Best Antivirus for Mac 2024: Top Security Software Compared

Macworld

It’s typically Windows computers that get all the news headlines for attracting computer viruses, which can mean it’s all too easy to forget that Macs are vulnerable to malware, too. Our pick of the best Mac antivirus software will help keep you and your Mac or MacBook safe from whatever rogue software comes your way.

Macs have traditionally been a far less tempting target for malware writers, leading some to believe that Macs don’t even need antivirus, but their increasing popularity means they’re not immune from viruses and other types of malware – don’t find this out the hard way.

Get our no.1 Intego Mac Internet Security

Not everyone is a security expert, or necessarily knows how to check their Mac for viruses, but you also don’t need to be a security expert to keep your Mac safe. Apple does include some built-in antivirus protection, but a good Mac antivirus product will do it all for you, protecting your Mac from new and known malware, blocking ransomware, protecting older systems from security vulnerabilities caused by outdated software, and so on.

The most difficult decision for you as a Mac user is deciding which of the multiple Mac antivirus programs on the market is going to do the best job of keeping you and your data safe, and which ultimately offers the best value.

Our Macworld experts are here to help, and no-one is better placed to guide you on which antivirus to choose for your Mac than the leading authority on Mac products and products built for Mac (the clue is in our name). We thoroughly test all Mac antivirus products from a usability and functionality perspective, and use a combination of our own testing data and AV Comparatives/AV-Test lab data to ascertain which is the most reliable and trustworthy security product for your Mac. These are the security products our own editors would (and do) choose for their own machines, so you can place your full trust in our Mac antivirus recommendations.

Our top pick right now is Intego Mac Internet Security. But depending on the type and number of devices you want to protect, and your budget, you may prefer one of the other Mac antivirus recommendations in our list below. You won’t find every Mac antivirus product we’ve tested here, only the very best contenders, meaning you can be sure that any of these products will do a decent job of protecting your Mac. We’ve also included some free options for those of you looking for the best free antivirus for Mac.

If value is the most important criteria for you, we also recommend looking at our best Mac antivirus deals round-up. And if you’re running Windows and macOS, also check out the advice from our sister site PC World for the best Windows antivirus.

Best Mac Antivirus: Reviewed and Ranked






1. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 – Best overall Mac antivirus





















Pros


Built for Mac with useful features and effective overall malware protection

Easy to set up, with reliable antiviral and network scanning tools

Two-way firewall

Includes whitelists for files and customization tools for network profiles



Cons


Missed one file in our malware-removal tests

Safe Browsing does not protect from phishing links in email










Price When Reviewed:

Dès 24,99 €




Best Prices Today:



€24.99 at Intego





AV Test, June 2023: 99.2%

AV Comparatives, June 2023: Approved

It may not be perfect, but sometimes a software company gets its utility completely right, complete with a focus that deserves additional attention. Intego’s Mac Internet Security X9 falls into this category, the utility bundling the company’s VirusBarrier and NetBarrier applications to act as both an antiviral protection program as well as a network traffic filtering program.

Simple to download, install, and configure after granting the application full access to your Mac’s files, the program then checks for the latest viral definitions, downloads them, and gets to work setting up real-time scanning features as well as intuitive network monitoring that allows you to see and work with both incoming and outgoing Internet connections on your Mac.

While Mac Security X9 doesn’t try to offer every feature under the sun, it offers an impressive amount of configuration and customization to both its VirusBarrier and NetBarrier tools. VirusBarrier does an impressive job of keeping its virus definitions up to date, it offers access to a whitelist/list of trusted files that can be created, it’s easy to quickly scan an external volume such as a USB thumb drive on the fly, scheduled scanning works well, it offers both Quick Scan and Full Scan options, and real-time scanning jumped in every time I mounted an external drive. VirusBarrier was able to remove just about all the infected files on my MacBook Pro, leaving only the questionable Free Download Manager behind, which had to be removed manually.

NetBarrier impresses and it’s easy to see both incoming and outgoing Internet connections to services such as Apple, various application updaters, Adobe Creative Cloud, Dropbox, and other companies. The application allows you to create settings for your home, work, or public connections and either allow or deny connections as needed. The setup can be as simple or as intricate as desired, and it’s easy to set up rules for each connection wherein the application will allow the connection, block it, or ask what to do with it. A real-time network protection feature can be enabled or disabled as needed, and it’s helpful to see what connections your Mac is processing.

There were a few issues to address. A running counter tracks the number of files processed in a VirusBarrier scan, but a timer would also be a helpful. It’s impressive that the application caught dozens of infected files, but this needs to be 100% in the future. Another issue is that while NetBarrier sets up a Safe Browsing feature within your installed web browsers, it still allows traffic to the questionable websites linked to in spam messages offering the usual phishing-based scams.

To its credit, Mac Security X9 doesn’t try to upsell you as to Intego’s other suites and services, which given some of its competitors, is saying something. The tools in place are effective, work well, and make this worth your consideration,

Intego’s Internet Security bundle costs $24.99/£20.00/CA$31.99 for the first year (if you use this link). There’s also a free VirusBarrier Scanner, which you can download on the Mac App Store, we have reviewed that here: Intego VirusBarrier Scanner review.

You can get Intego Mac Internet Security X9 here.

Read our full

Intego Mac Internet Security X9 review






2. Avast Premium Security – Best Mac antivirus for malware protection





















Pros


Doesn't generally impact performance

Caught all problem test files



Cons


Slow manual scanning

No option for single device license

Upselling










Price When Reviewed:

Dès 32,28 € (1 an, 1 appareil)




Best Prices Today:



€32.28 at Avast Software





AV Test, September 2023: 100%

AV Comparatives, June 2023: Approved

There are four Mac antivirus products from Avast. The paid for Avast Premium Security for Mac and Avast One, and the free Avast Free Antivirus and Avast One Essential. If you want just a virus scanner, Avast’s Free Antivirus, which is the free version of Avast Premium Security, is a good option. Avast One Essential is the free version of Avast One, and offers some additional functions compared to Avast Free Antivirus. It includes options such as ransomware protection, privacy protection, recommends cleaning up the hard drive without being asked, and searches for data leaks. There’s also a free VPN service with 5GB data volume per week, but, you can only select the location in another country for an additional charge.

Avast Premium Security for Mac ($50.28/£39.99/CA$52.80) does a great job keeping your Mac secure. It’s a well-featured suite that will protect from all sorts of nasties including watching for browser script hacks, potential ransomware and other remote attack activity. Avast Premium Security offers various modules: Virus Scans, Core Shields, Traffic Monitor, Network Inspector, Email Guardian, Ransomware Shield, and Quarantine. These are all easily accessed from the home screen.

Virus scan options include Smart Scan, Deep Scan, Targeted Scan, or External Storage Scan. Once suspect files are found, they can be readily quarantined and/or deleted. The Traffic Monitor shows how much data you’re using and where your bandwidth is going. Network Inspector scans the network you’re on, gauges its safety, offers a list of which devices are on the same network, and alerts you as to when an unfamiliar device joins the network.

We tested the Core Shields feature with a fake website that spawned from a random text message regarding an undelivered package. Avast’s Real Site feature prevented the site from loading and triggering software.

The software installed quickly and ran well on macOS Sonoma. It’s frustrating that it’s necessary to grant the program full hard disk access and permission to filter network content, but that is standard with AV software.

The main frustration is the subscription-based model, but again, that tends to be standard these days. There are some features that are only available on the Avast Ultimate subscription tier.

If you’d prefer to save your money, or get an idea of what’s on offer before parting with your cash, you might like to try the two free Antivirus for Mac solutions from Avast. Just because they are free doesn’t mean these solutions are ineffective. In a test by AV-Comparatives in June 2023, Avast’s Free antivirus for Mac was among the best products, detecting 100 percent of Mac malware, 99 percent of potentially unwanted applications and 100 percent of Windows viruses. Avast also performed well in AV-Test’s investigations in June 2023, scoring full marks for protection, performance and usability.

When we ran the free version of Avast we experienced no slowdowns and no negative effect on system performance. One of the biggest challenges was installation. In order to be able to check files, a virus scanner must install some background programs and needs access to the file system, so you will have to jump through some hoops to allow access. None of this is Avast’s fault, of course.

As for the interface, we found the three-column overview with all the listed functions to be very cluttered and a bit overwhelming, but by far the biggest annoyance was the exaggerated warnings about alleged security gaps, with Avast One classifying our home WLAN as insecure and recommending the use of a VPN.

You can get Avast Premium Security for Mac here. Also consider Avast One, Avast Free Antivirus and Avast One Essential.

Read our full Avast Free Antivirus and Avast One Essential for Mac review

Read our full

Avast Premium Security review






3. Norton 360 – Best value Mac antivirus





















Pros


Easy-to-use & effective

Multiple device cover

Minimal performance impact



Cons


No backup on macOS

Didn't spot threats in zip files










Price When Reviewed:

Dès 24,99 €




Best Prices Today:



€24.99 at Norton Security





AV Test, September 2023: 100%

Norton 360 is a security utility that performs a range of different monitoring and safeguarding operations to keep your Mac free from threats such as browser hacks and search engine hijack scripts to intrusion attempts and actual malware.

There are various options. Norton 360 is available in Plus, Standard and Deluxe (there is also an Advanced edition in the U.K., and a Select +LifeLock edition in the U.S. both of which support up to 10 devices). The core Norton 360 protection features do a good job, but the cloud backup benefits are missing from the Mac edition. If you go beyond the Standard edition you get Dark Web Monitoring, Parental Control and School Time, and licenses for up to five devices (for the Deluxe edition) or 10 (for the Advanced or Select versions).

Norton 360 focuses on catching unwanted software, but it also offers some useful additional features including a VPN for securing personal data while online, and a tool for managing passwords, bank card details and similar data. You’ll also get protection against identity theft with some editions, Norton calls this Dark Web Monitoring. The service regularly checks whether your email, telephone number, credit card number or other contact details have fallen into the wrong hands. Note that the Cloud Backup feature doesn’t work on macOS, but that is more of an extra rather than a vital part of the package.

There is also protection against unwanted, uninvited and possibly malicious software. A Norton Password Manager utility that also helps manage wallet data for autofill payments, addresses, notes and favorites. Much of these are things that macOS does already, but the clear interface makes it easy to understand.

Beware that the first year is discounted, so you will be charged more in subsequent years. The price starts at £24.99/$49.99/CA$39.99 for the first year (renewing at a higher price, as is so often the case with antivirus suites). Note the UK and Canada have the option of Norton 360 Standard but in the U.S. only Norton 360 Deluxe with LifeLock, is available.

Norton performed well in tests and was efficient at spotting unwanted and potentially risky software, from browser search engine hack scripts to actual trojans. In a test by the auditors at AV-Test in June 2023, the program’s detection of Mac malware was recognized with a 5.5 out of 6 score for protection, full marks for performance and usability.

You can get Norton 360 here.

Read our full

Norton 360 (for Mac) review






4. AVG Antivirus Free for Mac – Best free Mac antivirus





















Pros


Capable basic protection for a free product

Quick and easy installation

Clean and helpful dashboard



Cons


Occasional prompts to convince you to upgrade to the paid version

Lacks the ransomware, phishing, and fake website protection built into the paid product










Price When Reviewed:

Gratuit




Best Prices Today:



€0 at AVG





AV Test, September 2023: 100%

AV Comparatives, June 2023: Approved

AVG Antivirus for the Mac is one of a handful of free antivirus for Mac programs. As such it is basic, but it’s effective at protecting you from viruses, spyware, and malware.

Despite being free, AVG covers all the bases: blocking viruses and malware from websites, downloads, and email attachments. AVG will scan applications and check every file and remove threats from your Mac. It auto updates so you shouldn’t miss out on protection from the latest threats.

In the AV-Test for 2023, AVG was certified and was considered Outstanding for protection, performance and usability. AV-Comparatives June 2023 tests saw AVG Antivirus Free for Mac score 100% for Mac Malware Protection, 99% for Mac PUA Protection, and 100% for detecting Windows malware, which were better results than some paid-for options.

Though it lacks the advanced features of paid antivirus products, it handles the core tasks cleanly and seamlessly. However, if you need to resolve any advanced issues you will need to pay to upgrade to the full version of the software, which is about $2/£2 per month for a one-year subscription. There is a 60-day free trial though, which could be enough for your purposes.

All in all, this is a great option, despite being basic. You get much more than you ‘pay’ for.

You can get AVG Antivirus for the Mac here.

Read our full

AVG Antivirus pour Mac review






5. Bitdefender Total Security & Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac





















Pros


Doesn't slow down your Mac

Effective real-time protection

Unobtrusive browsing protection



Cons


No password manager

Very limited VPN

No identity protection










Price When Reviewed:

Dès 34,99 €




Best Prices Today:



€28.95 at Cdiscount€34.99 at Bitdefender€39.38 at Darty





AV Test, September 2023: 100%

AV Comparatives, June 2023: Approved

Bitdefender is another maker of antivirus solutions that has a number of solutions for the Mac, including a free option. There’s Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, which offers basic protection for up to three Macs, Bitdefender Total Security, which protects up to five devices (macOS, iOS, Windows and Android), and Bitdefender’s free Virus Scanner for Mac. We’ve looked at them all.

Bitdefender Total Security covers five devices for $69.99/£69.99/CA$69.99 for the first year and then $99.99/£99.99/CA$69.99) is an effective tool for keeping your Mac safe, and it will also protect Windows PC, an iOS and Android devices. The bundled VPN is very basic and gives you only 200MB of data per day, but the rest of the suite of tools is effective and easy to manage.

But when you compare what the Mac version offers compared to the Windows version, you’ll feel quite hard done by. There’s no password manager, no social network protection, no webcam or microphone protection, no Wi-Fi security advisor and plenty of other features that Windows users get for the same price. If your goal is simply to keep your Mac protected from malware, then Bitdefender does a great job. But you can find better value elsewhere.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac covers 1 device for $29.99/£24.98/CA$29.99 for the first year and then $69.99/£39.99/CA$69.99. It offers good virus detection (of both Mac and Windows viruses). Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac performed well in AV Comparatives tests for 2023, detecting 99.7% percent of Mac viruses as well as 100 percent of Windows and 98 percent of PUAs (potentially unwanted applications). Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac also got top marks in all categories in AV-Test’s June 2023 tests.

It also offers additional security features such as VPN, identity theft protection, and ransomware protection, but these are not necessary for most home users.

The free Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac (reviewed here) can be easily installed via this Mac App Store link. The free version must be manually run. Once on your Mac, it offers Quick Scan, Deep Scan, and custom location scan options, which allow for a quick overview scan of critical components, a deep scan of every file and archive on your drive, and the ability to scan custom folders or external volumes as needed.

While Bitdefender Virus Scanner can locate, quarantine, and delete malware, there were instances in which the application was unable to delete infected files and instead held them in quarantine at which point we had to go hunting for them as the Reveal in Finder button didn’t work. Ominously, Bitdefender has retired the free Virus Scanner for Windows, so the free Mac version’s days may be numbered.

Read our full

Bitdefender Total Security review






6. Trend Micro Antivirus pour Mac





















Pros


High malware detection rate

Monitors for ransomware-style attacks from unknown software in specific folders



Cons


Wouldn’t detect some malware in real-time in our tests

Fewer extra features compared to less-expensive or similarly priced higher-rank competitors










Price When Reviewed:

Dès 19,95 €




Best Prices Today:



€19.95 at Trend Micro





AV Test, September 2023: 100%

AV Comparatives, June 2023: Approved

Trend Micro Antivirus is a good program with well-rated antivirus protection and a simple, straightforward interface that users will appreciate.

Anyone looking for additional features will be disappointed with this suite, but it offers good protection at a fair price.

In June 2023 AV-Test gave Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac full marks for protection, performance and usability. In their tests AV-Comparatives gave Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac 100% for Mac malware protection, 99% for PUA protection and 100% for Windows malware detection.

Our own spot checks produced similarly good results. Lining up against the Objective See malware library Trend Micro had no trouble detecting most threats. However, in a few cases, it didn’t detect all the malware contained in a folder until a scan had been run.

Trend Micro is an excellent choice for those looking for something that’s simple and easy to use. There are options with better protection, but Trend Micro’s protection is still good and pricing is fair starting at $29.95/£19.94/CA$29.95 for one Mac for the first year (then $39.95/£49.95/$39.95 a year).

Read our full

Trend Micro Antivirus pour Mac review






7. Avira Prime & Avira Free Security for Mac