Smartphones and tablets have become ever-present in our lives as we do almost everything with these digital gadgets. Today, there are tens of millions of active gadgets used to surf the internet which has made information transfer, access, and exchange possible. However, this has also raised the risk of security breaches and virus invasions which is why smartphone security is very important.
Protecting your smartphones and tablets should not be a luxury but a priority if you want to keep your information out of the reach of hackers and fraudsters. In this article, we review seven of the best antivirus software for smartphones and tablets; if you use these gadgets and tablet security is a priority for you, make sure you read this article until the very end so you have all the necessary information at your fingertips when deciding on the best software for your device.
- NordVPN Threat Protection Lite
- TotalAV Mobile Security
- Bitdefender Mobile Security
- Norton 360 Mobile Security
- Surfshark Antivirus
- Avira Security Antivirus
- Malwarebytes
Key Considerations For Choosing A Good Mobile Antivirus Software
Due to the large amount of software in the open market, making a choice is not as easy as it should be. These software have varying capacities and degrees of effectiveness so to make the right choice, we grade them using the following metrics.
- Key Features: We review their key features and how these features improve tablet and smartphone security.
- Pros/Cons: The benefits and drawbacks of the software and their impact on overall user experience.
- Performance: How well they perform when there is a potential security breach either caused by human activity or virus attacks.
- Cost: The cost of subscribing to the software and how the costs translate to user benefit.
With the above out of the way, let’s do a thorough review of the best mobile antivirus software for 2024. Do bear in mind that our choices have updated versions that work for smartphones and tablets and they are listed in no particular order in terms of performance.
1. NordVPN Threat Protection Lite
NordVPN Threat Protection Lite is an amazing antivirus software designed to protect mobile devices from security threats. This software adds an extra layer of security to the security layout that comes with your device for further reinforcement. NordVPN is lightweight and quite effective for preventing users from accessing harmful websites and links.
This tablet security software is compatible with Android 7.0 devices and above with a solid malware detection capacity for blocking infected websites, links, and platforms.
Another great feature of this antivirus software is its ability to block unnecessary ads that can mess up with your overall browsing experience. This is a great function especially when you consider the fact that many websites these days are littered with intrusive ads that may be of no value to you.
This anti-malware and anti-spyware software doesn't require a VPN to connect to the Nord server; as long as the app is active on your phone it will silently connect to the server in the background with no data caps. The only drawback we found with NordVPN is that you can't perform virus scans manually, but overall, it is a strong smartphone security software.
Subscription plans start from $3.09 per month and you can use one plan for 10 different devices. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you are unsatisfied with the performance.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Solid anti-malware and spyware functionality
- One subscription plan for up to 10 devices at a time
- Ad blocker
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- It doesn't perform real-time scans
- No malware protection in real-time
Best Use Case:
- NordVPN is ideal for Android users who surf dozens of sites daily.
2. TotalAV Mobile Security
TotalAV is one of the most popular antivirus software and it continues to rank high for security and long-term effectiveness. This software is a top choice for those looking for 100% malware protection and it offers maximum internet security functions like WiFi protection, VPN, and cleanup tools. If you connect your device to public WiFi systems often you might want to go for this smartphone security software. Unlike NordVPN which is only compatible with Android 7.0 and above this software works with devices on 5.0 and above. It is very easy to set up with only a few clicks and once activated, it will swing into action. TotalAV is very good at scanning and identifying malware within seconds that many other software may not pick up.
The VPN has unlimited data and it encrypts your connection to hide your location (IP Address) when activated. With TotalAV, it is almost impossible for anyone to track your online location. Furthermore, it helps to free up space on your device and to also save battery life. Other features of TotalAV include WiFi security and App Lock. Subscription starts from $19 per year and a special $119 yearly renewal subscription for up to 8 devices. Users also enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee with a limited free version for first-time users.
Pros
- Advanced malware protector
- Easy to use
- Offers real-time protection
- VPN functionality
Cons
- Lacks web filters
- A little experience
Best Case Use:
- This is the best software for those who use public WiFi often. It offers quick and effective scans to ensure that the WiFi is secure before allowing the device to connect.
3. Bitdefender Mobile Security
Bitdefender Mobile Security is one of the best tablet security software offering users real-time protection as they surf the internet with their devices. It has an anti-theft feature and a relatively strong VPN for incognito browsing. If you are looking for round-the-clock malware protection you might want to try this software for a change.
It is easy to use even for first-timers and the navigation keys are top-notch. Bitdefender detects malware at a nearly 100% rate and it also has an effective real-time scanner to check for ransomware, adware, or other unwanted apps that may have been installed on your device without your knowledge.
The autopilot feature provides recommendations based on your device and that feedback comes in handy for real-time device efficiency. Furthermore, Bitdefender has up to 200MB daily VPN data for safe browsing on your smartphone or tablet. The App Lock, web protection, scam alert, and anti-theft tools are some of the features that make this antivirus software a king in its own right.
Bitdefender is priced at $9.99 per year with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Built-in VPN
- Anti-theft tools
- Free version
- Ironclad malware protection
Cons
- No junk cleanup feature
- A higher renewal fee
Best Case Use:
- The ideal antivirus software for quick malware detection.
4. Norton 360 Mobile Security
Norton is another first-class mobile antivirus software with excellent features, rock-solid protection, and a seamless user experience for secure browsing. It is a standout software for its Safe Web feature which flags down malicious websites or insecure links. If you click on such links by mistake, Norton 360 will stop them from loading by blocking them automatically.
This software is compatible with all digital devices from 8.0 and above. It constantly updates itself as well as blacklisting marked pages your device may have interacted with in the past. Furthermore, it increases online safety and reduces the risk of identity theft. Another function that Norton has that others lack is the mobile app advisor system that scans the user’s Google Play apps and warns of potentially dangerous applications so they can delete them before they cause any security breach.
In addition to the above, Norton 360 performs scheduled scans regularly and notifies you whenever you join an insecure network. The VPN functionality is also quite good. Norton 360 is priced at $29.99 per year for just one device with a free version and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Premium web protection
- Advanced network security
- Parental control
- Advanced malware scans
- Web filters
Cons
- Only one device per subscription
Best Case Use:
- Norton 360 is the top choice for devices that contain financial records and access passwords.
5. Surfshark Antivirus
Surfshark is another household name in the antivirus market and has been for a long time now. This software is highly recommended for users with multiple devices or those who wish to share access with others. It is a very advanced tool for protecting your personal data and for blocking malware invasions. Surfshark is the internet surfer's delight because it allows you to enjoy a safe browsing experience as it constantly scans your phone in real-time to find suspicious activities or threats.
It has reliable antivirus capabilities with a high hit rate when it comes to blocking malware attacks. One of the best features of this software is the VPN functionality that comes with the subscription. In terms of VPN power and reach, Surfshark has arguably the best feature on our list. The ID data monitoring and the private search feature is a welcome feature in case you wish to perform private searches without using traditional browsers like Opera or Google Chrome.
Your credit card details, e-mail messages, and IDs will always be safe with Surfshark. However, it is among the priciest on our list with an annual cost of $50.85 per year for up to five devices. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee like the other software on our list.
Pros
- Private search engine
- VPN functionality
- Real-time protection
- Data leak checker
- Advanced malware detection
Cons
- No free version
- Expensive
Best Case Use:
- Surfshark is the best anti-theft software for mobile phone users, especially for those who perform financial transactions with their devices.
6. Avira Security Antivirus
Still, on the best mobile antivirus software for smartphone and tablet security, we bring you Avira security antivirus software. The useful features and solid protection framework of this software make it a top performer in the market. Avira has a user-friendly dashboard so it's easy to set it up very quickly. It may not be as effective as some of the others for malware detection but it still scores a high mark above the 90 percentile.
Avira's features include VPN functionality, identity safeguard, network scanning, and a system optimization tool. There is a mic and call blocker as well as a webcam protection feature that prevents external forces from gaining access and control of your device. Funny enough, this is a feature that some software lacks. Avira pricing starts from $26.99 per year but you can use one subscription for only one device. For the advanced features, you will have to pay $59.99 per annum which covers 5 devices. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can ask for a refund if you are unsatisfied with the performance.
Pros
- Anti-theft tools
- Web protection
- Strong network scanner
- Mic/webcam protection
Cons
- Poor customer service
Best Case Use:
- Avira is ideal for users who are avid vloggers. It is also ideal if you use public networks often.
7. Malwarebytes
Last, but not least in our review of the best mobile antivirus software for smartphone security is Malwarebytes. This is mobile-friendly software for smartphones and tablet users seeking top-notch security. It works well with other security applications due to its flexibility. Malwarebytes works with Android 9.0 and higher versions as it is widely known to be user-friendly.
It may not be as popular as the other software in this review but it is quite powerful. The dashboard is quite attractive and navigable and all you need is less than 5 minutes to set up. First-time users enjoy a free trial period which doesn't require an email address to set up. You can protect your device from vulnerabilities with Malwarebytes by using four types of scans: Full, Path, Threat, and Hyper scans. There is also a Browser Guard feature which is essentially an ad blocker for preventing unwanted ad intrusion. Malwarebytes offers a premium plan of $44.99 per year for up to 20 devices.
Pros
- 4 scan types
- Premium website and quarantined file protection
- Inbuilt as blocker
- Free version
Cons
- Only one device for a free version
- No real-time protection for the free version
Best Case Use:
- Malwarebytes is the best option for multiple devices of up to 20 devices for a single plan.
FAQs
Q: Can an antivirus software protect my mobile device from malware?
A: Yes, it can. These tools are compatible with Android and iOS devices. They address a full range of threats as users surf the internet.
Q: How many devices can I use with a single subscription plan?
A: It depends on the software you go for. Most tools allow users to share a single plan across multiple devices at a time but a few allow for only a single device access.
Q: Is a free version effective?
A: An antivirus-free version is effective but with limited capabilities as most of the features will be inaccessible. For premium protection and advanced smartphone security, you should use the paid version.
Conclusion
Our list of the seven best mobile antivirus software for smartphone security is among the best in the market. They offer advanced malware detection, optimized antivirus scans, network scanning, and strong VPN functionality for incognito browsing. The option you go for should depend on your special needs and budget but overall, all the options on our list are first-class software.
