AV-TEST: Top Android Security Apps Identified in Endurance Test
AV-TEST's semi-annual endurance test evaluated 11 security apps for Android devices, with five achieving perfect scores in protection against over 18,000 malware samples.
Testing laboratory AV-TEST has released its latest comparative evaluation of security applications for Android devices. The test, conducted from July to December 2025, assessed the capabilities of 11 Android security apps and Google's built-in Play Protect in identifying and blocking threats. With an estimated 4 billion Android devices in use, ensuring their security is increasingly critical.
Five applications achieved top performance: Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky. These apps successfully detected all over 18,000 malware samples used in the test without errors, earning a perfect 18 points for overall protection. Norton also achieved the maximum score.
The test involved confronting the apps with both newly infected and previously known malware samples, updated regularly. While several apps demonstrated 100 percent detection rates, many also made minor errors. For instance, McAfee, Sophos, and TotalAV achieved detection rates of 99.8% and 99.9% respectively.
Google's native Play Protect system, which comes pre-installed on most certified Android devices, finished last in the rankings. Despite functioning adequately, it did not perform as flawlessly as the dedicated security applications. The test underscores the ongoing need for robust security solutions for Android users facing a landscape of evolving cyber threats.