The Best Mac Antivirus Software We've Tested for 2026 - PCMag

Table of Contents IBM’s PC hadn’t been on the shelves long before it was joined by Apple’s Macintosh computer. Back in those days, ads boasted that PCs get viruses, but Macs don’t. Real-world attacks on Macs busted that myth, though Windows is still a more popular target. We at PCMag have been rounding up the best Mac antivirus apps for more than 10 years. Based on our tests and experience, we’ve named Bitdefender Antivirus Plus and Norton AntiVirus Plus our Editors’ Choice winners for Mac antivirus. Both go beyond the basics of antivirus protection, and both routinely earn perfect or near-perfect scores in independent lab tests. Read on for details about the rest of our top choices and advice on choosing the best antivirus software for your Mac. Our Top Tested Picks Best for Set-and-Forget Protection Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac Available at Bitdefender Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best Lab Test Scores Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac $29.99 for 1st Year at Norton See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for VPN Users Avast One Gold for Mac $83.88 for 5-Devices on 1-Year Plan (first year) at AVAST 179.99 Save 53% See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for No-Frills Protection ClamXAV for Mac Visit Site at ClamXAV See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Tech-Savvy Users ESET Cyber Security for Mac $39.99 for 1 Device on 1 Year Plan at ESET See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Mac-Specific Security Intego Mac Internet Security $24.99 at Intego $49.99 Save $25.00 See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Mac-Centric Households MacKeeper $74.52 Per Year at MacKeeper See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Simple Antivirus Protection Malwarebytes Premium Security for Mac Available at Malwarebytes Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Buying American Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus for Mac $39.99 at Total Defense $59.99 Save $20.00 See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best Feature Set Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac $29.95 at Trend Micro $39.95 Save $10.00 See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for the Smallest Footprint Webroot Essentials for Mac $18.00 at Webroot $39.99 Save $21.99 See It EXPAND  PROS & CONS Best for Multi-Device Households McAfee Total Protection for Mac Available at McAfee Check Price EXPAND  PROS & CONS See (2) More The Best Mac Antivirus Protection Deals This Week* Surfshark One — Protect 5 Devices for $2.49 Per Month on 2 Years Plan + 3 Months Free and Includes VPN Norton AntiVirus Plus — Protect 1 Device for $2.50 Per Month on 1 Year Norton AntiVirus Plus Plan ESET — $3.49 Per Month for 3 Devices on 1 Year ESET Essential Plan McAfee — Plans Start at $4.16 Per Month for Unlimited Devices + Scam Detector Webroot Essentials — $29.99 for 1 Device on 1 Year Webroot Essentials Plan *Deals are selected by our commerce team The Best Mac Antivirus Software for 2026 Compare Specs Select Up To 3 02z9LOYqJymUDUOqfXwdM87 Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac Avast One Gold for Mac ClamXAV for Mac ESET Cyber Security for Mac Intego Mac Internet Security MacKeeper Malwarebytes Premium Security for Mac Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus for Mac Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Webroot Essentials for Mac McAfee Total Protection for Mac 03db1tVdVPW5NpDSMM9w1ZY Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac Avast One Gold for Mac ClamXAV for Mac ESET Cyber Security for Mac Intego Mac Internet Security MacKeeper Malwarebytes Premium Security for Mac Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus for Mac Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Webroot Essentials for Mac McAfee Total Protection for Mac 02Ls08d7EDlBrmZ9Q9iHzBW Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac Avast One Gold for Mac ClamXAV for Mac ESET Cyber Security for Mac Intego Mac Internet Security MacKeeper Malwarebytes Premium Security for Mac Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus for Mac Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Webroot Essentials for Mac McAfee Total Protection for Mac Your Selections Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac Available at Bitdefender Check Price Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac $29.99 for 1st Year at Norton See It Avast One Gold for Mac $83.88 for 5-Devices on 1-Year Plan (first year) at AVAST 179.99 Save 53% See It Rating 4.5 4.5 4.0 Best For Best for Set-and-Forget Protection Best Lab Test Scores Best for VPN Users On-Demand Malware Scan On-Access Malware Scan Website Rating Malicious URL Blocking Phishing Protection Behavior-Based Detection Vulnerability Scan Firewall Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks RELATED: Best Antivirus Best Identity Theft Protection Best Free Antivirus Best Malware Protection Best Ransomware Protection EDITORS' NOTE February 24, 2026: With this update, our lineup of recommended Mac antivirus software remains unchanged. The existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability. (Credit: Bitdefender) Best for Set-and-Forget Protection Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac 4.5 Outstanding Pros & Cons Perfect scores from testing labs Protects files and backups from ransomware Includes VPN No-hassle Autopilot mode Blocks trackers in browsers Full access to VPN features requires separate subscription Independent antivirus labs have put macOS antivirus tools to the test, reporting scores that indicate which ones are the most effective. Both AV-Test and AV-Comparatives consistently award Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac perfect or near-perfect scores, and it achieved good scores in my hands-on tests. In the default Autopilot mode, it performs its work while minimizing user interaction. This antivirus doesn’t boast the extensive feature collection found in its Windows equivalent, but it still exceeds the average macOS antivirus. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac Review (Credit: Norton) Best Lab Test Scores Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac 4.5 Outstanding Pros & Cons Perfect scores from two independent testing labs 100% detection of phishing fraud in our testing Firewall with intrusion prevention Private browser protects online activity Virus Protection Promise Privacy features require a separate purchase Norton AntiVirus Plus is a feature-rich antivirus for Windows, and Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac goes well beyond the basics of antivirus protection. The independent labs verify its effectiveness—both AV-Test and AV-Comparatives gave it a perfect score. It also earned a perfect score in my own hands-on testing against phishing. Where firewall protection in many Mac security apps is limited to blocking unsolicited incoming network traffic, Norton offers a full two-way firewall, both blocking attacks from outside and preventing apps on your Mac from misusing the network connection. With Norton, you also get a cross-platform password manager, a security-first private browser, and an AI-based scam-fighting chatbot, among other bonuses. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW See It Learn More Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac Review (Credit: Avast) Best for VPN Users Avast One Gold for Mac 4.0 Excellent Pros & Cons Excellent scores from antivirus labs No-limits VPN Near-perfect score in our phishing protection test Blocks browser fingerprinters Bonus security, privacy, and performance features Not as feature-rich as its Windows equivalent More expensive than many competitors It’s always nice to know that the experts think you’ve made a good choice. The lab-testing experts believe Avast One is nearly perfect. At least, it takes the highest possible scores in the latest reports from both labs I follow. It performs well in my own tests, earning a phishing protection score within a hair of perfection and achieving 97% detection of Windows-focused malware. As you’ll see below, Avast One isn’t just an antivirus. It’s a full security suite for your Mac. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW See It See It Learn More Avast One Gold for Mac Review (Credit: ClamXAV) Best for No-Frills Protection ClamXAV for Mac 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Low price Straightforward user interface Can scan for Windows malware No filtering of malicious or fraudulent websites No current lab certifications The virtue of open-source software is that anyone with the necessary skills can peruse the source code to spot problems. ClamXAV isn't itself an open-source project, but it builds upon the popular ClamAV, which is. It supplements that protection with its own scanning engine and antivirus database and wraps it all in an attractive user interface. ClamXAV offers options to scan your entire Mac for antivirus threats or focus on specific areas, such as your user folder and documents. It also scans files in real-time, and you can set it to run on a regularly scheduled basis. It doesn't provide the typical browser-level protection against malware-hosting sites, assuming its real-time protection will catch any malware you download. It also skips trying to identify and block phishing websites. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW See It Learn More ClamXAV for Mac Review (Credit: ESET) Best for Tech-Savvy Users ESET Cyber Security for Mac 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Perfect score from one independent testing lab Detected 100% of phishing fraud in testing Powerful device control Includes a simple firewall Automatically schedules regular scans Some important security components are buried among less important settings Device control may be too complicated for most users ESET Cyber Security for Mac handles all the essential tasks of an antivirus utility. It scans files for malware on access, on demand, and on schedule, and even detects and eliminates Windows-centric malware. On top of the basics, it includes a built-in firewall, and its live list of running processes lets the tech-minded user review exactly what’s going on in their Mac. With its device control, you can head off the twin dangers of malware entering your Mac from an infested USB drive and of a snoop using such a drive to exfiltrate private data. Just one thing: You have to be highly skilled in the ways of technology to use these features. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW See It Learn More ESET Cyber Security for Mac Review (Credit: Intego) Best for Mac-Specific Security Intego Mac Internet Security 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Malware protection certified by independent lab Includes full-featured firewall Detects Windows and Linux malware No protection against malicious or fraudulent websites So-so detection of Windows malware Most antivirus utilities for macOS originate from companies that have established their bona fides in the Windows market. Intego, by contrast, has been supplying macOS-specific security since 1997. Its latest release, Intego Mac Internet Security, was recently certified by AV-Comparatives for protection against macOS malware. Intego detects malware that targets Windows and Linux, so your Mac doesn’t become a malware-carrying Typhoid Mary. In addition to the VirusBarrier antivirus component, Intego features a firewall called NetBarrier. You tell the firewall what sort of network you’re using (Home, Work, or Public Hotspot), and it controls network communication appropriately. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW $24 at Intego Learn More Intego Mac Internet Security Review (Credit: MacKeeper) Best for Mac-Centric Households MacKeeper 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Many security, privacy, and performance features Integrated VPN Speedy on-demand malware scan All-inclusive premium services are available No protection against malicious or fraudulent URLs No current lab test scores VPN country selection is awkward Premium services are disproportionately expensive Most antivirus utilities for macOS originate from companies that have established their credibility in the Windows realm. Ukraine-based MacKeeper, by contrast, focuses completely on antivirus and other security software for macOS. Like ClamXAV, MacKeeper skips browser-based protection against malicious and fraudulent websites. Other than that omission, it boasts more features than most. Antivirus is, of course, present, along with system cleanup, ad blocking, performance tuning, privacy monitoring, an integrated VPN, and more. It costs more than a bare-bones antivirus, but you also get more. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW See It Learn More MacKeeper Review (Credit: Malwarebytes) Best for Simple Antivirus Protection Malwarebytes Premium Security for Mac 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Speedy initial malware scan Very good phishing protection score Strong reputation among tech experts Now includes identity protection features Identity protection is limited No test results from independent labs When malware gets past your antivirus or keeps you from installing antivirus, who ya gonna call? Not Ghostbusters—Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes isn’t just a Windows product. You can run a cleanup scan on your Macs for free, just as you can on your PCs. Even better, install Malwarebytes for Mac Premium and get ongoing real-time protection to fend off any new attacks. Without scores from the independent labs, you must trust the company’s reputation, which is impressive. The Browser Guard extension blocks ads and trackers, steering you away from malicious and fraudulent websites. In testing, it earned good scores, though not at the top. It can also scan the dark web and report on any breaches involving your email addresses. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More Malwarebytes Premium Security for Mac Review (Credit: Total Defense) Best for Buying American Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus for Mac 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Protects files and backups from ransomware Excellent score in our phishing protection test Detects and deletes Windows malware Browser extension marks up dangerous links No direct certification from antivirus labs Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus for Mac protects your Mac’s files and backups from ransomware, just like Bitdefender. It earned an excellent score in my phishing protection test, though not at the very top. It detects and deletes Windows malware, offers Autopilot mode, and its browser extension marks up dangerous links in search results, similar to Bitdefender. Coincidence? Nope. When Total Defense needed to extend protection into the macOS realm, the company simply licensed excellent Mac protection from Bitdefender. Bitdefender receives perfect scores from two antivirus testing labs, but the labs make it very clear that their results apply only to the specific app being tested. While we can guess that Total Defense would also excel in these tests, we don’t have hard results. Total Defense also doesn't bring along Bitdefender's VPN component, which is admittedly quite limited unless you pay extra for its premium edition. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW $39 at Total Defense Learn More Total Defense Essential Anti-Virus for Mac Review (Credit: Trend Micro) Best Feature Set Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Excellent phishing protection score Permission-based ransomware protection Numerous bonus features No current scores from antivirus testing labs One-license model not practical for all-Mac households Webcam privacy lacks detail Parental control limited to content filtering Figuring out how well an antivirus works isn’t a task for the average user; you need to call in the experts. Trend Micro has earned perfect lab scores in the past, though it doesn’t appear in the latest tests. In my hands-on testing, it finished a complete scan more quickly than the average, and it earned a near-perfect 98% score in my hands-on phishing protection test. This app is loaded with features beyond just antivirus. It prevents ransomware attacks by blocking all unauthorized changes to protected files. A warning system helps prevent misuse of your Mac’s camera and microphone. The latest edition adds new privacy and utility tools, though some require a separate payment for full functionality. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW $29 at Trend Micro Learn More Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Review (Credit: Webroot) Best for the Smallest Footprint Webroot Essentials for Mac 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Perfect phishing protection score Excellent detection of Windows malware No current results from independent testing labs Web threat protection only for Chrome and not installed by default A bug made the full scan take many hours Just like its Windows equivalent, Webroot Essentials for Mac is a tiny package. More than most, it strongly resembles its Windows version, the main difference being the absence of a button for firewall protection. Like Total Defense, Webroot offers entirely US-based tech support. Useful features include a system analyzer to check your Mac’s overall status, a secure deletion tool to permanently wipe sensitive files, and a system optimizer to clear junk files and enhance performance. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW $18 at Webroot Learn More Webroot Essentials for Mac Review (Credit: PCMag Composite; McAfee) Best for Multi-Device Households McAfee Total Protection for Mac 3.5 Good Pros & Cons Cross-platform security suite Money-back virus protection pledge Perfect phishing protection score No current lab test results Lacks features found in Windows edition McAfee Total Protection for Mac is the Mac-oriented manifestation of the cross-platform McAfee Total Protection suite. With your McAfee subscription, you get up to 10 licenses to install antivirus protection for the Macs in your household, as well as Windows, Android, iOS, or ChromeOS devices. For a modern household brimming with devices, McAfee can be a bargain, and it comes with a guarantee. If malware gets past McAfee’s protective shield, the company’s experts will remotely fix the problem. In the unlikely event that the malware is successful, McAfee will provide a refund for your money. McAfee’s antivirus efficacy is backed by a guarantee, but not at present by lab test scores. The labs haven’t included McAfee's macOS edition in testing for several years, although it regularly received certification prior to that. In my own platform-independent phishing protection test, McAfee managed 100% detection both on macOS and Windows, and its WebAdvisor component also helps you avoid malware-hosting pages and other online dangers. Why We Picked It Who It’s For Specs & Configurations GET IT NOW Today’s Best Deal Learn More McAfee Total Protection for Mac Review Get Our Best Stories! Stay Safe With the Latest Security News and Updates Sign up for our SecurityWatch newsletter for our most important privacy and security stories delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for our SecurityWatch newsletter for our most important privacy and security stories delivered right to your inbox. Email Sign Me Up By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Buying Guide: The Best Mac Antivirus Software for 2026 How Much Does Mac Antivirus Cost? As with Windows antivirus tools, the most common price is just under $40 per year for a single license. Bitdefender, F-Secure, Intego, and Webroot form another cluster, priced at just under $50 for a single license. Norton AntiVirus Plus goes higher, at almost $60. McAfee Total Protection costs $119.99 per year for five licenses, while Avast One costs $179.99 for five licenses. Please note that both Avast and McAfee are comprehensive security suites that are compatible with multiple platforms. At the other end of the spectrum, you can protect nine Macs with ClamXAV for just $59.95. There are choices for every budget. Which Mac Antivirus Has the Best Malware Protection? When you select a new washer, refrigerator, or other appliance, chances are good you research it first. User reviews can be helpful if you discard the very best and the very worst. However, actual test results published by an independent lab give you more reliable information. Two large labs include macOS antivirus apps in their testing, but the number of apps tested varies across them. When we first rounded up Mac antivirus apps, we only selected those with at least one certification; however, many of them are no longer included in either lab's test results. The researchers at AV-Test Institute evaluate Mac antivirus tools on three criteria: protection, performance, and usability. An app can earn up to six points for each. Protection against malware is essential, of course. A low impact on performance is also important. A high usability score indicates a low number of false positives, with legitimate programs and valid websites being accurately identified as safe. In the latest report, about three-quarters of the tested apps achieved a perfect 18 points, with all six points allocated to each of the three criteria. In the latest macOS malware test by AV-Comparatives, half the charted programs scored 100%. This lab also included a test using Windows-specific malware. Yes, malware written to run on Windows can't affect a computer running macOS, but it could conceivably escape to Windows machines on the network. All the apps we follow scored 100% against Windows malware. This lab also runs tests for PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). Scores against these less virulent annoyances ranged from 97% to 99%. Results from macOS-specific tests typically have a much smaller point spread than those from Windows antivirus utilities. Unfortunately, few programs in the chart received any Mac protection certifications. On the positive side, some received two certifications. Avast and Norton received the best possible scores from both labs. Which Mac Antivirus Has the Best Phishing Protection? When testing malware protection on Windows, we use live malware within an isolated virtual machine. Over the years, we've developed several analysis tools to aid in this testing. Little of that testing regimen carries over to the Mac. Phishing, however, isn't platform-specific, and neither is our antiphishing test. Phishing websites imitate secure sites, including banks and financial sites, as well as gaming and dating sites. If you enter your credentials at the fake login page, you've given the phisher access to your account. And it doesn't matter if you are browsing on a PC, a Mac, or an internet-aware hair dryer. The wily malefactors who create phishing sites are in the business of deception, constantly updating their techniques to evade detection. If one fraudulent site gets blocklisted or shut down by the authorities, they simply pop up with a new one. That being the case, we attempt to use the most recent phishing URLs for testing, scraping them from phishing-focused websites. We launch each URL simultaneously in four browsers. One is Safari or Chrome on the Mac, which is protected by the Mac antivirus under test. The other three utilize the built-in protection of Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. After discarding any emails that don't fit the phishing profile and those that don't load correctly in all four browsers, we report the phishing detection rate and the difference between it and the other three test systems' detection rates. Three of the apps in this roundup (ClamXAV, Intego, and MacKeeper) don't offer phishing protection; the rest handily beat the combined average of the three browsers. ESET, McAfee, Norton, and Webroot are the top scorers on this test, with 100% detection. Which Mac Antivirus Has the Best Ransomware Protection? The scourge of ransomware is on the rise. While ransomware attacks are more common on Windows devices, Macs have also suffered. Of course, any antivirus utility should handle ransomware just as it handles spyware, Trojans, viruses, and other types of malware. Since the consequences of missing a ransomware attack are so severe, some antivirus utilities include components to prevent them. We've observed a wide variety of ransomware protection techniques on Windows. These include blocking unauthorized access to user documents, detecting ransomware based on its activity, and recovering encrypted files from backup. Of the programs listed here, Avast, Bitdefender, Total Defense, and Trend Micro offer a ransomware component that blocks unauthorized modification of protected documents. Bitdefender's Safe Files feature prevents all unauthorized access to your documents, including your Time Machine backups. Trend Micro offers multiple layers of protection against ransomware. Folder Shield, which, like Safe Files, prevents unauthorized access to documents, is the only layer that made its way to macOS. Which Mac Antivirus Has the Best Spyware Protection? Any malware problem is unpleasant, but spyware may be the most unnerving. Imagine some creeper secretly peeking at you through your Mac's webcam! Other types of spying include logging keystrokes to capture your passwords, sending Trojans to steal your data, and watching your online activities to build a profile. Similar to ransomware protection, we've observed more features specifically devoted to spyware protection in Windows-based antivirus tools than in Mac-based antivirus tools. However, a few programs in this collection do pay special attention to spyware. Sophos Home Premium provides comprehensive protection for your webcam and microphone. You receive a notification anytime an untrusted program attempts to access either; you can allow access or stop the program. There's also an option to allow-list a program so you don't get a pop-up every time you use your off-brand video chat tool. Which Mac Antivirus Has the Best Bonus Features? Many antivirus tools on Windows offer a wide range of bonus features, incorporating everything from tune-up utilities to VPNs. That behavior seems less common on the macOS side, though Avast includes a VPN with no bandwidth limits. Even so, some vendors don't offer a standalone Mac antivirus; instead, they opt to provide a full security suite as the baseline level of protection. A few others include suite-like bonus features in their basic antivirus. A typical personal firewall component blocks attacks from the internet and manages network permissions for programs installed on your Mac. McAfee, Norton, and Intego all include a firewall component. Intego also offers an upgrade bundle that adds content filtering, junk file cleanup, and a backup system. Recommended by Our Editors Is Your Security Software Working? Here's How to Check 7 Signs You Have Malware and How to Get Rid of It What Is a Computer Virus, Really? Parental control is another common suite component. With Sophos and Trend Micro, a content filter can block access to websites matching unwanted categories. ESET's Device Control now has all the same power as its Windows equivalent. You get total control over types of removable devices, individual devices, and users of those devices. It's aimed at those with higher tech skills, as is the live list of running applications. What Is the Best Free Antivirus for Mac? There's another angle to the variation in Mac antivirus pricing. How about paying nothing at all? Avast One Essential for Mac, AVG AntiVirus for Mac, and Avira Free Antivirus for Mac are free for personal use. The best commercial antivirus utilities offer more protection, but if you can't afford the best, at least install a free antivirus. What Is the Best Antivirus for Mac? Many of the apps covered in this roundup have earned certification from at least one independent testing lab; some have secured two certifications. As far as basic antivirus protection goes, there are no bad choices here. Even so, a few stand out. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus for Mac achieved near-perfect scores from two labs, while Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac hit perfection with both labs. Both go well beyond the antivirus basics, with useful features to secure your Mac. These two are our Editors' Choice winners for Mac antivirus protection. However, these aren't the only choices. Review our reviews, select the antivirus that best suits your needs, and install it to protect your Mac. Once you've done that, consider adding a Mac VPN. While an antivirus protects your devices and data locally, a VPN extends that protection to your online activities, safeguarding your security and privacy. Editors’ Note: Given that the US government has banned the sale of new Kaspersky security products, we no longer recommend them.