Best Antivirus for Mac in 2024: Top 10 Reviewed and Compared

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With new malware types like MetaStealer threatening Apple products, you need the best antivirus for Mac to protect your devices from online threats. Antivirus software specifically designed for macOS acts as a defense mechanism against malware, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more.

The best tools not only strengthen Apple’s built-in defenses, but they can also improve system performance. Using a strong antivirus, you can keep your Apple PC free of junk files and unwanted apps and optimize its operations.

But you can get these benefits only if you choose one of the best antivirus for Mac in 2024. To help you make an informed decision, we tested and reviewed the top security software available for Apple machines today.

The Best Antivirus Software for Mac in 2024: Top 10 Shortlist

With so many antivirus options available – both free and paid – it can be difficult to select the best tool for your Mac. Importantly, many security apps are designed for Windows and later retrofitted to meet the needs of macOS, which means they don’t work as well as expected.

Now, cybersecurity shouldn’t be a matter of trial and error. Here are the 10 best antivirus software for Mac, as revealed in our tests, which are sure to offer you robust protection.

1. TotalAV – Best Antivirus for Mac Overall
2. Nord Threat Protection – Best Antivirus for Mac Users Focused on VPN
3. Norton Antivirus Plus – Best Antivirus for Mac Users Looking for Targeted 100% Virus Protection
4. Surfshark Antivirus – Best Lightweight Antivirus for Mac with Unlimited VPN
5. Trend Micro – Best Basic Antivirus for Mac at an Affordable Price
6. ESET Smart Security Premium – Best Mac Antivirus for Large Cross-Platform Households
7. Avast – Best Antivirus for Multiple Mac Devices and Frequent Public Wi-Fi Use
8. Intego – Best Antivirus for Mac Device Maintenance and Backup
9. Avira – Best Antivirus for Apple Environments with 20+ Devices
10. Panda Dome – Best Antivirus for Mac Users Looking to Protect Unlimited Devices

The Top 10 Antivirus Tools for Mac Reviewed

Let us now take a closer look at each of these antivirus options for Mac, along with the findings from our review and tests.

1. TotalAV — Overall, the Best Mac Antivirus Software in 2024

UK-based TotalAV offers three products: Antivirus Pro, Internet Security, and Total Security. All of these tools are compatible with Mac. Our tests found that the Total Security plan is among the best security tools you can choose for your Apple devices.

TotalAV protects your Apple device on several levels. It finds and eliminates viruses, trojans, and malware through 24/7 real-time scanning. It also performs zero-day cloud scanning to protect against unknown threats.

Since the company also offers a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app, online security is also central to its capabilities. It ensures safe browsing by masking your identity online.

TotalAV has a built-in browser manager and cleaner to optimize your browsing experience on macOS.

Another impressive feature enabled by TotalAV is protection from Potentially Unwanted Applications or PUAs. It will monitor all the programs installed on your Apple PC and flag unwanted ones (even if they are not explicitly dangerous) so you can take steps to remove them.

In addition to protecting your Mac, you can extend the TotalAV license to iPhones and iPads; one license covers 3-6 devices. Some of the value-adding features we found in our TotalAV tests include its excellent password manager (complete with secure password generation), a disk cleaner, and an ad block tool.

Pricing

TotalAV pricing for Mac starts at $29 for the first year when you sign up, which will automatically renew at $119/year for the second year onwards. This is the entry-level Pro plan. You can level up to the Internet Security plan at $39 for the first year or Total Security at $49 for the first year.

2. Nord Threat Protection – Best Antivirus for Mac Users Focused on VPN

Nord, the cybersecurity company best known for its VPN tool, also offers one of the best antivirus software for Mac. NordVPN Threat Protection prevents online threats from infecting your Mac systems. It provides file protection and vulnerability detection as well.

Nord will automatically scan every URL you visit and block access to malicious websites. It enforces several other online security measures like web tracker blocking, ad blockers, and phishing prevention, which make it a lot safer to browse the web.

You can even filter traffic through Nord’s own DNS servers to remove out any harmful content before it can reach your Apple device.

Indeed, Nord Threat Protection’s web scanning capabilities are among the strongest we’ve seen in our exhaustive tests. In addition to online security, Nord will monitor local files for virus or malware. It’ll stop you from clicking on files with fake or double extensions.

Pricing

NordVPN Threat Protection costs $4.79/month when you purchase a two-year plan. You could also buy a basic plan at $3.79, but that includes only VPN. While it is a powerful antivirus for Mac, Nord can get costlier when you purchase a one-year ($5.49/month onwards) or monthly ($13.99 onwards) plan.

3. Norton Antivirus Plus – Best Antivirus for Mac Users Looking for Targeted 100% Virus Protection

Founded in 1990, Norton is among the most recognized antivirus software for Mac owners. It has won several awards, including AV-TEST’s Best Protection 2022 Award and PC Mag’s Best Consumer Security Brand recognition.

Antivirus Plus is its entry-level and most affordable offering.

Norton is a pureplay antivirus software that protects you from viruses, malware, ransomware, and hacking. Unlike several other top antivirus for Mac, it doesn’t include a VPN. However, to keep you safe online, Norton Antivirus Plus includes a firewall service for Mac to block unauthorized traffic.

In addition, Norton’s PC Cloud backup lets you safely store important files away from your local machine as a preventive measure against data loss.

Pricing

Pricing for Norton Antivirus Plus starts at $19.99/year, but you may be able to get a discounted price during seasonal sales. The company also offers localized pricing (e.g., INR 799 or approximately $11 in India) to make the app affordable to users worldwide.

4. Surfshark Antivirus — Outstanding Antivirus Software for Mac With a VPN

Surfshark is a relatively new antivirus tool that also offers one of the best VPN services out there. It’s one of the few companies that does both VPNs and antivirus protection well, and it does so at an affordable price.

Surfshark’s affordable antivirus software provides a host of security features. It’s easy to set up and configure, with a single app for all functionalities, including IP address masking, malware detection, and security alerts.

Webcam protection is a unique feature that Surfshark offers – Mac users will be immediately notified if someone is trying to access their webcam remotely.

The company also includes the Surfshark Cloud Protect service in its antivirus plan. This is essentially a threat intelligence database that scans for new viruses that may appear every day. All things considered, Surfshark makes a great pitch for value.

Pricing

Pricing starts at $2.30/month, which is quite affordable for a top antivirus for Mac. You can also upgrade to the Surfshark One Plan which includes a VPN, incognito search, personal data breach alert, and more, apart from the powerful antivirus.

5. Trend Micro – Best Basic Antivirus for Mac at an Affordable Price

Trend Micro is globally known for its consumer-facing and enterprise-grade security tools. The Japanese company offers dedicated antivirus software for Mac users, distinct from its Windows and cross-platform offerings.

Trend Micro Basic Antivirus for Mac is an entry-level product for securing Apple devices. It offers ransomware prevention, spam blockers, and safe transactions – covering just one Mac device per license.

Mac owners can also choose Trend Micro Maximum Security, which covers 5 devices. The plan has a far wider feature set, including parental controls, social media privacy, and a password manager.

Trend Micro’s Maximum Security will automatically monitor, repair, and optimize your systems for better performance.

You can protect your iPhones and iPads with Trend Micro Maximum Security. Our tests found that both antivirus plans for Mac use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to learn and adapt to new threats.

Pricing

Trend Micro offers two types of antivirus for Mac devices – Basic for $29.95/year for 1 device and Maximum Security for $49.97/year for 5 devices. The cheaper plan is sufficient if antivirus is all you’re looking for. Opt for the premium plan if you regularly make online transactions on your Apple device.

6. ESET Smart Security Premium – Best Mac Antivirus for Large Cross-Platform Households

Slovak software company ESET offers powerful cybersecurity tools for personal use, home offices, and companies of every size. ESET Smart Security is the company’s premium home security solution, which includes a robust antivirus for Mac.

Using ESET, you can run 24/7 automated scans on your macOS desktop. This offers multi-layered protection, including viruses, trojans, spyware, and other types of malicious attacks. Besides this, you can run fast scans that work in the background without interrupting your browsing or gaming sessions.

ESET’s password manager lets you store and synchronize your login credentials across devices, including Apple products. Another useful feature is parental control, which allows Mac users to enforce network restrictions and manage all the devices in the household from a single app.

Pricing

ESET Smart Security costs $69.99/year for 3 devices. Keep in mind that in addition to antivirus for Mac, it offers powerful features for Windows PCs, such as military-grade encryption of files and folders and metadata removal from images.

You can benefit from a 15% discount if you sign up for a two-year commitment. If a family member using Windows joins the plan, then the unlimited VPN feature is an added bonus.

7. Avast – Best Antivirus for Multiple Mac Devices and Frequent Public Wi-Fi Use

Best known for its free antivirus for Mac, Avast also provides powerful paid protection against security threats. You can use it to avoid email scams, prevent Wi-Fi vulnerabilities, and stay vigilant when you visit potentially malicious websites.

Avast for Mac scans for viruses, spyware, and other threats in real-time. Importantly, this feature is available with both free and paid apps. Our testing found that paid plans, like Avast’s Premium Security, add a number of protective shields for various types of activities on your Mac.

For instance, the web shield kicks in when you click on a suspicious link. The email shield blocks incoming or outgoing malicious attachments, and the ransomware shield protects sensitive data stored on your computer.

The antivirus includes strong network security capabilities that can detect weaknesses in your home Wi-Fi or a public network. If an intruder is trying to break into your network connection, Avast alerts you immediately.

Pricing

You can purchase Avast premium Security for $39.99/year, which covers 1 Mac, and for an extra $10, you can protect up to 10 devices. Avast Ultimate starts at $69.99/year.

8. Intego – Best Antivirus for Mac Device Maintenance and Backup

Intego is among the few security companies specializing in antivirus for Mac, although it has a few offerings for Windows as well. Intego’s product line for macOS is comprehensive, with tools for Internet security, VPN, firewall security, parental control, and backup.

For our tests, we explored Intego’s new Mac Total Protection offering, which is an all-in-one antivirus and cybersecurity solution. It scans your Mac PC for malware and removes junk files that may be occupying storage space on your Apple device.

Intego will scan any external devices that you connect to your computer, and its NetBarrier feature monitors the active network for unauthorized access.

In addition to intrusion prevention, Intego also blocks data exfiltration attempts. By subscribing to the Premium bundle, you get several value-adding features like your own personal backup, built-in VPN for privacy, and ContentBarrier to block inappropriate content.

Pricing

Intego costs $39.99/year for the entry-level plan, Mac Internet Security X9. The Mac Premium Bundle X9 is priced at $69.99/year, and the Mac Premium Bundle + VPN costs $89.99. These prices are for a simple device, and adding devices costs $15-20 more.

9. Avira – Best Antivirus for Apple Environments with 20+ Devices

Avira, best known for its free antivirus for Mac and Windows, also offers a powerful paid security software called Avira Prime. This is an end-to-end suite that protects up to 25 devices, with a VPN and password manager built-in.

The free antivirus for Mac protects you from ransomware, spyware, adware, and other types of threats. It’s built on native Mac technology, which means that Avira is optimized to run on your Apple PC. It also includes a free VPN (500 MB/month).

You get unlimited VPN with the Prime package and a handy computer cleaner to quickly eliminate junk files for better Mac performance.

Pricing

Avira Prime costs $36.99/year if you choose to protect 5 devices. A 25-device license will cost between $120 and $150, depending on any ongoing promos or discounts.

10. Panda Dome – Best Antivirus for Mac Users Looking to Protect Unlimited Devices

Panda Dome offers two antivirus options for Mac – Essential, which includes antivirus and safe browsing, and Premium, which adds on premium VPN and 24/7 tech support.

Panda Dome constantly scans your Mac for malware and flags them in real-time. It will quarantine infected files, and you can restore them later if needed.

It also ensures safe browsing by blocking access to fraudulent and malware-infected websites. It automatically detects if a website is making a phishing attempt so you can avoid visiting these potentially harmful pages.

The premium VPN included in Panda Dome supports unlimited bandwidth on up to 5 devices. It has 1,000+ servers distributed in 60+ countries, and you can choose which one you use to mask your IP address.

Pricing

Panda Dome Essential costs $35.99/year, while Premium will cost you $100.49/year. This pricing is for one device only and will increase slightly when you add more devices during checkout. In our tests, we found that Panda Dome Premium for unlimited devices costs $239.24/year.

The Best Antivirus Programs for Mac: Quick Comparison

Our tests revealed that TotalAV is the best antivirus program for Mac overall because of its comprehensive (but not bloated) feature set, multi-device coverage, and affordable pricing. However, the best antivirus will depend on your unique need and use case. Here is a quick comparison:

Do I Need an Antivirus for Mac in 2024

Contrary to popular beliefs of Mac owners worldwide, Macs can and do get viruses. While it is true that PCs are more susceptible to malware, that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down when using a Mac.

We spend a large portion of our lives online, and even if you’re extra careful, there’s no guarantee that your computer is safe from online threats. In fact, all it takes is visiting the wrong website for your computer to become infected. So why do you need an antivirus for Mac?

Cybercrime is On the Rise

Cyber theft has been steadily rising over the years and is only expected to increase in the future. As our lives move increasingly online, we are more at risk for malicious attacks through the internet.

All it takes to get infected nowadays is to click on the wrong link or download the wrong file, and all your devices and payment methods can be exposed. Trust me, you don’t want to be on the phone with your bank during a holiday.

Macs Are No Longer Immune to Viruses

For a long time, Macs were considered immune to viruses because of their Unix-based operating system. However, this is no longer the case, as there have been several malware attacks specifically targeting Macs in recent years.

The more people bought Macs, the more lucrative it became to design malware for macOS.

Even if You’re Careful, You Can Still Get Infected

Even if you’re careful about the websites you visit and the files you download, it’s still possible to get infected with a virus. This is because viruses can be spread through email attachments and downloads from trusted websites that have been compromised.

There Are so Many Online Threats

There are a number of different types of malware, including:

Each type of malware has a different purpose and can cause different kinds of damage to your computer. The most common now is “ransomware”, which can lock up your computer and demand payment for release.

While antivirus software protects against viruses, it also protects against various other threats, such as spyware, phishing attacks, and malicious websites.

Protect Your Kids

If you have young children who use your computer, it’s important to have an antivirus program installed. Most antivirus providers on our list offer parental controls that allow you to block certain websites and monitor your child’s activity online.

Free Mac Antivirus VS Paid Antivirus Services

Free isn’t always the best, but free solutions can be a great way to test the software before committing to a paid plan. Here are our top picks for the best free antivirus software for Mac:

Avast

Our best free Mac antivirus pick is Avast Free Mac Security, which offers excellent malware protection and a generous selection of extra features. It’s not quite as light on system resources as some competitors, but it’s still reasonably efficient. The interface is attractive and easy to use, making it a good choice for less experienced users.

Avira

Avira Free Antivirus for Mac is our second-best pick.

It has good malware protection, although not quite as good as Avast’s, and a decent selection of extra features. However, its system-resource usage is higher than average, and the interface isn’t quite as user-friendly as we’d like.

Intego

Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is our third-best pick. It has excellent malware protection and a good selection of features. It’s also quite efficient in terms of system resources, making it a good choice for users with older Macs.

While those are some good free antivirus programs available, they don’t offer the same level of protection as a paid program. In addition, free antivirus programs often lack some of the extra features that can be found in paid options, such as firewall protection and parental controls.

If you’re looking for the best possible protection for your Mac, we recommend investing in a paid antivirus program like TotalAV or Nord Threat Protection.

How to Get Started with the Best Mac Antivirus Tool

Installing and setting up an antivirus tool on a Mac is straightforward. Let’s use TotalAV as an example:

Step #1: Download and Install TotalAV

Step #2: Click Continue to Install

Step #3: Enter Your Password to Complete the Installation

And, that’s it. It automatically updates itself, so you don’t need to do anything else.

What’s the Best Antivirus Software for Mac in 2024?

Apple computers can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, with the M2 MacBook Air costing $1,099 at launch and the M2 MacBook Pro available for over $2,000. So, you want to make sure they’re well-protected against the latest threats and performance issues.

Even if you have full faith in Apple’s built-in security features, you also need to have a reliable antivirus program installed.

TotalAV is our top pick because it provides excellent protection against all types of malware, has a user-friendly interface, and doesn’t slow down your Mac. It’s also one of the most affordable antivirus programs on our list, starting at $29/year.

Plus, it protects you from ransomware, phishing attacks, and other online threats consistently so that you can rest easy whenever you’re online. Thanks to the free app, it’s easy to get started with TotalAV before you finally decide which is the best antivirus to purchase for your Mac.

Mac Antivirus FAQs