Which Android antivirus protects best?
Play Protect vs Bitdefender, Norton, Avast, AVG, Avira, McAfee, F-Secure and more in AV-TEST’s latest test (September 2026). When an extra app is worth it.
No need to trust the ads. AV-TEST, an independent German lab, tests Android security apps every two months against thousands of real malicious apps and scores three things out of 6: protection (how much malware it catches), performance (whether it slows the phone or drains the battery) and usability (false alarms).
September 2026 results
| App | Protection | Performance | Usability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avast Antivirus & Security | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| AVG Antivirus Free | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Avira Antivirus Security | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Bitdefender Mobile Security | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| F-Secure Total Security & VPN | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Kaspersky Premium | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| McAfee Mobile Security | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Norton 360 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Sophos Intercept X for Mobile | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| TotalAV Mobile Security | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| OnAV (securiON) | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Google Play Protect | 5.5 | 6 | 6 |
| AhnLab V3 Mobile Security | 5.5 | 6 | 5 |
| G Data Mobile Security | 5 | 6 | 5 |
The big story is Play Protect, the shield built into Play Store: a few years ago it scored 0 for protection in this same test, and now it's close to full marks. Even so, ten apps beat it on detection.
Do you need an antivirus on top of Play Protect?
| Play Protect is enough if… | An antivirus adds more if… |
|---|---|
| You only install apps from Play Store | You install APKs from websites or other stores |
| Your phone gets security updates | Your Android no longer updates and you use it for banking |
| You check links before tapping them | You want protection from scam sites and texts, anti-theft or kids' controls |
Free or paid
Several apps with 6 points for protection have a free version (AVG, Avast and Avira, for example), though with ads or with features locked behind the paid plan. Paying usually adds web and scam protection, anti-theft, a VPN and no ads. On a phone one antivirus is enough: two at once don't protect better and can clash.
Beware of fake antivirus apps
- Be suspicious of "cleaner" or "booster" apps that promise to remove viruses: many just show ads.
- A real antivirus doesn't need to read your texts or contacts to work.
- Install it from Play Store and check that the developer is the well-known company.
- If you already have signs of infection, follow our virus removal guide first.
Data from AV-TEST's September 2026 test. We update this table when a new test comes out.