Best Virus Cleaner for Android in 2024

Cyber threats are getting more sophisticated and smartphones are an integral part of our daily lives. Putting a barrier between your device and cybercriminals has never been more important. Android apps containing malware have become more prevalent than ever. In this article, we will explore some of the best virus cleaners for Android in 2024.

We’ll delve into their features, malware detection capabilities, customer support, pricing, and other relevant details to help you make an informed choice.

Not sticking around? Check out our list of the best virus cleaners for Android below:

1. Norton Mobile Security: The best virus cleaner for Android. Offers robust malware protection and diverse security features like Data Protector and Secure VPN for Android. Known for its high malware detection rate and comprehensive customer support options.
2. Surfshark One: A versatile cleaner with advanced features for Android, focusing on user privacy and secure browsing. It’s praised for its intuitive interface and efficient malware detection.
3. Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android: Renowned for its multi-layered protection and top-rated malware detection, Bitdefender provides a blend of performance and security features for Android users.
4. TotalAV Antivirus Pro: A user-friendly option with effective antivirus protection and performance-enhancing tools. TotalAV stands out for its simplicity and solid security measures for Android devices.
5. McAfee Total Protection: Offers extensive security features, including identity theft protection and a robust antivirus engine. McAfee is recognized for its comprehensive protection across various devices.
6. ESET Mobile Security for Android: Combines traditional antivirus protection with modern security features. ESET is appreciated for its easy-to-use interface and effective malware defense for Android devices.

How we select the best Antivirus for Android

To identify the top antivirus apps for Android, we conduct thorough evaluations based on specific criteria:

• We prioritize apps with high scores (90% or above) in independent antivirus testing labs, ensuring they offer robust malware protection.
• Apps providing multiple package options cater to different user needs, whether for individual devices or numerous gadgets.
• We look for apps beyond basic virus protection, including features like ransomware protection and safe browsing tools to safeguard user privacy.
• We opt for providers with clear pricing structures and subscription options. The ability to manage auto-renewal settings is crucial for user convenience.

Our selection process is grounded in detailed research into the capabilities and performance of various antivirus tools tailored specifically for the Android operating system. This comprehensive approach helps us recommend the most effective and user-friendly antivirus solutions.

Best antivirus for Android

Here’s a more in-depth look at each of the best virus cleaners for Android:

1. Norton Mobile Security

Nov 2024

Norton Mobile Security provides a robust security solution for Android devices, offering a variety of features to ensure comprehensive protection. Its Internet Security feature safeguards against fraudulent and malicious websites across browsers, apps, and social networking sites.

Device Security notifies users about vulnerabilities in the operating system to prevent exploitation by cybercriminals. Its SMS Security feature filters spam texts that may contain phishing attacks.

Norton Mobile Security is equipped with Suspicious Network Detection, alerting users to potentially unsafe Wi-Fi networks in their vicinity and notifying them if the network they are using is compromised. The App Advisor feature, powered by Norton Mobile Insight, provides automatic information about malware, online privacy, and other risks before downloading apps from Google Play.

The Privacy Advisor feature scans apps for privacy risks. The Safe Browsing feature protects your device and personal information from malicious links and sites.

The app’s Malware Protection and Anti-phishing Internet Security features scan for apps with viruses and spyware, notifying users and assisting in removal. It protects against online scams by blocking access to fraudulent websites.

Pricing for Norton Mobile Security for Android is competitive. A 1 Year Plan costs $17.99 and includes a 60-day money-back guarantee.

BEST VIRUS CLEANER FOR ANDROID:Norton Mobile Security produced a 100% malware detection score; it warns of unsafe PlayStore apps and includes a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Read the full Norton Antivirus review.

2. Surfshark One

Surfshark One is next on our list, thanks to its excellent malware detection rate on Android devices. It includes an Android VPN and identity theft prevention on its mid-level plan. Like its core product, Surfshark VPN, it sticks to its stance as a budget provider, offering value without weighing too heavily on your wallet.

Surfshark Antivirus is lightweight compared to other providers. Its scans are less intrusive, providing notifications only when they’re a priority. It offers real-time threat protection and on-demand scans to find infections lurking in the background. CleanWeb blocks malicious ads, trackers, and suspicious websites when you browse.

Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat or a ticketing system. From our experience, both are very responsive.

Surfshark Antivirus doesn’t come as a standalone product, so you’ll need to opt for Surfshark One. The basic plan with antivirus for Android is priced as follows:

• Monthly: $14.44 per month
• Yearly: $65.76 – works out to $5.48 per month
• Bi-yearly: $90.48 – works out to $3.48 per month

BEST FOR BUILT-IN VPN:Surfshark One includes identity theft protection, lightweight apps, and blocks ads and malware.

Read the full Surfshark One review.

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3. Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android

Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android swoops in with a host of features that enhance the security and performance of your Android device. It uses advanced technology like machine learning and an extensive malware directory for detection, ensuring minimal impact on system resources. The Android app is feature-rich, including antivirus scanning, web protection, App Anomaly Detection, and App Lock. 

App Anomaly Detection monitors apps for suspicious activities. The Android app excelled at malware detection and effectively blocked phishing sites in tests.

Bitdefender offers practical anti-theft tools for Android devices, allowing device tracking, remote locking, and data wiping. Furthermore, it features a basic VPN, a behavior monitor, and anti-phishing web protection, ensuring comprehensive security against digital threats.​ 

Bitdefender’s WearON feature extends mobile security to smartwatches. If your phone is misplaced, use WearON on your Android smartwatch to activate a sound alert on your phone for easy location. It also alerts you if you stray too far from your phone, helping to prevent accidental loss.

Support is on-hand when you need it via phone, email, and live chat, 24/7 365. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. First-year pricing starts at $19.07.

FEATURE-RICH:Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android has a 100% malware detection score, includes smartwatch protection, and allows private app locking for bolstered privacy.

Check out our in-depth Bitdefender review.

4. TotalAV Antivirus Pro

TotalAV makes our list for its intuitive Android app with many cool features to bolster your mobile device security. An app lock feature allows users to set a pattern or PIN code to lock private apps, enhancing security for sensitive information stored in emails, photos, and banking apps. It provides real-time protection, manual and scheduled scans, and a VPN and WebShield (Internet Security and Total Security plans only).

Total Adblock is included as standard, allowing you to wave goodbye to intrusive advertisements, and best of all, the user experience is straightforward enough for beginners to get to grips with.

TotalAV’s support team is available 24/7 with contact options, including live chat, email, and a toll-free number for billing issues. Prices start at $29 for the first year, protecting three devices.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY:TotalAV Antivirus Pro includes an ad blocker and a VPN and uses real-time protection.

Check out the TotalAV review.

5. McAfee Total Security

McAfee’s Total Security app for Android is a hit thanks to its user-friendly and clutter-free interface. It excels in malware detection and boasts robust Wi-Fi scanning, ensuring network security on public networks. 

The inclusion of a basic VPN service adds an extra layer of security, safeguarding your online activities by encrypting your internet connection. The app offers flexible scanning options, including scheduling scans and performing custom scans tailored to individual needs. 

It produced mixed results in malware detection tests, identifying some but not all infections during tests in a controlled environment. The app does not offer anti-theft features.

McAfee maintains a high standard of customer service, with support available day and night by phone and live chat. Here’s a snapshot of its pricing:

• Basic plan: $29.99 – approximately $2.50 per month
• Essential plan: $39.99 – roughly $3.33 per month
• Premium Plan: $49.99 – roughly $4.17 per month
• Advanced plan: $89.99 – roughly $7.50 per month
• Ultimate plan: $199.99 – roughly $16.67 per month

USER-FRIENDLY:McAfee Total Security offers 24/7 support, wi-fi scanning, and a 30-day monMcAfee Total Securityey-back guarantee.

Read our review of McAfee.

​6. ESET Mobile Security

ESET Mobile Security offers a comprehensive suite of features. Its core antivirus functionality is adept at detecting and neutralizing malware, including the latest variants. Users benefit from real-time scanning and automatic updates, protecting devices against emerging threats. The anti-phishing feature helps protect sensitive information from fraudsters.

An app lock and a security audit feature are invaluable for maintaining overall device health and security. The app lock ensures that sensitive applications are secure from unauthorized access, while the security audit checks installed apps’ permission levels.

ESET doesn’t offer live chat like other providers. Its website has a ticketing and email support option, detailed FAQs, and a community forum.

The premium subscription of ESET Mobile Security for Android is priced at $12.99 for one device per year, but if you wish to secure more devices, other plans are available for an additional fee. ESET Mobile Security offers a free tier, though it’s missing most of the features available in the premium version.

SOPHISTICATED THREAT DETECTION:ESET provides automatic definition and app updates, a security auditing feature, and anti-phishing tools.

Check out our full ESET review.

Methodology: How we choose the best virus cleaners for Android

It can be hard to find the perfect virus cleaner for Android. We narrowed down the options according to our testing criteria:

1. Device compatibility: We’ve tested each antivirus platform to ensure they effectively support Android devices, though some also support other platforms.
2. Malware detection: We’ve tested each solution in a controlled test environment to ensure high levels of threat detection.
3. Usability: We carefully review everything to ensure that apps are simple for beginners yet still offer advanced tools for power users.
4. Performance: Nobody likes an app that slows down your device. We check on-demand and real-time scan performance to ensure you can carry on with what you need to without impacting battery life.
5. Value: Having time to test your new virus cleaner for Android is paramount, so we find providers with generous money-back guarantees and fair billing practices.

To get detailed information about how we conduct our antivirus testing, kindly refer to our comprehensive antivirus methodology.

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• How to stop pop-ups on Android

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