The best antivirus software for Mac
Overview
These are the tech, tools, and products — from laptops to e-readers, from earbuds to robovacs, and more — that Mashable ranks best in class.
Table of Contents
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
We've all heard the rumours that Macs don't need antivirus software. We hate to break it to you but that just isn't true. As security software brands will tell you: Any machine is susceptible to attack. Even the mighty Apple Mac.
Sure, Macs are generally more secure than PCs. Windows does tend to have more security vulnerabilities because, while Apple does everything in-house, Windows operates on hardware from a handful of manufacturers. Apple's closed-loop system simply makes holes smaller, which means Mac systems are harder to infiltrate.
Antivirus software is still a worthwhile purchase whatever computer you use. That said, buying tech is always tricky — especially if you’re not a dedicated tech-head. But fear not, Mac users: We're here to help with some useful information and a roundup of the best antivirus software for Macs.
Do Macs need antivirus software?
In our opinion, yes. The chances of hackers deliberately going after Mac users are definitely in the minority, but not zero. And hackers know that most Mac owners are under the impression that their Macs, Macbooks, iPads, and iPhones are invincible
Mac's malware problem has not just caught up to the PC infection rate but actually outpaced it. Adware, or advertisement-supported software, is also a problem. Though not as dangerous as a virus, they bombard your device with ads, and can go as far as to change your browser’s homepage and add spyware.
What's the difference between a virus and malware?
Malware (short for malicious software) is an umbrella term covering any software intentionally to cause damage to a computer, server, network, or the user of any of these things. Malware can be as dull and irritating as adware (pop-ups that don't go away) or as dangerous and invasive as webcam spying.
A virus is a form of malware that self-replicates in different programs by using malicious code. The infection can stem from emails or text attachments, links on social media or streaming sites, pop-ups where you really thought you just X-ed out, or seemingly-safe internet downloads like a game or browser add-on. Ransomware is another kind of malware to know about, too. This blocks access to a system until a ransom is paid — essentially holding it hostage.
What is a password manager?
If you're one of those people who recycles the same password over and over, the number of websites or apps where that password and your email (and credit card info, or worse) are connected is concerning. Vulnerable login credentials are constantly passed around the dark web after major security breaches.
Many antivirus software options consider password-related threats to fall under the security threat umbrella and will include some type of password manager in their package. These programs take on the task of creating and remembering a super-random password unique to each website you log into.
What is the best antivirus software for a Mac?
It's hard to say for certain because it depends on you and your Mac usage. What we do know, however, is that research is time-consuming part, so we've taken care of that for you. We've looked at some of the best antivirus solutions for Macs, ensuring an extra layer of security between your data and viruses. We’ve also evaluated their effectiveness at detecting viruses and laid out any additional security features.
These are the best antivirus software options for your Mac in 2025.
Bitdefender Total Security
Best For Speed
The Good & The Bad
- Traffic Light browser system
- Ransomware protection
- Removes adware
- Blocks ad tracking
- VPN requires extra subscritpion
Why We Like It
Bitdefender's award-winning antivirus engine really gives it the edge, despite the fact Bitefender isn't as well-known as the likes of Norton or McAfee. Testing for malware detection has revealed flawless success rates, and its ransomware protection is a bonus that you don't always find at this budget.
Malware searches can be customised to your Mac's system library or filetypes (such as unopened PDF or ZIPs) including trickier Mac-specific ones.
The Autopilot scanner is on at all times and continues its detective work quietly in the background. This includes sniffing out PC malware that may have found its way onto your Apple device. Web security features include an adware blocker and anti-phishing detection.
If you do happen to have other non-Mac devices at home, it's perfectly capable of protecting PCs and Android devices too.
Details
Norton 360 Standard
Best For Reliability
The Good & The Bad
- Idle scanning when you're inactive
- No-limits VPN
- Two Safari plugins
- Two-way firewall
- Cloud backup
- Just one device covered
Why We Like It
Norton is one of the OG brand names, so you can rely on the Norton 360 Standard package — it's something of a stalwart in online security.
It sits in the shadows and watches out for any suspicious activity or threats to your system. You don't need to do anything. Just let Norton 360 do its thing. It's really quite clever: Rather than slowing your Mac down while you're using it, an automatic idle scanning feature only kicks in during quiet periods.
The Norton 360 Standard package includes two powerful Safari plugins, while Safe Web helps to steer clear of rogue sites. Norton Password Manager is a simple password management tool. OK, it's not the most advanced option out there but it's reliable and thorough. What more could you want?
There are options for Norton 360 Deluxe, which offers protection for five devices, or an Advanced version, which protects ten devices.
Details
McAfee Total Protection
Best For Security
The Good & The Bad
- Clean interface
- Anti-spam protection
- WiFi protection
- Digital doc shredding
- Some accuracy slip-ups
- Heavy impact in full scans
Why We Like It
As expected from a quality name such as this, McAfee Total Protection gives you award-winning antivirus scanning. It's not quite as fast as Norton's, nor quite as accurate, but the downsides are marginal.
Where things really ramp up is in McAfee Total Protection's extra tool options, which are much beloved by the software's dedicated users.
There's anti-spam protection that works with many popular email clients, a digital document shredding tool, WiFi protection settings, and a network manager so your network can't be hijacked without your knowledge.
Parental controls are also available along with McAfee Identity Theft Protection which helps protect you against identity theft by scanning the dark web and SSN monitoring. It's all about cutting off your risks before they cause problems that require recovery.
Details
Intego Mac Premium X9
Best For Parental Controls
The Good & The Bad
- Built just for Macs
- High accuracy rate
- Protection on public WiFi
- Parental controls
- Could be speedier
- No browser plugins
Why We Like It
Dating all the way back to 1997, Intego has been making Apple-specific tools to deliver Mac safety software since way before Apple was cool. In other words, Intego knows the ins and outs of Apple tech as well as Apple itself, so if you're outsourcing for online security, you can't go wrong with this brand.
The current Intego Mac Premium X9 bundle covers all of the bases with two barriers: VirusBarrier X9 and NetBarrier X9. As the name suggests, VirusBarrier protects against actual viruses while NetBarrier keeps cyber criminals away when you're online. It's a two-pronged defence.
Intego's slick cleaner platform, Washing Machine, features actual appliance-like toggles to schedule scans or get rid of junk or duplicate files — essentially optimising your Mac to run as efficiently as possible. Any infected pieces found will be quarantined from the rest of the system.
The only real downside is the price, which increases if you want to add more devices to the bundle. But with this level of security it's worth the cost.
Details
Avast
Best For Tight Budgets
The Good & The Bad
- Resident Shield runs quietly
- Free password manager
- Flags devices on your network
- Upgrade is reasonably priced
- Missing paid features
- Slows things down a bit
Why We Like It
You might not be convinced that you should have to pay for Mac security. In which case it's worth giving the free version of Avast a whirl. At least try it on for size.
Avast finds itself listed as the best free Antivirus for Macs across multiple publishers' lists with its impressive engine detection that doesn't skimp where other free competitors do. Though we think the paid version of Avast falls behind other brands at the same level. Others may disagree.
It has two features — a live WiFi vulnerabilities monitor and ransomware shield — that work in tandem with the traditional malware scanner, thus creating an overall armour against common vulnerabilities. It's been proved highly effective in tests, so you know your Mac's in good hands.
Details
Topics Cybersecurity MacBook
Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers and tests essential home tech like vacuums and TVs, plus eco-friendly hacks. Her ever-evolving experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.
Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.
