 11 for McAfee.
  • You're installing the vendor's own app: check the developer name on the Google Play listing.
  • The listing explains why the app wants Accessibility access, and you're comfortable with it.
  • You know when the subscription renews and where to cancel it: Google Play or the vendor's account.
  • Play Protect stays on afterwards. Google recommends always keeping it on.

Keep reading

Sources · checked Oct 29, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is Google Play Protect enough for Android?
For many people, yes. Play Protect checks Google Play apps before you download them, scans for harmful apps from other sources and is on by default. With Google Messages' scam protection, Chrome's Safe Browsing and regular security updates, that's a reasonable baseline if you stick to Google Play. Add an app if someone at home installs apps from elsewhere, you want scam filtering beyond Google's own apps, or you'd use a VPN.
What's the best free antivirus for Android?
Among the brands we review, Avira and Avast have the most generous free apps. Avira's adds a VPN capped at 100 MB a day, Privacy Advisor and anti-theft tools to its scanner; Avast's adds Web Guard against phishing links and Wi-Fi checks. McAfee's free tier covers one device, TotalAV's free version offers only a breach check and AppLock, and Norton and VirtualShield have no free version.
Can antivirus for Android block scam texts?
Some can. Norton's Safe SMS filters spam texts that may contain phishing, Avast blocks scam texts and calls as a premium feature, and McAfee's paid plans include a text scam detector. TotalAV, Avira and VirtualShield don't state scam-text protection for Android. If you use Google Messages, its own spam and scam protection is on in standard mode where it's available.
Should I turn off Play Protect if I install another antivirus?
No. Google recommends always keeping Play Protect on, and its help page doesn't suggest switching it off for another security app. We'd still stick to one third-party security app, so you have one set of alerts and permissions to manage.
Will an antivirus app slow my phone or drain the battery?
Real-time protection does some work in the background. VirtualShield, for example, says turning on Active Protection can affect battery life. We don't measure this ourselves: AV-TEST's Android tests cover performance and usability alongside protection, and AV-Comparatives' Mobile Security Review includes battery consumption tests, so check their latest results for the app you're considering.
Will these apps run on an older Android phone?
Check the minimum on the app's Google Play listing first: TotalAV and VirtualShield need Android 8.0 or later, Avira 9, Norton and Avast 10, and McAfee 11. Some vendor pages list lower versions (VirtualShield's help center says 7.0, McAfee's system requirements say 10 and Avast's product page says 8.0), but the Play listing is what your phone must meet to install the current app. An app is no substitute for updates, though. Google says you need the latest Android version available for your device to get its latest security update — so a phone that no longer gets updates is a reason to plan an upgrade.

Our top pick: Norton

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