The Best Antivirus for Mac in 2026
We researched Mac antivirus products from their official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings reflect the category’s core job, value for money and verified features, alongside independent lab results, system impact, ransomware protection, phishing protection and price per Mac.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
Avast One#1 of 429.3/10Broad multi-device protection with a free entry plan and layered paid features.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac#2 of 429.2/10Focused Mac protection with ransomware coverage, web defenses, and a 30-day trial.
30-day trial
-
Top-ranked free plan
Avira Free Security#3 of 429.1/10A free Mac security package combining malware protection with privacy and performance tools.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 42 tools, best first
-
Best forBroad, affordable multi-device protection
Broad multi-device protection with a free entry plan and layered paid features.
- Ransomware protection
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Avast One -
Best forMac-focused protection at a low annual price
Focused Mac protection with ransomware coverage, web defenses, and a 30-day trial.
- VPN included
- Phishing protection
- Real-time protection
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Bitdefender -
Best forFree antivirus with broad everyday protection
A free Mac security package combining malware protection with privacy and performance tools.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Avira -
Best forFree Mac-only malware and web protection
A focused Mac security tool with free scanning, real-time protection, and web safeguards.
- Phishing protection
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Malwarebytes -
Best forMac users wanting antivirus plus VPN
A focused Mac security suite that adds cleanup and VPN features at higher tiers.
- VPN included
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Intego -
Best forFamilies wanting broad security controls
A broad home-security suite for families that need protection beyond antivirus.
- Ransomware protection
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ESET -
Best forUsers wanting a broad Norton security suite
A broad Mac security suite with privacy, backup, and family features at a high annual price.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Norton 360 -
Best forOrganizations needing advanced endpoint response
Business-focused Mac security with endpoint response, device control, and threat hunting.
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit CrowdStrike -
Best forSmall businesses needing managed Mac security
Managed Mac security with endpoint detection, remediation, and vulnerability management.
- Ransomware protection
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forFive-device protection with cloud integrations
Broad Mac protection with cloud integrations, but a relatively high annual price.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Trend Micro -
Best forFree Mac antivirus with multi-device upgrades
A capable free Mac antivirus, with paid tiers for ransomware and multi-device coverage.
- Phishing protection
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Avast -
Best forCross-platform security with privacy controls
Broad cross-platform protection with privacy controls, ransomware defense, and parental features.
- Ransomware protection
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Dr.Web -
Best forSecurity with banking and scam protection
A paid security suite for Mac users who want banking and scam protection.
- Ransomware protection
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit F-Secure -
Best forEnterprise endpoint security with centralized control
Enterprise-grade Mac endpoint control with contact-sales pricing.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Trellix -
Best forFamilies covering up to 10 Windows and Mac computers
A single annual plan covers up to 10 Windows and Mac computers.
- Ransomware protection
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Sophos Home -
Best forManaged enterprise protection across endpoints
A broad, centrally managed security platform for organizations protecting Mac and mixed-platform fleets.
- Ransomware protection
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Seqrite -
Best forDefault-deny protection for multiple devices
A default-deny security suite for households covering multiple device types.
- Ransomware protection
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit PC Matic -
Best forAffordable multi-platform antivirus essentials
A paid, multi-platform antivirus suite with protection beyond core malware scanning.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Webroot -
Best forStraightforward antivirus with useful extras
A straightforward Mac antivirus subscription with firewall, scam protection, and useful extras.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Norton -
Best forMulti-device security with VPN and passwords
A paid security suite for households needing antivirus, VPN, passwords, and identity monitoring.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit McAfee -
Best forMac antivirus bundled with Surfshark security
A Mac antivirus bundled with Surfshark’s VPN and wider security toolkit.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Surfshark -
Best forUsers wanting antivirus with tune-up tools
A broad Mac security suite with useful cleanup tools and costly annual plans.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit TotalAV -
Best forFeature-rich protection for three devices
A broad security suite for three devices, with VPN, identity tools and family controls.
- Password manager
- Ransomware protection
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Kaspersky -
Best forMac users wanting antivirus plus VPN
A paid Mac security suite combining malware protection, privacy tools, and scam analysis.
- VPN included
- Phishing protection
- Real-time protection
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Moonlock -
Best forDedicated Mac scanning and monitoring
A focused macOS antivirus for dedicated scanning, monitoring, and malware removal.
- Ransomware protection
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit ClamXAV -
Best forLow-cost AI antivirus for one Mac
A low-cost Mac antivirus with AI detection, manual scans, and affordable real-time protection.
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Protectstar -
Best forFree on-demand malware scanning
A free macOS scanner for on-demand malware checks and file quarantine.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Bitdefender -
Best forTechnical users needing open-source scanning
A free, technical antivirus toolkit for command-line and mail-gateway scanning.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit ClamAV -
Best forMac cleanup with built-in malware protection
A Mac-focused utility suite combining malware protection, cleanup, VPN, and support.
- VPN included
- Phishing protection
- Real-time protection
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit MacKeeper -
Best forMac cleanup users needing malware monitoring
A cleanup-focused Mac utility with malware scanning and real-time monitoring.
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit CleanMyMac X -
Best forSingle-Mac protection in INR
A focused Mac antivirus package with broad protection features and one-device pricing.
- Phishing protection
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Quick Heal -
Best forSimple paid real-time protection for Mac
A focused Mac antivirus with real-time scanning, scheduled checks, and basic quarantine controls.
- Real-time protection
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit ProtectWorks -
Best forFree scanning and cleanup across platforms
A free cross-platform scanner with useful Mac cleanup tools and paid premium antivirus features.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Combo Cleaner -
Best forMac malware scanning and privacy cleanup
A focused macOS tool for malware scanning, quarantine, and browser privacy cleanup.
- Ransomware protection
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit SecureMac -
Best forFree ransomware-focused Mac defense
A free, open-source macOS utility for detecting and blocking ransomware-like behavior.
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit RansomWhere? -
Best forFree monitoring of Mac persistence changes
A focused, free monitor for macOS persistence changes—not a complete antivirus suite.
- Real-time protection
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Objective-See -
Best forAdvanced Mac malware investigation
A focused Mac investigation utility, not a replacement for real-time antivirus.
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit DetectX Swift -
Best forForensic inspection of Mac persistence
A free, open-source utility for inspecting Mac persistence—not full antivirus protection.
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit KnockKnock -
Best forAdvanced users wanting an outbound firewall
A focused outbound firewall for Mac users who want granular connection control.
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit LuLu -
Best forMac-only antivirus with firewall controls
A focused macOS security suite pairing malware scanning with firewall controls.
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Intego -
Best forMac users wanting free cleanup with malware scans
A free Mac cleanup utility with signature-based malware scans, not full antivirus coverage.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Mac Sai -
Best forWindows users, not Mac antivirus buyers
A capable Windows antivirus, but not a fit for Mac protection.
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit G DATA
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
Head-to-head All 27 comparisons →
- Avast One vs Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
- Avast One vs Avira Free Security
- Avast One vs Malwarebytes for Mac
- Avast One vs Intego ONE
- Avast One vs Norton 360
- Avast One vs CrowdStrike Falcon Pro
- Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac vs Avira Free Security
- Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac vs Malwarebytes for Mac
- Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac vs Intego ONE
Explore other topics All topics →
- AI Tools 303 directories · 8,270 tools ranked AI Writing Tools · AI Video Generators · Text-to-Speech Software
- Web Hosting & Domains 275 directories · 6,107 tools ranked Shared Web Hosting · Managed Cloud Hosting · Dedicated Server Hosting
- Productivity 157 directories · 4,948 tools ranked Note-Taking Apps · Calendar Apps · Project Management Software
- Marketing 135 directories · 3,977 tools ranked SEO Tools · Influencer Marketing Platforms · Email Marketing Software
- Sales & CRM 152 directories · 4,161 tools ranked Real Estate CRM Software · CRM Software · Proposal Software
- Customer Service 55 directories · 1,547 tools ranked Chatbot Builders · Knowledge Base Software · Call Center Software
How we rank antivirus for mac
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update