While most Android security apps continue to offer top-notch protection, features like anti-theft tools are big differentiators. The recent test results from the independent German testing lab AV-Test show four apps with perfect scores and three that failed to be certified.  

Who Won, Who Lost
This round, our Editors' Choice Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus shared the crown with Kaspersky Mobile Security, Kingsoft Mobile Security, and Qihoo 360 Mobile Safe in a four-way tie all with perfect 13-point scores. That's a perfect six in the protection category, another six in the usability category—which looks at battery life and other user-impact issues, and one point for extra features.

Notably, this round of testing included 1,972 malware samples and an average detection rate of 95.2 percent across all thirty apps. That's a bit lower than previous testing, but not enough to be worrisome.  Individual detection rates for apps varied between 100 percent and 63.3 percent.

Though the scores were mostly distributed between 12 and 13 points, there were a few losers. AegisLab Antivirus Premium, SPAMfighter VIRUSfighter Android, and Zoner Mobile Security all failed to achieve certification. That's only three apps, but they account for 10 percent of all the apps tested.

Here's a full breakdown of the scores.

Features Are Everything
A big takeaway from the latest round of testing is that while free mobile security suites continue to perform as well, if not better, than their paid counterparts, they don't come with all the bells and whistles. Among said bells and whistles are useful tools like backup, encryption, and critically importantly anti-theft features.

While those are all important, anti-theft tools are probably the most valuable to the average user. Lookout Mobile Security, for instance, offers GPS tracking, remotely triggered alarm, spycam, and just-before-the-battery-runs-out location "signal flare" for free. If you want to remotely lock or wipe your device, you need to pay for the upgrade. Our Editors' Choice for free Android security avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus, on the other hand, is fully featured and totally free.

Further complicating matters is the recent trend among some Android developers to release several free or low-cost apps, and a single for-pay suite. You can, for instance, download Bitdefender's Clueful Privacy Advisor for application reputation information, Bitdefender Anitvirus Free, and Bitdefender Anti-Theft and get most of the features of the $9.95/year Bitdefender Mobile Security & Antivirus.

Choose Your Weapon

The good news is that most of the top-tier for-pay Android security options have a free trial period.  This is great for users, since with so many high-scoring applications, it really comes down to features and how well you like the app. Try a bunch and go with what suits you best. Or just get avast! and save a little money.

Whichever app you settle on, do take the time to set up your security app. While Android malware isn't very common, theft and loss are huge problems. For just a few dollars or few minutes of your time, you can make sure that your device is protected no matter where it ends up.

Image via Flickr user JD Hancock