Best Antivirus for Mac: 11 Options Compared

The old line that Macs don't get viruses was never quite true, and it's even less true now that so much malware arrives through fake downloads, adware and scam websites.

The eleven options below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from free scanners to premium suites. Each description comes from the maker's own site, read this week. If you're weighing up a Mac cleaner as well, read my look at whether MacKeeper is safe first.

Mac antivirus options at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version or an open source edition. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Avast Security for Mac	Free antivirus	A free scanner from a big name	Yes
Avira Free Security for Mac	Free antivirus	Light scanning on older Macs	Yes
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac	Subscription antivirus	Real-time ransomware and adware blocking	Trial only
ClamXAV	Mac-only scanner	A Mac-only scanner with business options	Trial only
Intego Mac Security	Mac security suite	Antivirus plus firewall in one app	Not stated
MacScan 3	On-demand malware scanner	Second-opinion scans for Mac malware	Not stated
Malwarebytes for Mac	Anti-malware app	Adware, scam and web threat blocking	Not stated
Moonlock	Mac antivirus	Calm, plain-language Mac protection	Trial only
Objective-See	Free open-source tools	Technical users who want to see what runs	Yes
Sophos Home	Family security	Homes with Macs and Windows PCs	Trial only
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac	Subscription antivirus	Adding a Mac to a Trend Micro family	Trial only

Eleven Mac antivirus options to consider

Avast Security for Mac

Best for: Home users who want free Mac antivirus from a big consumer brand, with scam and Wi-Fi protection pitched as the premium step.

Avira Free Security for Mac

Best for: Owners of older or slower Macs who want a free scanner that says it's light on system resources and built on native Mac technology.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

Best for: People who want real-time protection against viruses and ransomware plus adware blocking, and want to test it for a month first.

ClamXAV

Best for: Mac-only households and small offices that want a dedicated macOS scanner with home and business versions from a small specialist.

Intego Mac Security

Best for: Mac owners who want antivirus, a firewall, a cleaner and a VPN in one Mac-first suite from a long-standing Mac security maker.

MacScan 3

Best for: Careful users who want an on-demand second scanner with smart, quick, full and custom scans made only for macOS.

Malwarebytes for Mac

Best for: People more worried about adware, suspicious apps and scam sites than classic viruses, with web protection included.

Moonlock

Best for: Mac users put off by scary pop-ups who want an antivirus that promises to care rather than scare, plus an AI assistant.

Objective-See

Best for: Technical Mac users and admins who want free, open-source tools from a security foundation rather than a classic antivirus app.

Sophos Home

Best for: Families with a mix of Macs and Windows PCs who want one security product for every computer in the house.

Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac

Best for: Households already using other Trend Micro apps who want the Mac covered by the same company's antivirus.

What macOS already does before you install anything

Apple Platform Security describes three layers of defence built into macOS. Gatekeeper and Notarisation aim to stop malware launching at all, and XProtect works to block malware and remediate it if it does run.

So a third-party antivirus adds to those layers; it doesn't replace them. Whatever you choose, keep macOS and your apps updated, because the built-in protections update with the system.

Free scanner, Mac-only suite or family security?

Free scanners suit most home users who want a second opinion and basic real-time protection. Mac-only suites come from companies that focus on Apple computers and often add a firewall, a cleaner or a VPN. Family security products cover Macs and Windows PCs under one account, which helps in a mixed household.

There are also free, open-source tools aimed at technical users who'd rather see exactly what's running than have an app make decisions for them.

Signs your Mac might need a scan

• Your browser homepage or search engine changed without you doing it.
• Pop-ups appear even when you're not browsing.
• New apps or browser extensions you don't remember installing.
• Your Mac is suddenly slow or the fans run when nothing is open.
• Friends receive messages from you that you didn't send.

Features worth checking

• Real-time protection. Scans files as they arrive, not only when you run a scan.
• Web protection. Blocks known scam and malicious sites in the browser.
• Ransomware protection. Watches for apps trying to lock your files.
• Light footprint. Doesn't slow down older Macs.

Where Mac threats come from now

Most problems start with something the user agrees to: a fake update, a free app from an unofficial site or a browser extension that promises a feature and adds adware instead. Good habits do as much as any app. Download from the App Store or the developer's own site, and be suspicious of any pop-up telling you your Mac is infected.

Antivirus for a small office full of Macs

If your team works on Macs, one central product that you can manage from a single dashboard saves a lot of chasing. Ask each maker on your shortlist whether they offer a business edition and how alerts reach you.

Do you make Mac security software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on antivirus for Mac

For most people, a free scanner from a well-known maker plus macOS updates is enough. If you download a lot of software from outside the App Store, or you run a business from your Mac, a premium Mac-first suite with real-time protection is worth considering.

Whatever you install, don't run two real-time antivirus apps at once; they can clash and slow everything down. Pick one, keep it updated and run a full scan now and then. My guide to setting up your Mac for marketing work covers the rest of a sensible setup.

Frequently asked questions

Do Macs need antivirus?

macOS includes built-in protections, which Apple Platform Security describes as Gatekeeper, Notarisation and XProtect. Antivirus adds another layer, which helps most if you download software from outside the App Store.

Is there free antivirus for Mac?

Yes. Several options on this list name a free version or describe themselves as free. Check the table.

Can I run two antivirus apps on a Mac?

It's best not to run two real-time scanners together, as they can clash. An on-demand scanner used occasionally alongside one real-time product is a different matter.

What's the difference between antivirus and anti-malware?

In practice the terms overlap. Anti-malware products tend to focus on adware, spyware and suspicious apps as well as classic viruses.

Will antivirus slow my Mac down?

Some products are lighter than others. At least one maker on this list says its software is built to stay light on system resources.

Should a business use home antivirus on its Macs?

Some makers on this list offer business versions. If you look after several Macs for a team, ask about central management.