Folks usually ask if Macs actually need antivirus software program, each due to a false impression that Apple units are “virus proof” and since macOS already comes with a built-in AV.
In reality, a Mac’s tightly managed working system and sandboxed apps are tougher to breach than Home windows methods, nevertheless it’s not fully resistant to threats. And whereas Mac’s built-in antivirus software program, Xprotect, offers completely enough safety for residence customers, it lacks superior safety features, centralized administration, and reporting, which is limiting in companies and different massive organizations.
On this article, I evaluate the six finest antivirus software program suppliers for Mac based mostly on safety capabilities, ease of use, and efficiency that can assist you select the proper possibility for what you are promoting.
High Mac antivirus software program comparability
Each antivirus for Mac affords safety from malware together with viruses, trojans, and spyware and adware, and most of the suppliers on this checklist embody this service in a free model of their software program. The choices I selected additionally present extra safety features like a VPN to allow non-public looking and ransomware safety to forestall unauthorized adjustments to necessary information. Two of an important options for companies, nevertheless, are a centralized platform to handle AV throughout the group and multi-device plans that supply reductions for safeguarding a couple of Mac.
| Beginning worth | Centralized administration | Multi-device plans | Ransomware safety | VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitdefender | Free, or $59.99 per 12 months for as much as 5 units | With Small Workplace plan | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Malwarebytes | Free, or $44.99 per 12 months per gadget | With Groups plan | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Avast | Free, or $31.19 per 12 months for one gadget | With Necessities plan | Sure | Sure | No |
| ESET | $34.99 per 12 months for one gadget | With EDR plan | Sure | No | Sure |
| Avira | Free, or $26.99 per 12 months for 1 gadget | No | Sure | Sure | Sure |
| Surfshark | $36.26 per 12 months per gadget (24-month subscription) | No | No | No | Sure |
Bitdefender: Finest general
Bitdefender offers a variety of antivirus merchandise for Mac, together with a free on-demand virus scanner that’s correct and simple to put in, use, and take away. Paid plans add computerized menace detection (together with adware and ransomware) and a VPN, in addition to safety for Time Machine backups. For small companies with lower than 10 Macs, I like to recommend the Small Workplace Safety plan, which unlocks entry to a centralized, cloud-based administration portal for a really cheap worth. General, Bitdefender offers a terrific stability of safety, options, and usefulness, which is why it earned an ideal rating in AV-TEST’s most up-to-date evaluation.
Why I selected Bitdefender
Bitdefender affords a terrific choice of AV merchandise to suit any enterprise measurement or use case. It earned good 6/6 AV-TEST scores for cover, efficiency, and usefulness, and the corporate has a stellar repute within the IT business.
SEE: Finest Mac Password Managers (TechRepublic)
Pricing
- Free: On-demand virus scanning for one gadget.
- Whole Safety: Automated menace safety, adware blocking, ransomware safety, and 200MB per day of VPN bandwidth for $59.99 per 12 months for as much as 5 units or $69.99 per 12 months for as much as 15 units.
- Small Workplace Safety: Provides centralized cloud-based administration, webcam, and microphone safety for $104.99 per 12 months for as much as 10 units.
- Final Small Enterprise Safety: Provides Rip-off Copilot, limitless VPN site visitors, and e-mail safety for $189.99 per 12 months for 3 units (minimal).
Options
- Ransomware safety.
- VPN.
- Time Machine backup safety.
- Adware blocker.
- Browser safety.
- Anti-phishing.
- Webcam and microphone safety.
- Centralized, cloud-based administration.
Execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gives centralized administration at an reasonably priced worth. | Some AV merchandise are Home windows-only. |
| Gives enterprise-grade options for bigger corporations. | Gives so many merchandise and plans that it may be complicated to seek out the proper one. |
| Consists of free model and 30-day free trial of paid plans. |
Malwarebytes: Finest for supplemental menace detection
Malwarebytes first gained recognition within the IT area for offering a free scanning utility that’s adept at catching uncommon malware different antivirus instruments miss. Each its free and paid software program are suitable with different AV and safety instruments (together with Xprotect), so you’ll be able to double-up on safety or run on-demand scans to scrub up after a identified virus an infection. Malwarebytes additionally works nice as a standalone AV resolution, with paid plans that embody further options like phishing and rootkit safety and a VPN. There’s even a Groups plan that gives centralized administration, month-to-month safety reviews for auditing functions, and precedence enterprise assist.
SEE: 6 Finest Open Supply Password Managers for Mac in 2024 (TechRepublic)
Why I selected Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes performs properly with different antivirus options, so it’s a pleasant supplemental AV for customers who want further safety, similar to journalists doing analysis on the Darkish Net. It’s additionally identified for catching uncommon threats that different options miss, so it’s nice for cleansing up after a identified an infection or breach.
Pricing
- Free: On-demand malware scanning for one gadget.
- Fundamental Safety: Provides safety from malware, phishing, adverts, and rootkits for $44.99 per 12 months per gadget.
- Safety + VPN: Provides VPN for $60 per 12 months per gadget.
- Household System Safety: Similar options as the essential plan however for 10+ units, beginning at $120 per 12 months.
- Groups: Provides centralized administration, month-to-month reviews, and precedence enterprise assist, beginning at $119.97 per 12 months for 3 units.
Options
- Ransomware safety.
- Phishing safety.
- Advert blocking.
- Rootkit safety.
- VPN.
- Personalised gadget safety recommendation.
- Centralized administration.
- Month-to-month reporting.
- Precedence enterprise assist.
Execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works effectively with different AV options. | Paid plans could be dear. |
| Catches uncommon threats different instruments miss. | No multi-device reductions except you improve to a Household or Groups plan. |
| Gives month-to-month safety reviews for audits. |
Avast: Finest free antivirus for Mac
Avast is an AV supplier for Mac that provides maybe probably the most complete free resolution in the marketplace. Free customers get an on-demand scanner, computerized firewall, browser, e-mail, and ransomware safety, and a utility that scans Wi-Fi networks for vulnerabilities. Paid plans are additionally very moderately priced, and companies can achieve centralized administration capabilities beginning at simply $31.37 per 12 months. The app itself may be very simple to put in and use no matter technical means.
SEE: The 7 Finest iPhone VPNs (TechRepublic)
My solely caveat in recommending Avast is that the corporate was lately fined by the FTC for improperly gathering and promoting person information.
Why I selected Avast
Avast offers a complete free antivirus possibility that features further options you gained’t get with XProtect. All variations of the AV app are simple to put in and use, with intuitive interfaces even inexperienced persons can grasp with ease.
Pricing
- Free: On-demand malware scanning, ransomware safety, Wi-Fi community inspection, firewall, and browser and e-mail safety for one gadget.
- Premium Safety: Provides e-mail rip-off safety, superior ransomware safety, and Wi-Fi community monitoring and menace evaluation for $31.19 per 12 months for one gadget, or $39.99 per 12 months for 10 units.
- Important Enterprise Safety: Provides centralized administration, information theft safety, and 24/5 stay assist for $31.37 per 12 months for one gadget, with reductions for extra units.
Options
- Wi-Fi vulnerability detection.
- Firewall.
- Browser safety.
- E mail safety.
- Ransomware safety.
- Password leak alerts.
- E mail rip-off safety.
- Centralized administration.
- Knowledge theft safety.
- 24/5 stay assist through e-mail, chat, or telephone.
Execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete free software program with a number of further options. | Fined for promoting buyer information. |
| Inexpensive paid plans with centralized administration. | No VPN providing. |
| Intuitive, beginner-friendly app. |
ESET: Finest for giant corporations
ESET affords a full vary of safety merchandise for Mac, together with its widespread, no-frills NOD32 antivirus that gives real-time and on-demand safety. You’ll must improve to a Premium or Final plan to get further options like a password supervisor, VPN, and id theft safety. Centralized administration isn’t accessible except you go together with one of many ESET PROTECT XDR (prolonged detection and response) plans. ESET doesn’t provide a free utility, and all of its merchandise are on the costly facet. You may, nevertheless, add extra units to any plan (together with NOD32) for a steep low cost, which isn’t the case with many different choices on this checklist.
SEE: 20 Mac Terminal Instructions Each Consumer Ought to Know (TechRepublic)
Why I selected ESET
ESET offers AV and safety merchandise to fulfill all kinds of enterprise wants, together with an enterprise-grade XDR platform. It’s also possible to add a vast variety of units to even probably the most fundamental AV plan at a steep low cost in comparison with different choices.
Pricing
- NOD32 Antivirus: Actual-time safety and on-demand scans for $39.99 per 12 months for one gadget with reductions for extra units.
- Important: Provides safety for browsers, smartphones, and good houses for $34.99 per 12 months (promotional worth) with reductions for extra units.
- ESET Premium: Provides a password supervisor and information encryption utility for $41.99 per 12 months (promotional worth) with reductions for extra units.
- ESET Final: Provides a VPN, metadata clean-up, and id theft safety for $125.99 per 12 months for five units with reductions for extra units.
- ESET Shield Entry: Provides centralized administration, next-generation antivirus, community filtering, peripheral gadget management, and anti-phishing and server safety for $211 per 12 months for five units with reductions for extra units.
Options
- Anti-phishing.
- Browser safety.
- Smartphone and good residence safety.
- Password supervisor.
- Knowledge encryption.
- Metadata clean-up.
- Id theft safety.
- VPN.
Execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can add limitless units to any plan. | Pricing is excessive for the class. |
| Gives enterprise-grade XDR for giant corporations. | Useful resource-intensive app may decelerate your gadget. |
Avira: Finest customizable AV
Avira is uncommon amongst free AV instruments in that it offers real-time safety along with on-demand scans, which suggests it actively scans information and purposes for viruses with none person intervention. Avira additionally affords a paid plan that features anti-phishing, advert blocking, and ransomware safety for an reasonably priced worth. Once I put in the Avira app, I used to be in a position to choose from a big choice of free add-on options and integrations, together with a VPN, a safe password generator, and a cloud sandbox analyzer that permits you to execute suspicious information in a protected atmosphere to check for malware earlier than operating them in your Mac. What I particularly preferred was that I may select to not set up further options that I don’t want, saving house and lowering efficiency impacts.
SEE: 5 Suggestions for Securing Knowledge When Utilizing a Private Mac for Work (TechRepublic)
Why I selected Avira
Avira affords a variety of free add-on options that you just often solely discover in enterprise-grade options. The installer helps you to pick-and-choose which options to put in, so you’ll be able to create a personalized safety resolution in your Mac.
Pricing
- Free: Actual-time safety, on-demand scans, cloud sandbox analyzer, safe password generator, VPN with 500MB month-to-month restrict, and junk file remover.
- Professional: Net safety, anti-phishing, anti-ransomware, and advert blocking for $26.99 per 12 months for 1 gadget (promotional worth) or $5.99 monthly. Reductions for extra units.
Options
- Cloud sandbox analyzer.
- Safe password generator.
- VPN.
- Junk file remover.
- Browser safety.
- Anti-phishing.
- Anti-ransomware.
- Advert blocking.
Execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete free AV possibility. | No centralized administration. |
| Extremely customizable app with a number of free add-ons. | Doesn’t present options for bigger organizations. |
Surfshark: Finest light-weight antivirus app
Whereas Surfshark is generally identified for its VPN service, it additionally affords AV capabilities as a part of its Surfshark One safety platform. The app may be very light-weight, putting in shortly and operating with out taking over too many processing or reminiscence assets. I may simply run a scan whereas concurrently utilizing resource-intensive purposes for gaming, video streaming, and even VR. Whereas Surfshark lacks options like centralized administration, multi-device reductions, and ransomware safety, all plans do embody limitless use of its top-rated VPN service.
Why I selected Surfshark
Surfshark’s light-weight utility gained’t decelerate your gadget, making it a terrific possibility to be used instances the place efficiency is the highest precedence. All Surfshark One plans additionally embody a premium VPN service for no further cost.
SEE: Find out how to Run a Cybersecurity Danger Evaluation in 5 Steps (TechRepublic Premium)
Pricing
- One: Malware safety, webcam safety, VPN, private information masking, information breach alerts, and an ad-free search engine for $2.69 per gadget monthly for twenty-four months, $3.39 per gadget monthly for 12 months, or $15.95 per gadget for one month.
- One+: Provides information elimination from firm databases and folks search websites for $4.29 per gadget monthly for twenty-four months, $6.09 per gadget monthly for 12 months, or $17.95 per gadget for 1 month.
Options
- VPN.
- Webcam safety.
- Various ID private information masking.
- Knowledge breach alerts.
- Advert-free search engine.
- Knowledge elimination from firm databases and folks search websites.
Execs and cons
| Execs | Cons |
|---|---|
| Light-weight app gained’t influence efficiency. | No centralized administration. |
| Consists of limitless premium VPN service. | Lacks business-grade options. |
How do I select the very best Mac antivirus software program for my enterprise?
Earlier than selecting an AV, it’s necessary to think about your causes for changing (or supplementing) the built-in Xprotect antivirus utility.
When you’ve got a variety of Mac customers in your atmosphere and want a solution to centrally handle safety for all of them, then a business-focused resolution like Bitdefender or ESET is your finest wager. In the event you want a rescue software to totally clear up after a virus an infection or ransomware assault, Malwarebytes is a superb selection as a result of it really works alongside different AV options. For budget-conscious companies with out many Mac customers, Avast and Avira provide complete safety with cool bonus options. In the event you’re on the lookout for a premium VPN service with AV capabilities built-in, then Surfshark One affords probably the most reasonably priced all-in-one plans.
General, Bitdefender affords the very best stability between safety, options, and price, with merchandise to fulfill the wants of practically any enterprise.
Methodology
I selected the suppliers on this checklist as a result of they every offered a singular set of options for Mac units. I compiled safety, efficiency, and usefulness information from AV-TEST and browse actual buyer evaluations from boards like Reddit. I totally reviewed public-facing product pages and, when doable, downloaded free trial variations to check particular person options. In some instances, I’ve first-hand expertise utilizing these merchandise in an expert capability, which I supplemented by studying business boards and publications to evaluate their capabilities from an IT administration perspective.
