Menu
Many say Antivirus software is a myth and it inserts malware in your PCs and Mac. Well, that’s not the case as I have tested out several free and paid Antivirus software on my MacBook. A lot of antivirus software for Mac are available; I have run a few of them and they meet my expectations. I hope they are useful to you as well as you’re searching for the finest Mac antivirus software.
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac: Best affordable Mac Antivirus software Source: Nicole Johnston/ Kaspersky Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac is one of the few programs to earn a perfect, 100% score for malware detection and protection for Mac computers. Even if your Mac is less likely to contract a virus, it’s still possible for you to pass along malware to Windows and Android users. It doesn’t hurt to install a free antivirus for your Mac to prevent any security breaches. If you’re looking to protect your Windows PC as well, check out our list of the best antivirus for Windows 10.
Well, it’s just a matter of time if you want to remove the Mac auto fixer virus but if you want protection from all types of viruses, malware and ransomware, then you need to check our best Mac antivirus software available in 2020. Of course, not all antivirus software protect the Mac from ransomware but a few of them do that.
Best Paid and Free Antivirus Software for Mac in 2020
To make it easy for you, I have decided to break down the list into two parts: free antivirus software for Mac and paid Mac antivirus software. So here we go…
Quick Access:
Best Free Antivirus Software for Mac
#1. Avast Security
Ever since my childhood days, whenever I heard of Antivirus, first thing that came to my mind was Avast Antivirus. That was probably the best antivirus software those days and it’s still on the top when it comes to the free version.
Avast provides features like real time protection along with a full system scan. Other than this, it allows you to run custom scans so that your Mac is always safe. Moreover, if you’re often using the internet and visiting various websites every day, it blocks websites with malicious attempts on your Mac.
Overall, Avast is one of the best Antivirus software for Mac that is available for free! The best part is it doesn’t affect the system performance in any way and it scans the complete system quickly as compared to other antivirus software programs.
#2. Sophos
Sophos is the most underrated antivirus program, but believe me, it’s one of the finest antivirus packages available for Mac. It comes with initial Home Free plan of 30-day trail period and I am sure you’ll love the premium features offered by this software.
That doesn’t mean it’s just free for 30 days, but you will not be able to use a couple of premium features available in the paid plan after that. Be it a virus, ransomware, Trojans, malware etc., it quickly scans to stop, remove and prevent your Mac against every possible vulnerability.
The best thing I liked about Sophos Home Plan (of course paid after 30 days) is it comes with parental control. This allows you to block certain websites that you don’t want your kids to open. You can try this free plan from Sophos on three devices simultaneously ensuring that all your systems are safe!
#3. Avira Antivirus
Macbook for garageband. When a software protects your Mac in real-time in the background, you couldn’t ask for more! It is always running in the background to detect instant virus, malware, Trojans etc. trying to creep into your Mac and it blocks it right away!
The free plan from Avira also comes with a browser safety feature in the form of extension or add-on for different browsers. With this, it blocks the unsafe websites and those blogs/websites that use different tracking codes to extract your browser or system information without your permission.
Take note that it only supports the Mac systems that are running on macOS versions released after 2017. So if you didn’t update your Mac, consider it to update with the latest macOS version right away to take full advantage of Avira free antivirus plan.
#4. AVG
AVG is known for the transparency it brings to the table! It’s very sharp in terms of protecting your Mac with the automatic updates that it gets in its database. AVG runs in the background right when your Mac starts and if it doesn’t, make sure you enable it to launch automatically on Mac startup.
As it runs in the background, you can perform your tasks on your Mac without any worries as it automatically blocks the malicious activities in the apps or websites you are visiting.
Take note that the full system scan is on the slower side as compared to Avast. So if you’re looking for a solution that can do a full system scan, this might not be an ideal choice for you. Other than that, it’s worth as it comes for free!
#5. Bitdefender
If quick malware detection is your sole purpose, one cannot get a better antivirus program than Bitdefender. The blazing fast speed at which it detects all types of viruses, Trojans, malware etc. is simply amazing!
With multiple scan options, you are your own boss to decide which mode you want to use to scan your Mac. It’s easy to navigate through the various options and it doesn’t affect your system speed in any way!
The only set back of this free Bitdefender version is it doesn’t provide protection to your browsers or email apps on your Mac. One more thing, it will always ask you to upgrade to a paid plan every now and then. Rest, everything is fine if you’re looking for a free Mac antivirus software.
So these were some of the finest antivirus programs available for free for your Mac. Now, let’s have a look at some of the paid ones that stand up to your expectations.
Best Paid Antivirus Software for Mac
You simply cannot entrust your precious Mac to a free antivirus program irrespective of the best security features. Better be safe than sorry by getting a paid plan of any of these Mac antivirus software packages reviewed below.
#1. Norton 360 Deluxe
Norton is one of the most trusted companies when it comes to Mac Antivirus software. It’s been used by thousands if not millions of users around the world currently.
The best part about this software is it lets you scan the system when you are not active on your Mac. Other than this, there are many other scanning options that you can use. With excellent malware detection, it can protect up to five of your systems simultaneously with this 360 Deluxe plan which costs $59.99/year (as of writing this).
Norton comes with unlimited usage of VPN and a password manager for Mac as well along with the antivirus software. Now that’s just like icing on the cake as you don’t need to buy a separate VPN for Mac now. Blue stack pc software download. It’s a bit expensive for sure but given the 24/7 technical support via phone and chat, it makes it worth every penny you spend!
#2. McAfee Total Protection
Safeguard all your data, passwords, IDs used to log in various websites, browsers and a lot more with McAfee Total Protection plan on your Mac. While all the antivirus programs usually slow down your Mac, McAfee has a variety of tools that can actually improve your system performance.
With encrypted storage features and home network security, it’s a perfect antivirus software for those who are looking to get it for their regular use at home, be it individual or a complete family (up to 10 devices).
Not just your Mac, but you can also safeguard your iOS devices, Android or Windows systems if you have any when you choose multiple devices plan.
#3. Malwarebytes Premium for Mac
Malwarebytes might not be considered the best of all but it certainly is an option to try if you have minimal needs for your Mac in terms of protection. Of course, you can try the free trial offered by Malwarebytes but I am sure you will love it.
There are a lot of users who think Norton or McAfee is far better than this antivirus software and it is true up to some extent as I have personally used a few of these software on my Mac. Of course, it’s easy to use navigation and super fast scans can get your eyeballs rolling for this software.
Besides this, there is hardly any impact on your Mac when Malwarebytes is scanning your system in the background while you work on your regular tasks on Mac. Overall, this would be my third option if I had to choose anything after Norton and McAfee.
#4. Kaspersky Internet Security
Online shopping has rapidly seen upward curve because of internet speeds and a plethora of websites offering various discounts. With that comes the threat of leaking details of your card, bank accounts, personal information etc. And this is where you need Kaspersky’s Internet Security for Mac.
The online attacks are blocked by Kaspersky when you visit certain websites and it’s much more than just an antivirus as it safeguards everything on your Mac. Be it a virus, malware, Trojan, ransomware or any other scripts that try to creep into your Mac, Kaspersky’s Internet Security plan for Mac blocks them right away!
With perfect malware detection, amazing parental controls and handful of privacy tools, it stands on top for many users who are looking for the best Antivirus for Mac. The only set back is that it impacts your system heavily when you scan your Mac. You can avoid your work when the system is being scanned. That’s the only way out! Rest, everything is perfect!
#5. Bitdefender Total Security
As compared to all the paid antivirus programs available for Mac, Bitdefender is cheaper. If you ever wanted the fastest antivirus software, this one should be your first choice as it’s one of the cheapest options too. Within a matter of seconds, it can scan thousands of files on your Mac. That’s really SUPER FAST, indeed!
![Best Free Virus Software Mac Best Free Virus Software Mac](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/71/c2/85/71c285e5bbde25c6da8e8813b0f8f291.jpg)
Besides the audio, video, and software, it can also scan files like PDF, ZIP etc. which isn’t possible in most of the antivirus programs. The always-on scanner option lets you run the Bitdefender in the back-end ensuring that your Mac is safe 24/7 when you turn it on!
The best part is it comes with an adware blocker which is hardly offered by any of the antivirus companies. When you select five devices plan, you can use it on your devices running different operating systems like macOS, iOS, Android, Windows and others.
These are some of the finest Mac antivirus software that are available in the free trial and paid versions as well.
Summing Up…
Best Free Virus Software For Mac
If I were you, I would have definitely selected the free plan first, test out which works perfectly as per my Mac data and files and then move ahead with the paid plans respectively. So which one of these antivirus programs for Mac are you going to get for your system? Do let us know in the comment section right away!
Recommended Posts on Mac Software You Might Like!
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/iosblogger/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/iosblogger/How to Share Purchased Apps Between iPhones and iPads
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/iosblogger/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/iosblogger/
By Gina Barrow, Last updated: April 24, 2020
Although viruses are not an issue for concern for most Mac users, it is still best that you are familiar with the best free Mac antivirus tools in the market. Although it is true that Apple devices are targeted less than Windows PCs, there is still a risk for your device to be infected.
Due to the increased risk, it is vital to be prepared with some form of protection. There are several choices of the best free Mac antivirus tools that are specially designed to protect your device and efficient in identifying and eliminating viruses and malware.
Generally, the macOS operating system is based on the Unix operating system which is sandboxed. It simply means that it is hard for viruses to cause any harm. In simple terms, you can imagine them locked up in a miniature box where they cannot escape no matter how hard they try. 3d manipulation software. You need a specific Mac antivirus software, whether it is paid or free version that is specifically designed to deal with the distinct demands of the macOS.
People Also ReadHow To Delete Cookies on Your Mac Device?How to Clean up A Mac
Do I really need an antivirus for my Mac
![Best Free Virus Software Mac Best Free Virus Software Mac](https://cdn3.geckoandfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/bruce-lee-kung-fu-quotes-02-830x467.jpg)
Majority of Mac users claim that Apple devices are generally secure and do not require additional protection. It is important to note that Macs are secure than Windows due to two main reasons:
- Technically, macOS is a Unix-based operating system where the macOS is sandboxed. In simple terms, there are a series of doors in the macOS. Once malware gains entry to your Mac, it cannot spread to the heart of the machine. Although Macs are not completely immune to hacking, they are harder to infiltrate than Windows PCs.
- The second purpose is that there are fewer users of Mac than Windows PCs. Generally, less available targets are difficult to hack. This is the reason why cybercriminals mainly focus on Windows PCs.
Nevertheless, Macs are not fully safe and as they start to grow in popularity and cybercriminals are becoming smarter, the risk is significantly increased.
A close look at best free Mac antivirus software
The risk for your Mac to be infected by a virus or malware can be lessened if you will use one of the best free Mac antivirus software. Depending on your needs, you should take a close look at this selection.
Avast Free Mac Security
With Avast Free Mac Security, it provides added protection to your Mac with several noteworthy features.
The core antivirus engine ensures real-time protection to detect possible threats when they appear. You have the option to initiate an on-demand full system scan once an issue is suspected or launch a targeted check on specific files, drives or folders. You can also schedule scans to automatically run when you are not around.
The Web Shield feature of Avast provides warning on malicious websites, protects your privacy by getting rid of intrusive ad tracking and blocking dangerous downloads and email attachments.
Mac Virus Software
An additional extra is the wireless network scanner of Avast. This is also worth mentioning since it rapidly checks the network, router, and connected devices. It sends out an alert on any possible vulnerabilities.
Avira Free Antivirus for Mac
Although several antivirus companies create a good appeal by listing several features, Avira Antivirus for Mac sticks on a simple and more lightweight approach. This antivirus software lacks web filtering, network scanning or other security extras.
The software is mainly focused on keeping your system free from any malware. As one of the best free Mac antivirus software in the market, this functions as a real-time scanner that checks any file the system accesses. It detects threats before they can trigger any harm. The “scheduler” also allows you to set up the application to scan the system automatically or you can check your device anytime you want.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac
This is a lightweight free malware tool that is capable of tracking down and eliminating both Mac and Windows-related issues.
The interface is simple which makes the application easy to use. There is a status display that provides you with an updated gauge on how your system is doing along with 4 buttons that enable a quick scan of vital locations. The application conducts an extensive analysis of your entire system or you can opt for quick scans on running applications or a folder that you want.
Although it appears basic, using Bitdefender for some time can lead to noticeable changes to your system. Furthermore, the app will not oblige you to wait a day for your next virus signature updates. Bitdefender issues updates hourly and the Virus Scanner tool acquires the latest version before starting a scan.
You also have the option to exclude certain folders and files from a scan. This is an added advantage which reduces the work the engine must perform and significantly speeding up the scanning time.
Malwarebytes for Mac
Since 2006, Malwarebytes has been getting rid of a variety of Windows threats. With the Mac edition, it is relatively simple yet highly effective.
This tool is a lightweight installation. Although the lack of real-time protection cannot thwart attacks, it can only remove existing infections. There is also an assurance that there is no real impact on your system resources. In addition, the application is unlikely to trigger any conflicts with other antivirus tools.
In general, the performance of Malwarebytes is another noteworthy feature which claims to quickly scan an average system in less than 15 seconds.
Best Free Virus Software Mac
Once Malwarebytes for Mac is installed, you have a 30-day trial of the Premium edition that can distinguish and block any threats. If you do not want to utilize this feature, simply ignore it. The real-time protection will end once the trial expires and you will only have access to on-demand scanning.
Sophos Home for Mac
With Sophos, you can enjoy on-demand scanning to clean up an infected system, real-time protection to thwart attacks, browser filtering, and parental controls.
This application can cover up to 3 Mac or Windows devices in just one account. You can remotely check and manage their status from a central web console. This makes it the ideal choice when you want protection for the entire family.
Quick tip on optimizing your Mac
Once you have chosen one of the best free Mac antivirus software for your Mac, you should also have an efficient tool that can optimize and speed up the overall performance of your device. The ideal solution is no other than FoneDog PowerMyMac.
The difference of FoneDog PowerMyMac than other similar apps in the market is that it is a comprehensive and all-around tool that can cater to various issues you might encounter on your Mac. It has three main modules that have all the tools that you need to ensure that your devices stay in top shape – Status, Cleaner, and Toolkit. So what are you waiting for? It is time to download the ideal antivirus for your Mac along with FoneDog PowerMyMac.
>Tricks >Best Free Mac Antivirus Software in 2020
Comment ()