Best Mac Antivirus Software (2024) free and paid options

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The most effective best Mac antivirus software are those that are strong at both identifying and stopping malware that is particular to Macs while also outperforming Apple’s built-in defenses, which is why we examined every major antivirus program available. The fact that the majority of best Mac antivirus software exclusively focuses on PC security did not surprise us. The majority of them just ignore Apple’s built-in security protections for Macs or don’t provide any upgrades. However, we were able to identify a few Mac antivirus programs that outperformed the competition greatly.

The sheer number of Mac and MacBook customers worldwide makes for an immense potential target that is tempting to hackers and cybercriminals. Since the best Mac antivirus software is based on Unix and is sandboxed, it can be difficult for viruses to cause significant harm. However, dangerous software that targets Macs and MacBook Pros has not only proliferated but also gotten stronger.

Best Mac Antivirus Software Comparison Table

Many antivirus companies prioritize PC security while paying insufficient attention to their macOS products. Even worse, it’s frequently a waste of money because firms don’t provide goods that genuinely outperform Apple’s built-in security measures. This worries me since hackers are increasingly using sophisticated software to attack Mac machines, and we possess a MacBook Air.

Feature	Malware Detection	Web Protection	Phishing Protection	Ransomware Protection	Additional Features	Download Link
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac	High	Yes	Yes	Yes	VPN, Safe Online Banking	Download Now
McAfee	Good	Yes	Yes	Yes	VPN, ID Theft Protection	Download Now
Norton 360 Deluxe	Excellent	Yes	Yes	Yes	VPN, Cloud Backup	Download Now
TotalAV	Good	Yes	Yes	Yes	System Tune-Up, VPN	Download Now
VIPRE	Good	Yes	Yes	Yes	Email Security	Download Now

Here is the list of Best Mac Antivirus Software

When it comes to selecting the most effective anti-virus protection for Mac devices, the best antivirus software for Mac gives you a wide variety of options to choose from. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, Malwarebytes for Mac, Sophos Home, and Avast are the best antivirus programs for Mac computers that also offer protection against ransomware. The three most effective pieces of antivirus software for a Mac are Avira, Avast, and Sophos Home.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Comprehensive malware detection and prevention
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
Web Protection	Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
Ransomware Protection	Guards against ransomware attacks
Time Machine Protection	Protects backups and archives from ransomware
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
	Download Now

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac boasts a user-friendly interface, reasonable cost, almost perfect malware detection, and a hardly perceptible effect on system performance. This makes it our Editor’s Choice for the top Mac antivirus program once more. Bitdefender’s ability to undo ransomware encryption, including on Time Machine backups, is unusual for best Mac antivirus software.

Additionally, it provides browser hardening addons and prevents internet trackers to preserve your privacy. The Autopilot and Bitdefender Shield functions keep the program operating with little assistance from users. The main drawbacks are that the Bitdefender VPN service is only available for 200MB per day unless you pay more and that the password manager that comes with the Bitdefender Antivirus for Windows edition is missing.

McAfee

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Comprehensive malware detection and prevention
Firewall	Provides network protection and firewall features
Web Protection	Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
Performance Optimization	Includes tools for optimizing system performance
Multi-Device Support	Can cover multiple devices under one subscription
	Download Now

A specialized software security application called McAfee Total Protection will keep an eye on your Mac as you work, checking for any unauthorized software activity, such as efforts to deceive you into installing undesirable software or genuine malware and virus assaults. It is really easy to use; once you have followed the instructions for granting it authorization to operate in the background, you can simply just leave it to carry out its duties.

WebAdvisor, another feature of Total Protection, warns you when you visit dubious websites and directs you away from those that are recognized to be problematic. Additionally, a software firewall for monitoring two-way network traffic is provided. So, if you want one of the best Mac antivirus software, we highly recommend these apps.

Norton 360 Deluxe

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Comprehensive malware detection and prevention
Firewall	Provides network protection and firewall features
Web Protection	Strong phishing protection and web security
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
Parental Controls	Provides controls for monitoring and managing children’s online activities
Backup and Restore	Offers backup and restore features for data protection
	Download Now

Another well-known antivirus company is Norton, which excels in detecting malware on Mac computers. In fact, Norton 360 Deluxe offers security for Macs, Windows PCs, or mobile devices – up to five of them per license. It is the brand’s finest option for users of multiple devices. Therefore, Norton will cover all of your bases whether you have a lot of Macs or MacBooks, a Windows laptop as well, and of course your smartphone.

Here, you get a generous helping of features, including strong antivirus defense, anti-ransomware, a smart firewall, and some cool add-ons like a password manager and dark web monitoring. Additionally, you also get a big bonus in the form of Norton Secure VPN, which can improve your online security and privacy. As a result, while Norton 360 offers a wide range of security advantages, it does, in our view, have a more obvious impact on system performance than other competitors.

TotalAV

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Comprehensive malware detection and prevention
Web Protection	Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
Password Manager	Provides a password management feature
Performance Optimization	Includes tools for optimizing system performance
Multi-Device Support	Can cover multiple devices under one subscription
	Download Now

The best Mac antivirus software is TotalAV. A good combination of antivirus capabilities that “patch up” the bases not covered by the built-in protection tools are added to macOS with the help of this security solution. TotalAV consistently receives the top ratings from all major independent testing laboratories, including AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs, by completely blocking all dangers that are discovered.

The results of our tests are essentially the same. When it came to identifying harmful software on Macs, this antivirus vendor performed superbly. When downloading or accessing files, the real-time engine proved incredibly effective at detecting dangers. Additional measures are also available to safeguard your Mac and your private data. The Smart Scan feature performs a routine security check, checking for trackers, viruses, garbage, cached files, and other items.

VIPRE

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Good malware detection and prevention
Web Protection	Web filtering and email security
Ransomware Protection	Guards against ransomware attacks
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
User Interface	User-friendly interface with easy setup
	Download Now

We utilized VIPRE Advanced Security, which costs $2 per month or $23.99 for a year, for our tests. Since VIPRE Antivirus Plus is only compatible with PCs, Mac users must choose the Advanced Security option. Nevertheless, we had a wide range of alternatives for both the term duration and the number of connected devices. We had the option of connecting one to best devices and choosing contracts that ranged from one to four years in length.

If you’re still interested in price, we have a whole website dedicated to VIPRE’s pricing. The best Mac antivirus software status bar informed us of the last time the machine was scanned, if the firewall was operational, and whether the threat definitions were current. VIPRE’s user interface was very simple to understand. We were pleased that our VIPRE protected our email inbox from phishing assaults as well as the fact that we were able to let specific websites and apps beyond the firewall.

Intego

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Comprehensive malware detection and prevention for macOS
Web Protection	Web filtering and parental controls for macOS
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
Performance Impact	Moderate impact on system performance
	Download Now

One of the few internet security firms that prioritizes Mac security is Intego. Intego actually only provided Mac AV scanning and removal software for a long time. Although it has made its ecosystem more accessible to Windows users, the company’s primary objective is still to give macOS and iOS devices effective, top-tier protection.

Intego consistently ranks highly in independent antivirus testing. Its utility has earned near-perfect protection and performance ratings as well as flawless use ratings from AV-Test. It is at the best Mac antivirus software due to a combination of excellent test results and a wealth of practical features. Additionally, Intego’s billing procedures passed our inspection.

Avast

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Good malware detection and prevention
Web Protection	Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
Password Manager	Provides a password management feature
Performance Optimization	Includes tools for optimizing system performance
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
	Download Now

Both Avast Antivirus and the more recent Avast One are available from Avast, which comes in first place on our list of the best Mac antivirus software. Both types of software’s entry-level editions are free for private use. Upgraded versions of Avast and Avast One are also available, and these contain tools for system maintenance and tweaking as well as a virtual private network (VPN).

In independent lab testing, Avast Free Antivirus and Avast One both receive best marks as an antivirus solution. Avast is the best Mac antivirus software defends against malware, phishing, Wi-Fi intrusion, and other cybersecurity threats in addition to viruses, ransomware, and other types of malware. The cost of renewing the paid packages varies based on the features and the number of devices covered, from $69.99 to $139.99 each year.

Sophos Home Premium

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Comprehensive malware detection and prevention
Web Protection	Web filtering and parental controls
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
Remote Management	Offers remote management for multiple devices
Multi-Device Support	Can cover both Mac and Windows devices
	Download Now

Sophos Home Premium can secure up to 10 machines, Mac or Windows, for a cheap fee and its parental web filters can block youngsters from seeing harmful information online. In our tests, we discovered that it had a more obvious background system effect than its competitors, albeit it was nowhere near as noticeable as the system impact of best Mac antivirus software.

It also features specific defenses against ransomware and for your webcam and microphone. The interface is simple and primarily contained in the menu bar; for further options, there is a potent online administration tool. We also discovered that it had a negligible influence during active scans. Mon–Fri, 12 hours a day, only email and chat interactions are available for technical help.

Avira Prime

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Good malware detection and prevention
Web Protection	Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
Password Manager	Provides a password management feature
Performance Optimization	Includes tools for optimizing system performance
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
	Download Now

Easily one of the best Mac antivirus software available on the app store, the Avira Prime is a security tool created to protect your Mac against potentially undesirable apps, which might range from straightforward scripts intended to compromise and reroute your browser searches to genuine malware. While some of its functions make use of a separate panel for a web-based interface.

All of its functionality from scans to program management and cleanup are shown in a single, sizable window. In our tests, it found every one of our infected installers and files. Most significantly, even while Avira Prime is constantly searching for issue it has such a little influence on the general performance of our Mac that we wouldn’t detect it without comparing timings.

Clario

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Good malware detection and prevention
Web Protection	Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
VPN	Offers a VPN service for online privacy and security
Identity Protection	Provides identity protection and data monitoring
24/7 Security Experts	Access to 24/7 security experts for assistance
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
	Download Now

With antivirus and many other features, Clario achieves its objective of becoming an all-inclusive security suite. Since the primary best Mac antivirus software is powered by Bitdefender, our top-rated vendor, Clario performs admirably in this test and receives ratings that are nearly equal to those of Bitdefender in more recent testing conducted by independent laboratories.

You get a ton of extra security features here, as was already noted. This consists of a Mac VPN service that is completely integrated, identity theft protection, secure surfing, anti-tracking safeguards, and more. The Mac program is cleverly made to be very simple for beginners to use, but on the other hand, it pushes simplicity to the point that people may be turned off.

Trend Micro

Feature	Description
Malware Protection	Comprehensive malware detection and prevention
Web Protection	Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts
Real-time Scanning	Monitors for threats in real-time
Multi-Device Support	Can cover multiple devices under one subscription
Parental Controls	Provides controls for monitoring and managing children’s online activities
Performance Optimization	Includes tools for optimizing system performance
	Download Now

Another reliable macOS antivirus choice is Trend Micro. It provides crucial defense for your mental stability. These best Mac antivirus software uses highly developed AI and learning techniques. According to the independent lab testing, Trend Micro is excellent at identifying all varieties of malware and successfully blocks 99% of threats, suspicious and unusual activities.

Given that it takes less time than the industry standard, the virus scanning time is fairly decent. Within a few clicks of a virus scanner, you may do a rapid scan, a thorough scan, or a custom system scan. In our testing of these scans, the whole system scan successfully identified eight out of ten threats. The effect on the device’s performance was, nevertheless, quite apparent.

How to Choose a Best Mac Antivirus Software?

Here are some things to think about when picking antivirus software for a Mac:

• Malware protection: The ability of the security software to protect your Mac from viruses, ransomware, and trojan horses is the most important thing to think about. Look for antivirus software with a high rate of catching problems and a low rate of fake positives.
• speed: Antivirus software can slow down your Mac, so it’s important to choose one that has the least effect on speed.
• Features: Some antivirus software has extra features like parental settings, a firewall, and a way to keep track of passwords. Think about what features are most important to you and choose a security program that has those features.

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