Your smartphone isn’t just a tool to make calls or stay in touch with popular trends but also your portable wallet, mobile bank, your password locker, and whatever it is you’d like it to be including being your personal portable computer.

It’s crucial to protect your smartphones from the growing threats of malware, viruses, and other malicious activities.

This post will explore the best antivirus apps for Android smartphones in 2023. We’ll begin by understanding what antivirus apps are, why they are necessary, and the differences between free and paid antivirus apps. Additionally, we’ll discuss how antivirus apps differ from VPNs, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of mobile security.

So without any further ado, here’s everything you need to know about AntiVirus applications which will serve as the first part of this lengthy post.

Part 1: Everything you should know about Anti-Virus apps

What Are Antivirus Apps?

Antivirus apps are software programs designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious software from your Android smartphone. These apps protect your device by scanning files, apps, and system vulnerabilities to identify and eliminate potential threats.

Android-based smartphones can be very susceptible to viruses because of the fact that you can literally side-load applications and games which may have been infected on your device.

Even though Google Play Protect, which is essentially Google’s own Anti-virus service to detect malicious applications is there to help, sometimes, many of these malware can slide under the radar without the former knowing what’s happening behind the scenes on your smartphone.

With applications dedicated to simply rooting out malicious software and applications, the need for anti-virus applications becomes a very necessary tool to safeguard your data on your Android smartphone.

And if you think because you don’t visit malicious websites, think again. Your smartphone can literally be hacked via a spam email message or even a text message. You can also be hacked via community Wi-Fi.

The point is that as technology continues to evolve so are blackhat hackers. So it’s always good to be a step ahead in the never-ending race.

Why You Need an Antivirus App

The increasing number of malware attacks on Android smartphones highlights the importance of having a reliable antivirus app. Here are a few reasons why you need an antivirus app on your Android smartphone:

1. Protection against Malware: Antivirus apps safeguard your device from various types of malware, including viruses, Trojans, ransomware, and adware.
2. Secure Web Browsing: Many antivirus apps come with built-in web protection features, ensuring safe browsing by blocking access to malicious websites.
3. Privacy Protection: Antivirus apps can detect and remove spyware that may compromise your personal information and privacy.
4. App Scanning: With an antivirus app, you can scan and verify the security of downloaded apps to ensure they are safe to use.

Free Antivirus Apps vs. Paid Antivirus Apps

When choosing an antivirus app, you’ll encounter both free and paid options. One significant difference between the two options is that the Free versions are often ad-supported and watered down because the developer obviously wants to make money in one way or the other.

Because the free versions are ad-supported, the experience might not be a breeze and might in fact pollute the problem you’re trying to fix on your Android smartphone (because sometimes, you might be attacked by adware.)

However, paid or premium anti-virus apps often have all the features all-baked into the application without any advertisement disturbing your experience in any way, shape, or form. Also, with a premium tier upgrade, you’ll be getting the full application so you can experiment and get updates as well as customer support whenever you have issues.

One thing to note though is the fact that some Anti-virus service providers such as Kaspersky offer a freemium trial period so that you can see for yourself whether you’re willing to subscribe to their monthly or yearly plans.

Anyway, below is a more comprehensive comparison between paid and free anti-virus apps for Android smartphones in 2023.

Free Antivirus Apps:

• Offer basic protection against common threats.
• Limited features and functionalities.
• May include ads and require additional permissions.
• Suitable for users with minimal security requirements and budget constraints.

Paid Antivirus Apps:

• Provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats.
• Advanced features like real-time scanning, secure browsing, and anti-theft.
• No ads and minimal impact on device performance.
• Ideal for users who require enhanced security and additional features.

Differences Between Antivirus Apps and VPNs

While antivirus apps protect your Android device from malware, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) offer an additional layer of security for your online activities.

Although some anti-virus applications may have VPN already baked into their system, the main difference is that VPN is meant to protect your internet usage and strengthen your privacy from the prying eyes of big tech companies that feed on and sell your data.

With a VPPN service in place, you can easily route your location anywhere across the globe so that you can enjoy the internet without being censored by your government or restricted by what you can access on on-demand services such as Netflix or Spotify.

Here are the key differences between the two:

Antivirus Apps:

• Focus on detecting and removing malware from your device.
• Protect against offline threats.
• Scan files, apps, and system vulnerabilities.
• Ensure the security and privacy of your device.

VPNs:

• Encrypt internet traffic and create a secure connection.
• Protect against online threats and privacy breaches.
• Mask your IP address and location.
• Ensure anonymity and secure browsing.

All that said, you can see how important anti-virus apps are and how they can in fact protect your data from being stolen by cybercriminals. Now, let’s explore the best antivirus apps for Android smartphones in 2023.

Part 2: Best Anti-Virus Apps for Android in 2023

This list consists of amazing anti-virus applications that I’ve personally tested out and can vouch for as being among the top-tier anti-virus apps you can trust in 2023.

The good thing about these services is that most of them offer a freemium trial-based period for you to examine whether the service is best for you before you commit to paying them every month or year.

Some of the apps mentioned below also have other features apart from periodically looking for malware on your smartphones. Some also include smartphone boosters to release unused apps in the background and save you more processing storage in order to be able to perform more tasks efficiently on your Android smartphone.

Avast Mobile Security

Features:

• Real-time malware scanning and protection
• Wi-Fi security and network scanning
• App locking with PIN, fingerprint, or pattern
• Call blocking and spam protection
• Anti-theft tools, including remote data wiping and device tracking

Summary

Avast Mobile Security is a popular antivirus app that offers a comprehensive suite of features to protect your Android device from various threats. It includes real-time malware scanning and protection, ensuring that any malicious software is detected and neutralized promptly. The app also features Wi-Fi security, which scans your network for vulnerabilities and potential threats, ensuring secure browsing and data transmission.

For enhanced privacy, Avast Mobile Security offers app locking, enabling you to lock specific apps with a PIN, fingerprint, or pattern. This feature prevents unauthorized access to sensitive apps and data on your device. Additionally, the app provides call blocking and spam protection, helping you avoid unwanted calls and messages from telemarketers and scammers.

One of the standout features of Avast Mobile Security is its anti-theft tools. In the unfortunate event of your device being lost or stolen, you can remotely track its location, trigger an alarm, or even wipe all data to prevent unauthorized access to your personal information.

Avast Mobile Security also comes with a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and configure the settings according to your preferences. The app’s frequent updates ensure that it stays up-to-date with the latest security threats and provides reliable protection for your Android smartphone.

Pros:

• Real-time protection against malware
• Wi-Fi security for secure browsing
• App locking for enhanced privacy
• Call blocking to avoid spam calls
• Anti-theft tools for lost or stolen devices

Cons:

• Can be resource-intensive on older devices
• Some advanced features require a premium subscription
• Frequent pop-up ads in the free version

Bitdefender Mobile Security

Features:

• Advanced malware detection and removal
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Anti-theft tools with remote lock and wipe
• VPN included for secure internet access
• App lock and privacy advisor

Summary

Bitdefender Mobile Security is a powerful antivirus app that offers advanced malware detection and removal capabilities. It effectively scans and eliminates various types of malware, including viruses, Trojans, and ransomware, ensuring your Android device remains secure.

The app’s web protection and safe browsing features guard against malicious websites and prevent phishing attempts. Bitdefender Mobile Security also includes a built-in VPN (Virtual Private Network), providing encrypted internet traffic and secure access to the web, even on public Wi-Fi networks.

For enhanced privacy, the app offers an app lock feature, allowing you to lock specific apps with a PIN or fingerprint. This ensures that your sensitive data and applications remain protected from prying eyes.

Bitdefender Mobile Security’s anti-theft tools are another notable aspect of the app. In case your device gets lost or stolen, you can remotely lock it, locate its position, or wipe all data to prevent unauthorized access.

The app’s user interface is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy for users to configure settings and initiate scans. Additionally, Bitdefender Mobile Security has a minimal impact on device performance, ensuring smooth operation while providing robust security.

Pros:

• Advanced malware detection and removal
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Integrated VPN for secure internet access
• App lock for enhanced privacy
• Anti-theft tools for lost or stolen devices

Cons:

• Some advanced features are only available in the premium version
• Limited features in the free version

McAfee Mobile Security

Features:

• Antivirus scanning and real-time protection
• Anti-theft tools with remote tracking and wipe
• Wi-Fi security and privacy protection
• App lock and privacy advisor
• Guest mode for additional privacy

Summary

McAfee Mobile Security is a comprehensive antivirus app designed to protect your Android device from various threats. It offers robust antivirus scanning and real-time protection, ensuring that your device is safeguarded against malware, viruses, and other malicious software.

The app’s anti-theft tools are particularly useful, allowing you to remotely track your device’s location, trigger an alarm, or even wipe all data to protect your personal information in case of theft or loss.

McAfee Mobile Security also features Wi-Fi security, which scans your network for vulnerabilities and potential threats, ensuring secure internet browsing and data transmission.

For enhanced privacy, the app provides an app lock feature that enables you to lock specific apps with a PIN or fingerprint. This ensures that your sensitive data and applications remain protected from unauthorized access.

McAfee Mobile Security’s privacy advisor is another valuable feature, providing insights into the permissions requested by installed apps and their potential risks to your privacy.

Additionally, the app offers a guest mode, which allows you to create a separate user profile with limited access to your device, ensuring additional privacy and security.

The user interface of McAfee Mobile Security is user-friendly and straightforward, making it easy to navigate and configure the settings according to your preferences. The app’s regular updates ensure that it stays equipped to handle the latest security threats and provide reliable protection for your Android smartphone.

Pros:

• Robust antivirus scanning and real-time protection
• Anti-theft tools for lost or stolen devices
• Wi-Fi security for secure browsing
• App lock for enhanced privacy
• Guest mode for additional privacy

Cons:

• Can be resource-heavy on certain devices
• Some advanced features require a premium subscription

Norton Mobile Security

Features:

• Malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Anti-theft tools with remote lock and wipe
• Wi-Fi security and network scanning
• Call blocking and spam protection

Summary

Norton Mobile Security is a trusted antivirus app known for its robust malware scanning and real-time protection. It effectively detects and removes various types of malware, ensuring your Android device remains secure.

The app’s web protection and safe browsing features are designed to safeguard against malicious websites and prevent phishing attempts. Norton Mobile Security also includes Wi-Fi security, which scans your network for vulnerabilities and potential threats, ensuring secure internet browsing and data transmission.

The anti-theft tools offered by Norton Mobile Security allow you to remotely lock your device, track its location, and wipe all data to protect your personal information in case of theft or loss.

The app also comes with call blocking and spam protection, allowing you to avoid unwanted calls and messages from telemarketers and scammers.

Norton Mobile Security has an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to navigate and configure settings. The app’s regular updates ensure that it remains equipped to handle the latest security threats and provides reliable protection for your Android smartphone.

Pros:

• Robust malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Anti-theft tools for lost or stolen devices
• Wi-Fi security for secure browsing
• Call blocking to avoid spam calls

Cons:

• Some advanced features require a premium subscription
• Occasional false positives during scanning

Avira Antivirus

Features:

• Malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Privacy advisor and system optimization tools
• App lock and identity protection
• Anti-theft tools with remote lock and wipe

Summary

Avira Antivirus is a feature-rich app that provides robust malware scanning and real-time protection for your Android

device. It effectively detects and removes various types of malware, ensuring your device remains secure.

The app’s web protection and safe browsing features are designed to safeguard against malicious websites and prevent phishing attempts. Avira Antivirus also offers a privacy advisor, which provides insights into the permissions requested by installed apps and their potential risks to your privacy.

In addition to antivirus protection, Avira Antivirus includes system optimization tools to enhance device performance by clearing cache and junk files, optimizing memory usage, and extending battery life.

The app’s app lock feature allows you to lock specific apps with a PIN or fingerprint, ensuring your sensitive data and applications remain protected from unauthorized access.

Avira Antivirus also offers identity protection, monitoring your email addresses for potential data breaches and informing you if your credentials are compromised.

For lost or stolen devices, Avira Antivirus provides anti-theft tools, enabling you to remotely lock your device, track its location, and wipe all data to protect your personal information.

The user interface of Avira Antivirus is user-friendly and straightforward, making it easy to navigate and configure settings. The app’s regular updates ensure that it stays equipped to handle the latest security threats and provides reliable protection for your Android smartphone.

Pros:

• Robust malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Privacy advisor and system optimization tools
• App lock for enhanced privacy
• Anti-theft tools for lost or stolen devices

Cons:

• Frequent pop-up ads in the free version
• Offers limited features in the free version

AVG Antivirus

Features:

• Malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Wi-Fi network security
• App lock and privacy advisor
• Anti-theft tools with remote lock and wipe

Summary

AVG Antivirus is a reliable antivirus app that provides robust malware scanning and real-time protection for your Android device. It effectively detects and removes various types of malware, ensuring your device remains secure.

The app’s web protection and safe browsing features are designed to safeguard against malicious websites and prevent phishing attempts. AVG Antivirus also includes Wi-Fi network security, which scans your network for vulnerabilities and potential threats, ensuring secure internet browsing and data transmission.

For enhanced privacy, the app offers an app lock feature that allows you to lock specific apps with a PIN or fingerprint, ensuring your sensitive data and applications remain protected from unauthorized access.

AVG Antivirus also features a privacy advisor, providing insights into the permissions requested by installed apps and their potential risks to your privacy.

In the unfortunate event of your device being lost or stolen, AVG Antivirus offers anti-theft tools, enabling you to remotely lock your device, track its location, and wipe all data to protect your personal information.

The app’s user interface is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy to navigate and configure settings according to your preferences. AVG Antivirus also has a minimal impact on device performance, ensuring smooth operation while providing reliable security.

Pros:

• Robust malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Wi-Fi network security
• App lock for enhanced privacy
• Anti-theft tools for lost or stolen devices

Cons:

• Contains ads and offers limited features in the free version
• Some advanced features require a premium subscription

Trend Micro Mobile Security

Features:

• Malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Privacy scanning and Facebook privacy check
• Parental controls and app locking
• Anti-theft tools with remote lock and wipe

Summary

Trend Micro Mobile Security is a comprehensive antivirus app that offers robust malware scanning and real-time protection for your Android device. It effectively detects and removes various types of malware, ensuring your device remains secure.

The app’s web protection and safe browsing features are designed to safeguard against malicious websites and prevent phishing attempts. Trend Micro Mobile Security also provides privacy scanning, which checks installed apps for privacy risks and potential data leaks.

For parents, the app offers robust parental controls, allowing them to restrict access to certain apps and websites and set time limits for device usage.

Additionally, Trend Micro Mobile Security includes app locking features, enabling you to lock specific apps with a PIN or fingerprint, ensuring your sensitive data and applications remain protected from unauthorized access.

For lost or stolen devices, Trend Micro Mobile Security offers anti-theft tools, allowing you to remotely lock your device, track its location, and wipe all data to protect your personal information.

The app’s user interface is user-friendly and straightforward, making it easy to navigate and configure settings according to your preferences. Trend Micro Mobile Security’s regular updates ensure that it stays equipped to handle the latest security threats and provides reliable protection for your Android smartphone.

Pros:

• Robust malware scanning and real-time protection
• Web protection and safe browsing
• Privacy scanning and Facebook privacy check
• Parental controls for safe device usage
• App locking for enhanced privacy

Cons:

• Limited free version with occasional false positives during scanning
• Some advanced features require a premium subscription

ESET Mobile Security

Features:

• Real-time scanning
• Anti-phishing protection
• Anti-theft tools
• App lock
• Device monitoring
• SMS & Call Filter
• Proactive Anti-Theft

Summary

ESET Mobile Security is a comprehensive antivirus app for Android devices that offers robust protection against malware and other online threats. Its real-time scanning feature ensures that your device is continuously safeguarded from potential threats, keeping your personal data and privacy secure. The anti-phishing protection actively blocks malicious websites that could steal sensitive information, providing a safe browsing experience.

One of the standout features of ESET Mobile Security is its anti-theft tools, allowing users to remotely locate, lock, or wipe their devices in case of loss or theft. This feature provides peace of mind, knowing that your data remains safe even if your device falls into the wrong hands.

Additionally, the app lock feature adds an extra layer of security, enabling users to protect sensitive apps with a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint.

ESET Mobile Security also offers device monitoring, providing insights into your device’s performance, battery life, and available storage. By optimizing your device’s performance, you can enjoy a smoother user experience.

The SMS & Call Filter feature helps users manage unwanted calls and text messages effectively, reducing interruptions from spam or unknown numbers. Furthermore, the proactive anti-theft feature sends email notifications with the device’s location, picture, and screenshot if someone attempts to tamper with security settings.

Overall, ESET Mobile Security is a reliable antivirus app that combines essential features with advanced security measures, making it an excellent choice for users seeking comprehensive protection for their Android smartphones.

Pros:

• Real-time scanning for continuous protection against malware.
• Anti-phishing protection for secure web browsing.
• Powerful anti-theft tools to locate, lock, or wipe the device remotely.
• App lock feature to secure sensitive apps with a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint.
• Device monitoring for better performance optimization.
• SMS & Call Filter to manage unwanted calls and messages effectively.
• Proactive Anti-Theft feature with email notifications for added security.

Cons:

• Some advanced features may require a premium subscription.
• Occasional false positives during scanning may occur.
• The user interface could be more intuitive for some users.
• The free version may contain ads and limited functionality.
• The app’s resource usage might be slightly high on older devices.

Sophos Intercept X

Features:

• Malware protection
• Web filtering
• Ransomware protection
• Wi-Fi security
• Safe browsing
• Anti-theft tools

Summary

Sophos Intercept X is a powerful antivirus app for Android smartphones that focuses on providing robust malware protection and comprehensive security features. The app’s advanced malware protection ensures that your device is shielded from a wide range of threats, keeping your personal data and information secure.

Web filtering is another essential feature of Sophos Intercept X, as it blocks access to malicious websites, reducing the risk of accidentally downloading harmful content. Furthermore, the app’s ransomware protection is designed to safeguard your data from ransomware attacks, protecting your valuable information.

Sophos Intercept X also excels in securing your device on public Wi-Fi networks. By encrypting your connection, the app prevents data interception by unauthorized individuals, ensuring that your online activities remain private and secure.

Privacy protection is a crucial aspect of Sophos Intercept X, as the app identifies and removes any apps that may infringe on your privacy by accessing sensitive data without your permission. The safe browsing feature adds an additional layer of protection, guarding against phishing attempts and ensuring that users can surf the internet safely.

The app locker feature allows users to secure their apps with a PIN or pattern, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information and adding an extra level of security to the device.

Sophos Intercept X also offers anti-theft tools, allowing users to remotely locate, lock, or wipe their device in case it is lost or stolen. This feature helps protect your data even if your device falls into the wrong hands, giving you peace of mind.

In conclusion, Sophos Intercept X is a comprehensive and reliable antivirus app that prioritizes malware protection and offers an array of features to ensure your Android smartphone remains safe and secure.

Pros:

• Advanced malware protection for comprehensive security.
• Effective web filtering to block access to malicious websites.
• Ransomware protection to safeguard your valuable data.
• Wi-Fi security for secure connections on public networks.
• Privacy protection against apps that may compromise your data.
• Safe browsing features to guard against phishing attempts.
• App locker to secure sensitive apps with a PIN or pattern.
• Anti-theft tools for remote device location, locking, or wiping.

Cons:

• Some advanced features may require a premium subscription.
• The user interface may not be as user-friendly for some individuals.
• Occasional false positives during scanning may occur.
• The free version may contain ads and limited functionality.
• The app’s resource usage might be slightly high on older devices.

Part 3: VPN Services for Safety

Just as mentioned above, VPN services are very essential n can be a complete life saver in many ways, especially in a time when the internet is ridden with innumerable hackers and criminals looking for data to steal ad even the prying eyes of governments, censorship, and so much hatred for freedom, VPN services are definitely the answers to this.

While we already compiled a long list of the best free VPN and best premium-tier VPN services for Android, below are two of the most popular and definitely the best among the best, which you can try out yourself.

Avast SecureLine VPN

Avast SecureLine VPN offers secure and private browsing, with encrypted connections and anonymous internet access.

• Pros: Secure browsing, anonymous internet access, and multiple server locations.
• Cons: Requires a separate subscription from Avast Mobile Security.

NordVPN

NordVPN provides secure and private browsing, with a vast network of servers worldwide and advanced security features.

• Pros: Strong encryption, large server network, and reliable privacy features.
• Cons: Requires a separate subscription from antivirus apps.

Conclusion

Protecting your Android smartphone from malware and other threats is essential to ensure a safe and secure mobile experience.

The antivirus apps mentioned in this guide offer a range of features and capabilities, enabling you to find the best option that suits your security needs.

Whether you opt for a free or paid antivirus app, remember to keep it up to date and run regular scans to maintain optimal protection for your Android smartphone in 2023.

Stay safe!