
We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. By continuing to browse you consent to our use of cookies. You can understand more and change your cookies preferences here.
Looking for the best antivirus for Mac users? You've come to the right place.
Although the Apple MacOS operating system has been built to withstand malicious attacks, and there have been comparatively few viruses written to target Macs, Mac users could be exposed to a rise in viruses and malware in the future. With Mac ownership on the increase, criminals are now actively targeting the Mac ecosystem.
Our Mac antivirus lab test involves subjecting every piece of software to tens of thousands of threats, including viruses, ransomware and phishing attacks designed to compromise and steal data. We repeat the test four times each year and the scores you see below are based on a full year of testing, giving you confidence that our recommendations have performed consistently all year.
Below we’ve featured the very best free Mac antivirus and paid-for Mac antivirus software, along with all nine suites we tested this year and a features comparison table so you can see which software is right for you.
Wondering whether it's worth upgrading your computer? See our Apple MacBook reviews to find out whether it's worth it.
Thanks to our tests, we know which free antivirus program is the best for Mac users. Our tests have also uncovered one that has poor virus protection and completely lacks phishing protection. So make sure you read our test results before you install.
Which? members can log in to see our full free antivirus for Mac results. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock these reviews, along with all of our online reviews - including laptops, computer monitors, electric cars and more.
70% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | |
46% | ★★☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | |
Antivirus software doesn't come cheap. However, thanks to our tests, we can help you save money as we have discovered a very affordable Best Buy. Make sure you read our Mac antivirus results before you get out your credit card and pay for the software.
Which? members can log in to see our full free antivirus for Mac results. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock these reviews, along with all of our online reviews - including laptops, computer monitors, electric cars and more.
75% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | |
73% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | |
72% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | |
71% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | |
69% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | |
69% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | |
67% | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
We’ve put all of the packages below through our full suite of tough lab tests to find out how they score on measures such as live protection, anti-phishing and cleaning malware, as well as rating them on how easy they are to use, and even on the annoyance of any pop-up ads. Log in or join Which? to find out more and get our expert verdict.
Avast’s free Mac security suite is a basic package that promises protection from viruses, ransomware and phishing attacks, and will even warn you of any poor wi-fi security settings that it finds. It also comes with a password management tool. Since viruses for Macs are somewhat rarer than those for Windows, is it worth even taking the time to download it?
Norton’s Mac security is included as part of all of its subscription tiers. We’ve tested the Windows option and how it handles malware designed to attack that operating system, but we ran a separate test to see whether its Mac antivirus is worth the cash, too.
With all the basics for safe browsing and downloading included, AVG looks like a strong package. We’ve run it through our rigorous lab tests and pitted it against hundreds of viruses to see how it fares.
Below we've arranged all the antivirus software we've tested alongside the key features you might expect to find. Scroll past our table to find out more about what each feature means.
Avast Premium Security | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Avast Free Security | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
AVG AntiVirus for Mac | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
Avira Free Security Suite | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
ESET Cyber Security Pro | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
F-Secure Safe | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Even if the Mac operating system has traditionally proven resistant to virus attacks, there are still risks. If you use your Mac to go online, you’re open to many of the same issues that affect Windows PC users, including spam emails, phishing scams, Trojan malware, browser vulnerabilities and ID theft. In fact, March 2016 saw the first example of Mac-breaching ransomware.
Apple continues to keep its Mac operating system security beefed up. For example, its Gatekeeper tool can prevent you from installing anything other than Apple-approved or registered software. FileVault keeps your files safe from prying eyes by encrypting your Mac so it can only be used by an authorised user. Other MacOS security features include anti-phishing, privacy and parental controls.
MacOS now also includes App Sandbox, which keeps your apps separate from system components, so it’s easier to remove one app if it gets infected by a malicious program.
Our test involves subjecting every piece of software to tens of thousands of threats, including viruses, ransomware and phishing attacks designed to compromise and steal data. We repeat the test four times each year and the scores you see below are based on a full year of testing, giving you confidence that our recommendations have performed consistently all year.
For more, see our guide on how we test antivirus software.