Best antivirus software for Mac

If you had asked 10 years ago what the best antivirus software for Mac was, it would have been interpreted as a question that you didn’t understand computers. macOS was viewed as safer than Windows. This made it an attractive alternative to Windows users who seemed to be infected by viruses on their Windows machines.

These days, Mac users are more common than ever. Naturally, the greater number of Mac users will attract more attacks. Therefore, it’s no longer absurd to use antivirus on Mac. Here are some services to protect you and your Mac against the latest cyber threats.

Top 5 best antivirus for Mac – quick list:

1. Norton 360 – Best premium antivirus protection for Mac
2. Bitdefender – Top all-round antivirus for macOS
3. Avira Antivirus – Great Mac antivirus for beginners
4. Intego – Best customizable Mac protection
5. Trend Micro – Premium and lightweight antivirus for Mac

1. Norton 360 – best premium macOS antivirus protection

Norton is a trusted name in cybersecurity products and boasts one of the best anti-virus software for macOS.

It consistently captures the most difficult malware types, as well as unwanted programs , with very few false-positives. Their malware database is responsible for this. It’s not as advanced as it could be. However, it won’t protect against zero-day malicious software that hasn’t been already catalogued in the databases.

Norton uses artificial intelligence to identify them. Their machine-learning tool examines every process on your device. The machine learning tool will quarantine any potential threat if it detects a pattern resembling malware. This means that you are safe from any threats that are not yet known.

Although all of this is impressive enough, Norton goes beyond to protect users from malware. Dark Web Monitoring to gives you an alert if your data gets leaked in a breach. This version of Lifelock is available only to US customers.

These bonus features include Firefox, Chrome extensions and other bonuses. Safe Web is one of the two options. The latter blocks dangerous websites and removes potentially dangerous links from online searches. This gives you a lot of protection when surfing the internet.

Internet threats aside, the firewall is one of Norton’s most important contributions to your device’s safety. It monitors the network whenever you connect to public wi-fi. It monitors your network to detect potential threats and deals with them in real-time.

Finally, you’ll get a VPN, password manager, Norton Clean, to clean out files from your hard disk , as well as Norton Secure. Norton 360 Deluxe lets you protect one device, but Norton 360 Deluxe lets you connect to up to 10 devices simultaneously.

Norton is not offering a free version. However, the initial year starts at $19.99. Even with the cheapest plan, you still get all the malware protection and online security features that you need. Norton won’t remove a virus if you come in contact.

2. Bitdefender – all-in-one Mac antivirus product

Bitdefender is a highly-respected and well-respected anti-virus solution for Mac. The reason is strong: Bitdefender provides high-quality and all-round anti-malware protection services. Its exceptional performance makes it one the most popular antivirus products.

This security tool combines advanced technologies to create an effective shield against the latest cyber threats such as ransomware, spyware and other viruses. The best part is that protection activities have no negative effect on your Mac’s speed and performance.

Bitdefender’s cross-platform detection tools can automatically scan for all kinds of malware. This includes viruses that target macOS. This allows you to securely share files with friends and family that might be using a different operating systems.

Your data will be protected at all times thanks to the Safe Files feature, which prevents unauthorised access to your most sensitive information.

It also offers great web protection. It includes an anti-adware tool that can detect and remove browser hijackers as well as other potentially unwanted programs. Its anti-phishing technology blocks malicious web sites that target your financial information and credentials .

It’s worth noting that you have the option to get a dedicated browser extension for online banking and shopping. This will allow you to protect your computer from unauthorized content.

Bitdefender Total Security package also provides a VPN service that encrypts your internet traffic to help protect your online reputation. For a single Mac, you can get as much as 200 MB each day.

Pricing plans for this antivirus software start at $23.99 a year. All packages include automatic updates and premium support. It allows you to secure up to 3 macOS device . You can even free-of-charge for 30 days.

3. Avira – free antivirus solution for Mac

Avira antivirus has a simple premise: it is lightweight but doesn’t sacrifice features. Although you may have heard these statements before, Avira antivirus is transparent. They don’t waste their time coming up with long lists to add artificial value. This suite is capable of adding an additional layer to your cybersecurity.

Avira is a shining example of this, blocking 99-100% all threat during lab tests. Avira is also extremely adept at excluding false negatives. Norton acquired Avira recently, so expect their malware databases merging and improving. You can also contribute by sending suspicious files for analysis to a protection cloud.

You shouldn’t assume that this service will only scan your hard disk. is the real-time scanning service that will scan your hard drive. Click to view all files. The quarantine will keep any suspicious items from harming your device. There you can safely delete them.

Avira is more than just an antivirus program. The password generation feature is something you’d expect to find in password manager software. However, it’s still a nice addition. also comes with a VPN which has a 500MB data cap per month. Finally, the Junk Remover allows you to reduce space by deleting temporary files.

There are some pleasant surprises when it is about price. The version is also available for iOS and Mac. Avira Antivirus Pro Pro, the first paid tier costs $30.99 per annum. While it is quite costly, the free trial option allows you to test the service. You’ll be able to see exactly what your subscription includes.

4. Intego – truly Mac-centered antivirus software

Intego is a familiar name to Mac users. Since the 1980s, they have been providing security tools and utility programs. They’re not new to the world of malware protection.

Intego’s VirusBarrier offers realtime protection scanning programs and files as they’re accessed . You are not the only one it protects. You can take precautions to prevent PC-based malware from spreading to your contacts accidentally.

Intego provides the same protection for your device. There are several scan options to choose from. Only the first scan will be slower. Next, the program will use smart files-caching technology for every subsequent scan to only check the most recent or modified files. It will not check files that have been previously verified safe.

Intego’s firewall adds significant value. You can choose where you want to modify NetBarrier settings so that they match your threat level. You can block incoming Local Connections to protect yourself from dangers lurking in public cafés.

Intego also adds many additional features to the product. The Washing machine removes duplicate and accumulated files and saves space. Their unique take on Mac’s Time Machine is Personal backup. This allows personal files that are most important to be saved on external drives.

Prices for products start at $29.99 per annum. It is a paid service, but you can get a free trial of all its plans.

5. Trend Micro – detects malware and web threats

Trend Micro, another excellent antivirus, supports macOS. It provides you with the essential protection that you need. You can now be free from the threat of spyware or ransomware attacks by installing it on your device.

This antivirus software utilizes advanced AI learning technology to block any suspicious or unusual activity. Trend Micro’s ability to detect viruses in files can make them appear quite regular.

It is faster than the industry standard and takes much less time to scan malware. A quick, thorough, or custom system scan can be done in just a few clicks. But you will not be able to choose which files or folders are to be investigated.

You should also keep in mind that the antivirus protects your computer against web threats like malicious websites and adware. Trend Micro’s Pay Guard protects you financial data when you shop online or do banking. It is activated automatically when you open sensitive sites.

If you are interested in the premium subscription plans, there’s also an option for a VPN or password manager.

TrendMicro for Mac users starts at $49.95/year. Although the price is high, you get a lot of features with this plan. It protects up to five devices and provides password management. Premium Security suite which is the highest quality, costs $59.95/year and increases the number of devices available to 10. It also includes Dark Web monitoring and VPN for secure browsing. Remote diagnosis tools are also included.

Every security solution includes a free 30-day trial. You can always test all the features offered before you purchase.

6. TotalAV – optimizes and protects macOS at the same time

It is smart to be cautious, especially with newer cybersecurity products. It is more common to get more by choosing reliable and experienced antivirus providers. TotalAV is the new kid on campus, but it’s not something you should dismiss simply because of its age.

TotalAV also supports Macintosh. The TotalAV antivirus for macOS provides a good mix of features to “patch up” any weaknesses in the built-in tools.

TotalAV’s classic malware scanners can be used to detect malicious code on your system. Avira has developed the malware scaner. With the acquisition of Norton by Avira, however, it is difficult to predict whether its support will continue into the future.

You have several options to protect yourself from potential threats that don’t require a complete system scan. Their real-time engine detects many types of threats by opening or downloading files. But it is less accurate than the other options we have. It can flag false-positives so double-check what are you deleting.

While TotalAV is not the most feature-rich option, it does offer some notable highlights. To name a few, TotalAV includes robust optimization tools that clean out junk files and a VPN plan with unlimited data.

The first year costs $19.00. The service has less features than the other services, so it is not as expensive. However, this does not mean you should skip this service. This service is ideal if you’re looking for lightweight solutions with all the essentials.

7. McAfee – provides the best online threat protection for Mac

McAfee is not often praised for its superior antivirus software. This is unfortunate as McAfee offers Mac users excellent protection against malware.

McAfee real time virus protection instantly checks every file you open with their malware database. You don’t have the need to run complete system scans to remove any potentially harmful programs that may be lurking on your hard drive.

Scanning is, undoubtedly, also available. You can run Quick or Full system scans anytime you like or set them up automatically. You will receive a comprehensive report about the scan and any threats found after it is done. McAfee will automatically remove suspicious files.

McAfee manages all files you may have and makes it difficult for online threats to your system. It’s easy to set up a robust firewall, even for novice users. The included macOS tools are also compatible with the firewall. When you log in to public networks, you can feel secure.

The web protection includes web phishing protection. McAfee employs smart web filters to identify and block potential Phishing websites so that your payment details or credentials do not end up in someone else’s hands.

VPNs are available if anonymity is as important as security from malware. You can use it to connect to a number of private servers, bypassing geo-blocking restrictions or the tracking of Internet Service Providers.

It’s free for Apple fans who are loyal Apple’s users. The free trial will be available for desktop users, but you’ll need to pay for it. The first subscription year costs $34.99 and includes 1 device. This is the best option for protecting your Mac from increasing online threats.

We tested these Mac antivirus software tools and here’s how we chose them.

Antivirus programs do not all offer the same set of protection tools and security features. To help you choose the best antivirus software on Mac, we carefully evaluated a dozen products. The following criteria were used to select the antivirus tools that we have listed:

• Malware detection rate. Independent testing labs like AV Test and AV Comparatives regularly assess the performance, usability, as well as virus protection capabilities, of antivirus programs. To be classified as the top security tools, they should receive the highest scores in each category.
• Real-time protection. Every day, new cyber threats emerge and can infiltrate the system in just a few seconds. Antivirus software that is robust and can monitor your activity in real time should be able detect malware.
• The Available Features. Antivirus programs that are generally rated the best don’t necessarily offer the same protection for macOS and Windows. We’ve only chosen products that offer tailored anti-virus solutions for Mac.
• Prices. High quality protection against malware is possible without spending a lot. Trustworthy antivirus service providers set a fair price for their products, and that is something we take into account.
• Customer Support. To get help with any software issues or general questions, contact customer service. Professional, responsive, and accessible support are a priority.

What should you look for when choosing the best antivirus software for Mac

All antivirus programs are not created equal. However, we can tell you that certain ones are more effective than others. These are the things that you need to consider if your goal is to find the best Mac antivirus.

• Protection rates against viruses. The top antivirus solutions for macOS must protect against at least 99.8% zero-day malware as well as email and web threats. For the best Mac antivirus, it is important to look at the testing reports from independent labs.
• Security options. Robust protection does not stop with real-time security. Premium antivirus packages include all-round protection. This includes a dark web monitoring service, a password manager and an ad blocker.
• Simultaneous connections. Keeping one device safe is not enough. To protect all your macOS devices, you should choose premium antivirus software that supports at least multiple concurrent connections.
• Customer Support. The best malware protection tools come with 24/7 customer service. It can assist you in finding the most relevant information regarding ransomware attacks or answering your antivirus-related queries whenever you need it.

Do I need antivirus protection for my Mac?

An antivirus program on a Mac is required to prevent infiltration of malware, ransomware and spyware.

It is worth noting that Mac users are increasing rapidly, which makes cyber threats for macOS an attractive investment.

The extended answer to your question would also be:

• Yes to protect against malware attack. According the metrics, Mac’s growth in malicious software has outpaced Windows over the past few years. To avoid viruses infiltration and to detect cyber threats quickly, it is important that you have an antivirus program with real-time protection.
• To prevent phishing and other scams, Most Mac antivirus programs have built-in web protection tools.
• Yes. To protect your privacy. Advanced security suites offer several layers of protection like dark web monitoring and VPN services. Install one on your macOS in order to prevent data leaks, and lower the risk of identity theft.

Can I use a Mac-free antivirus?

You can get antivirus for Mac for free if you don’t have enough money to pay for a premium subscription. Avira provides real-time protection against ransomware, malware, and spyware. This package includes a free VPN as well as password management and clean up services.

Keep your expectations realistic – the complimentary version of a premium product may have limitations. Avira Free Security packages limit VPN usage to 500MB per year and give access to only basic features such as the password manager or the junk cleaner.

However, Avira is still our favorite free antivirus for Mac. Because even though there are some limitations, the free security tool is very safe.

It is important to remember that there are many suspicious free antivirus programs that distribute malware. It is important to ensure that you only download a free version from reputable sources.

How Apple protects you Mac from malware

Apple has some very good security measures in place to protect against malware. Gatekeeper is an example of this. This is a security feature that requires all apps you install to be digitally signed. Apps that aren’t signed can still be installed, but you will need special clearance. Installing untrustworthy applications is a multi-step process. This means that malicious apps are much less common.

.