Even though most Mac afficionados are convinced that Apple computers don’t require any extra protection because they are inherently secure, cybercriminals are still targeting Mac users.
Malware aimed at Macs is actually becoming more and more common, so if you don’t want to be victim of the bad guys, you should look into getting antivirus protection for your Mac.
Macs are indeed less than their Windows counterparts, but this doesn’t mean they can’t be infected. Because the macOS is based on Unix, it can be quite challenging to viruses to do any damage. This sounds good from a security point of view, but it also means that you need specific Mac antivirus software that has been designed for the specific demands of MacOS.
So, if you want to learn more about the best antivirus software for Mac, read on for the top choices.
Table of Contents
1. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
Price: From $39.99/year
Bitdefender is the best antivirus for Mac because it’s light, fast, and super easy to use. It offers perfect malware detection and it doesn’t impact the performance of a Mac. In fact, Bitdefender has nearly zero impact on system performance. A Bitdefender license can cover multiple devices, and features include online banking protection, web protection, multi-layer ransomware protection, and Time Machine protection.
Bitdefender can also protect you against adware and it integrates with Bitdefender VPN, but with a cap of 200 MB per day, which is only enough for very occasional use. You can get Bitdefender protection just for your Mac or through Bitdefender Total Security, which covers up to 10 devices, including Windows PCs, Android, and iOS devices.
Pros
- Multiple privacy protection features
- Flawless virus protection
- Works on Windows, too
Cons
- Doesn’t have a firewall
Review Summary
Reviewers are happy with the flawless malware detection provided by Bitdefender and also love the clean design. Some of them complain about the fact that the software automatically installs a VPN client that costs extra for the unlimited version.
Score: 10/10
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2. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac
Price: $39.99 per year for one device
Kaspersky Internet Security is packed with features and offers excellent malware detection. Besides protecting your Mac from viruses, Kaspersky also offers countermeasures against webcam hijacking, ransomware protection, and malicious URL blocking. The antivirus looks similar to the Windows version, so if you’re coming from Windows, the familiar interface is a plus.
With Kaspersky Internet Security, you get the best parental controls of any of the antivirus software available for Mac, with features including monitoring of personal data, time limits, and content filters.
Pros
- Excellent malware detection
- Flawless parental controls
- Multiple privacy tools
Cons
- It hogs resources when scanning for malware
Review Summary
Score: 9.8/10
Kaspersky Internet Security receives glorious reviews from users, who are particularly thrilled with the quality of the parental controls and great virus protection. Some of the negative points mentioned in reviews are about pricing and the fact that the antivirus is hogging resources when performing scans.
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3. Intego Mac Internet Security X9
Price: Starting at $19.99/year
Available for up to five devices on a single license, Intego Mac Internet Security X9 stands out from the crowd thanks to its intelligent firewall and anti-spyware capabilities. With this antivirus, you can boost your privacy levels and get protection against third-party apps that may attempt to steal your data.
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 has a clean interface and is super easy to use. The antivirus comes with a free 30-day trial so you can test before deciding whether it offers the right level of protection for your Mac.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Intelligent firewall
- 30-day free trial
Cons
- A bit heavy on resources
Review Summary
Score: 9.5/10
Reviews for Intego Mac Internet Security X9 are mostly positive, with users being happy with the performance and the range of features. The downside that’s often mentioned is the antivirus hogging resources more than others.
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4. Norton 360 Deluxe
Price: $99.99 per year
Norton 360 Deluxe is an antivirus produced by a reputable brand in the antivirus world and it provides excellent protection against malware on Macs. You can use a single license to protect up to five devices, including Windows PCs and mobile devices.
Norton 360 Deluxe has a built-in VPN and lots of useful features such as parental controls, a firewall, password manager, and cloud backup functionality. The downside is that this is an antivirus that has a considerable impact on system performance.
Pros
- Comes with a built-in VPN
- You can protect up to 5 devices
- Numerous features
Cons
- Significant impact on system performance
Review Summary
Score: 9.3/10
Reviews for Norton 360 Deluxe are overwhelmingly positive, with users being content with the number of features and the level of protection the antivirus offers against malware. One negative point that appears in many reviews is the fact that Norton 360 Deluxe slows down a Mac more than its competitors.
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5. Avast Free Mac Security
Price: Free, premium version available as a subscription (1-year for $35, 2-year for $70 and 3-year for $105.00)
If you’re interested in a free Mac antivirus, Avast Free Mac Security is definitely something to try. With virtually no impact on your system, Avast works in the background to protect your Mac from threats. While the malware protection isn’t perfect, the antivirus offers great protection for a free tool.
The interface is quite easy to navigate, but some of the features, such as ransomware rollbacks, for example, are only available to paid users. An anti-tracking software and VPN service are complementary tools also available to paying users.
Pros
- Free to use for basic Mac protection
- Scans your emails for threats
- Unlimited password manager
Cons
- Malware protection isn’t on par with that offered by paid software
Review Summary
Score: 9.1/10
Most reviewers are happy with the basic level of protection offered by Avast Free Mac Security, but many users mention that the antivirus is not on par with paid software and are annoyed by the constant requests to pay for extra features.
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6. McAfee Antivirus Plus
Price: $24.99 for the first year and then $59.99 for each subsequent year
A good option for users who need protection for lots of devices, McAfee Antivirus Plus is available for up to 10 devices on a single license. This means that you can cover all your family’s devices, whether they are all Macs or a combination of Macs and PCs. The bad news is that some of the features are only available for Windows users, such as crypto jacking protection and ransomware protection.
McAfee Antivirus Plus is still la good option for Mac users who also need to protect PCs. The antivirus is a bargain for large families and has a low passive system impact. However, expect huge slowdowns during scans.
Pros
- Ideal for large families or people with a mix of Mac and Windows computers
- Includes a firewall
- Low passive system impact
Cons
- Slowdowns a Mac during scans
- The interface can be slightly confusing
Review Summary
Score: 9/10
Most reviewers who use McAfee Antivirus Plus are happy with the level of protection it provides, but they often mention that the system really slows down when the antivirus is performing a full scan.
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7. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus
Price: $39.99 per year
Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is one of the fastest antivirus scanners available for Mac and it offers an excellent level of protection against malware. It also provides great phishing protection and can mark dangerous links in search results as you’re browsing the internet.
The reason Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is not scoring higher is that there are some glitches with the software and there are no current results available from independent testing labs. Moreover, the web threat protection only works for Chrome. The antivirus also slows down the Mac quite a bit when performing a full scan.
Pros
- Great phishing protection
- Fast full scan
- Marks dangerous links in Chrome
Cons
- Some glitches when scanning for malware
- There are no current results available from independent testing labs
Review Summary
Users are generally content with the level of protection offered by Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus and many reviews mention that the software does its job in the background without causing any disruption. Negative reviews are typically about some glitches that sometimes occur during a scan.
Score: 8.8/10
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