Best free antivirus for Android mobile in 2025

After testing over 15 antivirus providers, TotalAV, Bitdefender, and Norton have been ranked as the best free antivirus for Android devices in 2025. These top-rated free antivirus solutions provide excellent protection, with easy installation, user-friendly interfaces, and effective malware removal.

While Android smartphones come equipped with Google Play Protect, it offers only basic protection and isn't enough for full security. Google Play Protect can remove some malware, but it fails to detect or block more complex or newer threats. To achieve complete protection for your Android device, it's crucial to install a trusted third-party antivirus.

Although paid antivirus software generally offers advanced features and better overall security, several free antivirus solutions for Android are highly effective and trustworthy. Keep reading to discover the best free Android antivirus options in 2025 and learn how they can help keep your device safe from malware and other online threats.

Top 3 totally free antivirus for Android phone

1. TotalAV

   Best free Android antivirus to successfully detect malware
   9.7
2. Bitdefender Antivirus

   Basic but reliable free Android antivirus for beginners
   9.4
3. Norton Antivirus

   Android antivirus with a free trial and many additional features
   9.1

Do free Android antivirus apps really work?

Yes, free Android antivirus services indeed work and can deliver excellent results. Even though there are free antiviruses that perform well, it’s important to note that not all of them guarantee total security. Some free antivirus services have limitations, such as a lack of additional security features against various threats or real-time protection.

Unfortunately, many undependable and completely ineffective free antiviruses for Android come with some risks. A phony antivirus for Android will not provide the necessary protection an antivirus service should deliver. Your Android phone will not be protected from malware and other threats, leaving your device at risk. It’s even possible that a fake antivirus might contaminate your Android device with malware. This puts your mobile phone at risk and might expose your personal information. I tested multiple antivirus services to ensure they were trustworthy and safe. I also investigated whether they’re certified by independent testing labs such as AV-Test or AV-Comparatives. After a thorough examination, TotalAV stood out as the best free antivirus for Android. It successfully scanned the device, removed malware, and provided additional security features to ensure total protection.

Best free Android antivirus in 2025

1. TotalAV free antivirus – best free antivirus to successfully remove malware
2. Bitdefender free antivirus – top free Android antivirus with a fast and intuitive application
3. Norton free antivirus – free trial antivirus for Android with many additional features

To find the best free antivirus for Android, I tested all of them by downloading malicious test subjects on my Android device. I used 10 samples and checked if each antivirus could detect and remove them. I also looked into their additional features and tried using them to see if they work. Apart from in-house testing, I researched independent lab tests to find some statistical data about each AV provider.

1. TotalAV - overall best free antivirus for Android mobile

TotalAV is the top choice for a free Android antivirus as it has a robust security toolkit for which you don’t need to pay extra. This makes it a 100% free antivirus for Android.

Free antivirus protection test results. According to AV-Test, TotalAV provides 99.9% protection against the latest malware attacks in real-time and 100% detection of common Android malware. TotalAV detected 9 out of 10 viruses during my in-house testing, which is an excellent result compared to other providers.

Free Android antivirus security features. Even though the free version does not include the real-time protection feature, other security features have proven to increase security on Android phones. With TotalAV's free Android version, you get an App Lock tool that restricts access to sensitive apps so that only you can access them. A Wi-Fi scanner is also included in the free Android version that scans your connection, which is extra handy if you use various networks.

Ease of use. The TotalAV free version is compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS. The installation process took only 15 seconds, and the scan took about 3 minutes, with no noticeable effect on the Android’s performance. The average TotalAV memory usage was 71 MB, with a maximum usage of 214 MB.

Best for: TotalAV proved to be best for detecting and removing various types of malware. It successfully removed 9 out of 10 viruses, which is more than that of other providers. If you want to try all the additional features TotalAV offers, the prices start at $29.00/year. Depending on the subscription length, there is a 14-day or 30-day money-back guarantee, so you won’t lose anything.

For a deeper investigation of TotalAV, read our TotalAV review.

2. Bitdefender - 100% free antivirus for Android or iPhone

Bitdefender free Android antivirus is a great option if you’re looking for easy-to-use and fast software. Although it includes only basic security features, Bitdefender guarantees security on your Android device.

Free antivirus protection test results. According to independent lab tests, Bitdefender has a 100% rate of protection against malware attacks and common Android malware detection. I tested Bitdefender's free antivirus for Android, and it successfully detected 8 out of 10 viruses.

Free Android antivirus security features. With Bitdefender, you can upload suspicious apps to improve cloud detection. Additionally, real-time protection is available with the free Android version, which will constantly monitor and secure your phone from various threats. However, a Wi-Fi checker tool would be beneficial in increasing user security on different networks.

Ease of use. You can download the Bitdefender free antivirus on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. I had to wait only 8 seconds for Bitdefender to install, and the scan took 36 seconds, which is way faster than TotalAV. The average memory usage with Bitdefender was 64 MB. However, the maximum usage reached 343 MB.

Best for: Bitdefender's free Android antivirus software is the best choice for beginners who are just starting to learn more about antiviruses. It’s easy to install and navigate and provides real-time protection. To try all that Bitdefender has to offer, you can purchase a plan for only $9.99/year. There is even a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

For a deeper investigation of Bitdefender Antivirus, read our Bitdefender Antivirus review.

3. Norton - best free Android antivirus for 60 days

Norton antivirus is an excellent choice if you’re looking for advanced security tools and extra features. Even though there is no free version, Norton provides a free trial and has a 60-day money-back guarantee, which you can take advantage of.

Free antivirus protection test results. After checking AV-Test, Norton provides 100% protection against malware attacks on Android and a 100% malware detection score. I tested Norton myself, and unfortunately, it was only able to detect 6 out of 10 viruses on my Android device.

Free Android antivirus security features. Since you can only get a 14-day free trial or take advantage of the 60-day money-back guarantee, you get access to all Norton’s features. With Norton, you can use its VPN service to secure your digital footprint online by encrypting your internet traffic. Apart from real-time protection and a malware scanner to safeguard your Android device from various threats, there is a privacy scan tool. This tool will find your details online and request removal on your behalf.

Ease of use. Norton is compatible with all major operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. I installed Norton in 15 seconds, and the scanning process took only 38 seconds. The average memory usage was 180 MB, and the maximum usage reached 900 MB, which is way more than TotalAV or Bitdefender.

Best for: Norton antivirus is an excellent choice if you're looking for advanced features to ensure that your Android device and personal information are always protected. If you’re interested in Norton’s paid subscription, the cheapest plan costs $29.99/year. All annual Norton subscriptions come with a 60-day money-back guarantee, which is more than enough to try all its features without losing anything.

For a deeper investigation of Norton Antivirus, read our Norton Antivirus review.

Best free antivirus for Android smartphones compared

How I tested and selected best free antivirus apps for Android

To find the best free Android antivirus software to secure your phone, I tested the software on a Pixel 9 (12 GB RAM) running Android 14 device. I examined independent lab tests such as AV-Test and AV-Comparatives to find results about free Android antiviruses and their success in removing malware. Additionally, I did my own testing by downloading malicious files and testing each antivirus to see if they could detect the viruses. After extensive testing, I chose and only included free Android antiviruses that performed well in the following criteria:

1. Malware detection rate. An antivirus's main purpose is to detect and remove malware from your Android device successfully. I tested each free Android antivirus and included only those that could detect at least half of the virus samples on my device.
2. Free features. An antivirus with additional features will not only remove malware and viruses from your Android devices but also protect you from other threats, such as phishing attempts. That’s why only antiviruses with several free additional features made the list.
3. Multi-device support. A free third-party antivirus is better than built-in Android security features because it often allows usage on several devices. This is important if you’re using other devices and want to ensure safety on a few. I checked each free antivirus for Android providers to see if using it on multiple devices is possible.
4. Usability. A free third-party antivirus improves your Android’s safety, but it should not cause additional trouble when installing or using it. I tested each antivirus's usability regarding its installation process and interface. Only antivirus software with a user-friendly interface and intuitive installation process were selected for this review.

How to get rid of viruses on Android for free?

To ensure that your Android device is protected from viruses and malware, you must use third-party antivirus software. Luckily, there is a way to safeguard your device without spending money.

1. Download and install a free antivirus program. I recommend TotalAV, which successfully removes malware.
2. Open the TotalAV app on your Android device.
3. Find and tap the Security Scan button.
4. Wait until the scan is finished.
5. For extra security, reboot and clean up your Android device.
6. Enjoy total security with a free Android antivirus!

Try TotalAV antivirus for Android for free

Paid vs free antivirus software for Android phone

The main difference between paid and free Android antivirus software is that premium software has more security features. Free Android antivirus usually provides a basic level of security without including extra protection features. Still, free third-party antivirus software is more reliable and robust than Android’s built-in antivirus and can usually remove newer or more complex threats. However, purchasing premium antivirus software will not only successfully remove viruses but also give you access to additional features that will increase your device’s security.

There are other benefits that come with premium antivirus services. Usually, free programs only allow usage on one device, so you most likely won’t be able to secure all your devices. Even live customer support might be available only for users with paid antivirus services. If you're using a free version, you might not have this option, and you will need to find all the information yourself.

A free antivirus can still be enough if you require a basic but reliable security level. If you're interested in a free antivirus, I recommend trying TotalAV, which has a free version that performs well in terms of security. TotalAV also has a paid service with many additional features, which is a great option if you decide to opt for a paid antivirus.

Get TotalAV with a discount

Is there still a need for an antivirus on your phone?

Compared to iOS devices, Android phones are more likely to be infected with viruses and malware. It is known that in 2024, Android phones account for 47.15% of all devices infected with at least one sort of malware. Even though the number of malware on Android phones decreased in 2023, it again peaked in 2024, according to SecureList by Kaspersky. There is even a new version of the Necro Trojan, which affected over 11 million Android mobile devices due to downloading infected apps from the Google Play Store. Apart from viruses and malware, all mobile device users, including Android, are at risk of phishing or other scam attempts.Protecting your Android device with additional security measures is necessary to ensure that your device is not infected or personal information is not compromised. While Android phones have built-in security features, they are not enough to protect your device as they cannot remove newer or more complicated malware.

To ensure total security, using a third-party antivirus on your Android device is a must. Multiple free Android antiviruses can successfully secure your device from various threats and remove malware. Third-party antivirus software is capable of finding and eliminating complex malware. Additionally, such services have additional features, such as Anti-Theft or Wi-Fi scanners, which will increase your device’s security and notify you about any suspicious activity.

Protect your Android with TotalAV antivirus

How do I know if my Android phone has a virus?

If you’re not using any protection on your Android phone, your device risks getting a virus. In case your device is compromised with malware, multiple signs can indicate that.

1. Your phone heats up and slows down more often. Since mobile devices are not supposed to have viruses and malware, they must work harder to function as usual. Such additional capacity might noticeably slow down your Android device and can even heat up physically.
2. Your phone uses more data and drains the battery faster. Due to the virus, your Android device needs to supply more energy, which might lead to a faster battery drain. The malware might also utilize background processes and use your mobile data to transfer data from your device.
3. Spam messages are sent through your social media accounts. If you notice any questionable links or other unwanted scam messages sent from your accounts, it might be that your device has a virus. This also puts other people’s devices at risk, as they might interact with the messages, which can spread the virus.

If you suspect your Android mobile device might be infected with viruses or other malware, the best thing to do is remove it immediately. Third-party antiviruses make it easy to do that for free. You can purchase TotalAV and take advantage of their money-back guarantee or use TotalAV’s free trial. If you’re looking for a long-term solution, I suggest trying TotalAV's free antivirus for Android.

Try TotalAV on your Android phone

Final thoughts: best free antivirus protection for Android in 2025

While paid antivirus software provides premium protection and extra features, several free antivirus options can still secure your Android device effectively. Android's built-in security features aren't enough to fully protect your device and personal data. To safeguard your device, choosing the best free antivirus for Android is essential. However, some free antiviruses lack the necessary protection and may even compromise your security, so it’s important to choose wisely.

After testing over 15 antivirus providers, I evaluated their malware detection capabilities and additional features. TotalAV emerged as the best free antivirus for Android in 2025. It reliably detects a variety of malware and offers a user-friendly app. The free version of TotalAV also includes extra features that boost your Android device’s security.

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FAQ

How can I check my Android for viruses for free?

To check your Android for viruses for free, use free antivirus software like TotalAV. Third-party antiviruses are more likely to protect your phone than Android’s built-in antivirus. Free antiviruses like TotalAV are safe to use and perform well in removing various threats.

Do Android phones have built-in antivirus?

Yes, Android phones have built-in antivirus called Google Play Protect. The service provides basic protection from malware and other threats on your Android device. However, third-party antivirus software, such as TotalAV, would be beneficial for total security.

Which is the no. 1 free antivirus for Android?

The no. 1 free antivirus for Android is TotalAV. It is a trustworthy and safe free antivirus that’s easy to install and navigate. Additionally, it successfully scans and removes various threats, so TotalAV guarantees total protection on your Android phone.

What are the risks of using a free Android antivirus?

Some free Android antivirus programs cannot detect and remove malware, leaving your device at risk. Additionally, multiple undependable free antiviruses might even contain malicious trackers that could lead to more damage.

Will my Android phone's battery drain faster with free antivirus software?

Yes, your Android phone’s battery might drain faster with free antivirus software. Using antivirus software generally drains the battery more as additional processes run in the background. However, you should not notice a significant battery drain, and should not affect your phone.