Android devices aren’t guaranteed to be secure from malware. Despite Google’s attempt to weed out viruses-ridden apps from its Play Store but many manage to bypass the process. It’s not just annoying – it can steal your data, lock you out of your device, and expose your computing power to hackers.

Fortunately, antivirus software can help protect you from these threats. The most effective antivirus for Android will include powerful malware detection, beneficial security tools, and even anti-theft features. And most will offer a free tier to test their security and performance.

Kaspersky is often listed as the top antivirus application for Android since it provides the best complete total av review protection against malware and has minimal impact upon system performance. This app has a long track record of excellent results from testing by independent labs. The paid version comes with an effective blocker of phone calls and a host of other security features.

Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus has some of the most comprehensive features available in Android antivirus applications. Its malware protection scored nearly perfect in our tests. It also has many other features that are useful including Wi-Fi network alert and cleanup of files. It’s less user-friendly and its call-blocking feature didn’t work in our tests.

Avira is a top malware detection and prevention, as well as an appealing interface and low system impact. It also includes advanced security tools like a privacy advisor and a memory optimizer. It also comes with a fantastic anti-theft function and offers low-cost premium plans that cover a variety of phones for the price of one.