Screenshot by Ritoban Mukherjee/ZDNET

Bitdefender Mobile Security has been a top performer in mobile security for years, and the 2026 version keeps that streak alive. The standout addition is App Anomaly Detection, an industry first that catches threats the moment an app starts behaving suspiciously, even if it passed the initial install scan. What I appreciate most is how quietly it handles all of this — no constant alerts, no background drain.

I've come to rely on the Scam Alert feature daily. It scans incoming notifications, texts, and instant messages for malicious links before you have a chance to tap them. The anti-theft tools are equally impressive: You can remotely lock your device, and the app automatically snaps a photo of anyone who tries to tamper with it while you're away.

Also: Bitdefender Total Security review: One of the top antivirus options you can buy

The VPN is one area I would flag. At 200MB per day on the standard plan, it's enough for a quick email check on public Wi-Fi but not much more. If you need unlimited VPN access, Bitdefender Premium Security is the upgrade path. For the price, though, the core protection here is among the strongest on this list.

Bitdefender features: Real-time malware scanning | Web and phishing protection | Scam Alert link checker | Anti-theft with mugshot capture | Account Privacy breach checker | WearOS extension | Spam and scam call filtering

Screenshot by Ritoban Mukherjee/ZDNET

Sophos Intercept X for Mobile is free for individual users, with no ads and no locked features. It has consistently scored 100% in AV-TEST's top Android security comparisons. For a product that costs nothing, that result is pretty remarkable.

The features go well beyond basic scanning. There's a built-in MFA authenticator, a password safe, and a Secure QR Code Scanner that checks URLs for threats before you open them. I particularly like the Privacy Advisor, which shows exactly which installed apps are accessing your personal data — most security apps skip this entirely.

Where Sophos really differentiates itself is in managed business deployments. Connected to Sophos Central, it continuously monitors device health and can automatically revoke access to corporate resources if a device gets compromised. For businesses, cost is said to range from $24.50 to $63 per 100 seats depending on whether you add Sophos Mobile for unified endpoint management. Pricing details aren't available publicly and require contacting sales.

Sophos Intercept X features: Deep learning anti-malware | Wi-Fi security and MitM detection | Web filtering and URL checking | Secure QR code scanner | Built-in MFA authenticator | Password safe | Privacy advisor

Surfshark

Surfshark Antivirus comes as part of the Surfshark One bundle, meaning you get a full cybersecurity suite rather than a single app. In AV-TEST's May-June 2025 testing, it scored a perfect six out of six for protection, blocking 100% of zero-day threats and 100% of widespread malware across nearly 20,000 samples. That's a result worth paying attention to.

On Android, the antivirus sits inside the Surfshark VPN app with separate submenus for VPN, Antivirus, Alert, and Search. I like having everything in one place — it beats juggling three or four different security apps on the same device. The interface is clean and easy to navigate even if you're not especially tech-savvy.

Also: Surfshark VPN review: One of our favorite budget VPNs with unlimited connections

The main limitation is iOS. Surfshark Antivirus only runs on Android, macOS, and Windows; iPhone users get the VPN and other bundled tools but not the antivirus itself. For Android-first households who also want a capable VPN, the Surfshark One plan starts at $2.49 per month on a 24-month plan.

Surfshark Antivirus features: Real-time malware protection | Scheduled and on-demand scanning | Cloud Protect zero-day detection | Data breach monitoring via Alert | VPN integration | File quarantine | Virus definitions updated every three hours

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

Avast Mobile Security has one of the most downloaded free security apps on Android, and the free tier earns that reputation. It covers anti-malware, safe browsing, a Wi-Fi scanner, a data leak checker, and a photo vault — more than enough for most everyday users. I'd put it well ahead of Google Play Protect for anyone who wants real visibility into their device's security.

In AV-TEST's September-October 2025 report, Avast scored a perfect six out of six in both Protection and Usability. In addition, it had 99.8% protection against zero-day malware and 100% detection of widespread threats. Those scores don't leave much room for doubt. The problem is the advertising on the free plan, which is persistent enough to become genuinely irritating when you're inside the app.

Also: How Avast's free AI-powered Scam Guardian protects you from online con artists

Upgrading to Premium at $4.09 per month removes the ads and adds scheduled scanning and enhanced phishing protection. The Ultimate plan at $5.79 per month lets you add more devices per plan (up to 10). It's a sensible progression, but it's worth noting that Avast and AVG share the same underlying detection engine under parent company Gen Digital. If you're using both, you're not getting two independent layers of protection.

Avast Mobile Security features: Real-time antivirus scanning | Safe browsing and phishing protection | Wi-Fi security checker | Photo vault | App lock | Data breach monitoring | Anti-theft with remote lock

AVG

AVG Antivirus is Avast's sibling product under Gen Digital, and it runs on the same detection engine. That said, it holds its own in testing. In AV-TEST's March-April 2025 evaluations, AVG Internet Security detected 100% of zero-day attack samples and 100% of widespread malware across nearly 19,000 samples. Strong numbers for a product with a solid free tier.

The Android app includes anti-theft tools that I find genuinely useful. You can set your device to lock if someone swaps the SIM card, trigger a remote siren, track the phone via GPS, and activate Camera Trap to secretly photograph whoever's holding it. Most of this is free, but Camera Trap is reserved for paid subscribers.

Also: The best Android antivirus apps

IOS is a different situation. Apple's sandboxing architecture means the iOS app can't offer traditional antivirus scanning — you get a VPN, breach monitoring, and an expanded photo vault instead. That's an Apple limitation, not an AVG one, but it's worth knowing upfront. For Android, the paid Internet Security plan covers up to 10 devices at $59.88 per year, which makes it a smart pick for families or small teams.

AVG Antivirus features: Real-time malware protection | Phishing and safe browsing | Wi-Fi speed and security scanner | Photo vault | Anti-theft with GPS tracking and camera trap | App lock | Data leak checker

Norton

McAfee