Updated on: July 17, 2024
Short on time? Here's the best free iOS antivirus for 2024:
- Norton Mobile Security : Includes web protection, phishing protection, a fast VPN, advanced identity theft monitoring, SMS message filtering, and unsecure Wi-Fi network scanning. It isn’t free, but it has a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free for 2 months to see if it’s right for you.
iOS “antivirus” apps don’t provide traditional antivirus scanning. This is because iPhones and iPads use an advanced security mechanism called “sandboxing” that prevents apps from making changes to other apps, files, or processes on your system.
So when people say “iOS antivirus”, they mean “security tools for iOS”. These toolsets include a wide range of features that keep iPhones, iPads, and their users safe, like anti-phishing protection, scam SMS message protection, and Wi-Fi network scanning.
I was able to find 8 iOS security apps that offer free features or extensive free trials of their premium features. However, there isn’t a single free security app for iOS that includes every feature for protecting your iOS device. If you understand that your data and privacy are worth more than a few dollars per month, you should definitely consider getting Norton’s fantastic low-cost iOS app or another one of our top picks.
If you do opt for a premium iOS security tool, here’s a helpful tip: use the links on this page to get cheaper prices and a more generous money-back guarantee than you’ll find on the Apple App Store.
Try Norton (60 Days Risk-Free)
Quick summary of the best free iOS antivirus apps for 2024:
1.🥇 Norton Mobile Security — Best Premium Antivirus App for iOS
Norton Mobile Security is by far my favorite iOS security app in 2024. It’s not free, but it offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for annual subscriptions, so you can install and try Norton on your iPhone or iPad risk-free for 2 whole months before committing to a subscription.
Honestly, Norton offers the best security features for iOS, including:
- Phishing protection.
- Malicious SMS message protection.
- Secure calendar.
- VPN with unlimited data (360 plans only).
- Wi-Fi security scanning.
- Advanced Identity theft monitoring (LifeLock plans only).
- And more…
Norton has the best phishing protection on the market, detecting more malicious, fake, and risky sites than all other iOS apps. Its web protection doesn’t just keep you safe while browsing, but it also scans emails, messages, social media apps, and even calendar invites, preventing you from visiting sites and clicking on links that can put your data or device at risk.
I also really like Norton’s identity theft monitoring — it’s way better than similar features offered by other apps on this list. Most apps just scan email addresses for breaches, but Norton also scans for stolen credit card details, insurance details, bank account credentials, driving licenses, addresses, phone numbers, and more. It even scans for your mother’s maiden name, which is commonly used as a form of verification. Most of these features are only available for US customers — and only on the higher-tier 360 with LifeLock plans.
I’m also a huge fan of Norton’s VPN, which comes with top-notch security features, pretty fast speeds, and tons of features — it has Tor support and an ad blocker. It also works with popular streaming apps like Netflix, and it lets you stream video lag-free thanks to its fast speeds.
Norton 360 Deluxe ($49.99 / year*) is the best-value plan, covering up to 5 iOS (or Android, Windows, or macOS) devices, so you can enjoy the best protection for all your devices. It also comes with a VPN with unlimited data, plus a wide range of other features such as a password manager, system optimization tools, and parental controls. US users should also check out Norton’s LifeLock plans, which start at $99.99 / year* and add the best identity theft protections on the market (which include $1 million insurance). If you just need protection for a single iOS device, then check out Norton Mobile Security. All Norton plans come with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom line:
Norton’s iOS security app is my favorite choice for iPhones and iPads in 2024. It offers advanced security features, including web protection, a VPN, and advanced identity theft scanning tools — depending on the plan you choose. Norton doesn’t have a free plan, but it does offer a 60-day money-back guarantee if you subscribe through Norton’s website.
2.🥈 TotalAV Mobile Security — User-Friendly iOS App With Data Breach Scanning
TotalAV Mobile Security is a powerful iOS security app with a few useful features that are free forever, including an on-demand data breach scanner and a system security scanner. There’s also a free photo and video cleanup tool and a duplicate contact finder. When you first download TotalAV, you get a 7-day free trial of its premium features, which include an unlimited-data VPN and dangerous website shield.
TotalAV is incredibly easy to use — it has the cleanest and most intuitive interface of any app on this list, so it’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for something very straightforward. Everything you need is available from one dashboard, and it only takes a tap or two to use any of its features.
I really like TotalAV’s Breach Scan, which scans breach databases for compromised emails. I was relieved to see that my test Gmail account is still secure, but I wasn’t surprised to discover that my Hotmail account from 2005 has been a part of numerous data breaches in the last several years. That said, I still prefer Norton’s data breach monitoring feature that looks for a wide range of information, like stolen credit card details, driving licenses, and much more.
TotalAV’s Smart Scan is good, too — it checks your iPhone or iPad device for necessary iOS updates, confirms that you have basic security like a passcode and Face ID set up, and checks if you have web protection (a premium feature) enabled. It’s pretty basic, but it doesn’t need to do too much as iOS devices don’t need traditional virus scanning anyway.
Upgrading to TotalAV Mobile Security Premium lets you keep all the features described above after the trial ends and adds a lot of extra features, including:
- Anti-phishing protection.
- VPN (with unlimited data).
- Device optimization tools.
- Secure QR scanner.
It doesn’t have quite as many extras as Norton’s mobile app, which includes a Wi-Fi network monitor, SMS spam filter, secure calendar feature, and more — but it’s still a pretty good range. That said, I wish TotalAV provided something like Norton’s secure calendar for iOS users — it blocks spam and phishing messages that appear as iOS calendar notifications, and I get these quite regularly. I also enjoy using Norton’s Wi-Fi networking monitoring feature, especially on public Wi-Fi networks. It lets me know if a Wi-Fi network I connect to is malicious, something TotalAV simply doesn’t do.
However, TotalAV’s VPN is excellent — during my tests, it provided fast, reliable connections to a variety of servers worldwide, and it can access popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime (TotalAV’s VPN is the best antivirus-bundled VPN on the market).
I also really like TotalAV’s device optimization tools. It offers a cleaner for photos, videos, and contacts, which scans each area for duplicates and allows you to quickly delete files and free up storage. In my tests, I was able to delete more than 500 unnecessary photos and videos from my gallery and merge 300 duplicate contacts in just a few seconds.
TotalAV Mobile Security Premium is also included with TotalAV’s antivirus packages, which start at $19.00 / year and cover up to 8 devices across all operating systems. TotalAV’s internet security packages come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
TotalAV provides a few free features that are forever free for iOS, including a system security scanner and a data breach scanner. Upgrading to TotalAV Mobile Security Premium gets you anti-phishing protection, device optimization tools, and a VPN with unlimited data. You can try out the premium features for iOS with a 7-day free trial, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of TotalAV’s premium antivirus packages.
Read the full TotalAV review here >
3.🥉 Bitdefender Mobile Security — Good Web Protection & Decent Free VPN
Bitdefender’s iOS app provides a good range of free features, and they all work pretty well. It comes with a VPN and a device security scanner that includes a Wi-Fi security check.
I like Bitdefender’s VPN, but it only includes 200 MB/day on the free plan, and you can’t choose your server. That said, it’s fast and reliable — and it’s double Avira’s 100 MB/day allowance. However, even Bitdefender’s premium VPN doesn’t have as many features as Norton’s VPN.
The data breach alert works in exactly the same way as TotalAV’s and others on this list, and the device security scanner is useful for ensuring you’re using the latest iOS software and have basic security covered.
I also like the scam alert feature that scans both your phone’s message inbox and your email for suspicious links — automatically moving any it finds to your junk folder, so you don’t accidentally open them. It’s a pretty helpful way to stay safe online, especially if you’re not super tech-savvy.
Bitdefender’s paid plans are an excellent value, too — the paid Mobile Security plan for iOS comes with web protections as well as an advanced version of the VPN. Alternatively, you could upgrade to Total Security ($49.99 / year) to cover 5 devices across all operating systems, including iOS, and benefit from a huge range of additional features, or Premium Security ($79.99 / year) to cover 10 devices and additionally get unlimited data on the VPN.
Bottom Line:
Bitdefender Mobile Security has a completely free plan that includes a good VPN (200 MB daily limit), data breach monitoring, a scam alert feature, and a device security checker. Its multi-device paid plans are some of the best (and most affordable) on the market, and they all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try them out risk-free.
Read the full Bitdefender review here >
4. Panda Dome for iOS — Precise GPS Tracking & Decent Anti-Theft Tools
Panda Dome for iOS combines 3 features into 1 forever-free app: the VPN (150 MB/day), parental control, and anti-theft protection.
The GPS tracker is very accurate, making it easy to locate a lost or stolen device. This also doubles as a tool for parents to keep track of their children.
Panda also includes a VPN with a single server and a 150 MB daily data cap, which is better than Avira’s 100 MB per day data limit but still not good enough for most users.
This is pretty much the extent of Panda’s free features, which makes it look rather lackluster next to many of the other antiviruses on this list. As a result, I would only recommend Panda Dome if you’re specifically looking for a simple and lightweight security app for your iPad or iPhone.
Upgrading to a premium Panda plan gets you coverage for up to 5 devices across all operating systems and a ton of extra features for your non-iOS devices, starting at $22.50 / year. The paid iOS app benefits from extra server locations and unlimited traffic on your VPN, and advanced parental controls that let you monitor and limit your children’s device usage (but Norton’s parental controls are better). Panda’s paid plans all include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Panda Dome for iOS has a free plan with a VPN and an accurate device locator to prevent theft and keep tabs on where your kids are. Without upgrading to one of its premium plans, however, Panda is lacking in features compared to other free antiviruses for iOS. Fortunately, you can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee, which lets you try out its paid features, including advanced parental controls and an unlimited-data VPN, risk-free.
Read the full Panda review here >
5. Avast Security & Privacy for iOS — Basic Network Scanner & Encrypted Photo Vault
Avast Security & Privacy for iOS is a free, basic security toolset for iPhones and iPads that includes a handful of features: a Wi-Fi network scanner, data breach alerts, web protection, and a secure vault for your photos. While all the features work well, their range can’t really be compared to fully fledged mobile security solutions for iOS such as Norton or TotalAV.
The free network scanner, called Network Inspector, scans public Wi-Fi networks for intruders, weak passwords, and other vulnerabilities. It’s light on your system, works smoothly, and will always notify you whether a Wi-Fi network is safe to connect to.
The Identity Protection tool provides basic data breach alerts for your email account. It monitors public databases and notifies you if it finds your passwords among the leaked credentials. To get unlimited data breach alerts (for multiple email addresses), however, you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan.
Web Shield is Avast’s free web protection that works across various mobile browsers. It’ll stop you from unwittingly visiting websites that contain harmful content (such as malicious links and downloads).
The Photo Vault is the place where you can store up to 40 photos you wish to keep private. The encrypted vault is protected by a PIN or biometric login, so no one will be able to access it without your permission, even if they get a hold of your iPhone/iPad. As is the case with data breach alerts, to gain unlimited storage, you’ll have to upgrade to Premium.
Apart from unlimited email monitoring and photo storage, Avast Premium Security adds a VPN, ransomware protection, and coverage for Mac, Android, and Windows devices as well as iOS for $23.40 / year. A 14-day free trial is available for iOS users, and all plans are also backed up by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Avast Security & Privacy is a decent, no-frills security app with a free plan that offers a Wi-Fi network scanner, data breach alerts, Web Shield, and a secure photo vault for iOS devices. The Network Inspector scans public Wi-Fi networks for vulnerabilities, while the Identity Protection tool provides basic data breach alerts for email accounts. Users can also securely store up to 40 photos in the Photo Vault. The Premium plan includes unlimited email monitoring and photo storage, VPN, and ransomware protection, as well as coverage for multiple devices across different platforms.
Read the full Avast review here >
6. Avira Free Mobile Security for iOS — Good iOS Privacy Features + VPN
Avira Mobile Security for iOS provides a heap of forever-free features. What’s more, all of them are useful, intuitive, and provide an additional layer of protection for iPhones and iPads.
One of the things I like most about Avira’s free iOS app is the Privacy Manager, which is a downloadable iOS profile that prevents Siri from sharing your data with Apple — once installed, this profile prevents Siri from logging commands on Apple’s servers, which is great if you’re trying to minimize the amount of personal data that big businesses can collect from you.
Avira also offers a ton of additional security features at no cost, including:
- VPN (100 MB daily limit).
- Device analyzer.
- Photo cleaner.
- Contacts backup.
- iOS updater.
- Call blocker.
I’m a big fan of Avira’s VPN, which provides fast encrypted internet access with a no-logs guarantee — so your browsing history is totally private! However, the VPN has a daily limit of 100 MB on Avira’s free plan and it only lets you connect to one server location. Bitdefender’s free VPN is better, offering 200 MB per day. That said, upgrading to Avira Phantom VPN Pro ($3.92 / month) gets you unlimited data and a variety of global server locations. Unfortunately, even if you do upgrade, you can’t watch Amazon Prime or BBC iPlayer using the VPN. I could watch both of these services using Norton’s VPN (however, Amazon Prime didn’t work on occasion).
Avira Free Mobile Security for iOS is a great free app, but Avira’s paid plans offer a lot more. Avira Security Pro for iOS adds anti-phishing and data breach monitoring. To add unlimited VPN data and Avira’s premium password manager, you can try Avira Prime Mobile, which you can get as part of the Avira Prime package ($59.99 / year) — it includes all of Avira’s features and coverage for up to 25 devices, including iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android devices. Avira Prime comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, which gives you plenty of time to use the app and decide if you like it.
Bottom Line:
Avira’s features make it a great free antivirus app for iPhones and iPads. Its Privacy Manager feature will allow you to use Siri without having your interactions logged by Apple, and its anti-theft tools, call blocker, and VPN (limited to 100 MB/day) are all excellent. However, if you’re looking for web protections, a VPN with no limitations, and a secure password manager, you’ll need to upgrade to Avira Prime Mobile, which is available for a monthly subscription or as part of the larger Avira Prime antivirus package.
Read the full Avira review here >
7. AVG Mobile Security for iPhone & iPad — Simple App With Data Breach Alerts & Wi-Fi Protection
AVG Mobile Security for iPhone & iPad is a free product developed by Avast Software, the same company that owns the Avast brand — which accounts for remarkable similarities between the two pieces of software.
Just like Avast Security & Privacy, AVG offers the following free features in its app: a network scanner, data breach alerts, Web Shield, and an encrypted vault to store your photos. Annoyingly, this is a pretty modest list of features compared to what top competitors such as Norton and TotalAV offer.
The limitations of the free version of each feature are also the same: the data breach scanner, called Identity Guard, will enable you to monitor just 1 email address for leaks, while the Photo Vault will allow you to upload 40 photos max.
All 4 tools (the scanner, the vault, web protection, and Identity Guard) work well, and the app itself is intuitive to use. The user interface design is sleek and modern — and strikingly similar to Avast’s, with the only major difference being the color palette.
Upgrading to the Pro plan will set you back $39.99 / year. For this price, you’ll get unlimited photo storage and monitoring for unlimited email addresses, plus an unlimited-data VPN to keep your browsing private. There’s a 14-day free trial for annual subscriptions and a 7-day one for monthly subscriptions.
Bottom Line:
AVG Mobile Security for iOS is a free app that offers a basic set of features, including a network scanner, data breach alerts, and a photo vault. The app works well and is intuitive to use, with a sleek, modern design. Upgrading to the Pro plan unlocks unlimited photo storage, email monitoring, and a VPN. The app offers free trials for both monthly and annual subscriptions.
Read the full AVG review here >
8. Lookout Life Mobile Security for iOS — Good Breach Monitoring & Anti-Theft Tools
Lookout Life Mobile Security for iOS provides several handy features on its free plan: an app update scanner, basic data breach monitoring, and missing device location tools. Lookout’s System Advisor tool will give you notifications if your system is due for an update, which is only useful if you’re really good at ignoring iOS’s persistent update notifications.
However, Lookout’s Locate & Wipe tools are decent — if you lose your device, you can issue a remote alarm, or even display a message on your screen to help good Samaritans return your device to you. Lookout will even save the last location of your phone before its battery dies — which is a super helpful feature! The only downside is that the tool that’s supposed to show the location of a lost phone didn’t work in my tests. This is disappointing because I had no problem using Panda’s lost device feature.
Lookout’s data breach scanner is almost identical to TotalAV’s breach scanner. Simply enter your email and Lookout will let you know if any of your logins have been compromised in a data breach. It works well, but it’s nowhere near as in-depth as Norton’s data breach monitoring, which utilizes human agents to ensure none of your data is on the dark web.
Lookout’s free iOS protection is decent, but the paid app is much better. Lookout Premium includes anti-phishing protection, a Wi-Fi network scanner, and real-time data breach updates for $29.99 / year. Lookout also offers identity theft protections for Premium Plus users (US customers only).
Bottom Line:
Lookout Mobile Security for iOS includes a free plan that provides decent lost phone protections, data breach scanning, and iOS update notifications. I especially like the remote alarm feature that can deter thieves and help detect lost iOS devices. However, Lookout’s free tools won’t protect you from the worst online threats, so if you like Lookout’s iOS security tools, I’d recommend opting for the premium upgrade, which includes anti-phishing protection, Wi-Fi scanning, data breach reports, and identity theft tools.
Read the full Lookout review here >
Quick Comparison Table
*Note: Money-back guarantees only apply if you buy through the vendor’s official website. If you purchase a mobile security plan directly from the Apple App Store, you’ll be subject to Apple’s refund policies.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To find the best free antiviruses of 2024, I relied on our rigorous testing methodology. I tested real-world scenarios by checking factors such as customer support, value, speed, and security. In addition to that:
- I checked for free access. I looked for apps that offer a free plan, free trial, or money-back guarantee. These allow you to test features before committing long-term. Although there are some decent free antivirus apps available for iOS, you’ll always get better protection when you pay for it, which is why I included Norton on this list — while it doesn’t have free versions, it’s the best iOS apps around, and it includes a generous money-back guarantee (so you can try it risk-free).
- I looked for useful features. Internet security suites these days include a wide range of features with questionable functionality, and products vary hugely, so I took extra care to rigorously test each antivirus’s features and only include genuinely useful ones to this list. Additionally, I considered value rather than just cost — while the free apps usually just cover the basics, the premium plans will include so many useful features that they are an amazing overall value.
- I inspected each antivirus’s data privacy policy. Some free apps exist solely to log and sell user data — there aren’t that many ways to make money with free products! All of the free apps on this list protect user data, and some of them even include additional tools that ensure your sensitive data doesn’t get compromised.
- I tested apps to see how easy they are to use. I strongly believe there shouldn’t be a learning curve to using an antivirus app. The tools and apps on this list provide increased security protections with convenient, well-designed user interfaces. Norton and TotalAV are my top picks for ease of use, and they’re both great for all types of users, from people new to security apps to advanced users looking for higher levels of customization.
- I assessed each app’s efficiency. I analyzed my iPhone and iPad’s performance and battery life before and after installing each app. You can rest assured that none of the apps from my list slow down devices or drain batteries!
Do I Really Need an Antivirus for My iPhone?
I certainly recommend that you get an antivirus for your iPhone. Remember, the apps on this list aren’t antiviruses in the strictest sense of the word. They are general security tools, designed not to root out malware but to improve your overall security and help you maintain privacy online. If you care about that sort of thing (and you should), I recommend using one. Here are some of the things these tools can do:
- Makes sure your device is using optimal settings. iOS devices have excellent in-built security features. The problem is that users can tamper with certain settings to make these less robust. A good free app can make sure your iPhone is set up right, shielding you from potential vulnerabilities.
- Keeps your internet usage private. If you’re concerned about being snooped on while online, a VPN is the best way to assuage your concerns. Use one and your traffic will be securely encrypted. Free apps like Bitdefender include an iOS VPN.
- Shields you from web-based threats. Even though your iPhone is unlikely to get a virus, it can still be a conduit for handing over all of your personal information to hackers. Phishing sites can be accessed from any type of device, iPhones included. That’s why I recommend you use a security tool like the ones on this list.
- Ensures your device is up to date. The iOS operating system is not without vulnerabilities. Apple is pretty good about pushing updates that fix these issues as soon as they’re found. But if you don’t update your device, you’ll be vulnerable. The right app will make sure you’re never put in that position.
- Alerts you to dangerous networks. If a network is not secure then neither are the devices connected to it. A good iOS security app like the one Norton puts out will let you know as soon as you connect to a network that isn’t protected.
- Protects you from spam and SMS-based scams. Robotexts can be dangerous as well as annoying. Often they aren’t just trying to sell you something; they want to steal your information as well. A good app will block such attempted intrusions into your personal life.
- Lets you know about data breaches. If any of my information were floating around on the dark web, I’d want to know about it right away. That’s why it’s important to have a mobile security tool like the ones on this list. Having a quick response is crucial in the event of a breach, so it’s great that these tools let you monitor your personal information from anywhere.
Risks & Disadvantages of Using a Free iOS Antivirus
In my opinion, it’s best to steer clear of free antivirus software. Although they offer basic protection, the more advanced features are often exclusive to their paid versions. While a free antivirus is better than no antivirus at all, investing in a reliable paid antivirus solution is worth considering for more comprehensive protection.
iOS devices are a little different than other devices, especially Windows and Android, as the way in which Apple has designed iOS is highly secure. All iOS apps operate in their own secure individual environments — called “sandboxing” — which prevents them from being able to access or make changes to any other apps, files, or processes on your device. This means traditional malware doesn’t pose the same risk on iOS devices, which is the reason iOS “antiviruses” don’t actually include antivirus engines.
Internet threats extend beyond malicious apps to include phishing attacks, unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and other web-based intrusions that can affect iOS devices. Protecting yourself from these threats is crucial. Since most of us use multiple devices, it’s essential to have comprehensive protection that covers all devices and safeguards your entire online identity, including monitoring for data breaches involving personal information.
There are some good free iOS antiviruses that include VPNs, secure browsers, password managers, anti-phishing protection, data breach scanners, and other tools to keep your device and identity safe. However, the free plans usually either limit the use of these features (take Avira’s 100 MB/day VPN as an example), or don’t include the most important features at all (like the lack of anti-phishing protection in TotalAV’s free plan).
If you want the best protection, I recommend paying for a premium plan — and you’ll get the best protection AND the best value if you go for an antivirus that not only covers your iOS device, but also protects all your other devices, too. Most top antiviruses are pretty affordable, plus they usually come with a money-back guarantee so you can test it before you commit long-term. For example, Norton 360 Deluxe has a huge range of excellent internet security features that protect 5 devices across all operating systems, including iOS — all for just $49.99 / year*, plus a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Free vs. Paid Antiviruses for iOS
Free antivirus apps can protect you from some common online security risks — such as attacks from unsecured Wi-Fi networks or your data that’s been exposed in a breach.
However, free apps will always have some features kept behind a paywall, and these will almost always be their most useful features — for example, TotalAV only includes anti-phishing protection and unlimited VPN data in its paid plans.
Typically, free apps only provide coverage for a single device and user. On the other hand, paid plans offer coverage for multiple devices, resulting in enhanced protection from cyber threats across all your devices and providing better value for your money.
The best antiviruses, like Norton, have comprehensive internet security suites that include advanced versions of tools such as password managers, VPNs, and device optimization tools, which you may otherwise need multiple separate subscriptions for.
Overall, I’d always suggest going for a paid plan — while free antiviruses for iOS are worth trying out, if you’re truly interested in protecting yourself from online threats, there are a lot of really great-value premium options out there.
Free iOS Antiviruses to Avoid
Though Apple does a decent job of keeping outright scams off of its official app store, plenty of bad apps have gotten through and received millions of downloads. This includes completely fake security apps that claim to boost security and countless more that just aren’t very good. I’ll provide a few examples, but remember that this is far from an exhaustive list.
- Mobile Protection: Clean & Security VPN. This app claimed to provide a VPN, enhanced security protections, and lots more, including features that are inherently incompatible with iPhones. It was advertised with a laughably short free trial, after which users could be charged thousands of dollars.
- Anti-Virus Detective. This app claimed to scan your iPhone for malware, but Apple remove it from the App Store. If you have Anti-Virus Detective on your device or if you see it listed on a third-party marketplace, you should delete/avoid it.
- Mobile Security. Despite the name, the primary thing Mobile Security does is securely mobilize your money into someone shady’s bank account. It does have a VPN and a supposedly safe browser, but after 3 days, this ‘free’ app will start charging you about as much every month as most of the best iOS antiviruses cost per year.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut:
- Trustd. Trustd’s iOS security app is very easy to use and offers some decent features. However, it doesn’t offer as many features as the other apps on this list.
- Webroot. Webroot Mobile Security is a free iOS app, but it’s pretty bad. It’s limited to just one feature (a secure web browser) so it really can’t compete with the other feature-rich apps on this list.
- Trend Micro. Trend Micro has a decent app for iPhones and iPads, but the free version isn’t worth the space it takes up on your device. After the trial of the premium features expires, all that remains is a QR code checker and a basic scanner that checks your device’s security settings.
- Comodo. Comodo has a decent desktop app, but I can’t recommend the free iOS version. You need to pay extra for the VPN, web protections, and much else besides. Without paying, all you’ll get is a battery-draining space waster. There isn’t even a free trial you can use to test out the features.
- Acronis Mobile. Though by no means a scam, the Acronis iOS app isn’t very useful. It’s basically just an additional way to back up your contacts, photos, and other data. There’s no spam filter, web protections, VPN, or anything else to protect you. Given that Apple provides other ways to securely store data, I really don’t see the point in this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best free antivirus for my iPhone and iPad?
The best free antivirus for iPhone and iPad is TotalAV Mobile Security. It’s a very intuitive app with all of the essential security features for iOS, including a system scanner and a data breach scanner.
But a free antivirus will never be as good as a paid one, and TotalAV’s free plan is no exception, lacking essential security features such as anti-phishing protection. For this reason, you may want to consider using a premium antivirus like Norton Mobile Security instead, which offers more advanced and comprehensive protection against all online threats.
What do free iOS antiviruses do?
Each free iOS app is different, but the best free iOS security apps include a number of tools. I think the most important features are phishing protections and VPNs. iPhones have strong security, but the internet is a dangerous place. Anyone can make a fake website designed to steal your personal information. You’ll need an app to confidently identify such threats. In the same vein, a VPN will encrypt your traffic so no one can see the sites you visit.
Unsurprisingly, free tools generally aren’t as good as those you need to pay for. Norton, which has the best features for protecting iOS users, only lets you use the free app as a trial. Other developers include a limited feature set on the free versions of their software. Still, having access to such tools is better than nothing.
Is a free antivirus safe to use on iPhone or iPad?
Yes, so long as you choose an antivirus from a trusted brand. All of the antiviruses I recommend have proven track records and protect the privacy of their users.
By using a free antivirus, however, you’re potentially missing out on advanced security features like anti-phishing protection, unlimited VPN usage, data breach monitoring, and more, which can indirectly put your device or your personal information at risk, so it’s worth considering upgrading to a good premium antivirus like Norton.
Will iPhone antivirus apps work on my iPad?
In most cases, yes. iOS antivirus apps like Norton and Bitdefender will work for most iOS devices, including iPads. But still, you should check with each product to make sure that the app offers the protection you want. There may be certain features that will only work on iPhones.
What kind of antivirus features do I need to stay protected?
Norton 360 offers the best range of security features, including phishing protection, data breach alerts, anti-theft tools, spam text and call protection, and more. Norton 360 isn’t free, but downloading a premium iOS security app is the only way to get all of the security features you need for your iOS device.
