Avast Security for Mac review
A capable free Mac antivirus, with paid tiers for ransomware and multi-device coverage.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Avast Security for Mac is a macOS antivirus product for people who want continuous malware protection, manual scanning, browser warnings, and security updates. Its free plan covers real-time malware protection, full Mac scans, custom and scheduled scans, external-drive scanning, browser security alerts, and automatic security updates. It suits Mac users who want a no-cost baseline, while the paid plans are aimed at people who also need ransomware, phishing, email, Wi-Fi, or multi-device coverage.
Pricing is split between a free plan and two annual Premium Security options. Free Antivirus for Mac costs $0 and includes the core scanning and background protection features. Premium Security for 1 Mac + 1 mobile device costs $77.99 per year and adds ransomware protection, Wi-Fi network security alerts, Email Guard, online scam and phishing protection, and coverage for one Mac plus one mobile device. Premium Security for 10 devices costs $99.99 per year and extends protection across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. A 60-day free trial is also available.
The product’s main strength is the breadth of protection available within a straightforward Mac antivirus offering. Users can scan removable media, schedule scans, receive unsafe-site warnings, and add defenses for suspicious messages and infected attachments through Email Guard. The trade-off is that the free plan does not include the full set of paid protections, and the first paid tier covers only two devices. Choose Avast Security for Mac if free real-time protection is the priority or if cross-platform coverage matters. Mac users seeking paid protection for a single computer should weigh the annual cost against the limited device allowance.
Avast Security for Mac pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free plan includes real-time protection and multiple scan types
- Paid tiers add ransomware, phishing, Wi-Fi, and email protection
- 10-device plan covers Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
- Where it doesn't
- The paid Mac plan covers only one Mac and one mobile device
- Paid plans use annual billing
- Key protections such as ransomware defense require a paid tier
Avast Security for Mac fact sheet, pricing and score →
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