We all know the received wisdom - there is no point in getting antivirus for Mac because Apple products are entirely impenetrable. Correct?
Not good. And this is probably a very short-sighted view given the vast amount of Mac and MacBook owners around the world these days, and thus an extended potential target for hackers and cybercriminals. And malware aimed at Mac is sadly becoming more common. This is where getting the best Mac antivirus becomes essential. You don't want to take that new MacBook Pro, only to be crippled by a cyberattack.
Sure, Apple machines are still less targeted than their Windows counterparts, but they can still be infected, and the risks are increasing, which you need protection. All Mac antivirus products on this list have been chosen because they are specifically designed to protect Mac systems and have scored high in detecting and removing viruses and malware.
The macOS operating system is located on Unix, which is sandboxed, which means it can be challenging for a virus to do any damage. Think of them as locked up in a bit of a box they can't escape, no matter how hard they try. That means you'll need specific Mac antivirus software, whether it's the most robust paid-for protection or a free download we've selected at the bottom of this guide designed to work with the unique demands of macOS.
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the most accurate virus protection suites for Apple devices, built on a Sterling antivirus engine that is consistently rated among top performers by independent testing labs (and has fast scan times).
However, it's not just about core antivirus protection, as Bitdefender also offers a comprehensive set of features. It includes multi-layer ransomware protection, excellent anti-phishing capabilities, and powerful web browser protection provided through an extension.
Bitdefender Antivirus also keeps a watchful eye for adware and can scan for and pick up Windows PC malware. It helps you avoid the possibility of transmitting the Windows viruses to your friends or family who may have Windows 10 PC.
The extra layer of security for Time Machine to keep backups safe from ransomware attacks is also valuable. And an extra nifty addition is the integration of Bitdefender VPN. Although the data allowance is limited to 200MB per day, which is pretty low - so it's only suitable for occasional use. Still, it's better than nothing and accessible in a pinch.
When you're concerned about viruses and other messes floating around on the internet, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the best software for Mac. Finally, note that along with this standalone Mac antivirus, you can also get Bitdefender Total Security for your Mac, part of the firm's flagship security suite (which covers Macs, Android, iOS devices, plus Windows PCs up to 10).
Norton 360 Standard
Norton is another respected brand in the antivirus world and provides excellent malware detection for Mac computers. Indeed, Norton 360 Deluxe offers protection for Mac, Windows PC, or mobile devices up to five of them per license. So, if you have too many Macs or MacBooks to cover, or maybe even a Windows laptop and your smartphone, Norton will have your back on all grounds.
You'll find many features here, including solid antivirus protection, anti-ransomware, firewall, parental controls, and some elegant features, including cloud backup functionality and a password manager. There is also a significant bonus in the form of Norton Secure VPN to help you maintain better online security and privacy.
While you get great benefits on the security front, one thing to note is that Norton 360 has a more noticeable impact on your system performance than some rivals.
Furthermore, the demand price of this security suite is on the more practical side by default. However, there are usually offers that lock down a substantial amount of money. You can get the best deal on a subscription at this writing, especially when considering the number of devices covered.
Avast Security for Mac
Avast Premium Security is well-equipped to protect your Mac, and its antivirus protection has impressed both major independent testing labs, so it's a good start.
Backing it up is a sound library of features, including Ransomware Shield, which has an extra layer of defense to protect against the particularly nasty strain of malware. It's a capability that seems to work well in our testing and may even work against the latest unseen threats.
You also get a decent level of security when browsing the web. Avast is strongly weeding you from any phishing sites, and Wi-Fi intruder alerts are available if your home network is compromised.
The major downside is that if you only want Avast Premium protection to protect one Mac, it works out to be very expensive but if you pay a bit more for a cross-platform premium security suite that supports up to 10 devices. (which might not just be Macs, but Windows PCs and smartphones too), assuming you need that level of coverage, it's more competitively priced. Still, there are better overall value options elsewhere.
