The Best Mac Antivirus Softwares in 2023: Free & Paid Softwares

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The Best Mac Antivirus Softwares in 2022: Free & Paid Softwares

Credit: Macworld

We’ve all heard the adage that acquiring antivirus for Mac is pointless because Apple goods are completely impervious. Right?

No, no, and no. And, given the sheer number of Mac and MacBook customers throughout the world, and therefore an immense potential target for hackers and cybercriminals, it’s probably a rather short-sighted approach these days. Malware targeting Macs is, unfortunately, becoming more widespread. That’s why having the finest Mac antivirus is so important. You don’t want to buy a new MacBook Pro just to have it harmed by a cyberattack!

Although Apple computers are still less frequently targeted than their Windows counterparts, they can still be infected – and the risks are growing, which is why you need protection. Each Mac antivirus software on this list was picked because it is specifically built to defend Mac systems and has a high detection and removal rate for viruses and malware. 

Because the macOS operating system is based on Unix, it is sandboxed, making it difficult for viruses to cause harm. Consider them to be trapped in a little box from which they will never be able to escape, no matter how hard they try. This means you’ll need Mac antivirus software, whether it’s the most powerful paid-for protection or a free download from the list at the bottom of this page, that’s intended to function with macOS’s special requirements. So keep reading our top picks for the best Mac Antivirus Softwares in 2022


Best Mac Antivirus Softwares in 2022

  1. Norton 360 Standard
  2. Bitdefender Antivirus
  3. Intego Mac Internet Security X9
  4. Avira Free Antivirus
  5. Sophos Home Free
  6. Kaspersky Internet Security


1. Norton 360 Standard


Norton 360 Standard

Credit: Walmart


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Pros

  • Malware detection is flawless
  • A huge feature set. containing a password manager and an unlimited VPN
  • There is hardly little effect on system performance

Cons

  • Pricey for a single license
  • Parental restrictions and online storage do not function on Macs

Norton 360 Standard comes with a slew of handy extras, like an unrestricted VPN subscription and a password manager, both of which its competitors charge extra for. A two-way firewall, a system optimizer, and dark-web data monitoring are all included.

More significantly, Norton 360 Standard has a little impact on system speed, provides 24/7 tech support, and, most critically, detects Mac malware flawlessly.

You will pay a lot for these luxuries, but you’ll save money compared to the cost of a single VPN or password manager. We expect that Mac users will soon have access to the same parental controls, camera protection, and backup software that Windows users enjoy.


2. Bitdefender Antivirus


Bitdefender Antivirus

Credit: BestBuy


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Pros

  • A fantastic antivirus engine
  • Touches of privacy protection are useful
  • Scanners for Windows malware are also available

Cons

  • It lacks a few features, such as a firewall

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is one of the most accurate virus protection suites for Apple devices available, thanks to a solid antivirus engine that is constantly ranked among the best by independent testing laboratories.

Bitdefender isn’t only about basic antivirus protection; it also has a lot of other functions. Multi-layer ransomware protection, powerful anti-phishing features, and extremely comprehensive online browser security offered through an extension are all included. 

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac also monitors adware and is capable of scanning and detecting malware on Windows PCs. This protects you from spreading a Windows infection to your friends or family who may use Windows 10 PCs.

To keep backups secure from ransomware assaults, an extra layer of protection for Time Machine is also a helpful feature. Bitdefender VPN is also included, which is a nice touch. However, the data allocation is just 200MB per day, which is quite restricted – therefore it’s only suitable for very infrequent use. Still, it’s better than nothing and comes in handy in a situation.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the best antivirus for Macs if you’re worried about viruses and other nasties floating around the internet. Finally, you can obtain protection for your Mac as part of Bitdefender Total Security, the company’s flagship security package, in addition to its standalone Mac antivirus.


3. Intego Mac Internet Security X9


Intego Mac Internet Security X9

Credit: B & H


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Pros

  • Firewall with intelligence
  • Simple to use
  • Free Trial period of 30 days

Cons

  • Somewhat of a hit in terms of performance

Intego is a seasoned antivirus business that has been protecting Macs for more than two decades, so if anybody understands what type of protection Apple devices require, it’s this outfit.

Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is a good antivirus program that protects you from the newest dangers. In the past, independent testing laboratories have given it good marks. Scans are also rather quick, and you get protection from Windows viruses.

It has an intelligent firewall with anti-spyware countermeasures in addition to the strong core virus defense. Intego also protects your privacy by preventing third-party applications from stealing your information. Furthermore, Mac Internet Security X9 has a well-designed and user-friendly interface.


The software affects system performance a little harder than other competitors, and the AV-Test evaluation is a touch shaky – but we shouldn’t place too much faith in a single test, since Intego has previously done better.

Another advantage of Intego is that it offers a 30-day free trial, allowing you to test Mac Internet Security X9 to determine whether it suits your needs. Finally, a full Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is available, which includes Internet Security X9 as well as a slew of extras like backup and speed optimization.


4. Avira Free Antivirus

Avira Free Antivirus

Credit: La Tienda de las Licencias


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Pros

  • Some excellent independent lab test results
  • Browser Safety is supplemented with browser-independent Web Protection
  • Specific USB drives are whitelisted or blacklisted by Device Protection
  • Ransomware defense

Cons

  • In testing, Web Protection was shown to be ineffective
  • Some features need an update to operate properly
  • Poor performance in various hands-on tests
  • Users cannot be prevented from whitelisting unfamiliar USB drives using Device Protection

Anti-phishing and anti-tracking measures from Avira are excellent, capturing most of the phishing sites I attempted to access and stopping firms from recording my data while I was surfing. These features are included in Avira’s browser extension, which also offers a useful tool for finding the finest online shopping bargains. The main drawback is that this extension does not function with Safari; instead, it only works with Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

I also enjoy Avira’s VPN, which provided me with a private, fast, and stable internet connection when I tested it. I was able to access streaming platforms without experiencing any IP or DNS leaks. Avira’s free VPN, on the other hand, is restricted to 500 MB each month, which is only enough to browse the internet for 6-7 hours or view one episode of a TV show.

Avira Free Antivirus for Mac includes all of the essential features, such as a malware scanner, web protection, and a limited VPN, but users who want more must upgrade to Avira Prime, which includes a VPN with unlimited browsing data, advanced Mac optimization, and cleaning tools, and coverage for up to five devices for INR4,500 per year.


5. Sophos Home Free


Sophos Home Free

Credit: IndiaMART


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Pros

  • Our hands-on tests yielded excellent results
  • Excellent defense against harmful websites
  • Management through the internet
  • Free

Cons

  • Ineffective parental content filter
  • A few lab findings
  • The phishing prevention score is low
  • Only three gadgets are permitted

While I enjoy most of Sophos’ free Mac features, the parental controls aren’t particularly impressive — they’re OK, but your Mac’s built-in parental controls are just as excellent.

You’ll need to subscribe to Sophos Home Premium if you want further privacy features and protection against Mac ransomware. The Home Premium plan, which starts at INR3,380 per year, also includes premium assistance and coverage for up to 10 devices.

While Sophos’ parental control leaves something to be desired, I believe Sophos is a solid choice for Mac users seeking robust malware protection and web security capabilities. When you upgrade to Sophos Premium, you receive Mac ransomware protection, privacy tools, and coverage for up to ten devices. Sophos offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in addition to a 30-day free trial.


6. Kaspersky Internet Security


Kaspersky Internet Security

Credit: LDLC

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Pros

  • Malware detection is flawless
  • Browser for banking and shopping that has been hardened
  • Webcam security

Cons

  • Password manager, parental restrictions, and a very basic VPN are all available
  • Background influence is noticeable

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac features excellent malware detection rates, little system impact during scans, and a user-friendly interface. It can even switch off the camera on a MacBook, something Apple does not provide.

Kaspersky also provides a secure web browser for online banking and shopping, as well as browser plugins that block harmful URLs and tracking cookies and warn you about dangerous websites.

The finest bonus features, on the other hand, are just hinted at. Only 15 things can be stored in the password manager. Without location tracking, parental controls are restricted to a single child device. You are limited to 300MB of bandwidth per day using the VPN service. 

Unlimited editions of each cost $15, $15, and $30 a year, which isn’t outrageous, but Norton 360 Standard includes two of them for free. At the very least, Kaspersky does not try to upsell you on them.


FAQ

What is the Best Mac Antivirus Software?

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is, in our opinion, the best Mac antivirus application available. In our tests, it had almost no effect on system speed, identified all Mac and Windows malware, rolled back ransomware-encrypted data, and fortified your web browser against online threats. It also gives you 200MB of VPN bandwidth every day, but that’s only a taste of the infinite VPN service.

Norton 360 Standard is a close second, with even greater malware detection, an unrestricted VPN, and a password manager. All Mac and Windows malware is caught by Norton, which has a minimal impact on system performance and incorporates LifeLock dark-web surveillance.

Avira for Mac is our favorite free alternative, with virtually flawless virus protection and an easy-to-use UI. It has less of an impact on system speed than before, and it no longer nags you to upgrade to premium Avira products.

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac boasts excellent malware-detection ratings, a fortified online browser, and camera security. It has a daily VPN use limit of 300MB, but its password manager and parental controls are likewise limited unless you pay extra.

How to choose the Best Mac Antivirus software for your Macbook or Mac Computer?

You must first determine what you require before buying or installing Mac antivirus software. Do you have a mix of Macs and Windows PCs in your house? Then a multiplatform, multi-device bundle like Norton 360 Deluxe, Sophos Home Premium, or McAfee Antivirus Plus is a good option. Bitdefender and Kaspersky both provide multiplatform packages that include the same software we’ve looked at.

Or do you just have Macs? If that’s the case, there’s no need to go overboard: Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac or Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac in one- or three-device editions should suffice.


Do you have any young kids or teenagers at home? Consider Mac antivirus software like Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac or Sophos Home Premium, which includes parental controls and web-content filters.

Then determine how much you can spend. If the response is “nothing,” try Avast Security for Mac or Sophos Home’s free tier. As a result, they aren’t as good as many of the premium shows.

If you can pay $50 each year, though, you have several possibilities. Most antivirus providers, at least for the initial purchase, routinely offer discounts of up to 60%, either directly from their websites or through online merchants.

Is Mac Antivirus really necessary?

That is all up to you. The chance of infection is low, and if you follow simple security precautions and avoid typical frauds, you’re unlikely to have any difficulties. Even ransomware can be defeated if you use the clever strategy of backing up everything critical. 

However, if you’ve ever dealt with the havoc malware can wreak on a Windows system, you’ll know that simply bringing things back to normal can be a huge time sink, especially if critical data has been lost. Perhaps the issue should be if your time is more valuable than the cost of a security tool, rather than whether Mac antivirus is worth the money.

What is the effect of Mac Antivirus on Performance?

Most of us feel that virus protection software has a negative impact on performance, but the truth is that it’s probably not as bad as we think: AV-Test showed no noticeable performance loss while using ClamXav, MacKeeper, Kaspersky, or Norton in their testing.

There was a significant difference between Sophos and Trend Micro (two percent extra system load) and ESET and Bitdefender (four percent additional system load).


Do I need Free or Premium Antivirus Software for my Mac?

Whether you use a Mac or a PC, the discussion remains the same. Although free antivirus software is good at defending against threats, it lacks several premium capabilities.

When a network has several systems, cyberattackers have more users and endpoints to target. This risk may be mitigated with additional management tools that allow you to define policies.

Although Macs are believed to be safer than PCs, people may not be willing to take the chance in order to save money.

Although Macs are believed to be safer than PCs, people may not be willing to take the chance in order to save money.

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