Seeking a robust antivirus solution for your Mac, but you struggle to find the best option for your needs and budget? The market is rife with antivirus solutions promising Mac protection at a good price, but not all deliver on their promises.
The good news is:
I have rigorously researched and handpicked the ten finest antivirus solutions for Mac. They can safeguard your iOS devices from menacing malware and other cyber threats.
But this isn't a simple list of antivirus software for Mac. This ranking is based on security, privacy, performance impact, user interface, and more. Each antivirus product is described in detail, ensuring you can select a solution that aligns perfectly with your needs.
What's more?
These top-tier antivirus solutions extend their protective umbrella beyond the realm of Mac. They are compatible with Windows and Android systems as well.
The curated list is also enhanced with eight illustrative screenshots showcasing these antivirus solutions in action. Read on to make an informed choice about choosing the best antivirus on Mac.
In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary:
Here’s a summary of this “best antivirus for Mac” article.
Intego — Intego is a top-notch antivirus for Mac, designed to protect your Mac from viruses, ransomware, and spyware. It uses very few resources but still offers strong security.
Bitdefender — This well-known antivirus software is a favorite for many users and review websites. It consistently scores high as one of the best antivirus software for Mac and other platforms.
Norton — Norton is another highly regarded antivirus software that continues to improve its features. It also regularly introduces new top-notch features to keep pace with the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
McAfee — McAfee has been a key antivirus program for many years. It's not just a simple antivirus anymore but a full suite of powerful security tools.
Kaspersky — Kaspersky is another highly-rated antivirus software with excellent security features that protect against ransomware, trojans, spyware, and other common threats.
Panda — While Panda isn't as old or well-known as most antivirus products on this list, it's a great choice for keeping your Mac safe.
TotalAV — Despite being the newest antivirus software on this list, TotalAV is a strong cybersecurity product. It effectively blocks cyber-attacks and malware, while keeping your Mac running smoothly.
ESET — ESET has a solid track record, but it hasn't quite reached the security level of the top Mac antivirus software on this list.
Avira — Avira has a great antivirus engine. However, its security features aren't the best. Some of its extra features are quite basic.
Avast — Avast could have topped this “best antivirus for Mac” list. But its reputation has been affected by a recent privacy scandal.
Why Should You Trust Us?
Here’s the thing:
Many online antivirus reviews are not genuine. They just copy text and pictures from the software developers’ websites. The "reviewer" doesn't add any new thoughts or screenshots and thinks users won't notice.
At AntivirusGuide, we thoroughly test each antivirus product listed on our website. We provide not only real insights about the features of each product but also images of the antivirus software in use.
Also, please note that we might receive money when users buy products listed in this article. However, this doesn’t affect our commitment to only promote the best antivirus software for Mac.
Top 10 Best Antivirus Software for Mac
Here is the best antivirus software for Mac, ranked from best to worst.
1. Intego
Intego is my #1 pick for the best antivirus for Mac. With the longest history of being made specifically for macOS systems, Intego is a great choice for all types of users, whether for gaming, working, or just browsing the internet.
In my tests, Intego successfully identified all malware and web threats on my Macbook. Apart from its effective anti-malware engine, Intego also offers strong parental controls, a flexible firewall, an excellent junk cleaner, and more.
In my testing, Intego quickly scanned my 1TB SSD and effectively blocked content not suitable for children. Overall, Intego offers strong protection against cyber threats, even though it doesn't offer a VPN or a password manager.
What Sets Intego Apart?
What sets Intego apart from other antivirus software for macOS is that it was built specifically for Mac devices. While there is a Windows version, it isn't as advanced, which is usually the reverse situation with other software. This shows that Intego was primarily made for Mac devices, and it does a fantastic job of defending them.
What You'll Like
User-friendly firewall — Intego includes a great firewall that's easy for beginners to understand.
Flexible backup options — Intego's Personal Backup allows you to back up data either locally or remotely to many locations.
Low impact on system performance — During a full scan, Intego uses very few system resources due to the "low priority scan" option.
Free 7-day trial — Intego offers a free 7-day trial, which helps you decide if it's the right choice for you.
What You Won’t Like
No VPN service — Most Mac antivirus software includes a VPN service, but Intego does not.
No password manager — Intego doesn't offer a password manager, but there are many other options available.
No iOS or Android apps — Intego doesn't offer apps for iOS or Android. It focuses only on desktop applications.
Confusing product plans — At first glance, Intego's product plans might be hard to understand.
Pro Tip:
Intego's parental control tool, ContentBarrier, is highly adjustable, and I believe it's better than Mac’s built-in functionality. One of its best features is Chat filtering, which can block suspicious messages sent through instant messaging websites or apps. It comes with many pre-loaded phrases, but you can add your own.
Overall, Intego is my top choice for Mac antivirus, thanks to its many powerful features and its specific design for macOS.
Check out the full Intego review.
2. Bitdefender
While Bitdefender's antivirus suite is my best antivirus solution for Windows, its Mac version couldn't surpass Intego's custom-built security features for Mac. That’s why Bitdefender is my second-best pick for Mac antivirus.
What Sets Bitdefender Apart?
Even Mac computers can be targets for ransomware attacks, such as ThiefQuest. Bitdefender is well-equipped to handle these threats. It has excellent anti-ransomware capabilities, allowing you to protect any files on your computer and control which data your installed applications can access.
One unique feature is the ability to protect Time Machine backups from ransomware attacks, a feature I haven't seen in other antivirus programs.
What You'll Like
Fast and thorough malware scans — Bitdefender scanned my 1TB Macbook (757,000 files) in just 12 minutes.
Strong anti-ransomware features — Bitdefender stops ransomware from accessing your files, including Time Machine backups.
High-speed VPN with kill-switch — In my tests, the download speeds on the US server exceeded 600 MB/s. The kill switch stops your internet connection if the VPN service disconnects.
Anti-tracker features — The Bitdefender Traffic Light browser extension allows you to control tracking cookies and stop phishing attempts.
What You Won’t Like
Not as many features as the Windows version — Bitdefender for Mac doesn't offer as many features as the Windows version, but that's expected because Macs have fewer vulnerabilities.
No parental controls — Parents will need to look for third-party parental control tools to manage what their children can see.
No cleaning or performance-improvement tools — Bitdefender doesn't offer any cleaning or optimization features.
Limited configuration options — There aren't many settings for users to adjust. However, the good news is that Bitdefender works great right out of the box.
Pro Tip:
If you want to make sure malware hasn't secretly infected your Mac, schedule weekly full scans of your Mac's entire disk. Simply go to the Protection tab, select Custom Scan, and choose a frequency and scan location. Bitdefender will automatically scan your Mac without disturbing you, removing the need to start a scan manually.
Bitdefender for Mac is particularly strong at protecting against ransomware and comes with a super-fast VPN.
3. Norton
Norton 360 ranks as my third-best antivirus for Mac. It has a strong reputation and brand name, and it performed well in my tests. This antivirus detected all threats I tried to introduce, kept my Mac clean, and used very few system resources.
What Sets Norton Apart?
Norton 360 is one of the few antivirus solutions that offer a cloud backup service. You can access the backup from the user interface on a Mac, but you can only manage the backup data in your web browser. However, this shouldn't be a problem for most users. The cloud backup options range from 2GB to 500 GB, depending on your chosen product plan.
What You'll Like
Detailed scanning engine — Norton 360 detected all threats I tried to download in real time. It also identified the fake malicious files that I downloaded during my tests.
Effective cleanup tool — Norton 360's cleaner includes nearly everything you need in a Mac cleaner, like a junk remover and a duplicate finder.
Fast VPN — Norton's VPN is incredibly fast, with US servers offering connection speeds of over 500 MB/s. There's also an ad tracking manager available.
Trustworthy firewall — Norton's firewall is an improvement over the one that comes built-in with macOS.
What You Won’t Like
Basic password manager — I didn't find the password manager as good as others I've used.
Clumsy user interface — There are two user interfaces, each making it a bit difficult to access several key features.
Confusing parental controls — Although the parental controls work well, setting up the accounts and blocking content was not straightforward.
Pro Tip:
If you live in the US, UK, or Germany, you can take advantage of LifeLock's ID Theft Protection, which is integrated with Norton 360. This is one of the most complete solutions for online identity security, credit monitoring, wallet protection, and other personal data protection.
Overall, Norton is a top-notch Mac antivirus solution with strong ID protection features.
4. McAfee
McAfee is a well-known antivirus solution that has been used by hundreds of millions of users. Both its Windows and Mac versions are advanced, although the Mac version is slightly less feature-rich, which is understandable. Still, McAfee for Mac comes with plenty of useful features.
What You'll Like
Strong online safety — McAfee's web defense feature (WebAdvisor) detected all the web threats I tried to expose it to during my tests.
Speedy VPN service — During my tests, McAfee provided a fast VPN service, with speeds exceeding 300 MB/s for US servers.
Customizable scan settings — You can adjust the malware scanning options in several ways, such as by excluding specific files or types of files.
Extended refund policy — McAfee is the only antivirus company that offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, while most others offer just 30 days.
What You Won’t Like
No parental controls — Sadly, McAfee doesn't provide a feature for blocking unsuitable content for children.
Limited configuration options — While McAfee's features generally work well, there aren't many options for customization.
No cleanup tools — McAfee doesn't offer any utilities for cleaning up or enhancing the performance of your macOS.
Basic firewall — McAfee does include a firewall, which is a great addition to any antivirus solution, but its version is only decent.
Pro Tip:
McAfee provides a 'Protection Score' — a handy feature that gauges the protection level of your macOS. You can access this feature from the online dashboard, where you can see your score and ways to improve it.
McAfee for Mac shines in protecting against web threats and preserving your privacy with its VPN service.
5. Kaspersky
Kaspersky is one of the most feature-packed antivirus solutions for Mac. It's been a popular choice for millions of users over the years. My tests revealed a host of solid security and privacy features, a sleek, user-friendly interface, and a few areas that could use some improvement.
What You'll Like
Comprehensive full scan — Kaspersky scanned 944k files in just 17 minutes and identified every threat I attempted to introduce to my Mac.
Website tracking blocker — Kaspersky lets you block websites from tracking your activity.
Password manager — The password manager is user-friendly, making it quick and easy to save and autofill passwords in browsers.
Robust web protection — Thanks to its Kaspersky Internet Security browser extensions, Kaspersky excels at thwarting web-based threats.
What You Won’t Like
Restricted VPN — Even after paying for the full Kaspersky version for Mac, the VPN usage is still capped at 300 MB per day.
No ransomware protection — I couldn't find any mention of ransomware protection in Kaspersky for Mac.
Absence of a firewall — While Kaspersky doesn't have a firewall, it does provide a blocking feature against network attacks, which you can adjust.
Pro Tip:
If you need a secure place to store your personal details, like your ID and passwords, Kaspersky's password management software is a great tool. You can add accounts for websites, apps, credit card information, addresses, and so on.
Kaspersky is a rich antivirus solution, but it lacks some key security features.
6. TotalAV
TotalAV is the newest addition to this list of top antivirus solutions for Mac. Even though it's relatively new, TotalAV has quickly risen to prominence, providing top-notch antivirus protection for both Windows and Mac devices. It offers award-winning defense against all kinds of online threats, including malware and viruses.
What You'll Like
Quick and precise Smart Scan — TotalAV’s smart scan feature quickly scanned my entire Mac for threats in less than two minutes. It detected and isolated several residual files from a prior malware test.
Comprehensive junk cleaner — TotalAV's system tune-up tools are quite extensive, including a junk cleaner, duplicate finder, and disk usage manager.
Effective adblocker browser addon — TotalAV is one of the few antivirus products that includes an adblocker extension with privacy features.
Data breach checker — This feature lets you input your email address to check if it has been compromised in any data breaches.
What You Won’t Like
Weak web protection — TotalAV failed to block a few web threats I tried to open, such as those from eicar.org.
Few configuration options — Although TotalAV functions well without requiring many adjustments and is easy for beginners to use, it offers few configuration options.
No Safari extension for password vault — TotalAV offers a password manager that requires a browser extension to work. However, Safari is not supported.
TotalAV has impressive security and privacy features, but its web protection needs improvement.
7. Panda
Despite being a new antivirus product on this list, Panda outperforms some of its competitors. It offers an outstanding anti-malware engine and web protection. The user interface is unique, easy to use, and overall, it's a lightweight and beginner-friendly antivirus.
What You'll Like
Reliable anti-malware engine — Panda detected all threats I tried to expose it to in real-time and put them into quarantine.
Strong web protection — Panda’s Safe Browsing feature prevented access to phishing and fraudulent websites I tried to visit.
Deep and speedy quick scan — The critical areas scan sifted through over 200,000 files on my Mac and identified a few threats.
Low resource usage — During a full scan, Panda consumed 1-2% CPU and 200 MB of RAM, which is below average.
What You Won’t Like
No parental control — If you need parental control features, you'll have to use different software.
No password manager — Many antivirus software solutions include password managers, but Panda does not.
No firewall — A built-in firewall would have been a great addition to Panda’s features. You'll have to use macOS’ native firewall instead.
Slow VPN connection — Powered by Hotspot Shield, the VPN service wasn't the fastest I tested, although it's not the slowest either. The US server download speed is about 70 MB/s.
Panda features a speedy and accurate antivirus engine but lacks several crucial security features.
8. ESET
ESET is a well-established security software suite with a strong reputation. It's one of the more advanced antivirus solutions available, offering a wide variety of features like a firewall, parental controls, and anti-phishing protection. However, it's missing key elements such as a VPN or password manager.
What You'll Like
Built-in firewall — ESET’s built-in firewall is one of the most sophisticated among all antivirus solutions.
Efficient parental controls — Setting up profiles using ESET’s parental controls is very straightforward.
Strong anti-phishing protection — ESET is heavily focused on safeguarding users from phishing and online fraud.
Built-in user guide — You can click on the question mark button at the bottom of each window to get more information about the options you’re seeing.
What You Won’t Like
No VPN service — ESET for Mac doesn’t include a VPN service. You'll have to rely on third-party solutions.
No data protection — I didn’t notice any features related to data protection while testing ESET.
No password manager — If you want a password manager to handle your passwords and account credentials, you'll have to look elsewhere.
ESET is a comprehensive antivirus application, but it's missing several important features.
9. Avira
Avira is a classic antivirus solution with a history spanning over 30 years. Avira for Mac incorporates many features available for Windows, but it doesn't deliver the same quality. Even though there are still many good features, such as the secure VPN, there are several missing components.
What You’ll Like
Cookie cleaner — This privacy feature allows you to clean tracking cookies on Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox.
High-speed VPN — I was impressed with the VPN’s connection speed. For instance, the US server had a 390 MB download speed and a 110 MB upload speed.
Password manager — On macOS, Avira’s password manager is a web application that allows you to store your passwords and other sensitive information.
Cloud protection — Any suspicious activity or Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) on your device are analyzed remotely on Avira’s cloud environment, where viruses are stopped before they can harm you.
What You Won’t Like
Basic performance tools — The junk cleaning utility and duplicate finder are quite basic. Also, they're not as effective as the ones listed in this best Mac antivirus list.
No parental controls — Avira for Mac doesn't offer parental controls, which could be a problem if you have kids.
Weak web protection — During my tests, Avira didn’t block all the web threats from eicar.org and amtso.org that I attempted to open.
Avira has a robust anti-malware engine, but some of its privacy and performance features don't measure up.
10. Avast
Avast has a long-standing history in the cybersecurity industry, with hundreds of millions of installs over the years. However, its reputation has taken a hit in recent years due to its involvement in a privacy scandal. In 2019, it was revealed that Avast and its sister company, AVG, were allegedly selling user data for profit.
What You’ll Like
Fast VPN speeds — Avast's VPN servers were impressively fast, especially the US-based servers, which exceeded download speeds of 300MB/s.
Pleasant and easy-to-navigate UI — Avast has one of the best user interfaces out of any antivirus solution. You can easily find and use any feature.
Efficient cleanup app — Avast quickly found and cleaned a significant amount of junk data and duplicates from my Mac.
What You Won’t Like
Lacks parental control — Despite having many features, Avast doesn’t include parental controls.
No dedicated firewall — If you purchase Avast, you'll have to rely on macOS's native firewall for network protection.
No password protection — Storing and managing passwords and sensitive information in a secure application is not possible with Avast.
Trust in Avast is low — Given its history, trust in Avast is currently shaky. However, Avast may regain confidence if they improve their transparency.
Avast has many great security features, but its current trustworthiness is questionable.
Tips to Help You Choose the Best Antivirus for Mac
Here are a few questions to consider if you're still undecided on which antivirus product to choose:
Is the antivirus software cross-platform? If you're using multiple devices, including those that support Windows or Android, ensure your chosen antivirus software can be installed on these operating systems. Also, remember to get multiple licenses.
Is it within my budget? Striking a balance between security and cost might be challenging. Fortunately, there are several affordable antivirus solutions available, many of which are listed here.
Is it easy to use? Security and privacy are important, but it's also crucial that your family can easily use the antivirus program.
Will it affect my computer's performance? Not every antivirus software has the same impact on your computer. If your Mac needs a less resource-intensive antivirus solution, look for one that meets your needs.
Is it maintained properly? Many antivirus programs are neglected by their developers, which can jeopardize your data. Use only antivirus software that regularly releases updates and patches.
How I Created this Best Mac Antivirus List
The top 10 Mac antivirus list on this page is the result of extensive research and hands-on testing. I first compiled a list of over 50 antivirus solutions and filtered them to include only the top ten. I then thoroughly evaluated these top ten Mac antivirus programs to determine their relative rankings based on various criteria:
Malware protection
Extra features
Ease of use
Impact on performance
User interface
Cross-platform support
Mobile app
Customer support
Value for money
Reputation
Return policy
Finally, for this article's research, I installed Mac antivirus software on a MacBook Pro M1 with 16 GB RAM and one terabyte SSD. I also tested the antivirus programs on my Dell XPS laptop, iPhone 11, and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. This rigorous testing helped improve the accuracy of the ranking.
FAQs
Here are the most common questions that web users ask when searching for the best Mac antivirus.
Do Macs need antivirus software?
While macOS' built-in security capabilities are quite robust against certain types of malware, they aren't as comprehensive as third-party antivirus software. For instance, macOS antivirus features may not be as effective against threats like ransomware.
Hence, it's advisable to have extra protection layers, such as a third-party antivirus program like Intego.
Why should I pay for Mac antivirus software?
There are numerous reasons to pay for Mac antivirus software. Free software may not provide as robust protection as paid solutions.
Moreover, free software may not be updated as frequently as its paid counterparts, potentially leaving your computer vulnerable to the latest viruses and malware. Lastly, free software may lack certain features found in paid software, such as parental controls or file backup.
So, if you want to ensure your Mac is fully protected, consider investing in high-quality antivirus software.
Will an antivirus slow down my Mac?
The impact of antivirus software on your Mac's performance varies. Some programs may cause a minor slowdown, while others may not have any discernible effect.
Remember, having antivirus software is always preferable to not having any. If you're concerned about an antivirus slowing down your Mac, keep in mind that the benefits likely outweigh any potential downsides.
In my tests, Intego has proven to be one of the lightest and most secure antivirus programs for Mac. Give it a try today!
Will antivirus companies sell my Mac data?
Certain antivirus programs collect data about your system and browsing habits to optimize your protection. Yet, sometimes, his data may also be shared with third-party companies or governments.
If privacy is a concern, it's vital to choose a Mac antivirus program that doesn't sell user data. Some reputable options that don't share user data include Intego and Bitdefender. Alternatively, you can deactivate your antivirus program's data collection feature to ensure your information stays private.
Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)
Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.