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Protectstar Antivirus AI
Sarasota, Florida, USA
What it is
Protectstar Antivirus AI is an Android antivirus app with real-time and ransomware protection. Its free plan has no expiration date and includes manual AI scanning using a dual engine, as well as quarantine and restore. The PRO plan is listed from €8.95 per year, and GOV from €13.95 per year; each standard license covers one device. The product lists Android as its supported platform and a one-device limit. Protectstar was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Other listed technical details include disk wiping, SSD and removable-media support, erasure reports, and basic verification. Bootable media is not supported. The product details also identify a mac-only coverage scope, which differs from the listed Android support. Readers comparing platform information should take note of that distinction before choosing the app.
For and against
For
- Free plan has no expiration date.
- Includes real-time protection.
- Includes ransomware protection.
- Free plan includes quarantine and restore.
Against
- Each standard paid license covers one device.
- Bootable media is not supported.
- Coverage scope is listed as mac-only, despite Android support.
The verdict
Protectstar Antivirus AI lists Android antivirus and ransomware protection, with a free plan and paid plans from €8.95 per year. The listing's mac-only coverage scope conflicts with its stated Android platform support.
Who it suits
It may suit Android users seeking antivirus and ransomware protection with a free, non-expiring plan. Its listed license covers one device.
Plans and prices
PRO
Everything in FREE · background real-time protection · APT defense · scheduled scans
Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
GOV
Everything in PRO · experimental beta rules · advanced privacy policies · government/power-user features
Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
FREE
Manual AI scan · 130M+ threat detection · anti-ransomware · Deep Detective camera/microphone checks
Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
On the record
- Account integration
- Optional MY.PROTECTSTAR integration uses my-api.protectstar.com for account, device, product and license data.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- AI Life Rules
- New threat rules are distributed worldwide within seconds without requiring a conventional app update.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Android coverage
- Antivirus AI checks sideloaded APKs, third-party downloads, browser and messenger downloads in addition to Play Store apps.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- AV-TEST result
- AV-TEST lists Antivirus AI 2.1 with 5.5/6 protection, 6/6 performance and 6/6 usability in January 2025.av-test.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cloud data
- Cloud checks use package names, SHA-256/MD5 checksums and technical detection metadata; the company says data is encrypted with HTTPS and AES-256 and deleted after analysis.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company ownership
- Protectstar's FAQ describes Protectstar Inc. as privately held, independent and entirely privately owned.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company size and location
- LinkedIn lists Protectstar Inc. in Sarasota, Florida, with 11–50 employees.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Deep Detective
- Deep Detective performs heuristic analysis locally and can detect unknown attacks before activation, including camera and microphone access risks.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- DEKRA MASA assessment
- The DEKRA report identifies Android package com.protectstar.antivirus version 2.2 and a MASA Level 1 verified-self security evaluation issued March 17, 2025.appdefensealliance.dev · read 15 Oct 2026
- Device limit
- 1protectstar.com · read 23 Sep 2026
- Documentation and support
- Documentation is presented mainly as product FAQs, privacy disclosures and a support contact rather than a standalone developer documentation portal.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Dual Engine
- A signature engine detects known malware while an AI engine evaluates behavior and patterns of newer or disguised threats.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- G2 listing
- G2's ProtectStar profile shows two incentivized reviews for iShredder Windows and does not provide an Antivirus AI rating.g2.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- PRO and GOV licenses cover one device by default, can be transferred through MY.PROTECTSTAR, and multi-device and lifetime options are sold separately.protectstar.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: app interactions
- A Google Play reviewer reported that Antivirus AI interfered with email, Maps, SMS and screenshots until it was removed and reinstalled.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: customer service
- Several Trustpilot reviewers described unanswered support emails, including complaints about paid products or firewall features not working.trustpilot.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: subscription entitlement
- A Google Play reviewer said an automatically renewed purchase still showed the free version and removed PRO features.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: update reliability
- A Google Play reviewer alleged that automatic updates failed and had to be installed manually after paying for a subscription.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
The review
Protectstar Antivirus AI combines Android antivirus and ransomware protection with a free tier and paid one-device licenses. It is best suited to an individual who wants on-demand scanning at no cost or real-time protection for a single device. Its conflicting platform scope and narrow device limit make it a poor fit for multi-device coverage.
Overview
The free plan offers a dual-engine manual AI scan, anti-ransomware protection, and quarantine and restore. That is a useful no-cost starting point for people willing to run scans themselves, but those who want ongoing monitoring should consider a paid plan with real-time protection.
Antivirus AI is positioned around antivirus protection, rather than a wider security suite. Its stated Android support conflicts with a mac-only coverage scope, so confirm that the product covers your device before paying.
Key features
Scanning and ransomware protection
Manual dual-engine scanning gives users an on-demand check, while quarantine and restore offer a way to handle files the app isolates. Anti-ransomware protection is included in the free plan, making it useful for budget-conscious users who do not need continuous monitoring. Real-time protection is available, but the free plan’s stated features do not include it.
One-device coverage
The standard license covers one device by default. That is a straightforward fit for an individual, but not for households or teams that need to protect several devices under one license.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | free | Manual dual-engine AI scanning, anti-ransomware protection, and quarantine and restore, with no expiration date. |
| PRO | €8.95 a year | A one-device license for users who want a paid option; real-time protection is available. |
| GOV | €13.95 a year | A one-device license at a higher annual price; the plan name is the only stated distinction from PRO. |
The free plan avoids a recurring charge but centers on manual scans. PRO is the lower-cost paid choice for one device, while GOV costs more without a stated difference in coverage or features. Both paid plans have a one-device default, so neither solves multi-device needs.
Platforms
Android is the stated supported platform, but the coverage scope is also described as mac-only. This contradiction matters: verify compatibility with Protectstar before relying on the app for a particular device.
Who it's for
Choose Antivirus AI if you want free manual antivirus scanning with ransomware protection for one device, or are considering a paid one-device option with real-time protection. Look elsewhere if you need several devices under one license or cannot resolve the Android-versus-mac-only scope before purchase.
Pros and cons
- Pros: The free plan includes dual-engine manual AI scanning, anti-ransomware protection, and quarantine and restore, with no expiration date.
- Pros: Real-time protection is available on a paid plan for users who want more than on-demand scans.
- Cons: The standard paid license covers one device, limiting its fit for households and teams.
- Cons: Android support conflicts with the mac-only coverage scope, leaving compatibility unclear.
Alternatives
For broader erasure-tool comparisons, browse Disk Wiping Software or Secure File Shredding Software; those categories address wiping and shredding rather than Antivirus AI’s stated antivirus focus. If you need a Mac antivirus comparison, see Antivirus for Mac, or browse Antivirus software for the broader category.
WipeOS is a paid option spanning Android, iOS, desktop, web, API, extension, and self-hosted platforms; consider it if broad platform reach matters more than a free antivirus plan. Certus Erasure is paid, has a free trial but no free plan, and supports Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows; choose it if you want to try a cross-platform paid option first.
ShredIt is paid, offers a free trial, and has separate Windows and Mac apps priced at $24.95, paid once; it is an alternative for readers seeking a one-time purchase. Active@ KillDisk has a free plan and paid one-time personal licenses from $64.95, paid once, with Linux, macOS, and Windows support; consider it for those platforms and a one-time license.
HDShredder has a free edition for private use and paid plans, including Basic Edition at €19.90, paid once, for Linux, Windows, and self-hosted environments. nwipe is free, requires Linux, and provides a command-line and ncurses GUI option. Overwrite offers a free Preview and a paid Annual Pro plan on macOS. Blackwire Drive Eraser & Sanitizer is a freemium Windows option.
Verdict
Protectstar Antivirus AI is a reasonable starting point for an individual who wants free manual scanning, ransomware protection, and file quarantine on one device. Its paid option adds real-time protection, but the one-device limit and unresolved platform-scope conflict are strong reasons to look elsewhere if compatibility or broader coverage is essential.
