What Is the Veto App? The Free Open-Source VirusTotal Client for Android

Veto is a free, open-source Android app that works as a native client for VirusTotal — the well-known online service that checks files and URLs against more than 70 antivirus engines at the same time. Instead of uploading files through a browser, you do everything from a clean app on your phone.

The idea is simple: before you install an APK from outside the Play Store, before you open a link someone sent you, or when you just want to check what's already on your phone — Veto gives you a verdict in seconds.

Who Makes Veto?

Veto is made by Universe Lab, an independent developer. The full source code is published on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license, which means anyone can inspect it, build it themselves, or contribute improvements. That's a big deal for a security app — you don't have to take anyone's word that it's clean; you can read the code.

One important note: Veto is not affiliated with or endorsed by VirusTotal. It's an independent client that talks to VirusTotal's public API.

What Does It Cost?

Nothing. The app is completely free with no premium tier and no ads. The only thing you need is a free VirusTotal API key, which you get from your VirusTotal account in about a minute. The free key has rate limits — roughly 4 lookups per minute — and Veto tells you clearly when you hit them. We break this all down in our guide to Veto's pricing and API limits.

The Short Version of How It Works

1. You install Veto and paste in your free VirusTotal API key.
2. You pick something to scan: a file, a link, or an installed app.
3. Veto sends it to VirusTotal and shows you the result — first as a quick verdict, with a detailed report one tap away.

The step-by-step setup guide walks through each of these with screenshots described in plain language.

What Makes Veto Different

There are other ways to use VirusTotal on a phone — the mobile website works, after all. Veto's advantages are practical ones: scans run in the background with a notification when they finish, reports are saved for offline reading, every section has a plain-language explanation of what it means, and there's no account, tracking, or advertising anywhere in the app. Your API key is stored encrypted on your own device and your scans go straight to VirusTotal — nothing passes through a middleman. The full features rundown covers all of this in detail.

Requirements

• Android 11 or newer
• A free VirusTotal account (for the API key)
• An internet connection for scans (saved reports work offline)

Veto is available on Google Play, F-Droid, and GitHub. If you're deciding whether it's the right tool for you, our alternatives and FAQ page compares it against the other options.