Protectstar Antivirus AI
protectstar.com
What it is
Protectstar Antivirus AI is an Android antivirus app listing real-time and ransomware protection. Its free plan costs nothing, has no expiration date, and includes manual AI scanning with a dual engine, anti-ransomware protection, and quarantine and restore. Paid plans are listed at €8.95 a year for PRO and €13.95 a year for GOV; each standard license covers one device. The listed device limit is one. Protectstar was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Additional technical details list disk wiping, SSD and removable-media support, and erasure reports with basic verification. Bootable media is not supported. The product information identifies Android as the supported platform, but also lists a mac-only coverage scope, so those platform details do not align.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Antivirus AI scans Android apps, files, APKs and downloads for malware, spyware, ransomware and other threats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · protectstar.com
- Headquarters
- Sarasota, Florida, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · protectstar.com
- Founded
- LinkedIn states that Chris Bohn founded Protectstar in 2004.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Account integration
- Optional MY.PROTECTSTAR integration uses my-api.protectstar.com for account, device, product and license data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- AI Life Rules
- New threat rules are distributed worldwide within seconds without requiring a conventional app update.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Android coverage
- Antivirus AI checks sideloaded APKs, third-party downloads, browser and messenger downloads in addition to Play Store apps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- 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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · av-test.org
- 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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Company ownership
- Protectstar's FAQ describes Protectstar Inc. as privately held, independent and entirely privately owned.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Company size and location
- LinkedIn lists Protectstar Inc. in Sarasota, Florida, with 11–50 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Deep Detective
- Deep Detective performs heuristic analysis locally and can detect unknown attacks before activation, including camera and microphone access risks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- 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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · appdefensealliance.dev
- Device limit
- 1Read 23 Sep 2026 · protectstar.com
- Documentation and support
- Documentation is presented mainly as product FAQs, privacy disclosures and a support contact rather than a standalone developer documentation portal.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Dual Engine
- A signature engine detects known malware while an AI engine evaluates behavior and patterns of newer or disguised threats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- G2 listing
- G2's ProtectStar profile shows two incentivized reviews for iShredder Windows and does not provide an Antivirus AI rating.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- 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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Limit: app interactions
- A Google Play reviewer reported that Antivirus AI interfered with email, Maps, SMS and screenshots until it was removed and reinstalled.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Limit: customer service
- Several Trustpilot reviewers described unanswered support emails, including complaints about paid products or firewall features not working.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Limit: subscription entitlement
- A Google Play reviewer said an automatically renewed purchase still showed the free version and removed PRO features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Limit: update reliability
- A Google Play reviewer alleged that automatic updates failed and had to be installed manually after paying for a subscription.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Official security program
- Protectstar runs a vulnerability-disclosure program with PGP encryption, security.txt and case-by-case review of app and API reports.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Offline operation
- The on-device Deep Detective layer works without an internet connection and keeps file contents on the device.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Open-source licence
- The opened product, FAQ and policy pages do not identify Antivirus AI as open source or name an open-source licence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Permissions
- The documented permissions are storage access, optional Accessibility Service for real-time protection and notifications; location, microphone, contacts, SMS and advertising IDs are not requested.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Praise: performance
- A Google Play reviewer reported that the app stays active without slowing the phone.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Praise: technical support
- One Trustpilot reviewer said Protectstar support solved a difficult installation problem over several days and was responsive and professional.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Praise: usability
- A Google Play reviewer described the app as discreet, fast, lightweight and clear, with real-time installation alerts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Privacy design
- Protectstar says Antivirus AI does not upload file contents, photos or chats and does not use advertising IDs, tracking pixels or advertising profiles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Protection scope
- antivirusRead 23 Sep 2026 · protectstar.com
- Public API endpoints
- The app privacy policy documents public Protectstar endpoints for checksum/package threat checks and aggregated threat statistics, including get-deep-detective-packages-shas-info, add-statistic-item and add-file-statistic-item.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Ransomware protection
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · protectstar.com
- Rating on Google Play
- 4.3 out of 5 from 29,500 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Rating on Trustpilot
- 2.8 out of 5 from 12 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Refund and renewal
- Direct website purchases include a 30-day money-back guarantee and no automatic renewal.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- SDK and extensibility
- The opened official materials describe app APIs and integrations but do not identify a public SDK, developer kit or self-hosting package.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Security processing location
- Protectstar states that processing runs on ISO 27001-certified servers in Germany under GDPR and German data-protection law.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
- Supported platforms
- AndroidRead 23 Sep 2026 · protectstar.com
- System requirements
- The Android app requires Android 8.0 or later, is about 28 MB and typically uses under 80 MB of RAM.Read 15 Oct 2026 · protectstar.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free plan has no expiration date
- Free plan includes manual dual-engine AI scans
- Lists real-time and ransomware protection
- Quarantine and restore are included
Limits
- Device limit is one
- Bootable media is not supported
- Listing conflicts between Android support and mac-only coverage
- Paid plans are priced per year
Who it suits
It may suit an Android user seeking antivirus and ransomware protection for one device, including a no-expiration free plan. Readers should clarify the conflicting Android and mac-only coverage details before choosing it.
Verdict
The free plan lists manual scanning, ransomware protection, and quarantine, with paid annual options for one device. The platform information conflicts, so confirm coverage before relying on it.
Where Specifiction places it
- Antivirus software#26 of 1208.5