Antivirus · June 2026
Phones carry your money, messages and identity. We tested the top security apps for Android and iOS — here are the ones that earn their place.
Norton
One of the most trusted names in security, with strong protection and a virus-free guarantee.
McAfee
A complete toolkit with unlimited-device plans and solid identity features.
TotalAV
Get 80% off TotalAV Premium 2026
Award-winning antivirus trusted by millions worldwide, with unbeatable first-year value.
Bitdefender
Consistently collects top marks from independent testing centres around the world.
Mobile threats look different: fewer classic viruses, far more phishing texts, scam calls, malicious apps and account-stealing links. We tested each security app on Android and iOS for what actually matters on a phone — web protection, scam filtering, anti-theft and battery impact.
Scores are not pay-to-play. We combine independent lab results with our own hands-on testing of detection, performance and usability. Affiliate links never change a ranking.
Android allows app sideloading, so on-device malware scanning matters. On iOS, Apple's sandbox blocks traditional antivirus — protection there means web filtering, scam-text detection, breach alerts and VPN. Every app above does both jobs from one subscription.
Real phishing links over SMS and email, malicious APK detection on Android, scam-call filtering, anti-theft tools, and battery drain over a working week.
All four picks bundle mobile apps into their multi-device plans — see full pricing on our main antivirus comparison.
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Phones need protection against phishing, scam texts, malicious apps and account theft more than classic viruses. Security apps add the web filtering and scam detection that the operating system alone does not provide.
Apple's sandbox prevents traditional virus scanning, so iOS security apps focus on phishing and web protection, scam-text filtering, Wi-Fi security, breach monitoring and VPN — protections that matter on iPhone.
The apps we recommend are well optimised; in our week-long tests none consumed more than a few percent of daily battery. Cheap free apps with constant ads are usually the battery hogs.
Play Protect catches known-bad apps but consistently trails third-party engines in independent Android lab tests, and it does nothing about phishing links in messages or browsers.
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