If you’re looking to combine the benefits of antivirus protection, a no-cost VPN and storage optimization features, along with extra security features like parental controls and anti-theft protection, Sophos InterceptX for Mobile is the best free antivirus. It has received top scores from A-V Comparatives as well as the AV-Test. The malware scan has an impressive 100% success rate when testing over 3700 Android apps.
Another option that is worth considering is Avira that comes with many features that make it among the most popular antivirus options on the Play Store with more than 100 million downloads and 6.5 million reviews. Avira detects malware with an 85% success rate. This is comparable to the paid alternatives. It also has a nice set of privacy tools that includes a free VPN with 200MB per day and a password manager and its annual paid plans come with a no-risk 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bitdefender is a great alternative for Android users in need of an effective antivirus program. Its advanced antivirus engine has a low impact on the system, and its security tools include a privacy scanner that lets you know which apps have access to your personal information or location. The user interface is easy to navigate, and it’s compatible with Android 7 and higher. Its premium features include a rooted-device scan for ransomware, a ransomware detection, and an audit of security that informs the settings that aren’t secure.