Best Antivirus for Mac Free Download
Best Mac antivirus software of 2022
We all know the received wisdom - in that location'south no signal in getting antivirus for Mac because Apple products are entirely bulletproof. Correct?
Well, no. And it'southward probably a pretty short-sighted view these days considering the sheer amount of Mac and MacBook owners across the globe, and thus an enormous potential target for hackers and cybercriminals. And malware aimed at Macs is sadly becoming more mutual. That'south where getting the best Mac antivirus becomes crucial. Y'all don't want to choice up that new MacBook Pro, but to accept it crippled by a cyber attack!
Certain, Apple machines are all the same targeted less than their Windows counterparts, but they can still be infected - and the risks are increasing, which is why you need protection. Every Mac antivirus product on this listing has been called because it'southward especially designed to protect Mac systems and has scored highly at identifying and removing viruses and malware.
The macOS operating system is based on Unix, which is sandboxed, pregnant it can be challenging for viruses to do any impairment. Call up of them equally locked in a petty box from which they can't escape, no matter how difficult they endeavour. This means that you will need specific Mac antivirus software - whether that be the strongest paid-for protection or a costless download that we've picked out at the bottom of this guide - designed to work with the unique demands that macOS has. So read on for our top choices...
- If you're new to macOS, hither'show to utilise the Mac App Store
- Bank check out the all-time Mac VPN for some other bang-up mode to stay safe online
- Make your mobile more secure with these iPhone antivirus apps
The best Mac antivirus:
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is ane of the virtually accurate virus protection suites for Apple devices out there, built on a sterling antivirus engine that is consistently rated among the peak performers by independent testing labs (and it boasts fast scan times, too).
It's not just about core antivirus defenses, though, considering Bitdefender too offers a broad set of features. That includes multi-layer ransomware protection, first-class anti-phishing capabilities, with very robust web browser protection delivered via an extension.
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac besides keeps a watchful middle out for adware and is capable of scanning and picking upwards on Windows PC malware. That helps you defend against the possibility of you transmitting a Windows virus to your friends or family who might have Windows 10 PCs.
An extra layer of security for Fourth dimension Car is a valuable addition, as well, to proceed backups condom from ransomware attacks. And an additional nifty extra is the integration of Bitdefender VPN . Although that said, the data assart here is limited to 200MB daily, which is very petty – and then it'due south only good for very occasional use. Still, it's certainly better than nothing and handy in a compression.
If you're concerned well-nigh viruses and the other nastiness floating around on the internet, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the best software for Macs. Finally, annotation that likewise as this standalone Mac antivirus, y'all can also get protection for your Mac as part of Bitdefender Total Security, the firm'southward flagship security suite (which covers Macs, Android, and iOS devices, plus Windows PCs – upwards to 10 devices in full).
Intego is a veteran antivirus provider which has been defending Macs for over ii decades now, so if there's whatsoever software maker that knows what kind of security Apple tree machines need, it'south this company.
Mac Internet Security X9 provides skillful antivirus protection against the latest threats. The independent testing labs have generally rated it highly in the past (although it slipped slightly in the most contempo December 2020 Mac test by Best Mac antivirus software). Scans are reasonably swift, too, plus you go protection confronting Windows malware.
Outside of that robust cadre malware defense, it boasts an intelligent firewall with anti-spyware countermeasures. In add-on, Intego helps shore up your privacy levels by defending against third-party apps attempting to hoover upwardly your data. On top of all that, Mac Internet Security X9 offers a great interface, and it'southward nicely user-friendly.
Among the Intego downsides are that the app hits system performance a piddling bit harder than some rivals and that shakier AV-Examination evaluation – but we shouldn't put too much stock in a single examination, as previously, Intego has performed amend than this.
Another benefit with Intego is a lengthy thirty-day free trial, and then you can take Mac Internet Security X9 for a proficient spin to see if it meets your blessing. Finally, note that there'south likewise a full Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 which consists of Internet Security X9 plus a whole host of extras, including backup and functioning optimization features.
Norton is some other well-respected brand in the antivirus earth and provides excellent malware detection for Mac computers. Indeed, Norton 360 Deluxe delivers protection for Macs, Windows PCs, or mobile devices – upward to five of them per license. So, if you've got plenty of Macs or MacBooks to cover, or perhaps a Windows laptop every bit well, and of class your smartphone, Norton will have your back across all bases.
You get quite a helping of features here, including solid antivirus protection, anti-ransomware, a firewall, parental controls, and some very great extras, including deject backup functionality and a countersign managing director. There'southward as well a significant bonus in the class of Norton Secure VPN to aid maintain better security and privacy when online.
While you go impressive benefits on the security forepart, one affair to be aware of is that Norton 360 does have more of a noticeable impact on your system functioning than some rivals.
Furthermore, the asking price of this security suite is on the more pricey side by default. However, there are usually offers knocking a substantial corporeality of money off. At the fourth dimension of this writing, you can get a pretty good deal on a subscription – particularly when you consider the number of devices covered.
Get 360 Deluxe or check out Norton's full antivirus range here .
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is some other adept choice to keep your Mac secure, and its antivirus engine is well thought of past the independent testing labs. In addition, Tendency Micro's antivirus comes shut to the tiptop performers regarding the app's cadre malware protection.
This plan's feature-set includes ransomware protection (courtesy of Folder Shield), parental controls, camera, and microphone protection, anti-phishing defenses, and a social media privacy checker that monitors social network usage for the many increasingly severe threats delivered via these channels. This bundle is also piece of cake to get to grips with and generally user-friendly.
On the downside, sometimes virus scans can exist lengthier than you'll experience with competing products, and Tendency Micro slows downwardly Mac systems more than most rival suites. Also, the app simply covers a single device (merely that might be all yous need).
Furthermore, some rival antivirus suites offering more than features. For example, tendency Micro lacks a firewall or protection for the likes of online banking - the firm'due south Pay Guard secure browser is reserved for the Maximum Security for Mac suite.
That said, notation that at the fourth dimension of writing, you can get the latter suite for the same cost as Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac – and extended coverage for upwardly to v devices (including Windows PCs, Android, and iOS mobiles, and Chromebooks). Indeed, this offer seems to run quite often, and then information technology's well worth keeping an centre out for a deal like this and grabbing the Trend Micro Maximum Security suite instead.
Clario aims to be an all-encompassing security packet, and it succeeds in that goal, providing antivirus and a lot more than. Bitdefender, our superlative-rated provider, powers the primary antivirus engine, so unsurprisingly, Clario does well here. In the only Mac examination from the contained labs where information technology's evaluated thus far (namely AV-Test), information technology scored full marks for malware protection.
Equally mentioned, you get a whole host of security extras here, including a fully integrated Mac VPN service (powered past NordVPN , a well-respected provider), identity theft protection, secure browsing, anti-tracking countermeasures, and more.
The Mac app is smartly designed to be very easy to use for beginners, although on the flip side, information technology pushes ease of use so much that tech-savvy types may be put off. The other drawback doesn't apply to Mac users because the Mac app works well – merely the mobile apps are disappointingly basic. Yes, Clario as well supports iOS or Android devices (merely not Windows) – up to three or six of them on the monthly or yearly subscription plans respectively.
The asking price is more some of the rival suites on this page, but having loftier-quality antivirus and VPN protection rolled together in a beginner-friendly parcel will appeal to some Mac users.
Avast Premium Security comes well-equipped to defend your Mac, and its antivirus protection has impressed both the major contained testing labs – so that'due south obviously a skilful start.
Bankroll this up is a decent library of features, including a Ransomware Shield as an extra layer of defense to protect against this particularly nasty strain of malware. It'south a capability that seemed to piece of work well in our testing, and could work against fifty-fifty the latest undiscovered threats out there.
You besides go a good level of protection when spider web browsing, with Avast firmly steering you away from any phishing sites, and Wi-Fi intruder alerts are on hand in example your home network happens to be compromised.
The primary downside here is that if you just want Avast Premium Security to protect a single Mac, information technology works out very expensive – just if yous pay a bit more for the cantankerous-platform Premium Security suite that covers x devices (which tin can be non just Macs, but also Windows PCs and smartphones), it'southward much more competitively priced assuming you lot need that level of coverage. Even so, there are improve overall value options elsewhere.
ClamXAV doesn't accept the catchiest of names, simply it's the antivirus software for Mac that many It professionals swear by – not least because information technology only creates AV for Apple tree computers.
That doesn't hateful it's overly complicated – in fact, ClamXAV has 1 of the nigh uncomplicated and easy-to-use interfaces out of all the Mac antivirus software on this list.
It's especially adept at catching viruses in email attachments, and while it doesn't come up with some of the internet rubber tools of other suites, it'south nonetheless an first-class choice for protecting your Mac. Plus, information technology'southward an app which now runs natively on M1-powered devices.
ClamXAV was just rated in 1 round of Mac testing past the independent labs throughout 2020, but AV-Exam was very positive in its evaluation, giving this antivirus full marks in its June 2020 examination.
Editor's note: Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac used to appear on this list. Considering the current climate however, we've taken the decision to remove the provider. Although much of the company's core processes are now take identify in Switzerland, the fact that its headquarters remain in Moscow and there have been previous allegations around regime compulsion, information technology feels prudent to apply the provider with caution. And, when in that location are and so many other first-class providers to cull from, it'southward incommunicable to whole-heartedly recommend Kaspersky at this time.
Mac antivirus FAQ
What is the all-time Mac antivirus?
Correct now, our respond to that question is Bitdefender for Mac (also available as part of the firm's all-singing all-dancing Bitdefender Total Security program). It combines faultless virus protection (equally verified by independent test labs) with a whole host of features and a Mac antivirus client that's ridiculously easy to fix and utilise.
Practice I really need Mac antivirus?
That really depends on you lot. The chance of infection remains pretty remote, and if you practice basic security measures and don't fall for common scams then you lot're very unlikely to suffer from any issues. Even ransomware tin can be defeated with the cunning tactic of having a backup of anything of import.
That said, if you've e'er experienced the mess malware can make on a Windows system you'll know that just getting things back to normal can exist an incredible time thief, especially if primal information has been damaged. Perhaps the question shouldn't be whether Mac antivirus is worth the money, but whether your time is more valuable than the toll of a security app.
Mac antivirus: what'due south the effect on functioning?
Almost of us believe that virus protection software has a negative consequence on operation, but chances are information technology'southward much less negative than we think: in their tests, AV-Test constitute that there was no measurable operation driblet when using providers like ClamXav, MacKeeper, Kaspersky or Norton.
At that place was a measurable departure with Sophos and Trend Micro (two per cent of additional organisation load), and with ESET and Bitdefender, which added effectually 4 per cent to the overall system load.
How we rank Mac antivirus
While the amount of Mac malware is still considerably less than that targeting Windows, its still 100 times higher than what experts predicted but a few years ago.
The excellent AV-TEST regularly puts antivirus programs through their paces, and their most contempo tests took place in Dec 2020 on macOS Catalina. They examination 3 key areas: malware detection, imitation positives and performance.
For Mac malware, 7 packages accomplished 100% detection without false positives.
We combine AV-Test's findings with our own product research and reviewing. We focus farther into the usability of the products, their features and how good they are to utilise and alive with on a day-to-day basis.
Do I need free or paid-for antivirus for Mac?
The debate is the same regardless of whether you have a Mac or a PC. Complimentary antivirus products are constructive at protecting against threats but they lack certain premium features.
Having multiple systems on a network means cyberattacks have more users and more endpoints to target. Boosted management tools that allow you lot set up policies can help mitigate this risk.
Macs might be considered safer than PCs, only it even so might not exist risking information technology for the sake of saving some coin.
Just if you're dead prepare on a free Mac antivirus, you can discover some of the all-time apps out in that location below on this page.
- Nosotros've as well highlighted the overall best antivirus
Top 5 best free antivirus for Mac
Avast Free Mac Security goes the extra mile to protect your Mac with an unusually lengthy feature list.
The core antivirus engine offers real-time protection to take hold of threats when they appear, for instance. Y'all can run on-need full system scans if yous suspect a problem, or launch a more than targeted check on specific files, folders or drives. It's even possible to schedule scans to run automatically when you're not around.
A Web Shield warns yous about malicious websites, blocks dangerous downloads and e-mail attachments, and protects your privacy by eliminating intrusive advertizing tracking.
There's an unusual actress in Avast's wireless network scanner, which quickly checks your network, router and connected devices, alerting you to any vulnerabilities.
Mac antivirus software isn't often checked by the independent testing labs, just Avast'south well-nigh recent results were skillful, with AV Comparative'south 2018 test finding the package detected 100 pct of sample threats.
If you lot'd like even more, upgrading to Avast Security Pro gets y'all ransomware protection and instant alerts of Wi-Fi intruders or changes in your network security.
While many antivirus companies try to win you over by piling on the features, Avira Antivirus for Mac takes a simpler, more lightweight approach. In that location'south no web filtering, no network scanning or other security extras: it'due south purely focused on keeping your organization malware-free.
That doesn't mean the package is brusk on power. Its real-time scanner checks whatever file the organization accesses, picking upwardly threats earlier they can do any damage. The scheduler enables setting up the app to scan your system automatically, or you're able to cheque your entire arrangement whenever you like.
As a bonus, the app doesn't simply protect against Mac threats. It also uses Avira'southward Windows experience to selection up any PC-related malware, ensuring you won't share any files that might endanger your friends.
The main testing labs haven't evaluated Avira Complimentary Antivirus for a while, just AV Comparatives concluding report found the Avira engine blocked 100% of test malware (tying with Avast), and with Avira's strong tape on the PC we've no doubt that this is an app you can trust.
Although this list is all about free Mac antivirus, Avira deserves a mention for its commercial Avira Antivirus Pro production. It includes tech support and protects upwards to three devices with i license (Mac, Windows and Android).
Bitdefender Virus Scanner is a lightweight gratuitous malware hunter which can track down and remove both Mac and Windows-related threats.
A simple and straightforward interface makes the app extremely like shooting fish in a barrel to employ. A status brandish keeps yous upwards-to-date on how your system is doing, and four buttons enable running a quick scan of critical locations, an in-depth check of your entire organisation, or speedy scans of running applications or a binder of your option.
Although this looks all very bones, use Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac for a while and you begin to notice some very keen touches.
The app doesn't force you to await a day for your next virus signature updates, for instance. Bitdefender issues updates every hour and Virus Scanner always fetches the latest version before information technology starts a scan.
An choice to exclude files and folders from the scan - network shares, system backups - is another plus, reducing the work the engine has to do and significantly speeding up your scan times.
What yous don't get here is any form of real-time protection or spider web filtering, essential tools for a consummate security solution. This simplicity also reduces the chance of conflicts with other apps, though, suggesting Bitdefender Virus Scanner could be a useful second opinion tool which you run alongside another security app.
Mac antivirus software isn't just about detecting the latest nigh deadly ransomware, or other high-take a chance threats. Most tools tin also strip out adware and other potentially unwanted programs which may non be highly dangerous, but are wasting system resources and slowing your Mac down.
Malwarebytes has been eliminating the total range of Windows threats since 2006, and the Mac edition is just as elementary, straightforward and constructive.
The app is such a lightweight installation, the size of three digital music files, that you'll barely find it's in that location. And while the lack of real-time protection means Malwarebytes tin can't stop attacks - but remove existing infections - it too ensures there's no existent impact on your system resource and the app is unlikely to conflict with other antivirus tools.
Performance is another highlight, with Malwarebytes challenge the average system is scanned in less than xv seconds. Set it running when you check your emails in the morning and it'll be finished before you lot are.
Installing Malwarebytes for Mac also gets you a thirty-day trial of the Premium edition which is able to detect and block threats as they appear. If you lot're not interested in this, ignore it; real-fourth dimension protection volition disappear when the trial expires and you'll get on-demand scanning only.
The free antivirus market is highly competitive and it can exist difficult for individual companies to stand out from the crowd, but the British vendor Sophos has establish a way: it gives you more features in its complimentary products than many competitors provide in their paid editions.
On-demand scanning to clean upwardly infected systems? Check. Real-time protection to prevent attacks in the first place? Of class. Browser filtering which blocks access to unsafe sites? Naturally. Parental controls to define the content your child tin access online? Aye.
Oh, and you can encompass upwardly to three Mac or Windows devices with a single business relationship, and remotely check and manage their status from a fundamental web console - potentially very useful when protecting the whole family.
Sophos isn't only piling on these extras to disguise a weak antivirus engine, either. AV Exam's Dec 2017 Mac detection rate tests showed Sophos delivered the same level of protection as products from Avast, Bitdefender, Kaspersky and other big names.
This works for us, but if you demand more than, Sophos Dwelling Premium does have some worthwhile extra features: advanced ransomware protection, monitoring of access to your webcam and microphone, live conversation and electronic mail support, and the option to protect up to 10 devices. It's a strong feature set, and competitively priced at £37.50 ($48) a year.