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Best Antivirus for Macs and MacBooks
Here is a list of the best antivirus tools for macOS computers:
1. Intego VirusBarrier X9.
Intego is one of the few Internet security companies that makes security on Mac (not Windows) its priority. In fact, for many years, Intego only offered AV analysis and removal tools for Mac. It has opened its ecosystem to Windows, but its main focus remains on providing effective, cutting-edge security for macOS and iOS devices.
In independent antivirus tests, Intego is among the best performers. Its tool is AV-Test certified with near-perfect protection and performance scores, and perfect usability scores. Great test scores combined with an abundance of useful features put it at the top of our list.
Intego also successfully passed our billing practices review. The company avoids any major upsells at checkout and only includes minimal additional services. For $39.99, Intego is trying to compete with the other best performing services in terms of price, which is good value for money.
Benefits
- Perfect malware detection rate
- Excellent and user-friendly billing practices
- No false positives in laboratory test results
Disadvantages
- Some impacts on system performance and processing speeds
2. Norton 360 Standard.
Norton's tool doesn't make it to the top of the list, mainly due to its price. While highly rated by AV-Test (offering perfect scores in malware protection, performance, and false positives), like McAfee, Norton 360 Standard has a cheap launch price of $39.99 but that climbs after the first year. Starting in the second year, Norton 360 Standard costs $84.99 per year for single-device plans.
Norton Security Standard uses the same tool for Windows and Mac computers, which means there is no lightweight version for Mac users. You'll find high-level malware detection and removal, as well as a few other exciting features, including phishing protection, automatic updates, and 24/7 customer support.
If you choose the Premium version, Norton includes cloud backup and multi-device coverage (including mobile devices). However, some of the higher-level features don't work on Mac, including Norton Family, which means it's probably best to stick with the Standard version or choose a different provider if you need a similar offering as Family.
Benefits
- Known and respected brand
- High level of virus protection
- The best ranking of independent test laboratories for the effective identification and removal of malware.
Disadvantages
- Prices in the second year higher than those of some competitors
- Force auto-renewal and limit auto-renewal information at the time of payment.
3. TotalAV Total Security.
TotalAV didn't start life as a Mac antivirus software provider, but it has adopted macOS computers into its ecosystem over the past few years. This is a positive point, especially as TotalAV's AV-Test scores are consistently high and often place it in the status of “best product”. The first-year price is also very advantageous, as it is $49 for the Total Security version or $29 for the Antivirus Pro version for 3 devices.
This service includes a long list of features, ranging from real-time monitoring and malware removal to increasingly needed ransomware protection features. The Total Security package has a few benefits for Mac users with a VPN included that would normally cost $39 per year alone. If you don't need a VPN, the Pro plan is a better choice and better value for money.
We're not a big fan of TotalAV's transparency, but they've made progress in this regard since we evaluated their products. While you still can't turn off automatic renewal at checkout, TotalAV does a much better job than Norton in providing information about its policy. However, you'll still need to email the company to turn off automatic renewal.
Benefits
- Several package options with great prices in the first year
- The best ranking by independent test laboratories
- Includes a VPN with the Total Protection Security Pack
Disadvantages
- The price increase in the second year may surprise
- Adds barriers to turning off automatic renewal after enrollment.
4. McAfee Total Protection.
Platforms
- PC
- mac
- IOS
- android
McAfee offers the same tool for Windows and Mac users, but your experience may be different on both operating systems. As for Windows scores, Total Security received 3 stars from AV-Comparatives (its best score), while it received perfect scores from AV-Test. That means perfect scores for malware detection, no false positives in tests, and a very low impact on the system. It even obtained the “Top Product” label from AV-Test.
McAfee Total Security offers the same features in Windows and Mac versions, including ransomware protection, a file shredder, an iOS mobile app, file encryption, and standard anti-malware and antivirus tools (among others). But that's not all, as Total Protection is one of the company's most extensive offerings, with a dozen unique features. It is also one of the few providers to offer identity theft protection through LifeLock, which is owned by McAfee.
McAfee automatically renews at the time of payment. However, it surpasses number 1 Norton in transparency by providing a large amount of information in a clear and accessible way to explain how its automatic renewal policy works.
Benefits
- A large number of features
- Well designed for macOS
- Highly rated by independent testing laboratories
Disadvantages
- Higher price than competitors
- It is not possible to deactivate automatic renewal during payment.
5. VIPRE Advanced Security.
VIPRE Advanced Security is one of several products that VIPRE Antivirus offers to macOS users. We like VIPRE Advanced Security for a lot of reasons, starting with the price.
At $74.99 per year ($34.08 with a first-year discount), it's cheaper than AV tools offered by well-known companies like Symantec (Norton) and McAfee. And this, without compromising on the tools offered in the package.
VIPRE also passes our billing practice odor test hands down. The company is offering new users a 30-day free trial without asking for payment information first, which is rare among antivirus providers. It also allows you to buy the product with a clear price and a completely transparent automatic renewal policy. You can even turn off automatic renewal at checkout.
This AV tool also features some of the best independent test lab results you can find. AV-Test.org ranks VIPRE Advanced Security among its best certified products, alongside the most used brands.
VIPRE Advanced Security offers a wide range of tools, including security tailored to cloud computing, advanced active malware analysis supported by deep learning technology, protection against ransomware spam, and even application patches for outdated software.
Benefits
- Perfect speed and usability
- Low cost compared to popular brands
- Protection against malware, ransomware, and other online threats
Disadvantages
- Some of its best features are only available with the Ultimate Security package.
6. Bitdefender Total Security.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Bitdefender has become a powerhouse in the antivirus industry. Bitdefender is priced at $36 per year for the first year a computer has been covered. You can add up to 10 devices per account, but first-year discounts disappear if you exceed 3-device coverage options.
Bitdefender achieved results equivalent to those of Kaspersky Internet Security in the detection tests of AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. With a perfect score of 100% in both laboratories, Bitdefender offers reliable, high-quality threat detection against known and zero-day malware.
All packages come with expected and unique features, such as real-time malware analysis and removal (industry standard), the Privacy Protection Firewall (also an industry standard), Time Machine protection that protects your data backups (a unique feature used to guard against increasingly annoying ransomware attacks), and an Autopilot feature (also unique) that allows you to “tune and forget it.”
The Bitdefender tool identifies 100% of the Mac malware it encounters in the wild, including zero-day malware.
Benefits
- Perfect lab results
- Best consumer-friendly billing practices
- A reasonable price compared to the competition, with exceptional features.
Disadvantages
- Attempts to sell additional software at the cash register.
Platforms
- PC
- mac
- android
7. Kaspersky Internet Security.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Kaspersky has achieved excellent results in various independent laboratory tests, which also makes it the best choice for us to protect Macs. However, we also looked at the price and looked for user-friendly billing practices. We found Kaspersky's pricing and billing practices to be quite good. Kaspersky offers its service for a relatively low price of $23.99 per year for the first year. That covers 3 devices. Starting in the second year, the price increases to $79.99 per year.
Internet Security for Mac includes the usual options for detecting and removing malware, as well as unique features, including a parental filter, protection against webcam spying, and website analysis to detect and block phishing and other threats.
Kaspersky offers a fast, secure, and comprehensive option for Mac computers. In the detection tests, Kaspersky obtained a score of 100% for AV-Test and 100% for AV-Comparatives. This puts Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac at a perfect detection rate of 100% between the two tests, which is as good as possible for any antivirus program.
In the AV-Test performance analysis, Kaspersky obtained excellent results. In the AV-Test file copy test (which looks at the impact of running the antivirus program on copying large files), Kaspersky did not increase the time required at all. In the file download test, running Kaspersky resulted in only a one-second change, which was small enough to be considered inconsequential.
Benefits
- High-level results
- Consumer-friendly business practices
- Reasonable price and excellent features
Disadvantages
- Higher price than some competitors
Platforms
- PC
- mac
- android
8. Panda Antivirus.
Panda's Dome packages are often $20 to $30 cheaper per year than competing providers. Part of this sum is intended to compensate for the mixed results of independent laboratories, which are not bad, far from it, but not perfect. However, in its latest tests, Panda's software got a perfect 6/6 from AV-Test in the protection category (identification and removal of malicious software), which is arguably the most important.
A key element of Panda's AV tools is the importance given to machine learning algorithms to identify and detect zero-day malware and malware. The more you use Panda, the better it gets at detecting, blocking, and removing complex threats to your system. With macOS computers becoming an increasingly important target for hackers, a fairly large number of attacks against Macs are zero-day threats.
It's also one of the few providers that includes parental control software outside of a more expensive family plan. Advanced and above all, it offers Internet usage controls, blocking inappropriate sites, PIN code protection for certain acts, and geographic location tracking.
Benefits
- Adopts a modern approach to threat detection
- Extremely low prices compared to more well-known brands
- Offers a rare “unlimited devices” option for all plans
Disadvantages
- Outperforms many competitors in independent laboratory results in terms of performance and usability
9. Avira Antivirus Internet Security.
Avira offers a free virus scan tool highly appreciated, which is currently considered to be one of the best on the market. However, like all free tools, it is mostly limited to detecting and removing antiviruses. In contrast, its robust Internet Security package is intended for experienced users who need a complete suite of modern security tools, such as a password manager, anti-ransomware, email protection, USB protection, etc.
This tool is supported by numerous awards from independent testing laboratories. The most recent results from the AV-Test laboratory are perfect and consistent scores, earning it the “Top Product” label. It is also a winner of the AV-Comparatives Advanced+ award, which is certainly good news for its more than 500 million users.
A good reason to love Avira even more? Monthly pricing. Most AV providers require you to buy annual subscriptions. Avira is one of the few providers (but their number is constantly growing) that offer monthly subscription models for more user-friendly flexibility.
Benefits
- offers monthly subscriptions instead of just annual subscriptions
- Provides a robust free tool, with advanced paid options.
- Outstanding results achieved by independent laboratories in malware detection and removal, performance, and usability.
Disadvantages
- An expensive option for multi-device coverage needs
10. AVG Internet Security.
AVG's history in the security market was primarily focused on protecting Windows PCs. In recent years, it has not only begun offering a paid version (the company traditionally offered a free antivirus tool), but it has also expanded its scope to include Mac devices in its protection bubble. That's great for Mac users, considering AVG's pedigree and AV-Test's perfect scores for protection and usability.
The Internet Security package is a great blend of features and value for money. The company offers subscribers real-time virus protection, ransomware protection, Wi-Fi security, and phishing site blocking.
AVG offers reasonable prices for single-device users. Its Internet security package costs only $46.68 for the first year, and $74.99 for the second year and beyond. But it offers a unique offer reserved for Mac users: a 60-day free trial Windows users are being relegated to a 30-day free trial, which shows that AVG is working hard to bring more Mac users under its wing.
Benefits
- Free 60-day trial exclusively for Mac users
- Perfect protection and usability according to AV-Test
- Selecting characteristics without ulterior motives (avoids bloating characteristics)
Disadvantages
- An expensive option for multiple device users
11. ESET Internet Security.
ESET has achieved good results in the recent AV-Test detection results. The software detected 100% of the malicious software sent to it, while obtaining slightly lower but still good performance scores (system impact). AV-Comparatives did not test this option, so we placed it further down in our list.
For Mac users, ESET's software has limited functionality, but includes software designed from the ground up for Macs (not based on Windows architecture), anti-ransomware protection, and an advanced firewall that you can set up yourself. Unfortunately, ESET does not offer its NOD32 base package to Mac users, but the Internet Security package still includes the company's proprietary NOD32 antivirus detection and removal engine.
The company is candid about its automatic renewal policy. You can choose to automatically renew your subscription at the end of the payment process. However, it is cheaper than that of many competitors. Multi-year packages are available. Buy one, two, or three-year memberships, with significant discounts for each additional year.
Benefits
- Very effective in identifying malicious software
- Allows users to deselect automatic renewal at the time of payment.
Disadvantages
- Push the add-ons at the checkout
12. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac.
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is a good potential option for Mac users. AV-Test gave this option a score of 18/18, with perfect scores in the protection, performance, and usability categories (false positives). During laboratory testing, it detected 100% of the malware samples tested, had minimal impact on system performance, and returned no false positives.
For its part, AV-Comparatives awarded Trend Micro 2 out of 3 stars, making it generally an option to consider.
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac offers high-level antivirus protection, as well as other key features such as real-time protection (automatic blocking of suspicious sites), the webcam security feature to prevent unauthorized access to computer cameras, and protection against ransomware.
Trend Micro Mac software is also priced the same as higher options, at $39.95 (first year price) for protection on 3 devices. The price for the second year of the package increases to $79.95.
Unfortunately, Trend Micro has a big weak spot for its billing practices. You won't get much information about automatic renewal at the time of purchase, and you'll need to dig into the FAQ to find out how to turn off automatic renewal. You can turn off the automatic subscription renewal service only after registering by going to your user settings on the Trend Micro website.
Benefits
- Well-evaluated and accurate virus suppression
- Protection against all forms of online threats, including ransomware.
- Offers protection against webcam and microphone hacking
Disadvantages
- A notable number of false positives in the results of some laboratory tests.
- Forces self-renewal and makes it difficult to suppress self-renewal
13. Webroot Internet Security Plus.
There are no two ways to say it here: Webroot's AV-Test results are not ideal. They are weak enough to completely turn away from this software. So what is Webroot's competitive advantage? Low prices for multi-device coverage. You can protect up to 3 devices for $59.99 per year ($38.99 for the first year). That's over $25 less per year than most competitors offer for a single device.
Among other things, this tool includes anti-phishing, ransomware blocking, and real-time anti-viral analysis and removal functions. Its biggest flaw is also an advantage. It focuses only on targeted analysis, which results in extremely fast analysis times compared to other providers. That means it can miss out on malicious software that's hiding on a deeply infected machine. But Webroot may be a viable option for lightweight users who rarely engage in risky Internet surfing activities.
Benefits
- Cheap for multi-device coverage
- Fast scan
- Light weight and limited use of system resources
Disadvantages
- Deep level malware is often missing
14. MacKeeper.
MacKeeper's recent AV-Test results prove its value for Mac users. It obtained a perfect score (6 out of 6) in each category of the AV-Test test: protection, performance, and usability. For comparison, AV-Test gave Intego a score of 5.5 for protection and performance in its December 2020 test. To be fair to MacKeeper's competitors, the average industry protection score is 100%, and MacKeeper's score in this regard is 99.7%. Still, that means that in the real world, MacKeeper finds and protects users against virtually any malware attack.
If you do additional research before pulling the trigger and registering, don't leave the class action commenced by MacKeeper influence your decision. The lawsuit accused MacKeeper of tricking users into paying for unnecessary corrections. However, the lawsuit, which was settled for $2 million, took place before Clario One bought MacKeeper in 2019. Since 2018, Clario has heavily updated the software and directed marketing and operations towards greater transparency and consumer-friendly business practices.
MacKeeper antivirus software has been around since 2010. After purchasing the software in 2019, Clario added numerous updates to its features. MacKeeper's best features include standard real-time antivirus protection with a redesigned engine, anti-spyware (also protects webcams and microphones), ransomware detection and mitigation, identity theft protection, and private VPN, among many others.
Benefits
- Extremely highly rated in independent laboratory tests
- Inexpensive and flexible subscription options
- High-end tools included in the price
- 100% money back guarantee.
Disadvantages
- Does not allow automatic renewal to be deactivated at checkout.
- Limits users to one license (installation on a computer) per account.
- Does not offer multi-license plans
Why do you need an antivirus for macOS computers?
You are certainly not the first to question the validity of the claim about Macs and viruses.
“Can Macs catch viruses and malware?”
“The answer is definitely yes,” Bogdan Botezatu, senior cyber threat analyst at BitDefender, told the online magazine.
“There have been incidents and there will be more.” Perhaps Botezatu's statement is a bit below reality.
In fact, macOS (OSX) is the 4th most vulnerable operating system, according to the data in the list CVE Vulnerabilities.
In truth, macOS presents More than vulnerabilities that competing Windows operating systems, including Ancient Windows versions such as Windows 7, 8, and even Windows Vista.
In 2020 alone, 674,273 new Mac malware samples have been discovered:
While this increase has mostly come from bundled adware, the case against the “virus-free” Mac myth is getting stronger every day. Although in percentage terms, Macs only represent a very small percentage of computers infected with viruses, this is more due to a lower market share than to better Mac security.
macOS operating systems are protected by a sandbox, which means that it is more difficult for a virus to spread through your system if it contracts a computer virus or malware. The tools needed to create malware for Macs are not as readily available or easy to create as they are for Windows machines, making them less vulnerable as virus developers need more time and motivation to design malware.
On a more general level, however, Macs don't avoid contracting viruses so much that they're less likely to be targeted by hackers due to the low chances of making a profit. A hacker's chances of making a profit are much higher when they attack Windows machines, because there are simply more of them. With 100 million Mac users, the opportunity is still there, and virus developers are increasingly taking advantage of the complacency of Mac users, especially as Apple devices grow in popularity internationally.
Do you need virus protection for your Mac? The simple answer is yes. Every Mac user should have virus protection on their computer. The most important question that arises is what is the best antivirus for Mac computers, and what Mac users should look for when looking for an antivirus program.
FAQ - Best Antiviruses for Mac
Can I use a free antivirus for my Mac?
You can certainly use a free antivirus for a Mac computer. Some of them offer a basic level of protection, especially when downloading files from the Internet and blocking potentially dangerous websites. However, these features are almost always limited in some way in order to convince you to upgrade to the premium version. You may also be constantly asked by the software to upgrade. Like everything in life, nothing is really free. For added safety, it's best to stick to one reputable antivirus provider.
Do Macs have built-in antivirus?
Yes, Mac has built-in antivirus capabilities. Mac's built-in antivirus application is called XProtect. However, Apple is known for not updating XProtect as frequently as it should. XProtect is also designed primarily to block and remove potential malware from downloaded programs, but it's not good enough against malware that hides in files that border on the safe and unsafe lines, such as adware and potentially unwanted programs (PUPS). If you compare it to Windows Defender, the built-in Windows AV tool is much better, but both lack advanced and complex system protection tools.
Will an antivirus slow my device down?
The truth is that some antivirus programs are quite buggy and can quickly start consuming more of your Mac's resources than they should. That's why it's important to choose software that was designed for macOS from the start. Even the best software has an impact on system resources, especially the processor and RAM. The use of both of these items increases when you run scans on your computer and, depending on the intensity of use, may cause other applications to slow down. We recommend that you schedule your scans at times when you are not using your machine and that you set aside an hour or more, depending on the size of your file system and your computer specifications.
Will a VPN be included in antivirus software?
Not all Mac antivirus apps include a VPN. Review the full application details on the provider's page to determine if a VPN is included, or which package may include a VPN option. However, most only include a limited VPN, even if it's available. Many use the same underlying providers and their infrastructure is poor at best. Instead, we recommend that you use a VPN distinct and dedicated for Mac, designed specifically for Mac computers. Dedicated VPNs have more server locations, faster servers, and offer better anonymity and security.
Are there free antivirus trials that I can use?
Several free antivirus trials are available from Mac antivirus providers. Vipre, for example, offers a free trial of its software, like others on our list. Some providers don't offer a free trial, but all offer a money-back guarantee that covers a certain period of time after signing up (usually 30 days).
How do I install and configure antivirus for Mac?
There are several things you need to do to install and set up Mac antivirus. First, you need to download an antivirus program that is compatible with your operating system. Then, follow the instructions provided by the program to install it properly on your computer. Finally, you will need to set up the program to ensure that it protects your system properly.
How do viruses infect macOS devices?
Viruses can infect macOS devices in a variety of ways. One of these is phishing attacks, which trick users into clicking on infected links or files that install malicious software on their computers. Another common method is to use email attachments that contain malicious code. Viruses can also infect macOS devices through compromised websites and downloads or by taking advantage of known vulnerabilities in the operating system itself.
As viruses are constantly evolving, it's important to stay up to date with the latest security patches and updates for your macOS devices. It's also a good idea to only download files from trusted sources, avoid clicking suspicious links or opening unknown email attachments, and install virus protection on all of your devices. Additionally, it's important to back up data on your macOS devices regularly to easily recover any information lost in the event of a malware attack.
While viruses can be a serious threat to macOS users, by taking steps to protect you and your devices from these malicious programs, you can help minimize the risk of infection.
