What is the best antivirus software for the Mac OS?

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11

Options
Considered

30

User
Recs.

Aug 13, 2020

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

9 Options Considered

Best antivirus software for the Mac OS	Price	Last Updated
-- Malwarebytes	-	Aug 13, 2020
-- Bitdefender	-	Apr 13, 2020
-- Avira	~$39 USD	Mar 30, 2020
-- Avast!	-	Jul 24, 2019
-- Mac Internet Security X9	$49.99	Aug 30, 2016

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score 2 · Answer 1

Malwarebytes

Top Pro

Achieved a perfect score in a test performed by AV-TEST

In 2014 AV-TEST tested 7 different cleaning tools (along with 10 antivirus solutions) Malwarebytes was the only tool that was capable of completely removing and restoring the system. It was concluded by AV-TEST to be the best tool for removing malware from infected computers. See More

Top Pro

Free for manual scans

Offers a completely free scan and removal version for personal use. See More

Top Pro

Antimalware

Antivirus is a specific term referring to well-known and established malware, meaning that you'll still remain vulnerable to new and unique malware if you use an antivirus. Malwarebytes is constantly updated to find newer and rarer malware. See More

See All

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score 5 · Answer 2

Bitdefender

Top Pro

Fast antivirus

Top Pro

Easy on resources

Uses very little resources. See More

score 5 · Answer 3

Avira

Top Con

Extras like Browser Safety include offers/deals when you're shopping

This is exactly the sort of behavior users want to prevent when using antivirus and similar security tools. See More

Top Pro

High detection rates of Malware

adamlogan's Experience

Ultimately Avira was too obnoxious and bloated and felt like a virus in it's own right. I was so annoyed I uninstalled it and decided to find another solution. See More

Top Con

Can't scan external drives

You have to purchase a subscription plan to unlock the ability to scan external drives for viruses. See More

Top Pro

Sane default settings

Few changes to settings needed for ideal operation. See More

Top Con

Occasional pop-up ad in the taskbar

The ad nags the user to purchase Avira. See More

Top Pro

No bloatware

Top Pro

Uninstaller application

The Avira uninstaller in the utilities folder is clean efficient and easy. See More

Top Pro

Micro updates

Micro updates every 2 hours offers better security and is reasonable for road warriors who use pre-paid hotspots. See More

Top Pro

Nice interface

See All

score 6 · Answer 4

Avast!

Top Pro

Has a capable free version

Free version of avast includes anti-virus and anti-malware tools as well as tools for scanning a home network for weak spots and clearing browser of unwanted add-ons. See More

Top Con

Free version expires after a year leaving computer exposed to new viruses

Expires and stops updating after a year after which the user's computer may become infected by new viruses not covered by existing patterns. See More

Top Pro

Available on Linux

There are several suites available for the Linux platform for different purposes. See More

Top Con

Full of bloatware

It does try and succeeds to install things that you don't want or need, like VPN. Full of features that you didn't ask for but they decided that you need them. See More

Top Pro

Good malware detection

In a 2016 test performed by Tomsguide, Avira caught 100% of malware in both on-demand and on-access scans. See More

Top Con

Opt-out bundle installation

Top Con

No scan scheduling in the free version

See All

score 1 · Answer 5

Mac Internet Security X9

Top Con

Not available in the App Store

Top Pro

It's possible to switch between different security profiles based on network

While you are at home, you can use one security profile, and then when connected to public internet it can automatically switch over to a more secure profile. See More

Top Con

Not an all-in-one app

There are a variety of different apps for different security functions and purposes instead of one central application. Not recommended for the non-tech savvy. See More

Top Pro

Many different packages depending on what your specific needs are

If you know what products you need or want it is nice to have the flexibility to buy the software package that has what you need/ want or rather a package that leaves out what you don't want or need for a lower price tag. See More

Top Con

Pop up window when scanning new disk volumes

Top Pro

Can be set to inform of malware via email

As soon as the software detects malware it can notify you via email. See More

Top Con

Takes up a lot of space

This program takes 1.5GB of storage - which is a lot compared to other antiviruses. See More

Top Pro

Detects Windows malware as well

This is useful if you dual-boot into Windows, as this single program covers both operating systems. See More

Top Pro

Clean and intuitive interface

See All

score 1 · Answer 6

F-Secure

Top Con

Can't quarantine malware

For real-time or manual scanning, if F-Secure finds something, it will move suspicious files to the trash, not ideal. See More

Top Pro

Good malware detection

Full scan seems very thorough compared to other antivirus/malware software. See More

Top Con

Firewall gives false sense of security

The firewall f-secure includes only has two options, allow all and block all. Non tech savvy people may think they are protected more than they really are because the word "Firewall" is somewhere in the software dialogue. See More

Top Pro

Intuitive UI

All the tools are accessible within the one app versus some of the competitors where they have separate apps for each tool. See More

Top Con

Browser extension uninstallable

To uninstall the browser extension you have to completely uninstall f-secure. See More

Top Pro

A trial version is available

30 day from date of first installation / launch of f-secure. See More

Top Con

Aggressive sales tactics

Top Con

Complicated installation process

See All

score 2 · Answer 7

Kaspersky Internet Security

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Answer 8

Panda Antivirus for Mac

Top Con

Seems to be Intego's products but repackaged

This package includes the Virusbarrier and NetUpdate software from Intego. See More

Answer 9

ClamXav

Top Con

Quarantined items don't give a path to where they came from

Items that are quarantined give the user the path to where the quarantined item is - in the quarantined directory location, but not where the quarantined item came from. This is terribly inconvenient when trying to investigate whether the quarantined item really poses a threat or is a false positive, or is a PUP that you want to keep or trash. Each quarantined item can be restored back to its original location, but it can be difficult to pinpoint where it was returned to since the search function of Finder and Spotlight are weak and don't show results for files in system folders. See More

Top Pro

Configurable to quarantine or delete

ClamXav can be configured to respond to suspicious files in the way you prefer. See More

Top Con

Not available in the App Store

At one time it was available on the App Store, but the developer decided to remove it and only release it independently. See More

Top Pro

Scans external drives

ClamXav can automatically scan all mounted volumes. It can also be configured to ask before scanning volumes that exceed a user configurable size in MBs. Volumes below that threshold will be automatically scanned. See More

Top Pro

One time purchase

There is no subscription plan, just a one time purchase. No in app purchases either. See More

Top Pro

Realtime scanner

ClamXav Sentry scans files that are active (read write, executed etc). Easily setup to launch on startup / boot. Can be configured to monitor specific directories with or without sub directories (recursively). See More

Top Pro

Recognizes both Mac and Windows viruses

Useful in not spreading viruses inadvertently. See More

See All

Answer 10

Clam Xav (desktop)

score 1 · Answer 11

9 Options Considered

My Recommendation for Malwarebytes

My Recommendation for Malwarebytes

Achieved a perfect score in a test performed by AV-TEST

Free for manual scans

Antimalware

My Recommendation for Bitdefender

My Recommendation for Bitdefender

Fast antivirus

Easy on resources

My Recommendation for Avira

My Recommendation for Avira

Extras like Browser Safety include offers/deals when you're shopping

High detection rates of Malware

Can't scan external drives

Sane default settings

Occasional pop-up ad in the taskbar

No bloatware

Uninstaller application

Micro updates

Nice interface

My Recommendation for Avast!

My Recommendation for Avast!

Has a capable free version

Free version expires after a year leaving computer exposed to new viruses

Available on Linux

Full of bloatware

Good malware detection

Opt-out bundle installation

No scan scheduling in the free version

My Recommendation for Mac Internet Security X9

My Recommendation for Mac Internet Security X9

Not available in the App Store

It's possible to switch between different security profiles based on network

Not an all-in-one app

Many different packages depending on what your specific needs are

Pop up window when scanning new disk volumes

Can be set to inform of malware via email

Takes up a lot of space

Detects Windows malware as well

Clean and intuitive interface

My Recommendation for F-Secure

My Recommendation for F-Secure

Can't quarantine malware

Good malware detection

Firewall gives false sense of security

Intuitive UI

Browser extension uninstallable

A trial version is available

Aggressive sales tactics

Complicated installation process

My Recommendation for Kaspersky Internet Security

My Recommendation for Kaspersky Internet Security

My Recommendation for Panda Antivirus for Mac

My Recommendation for Panda Antivirus for Mac

Seems to be Intego's products but repackaged

My Recommendation for ClamXav

My Recommendation for ClamXav

Quarantined items don't give a path to where they came from

Configurable to quarantine or delete

Not available in the App Store

Scans external drives

One time purchase

Realtime scanner

Recognizes both Mac and Windows viruses

Don't see your favorite option? Add it.

My Recommendation for Clam Xav (desktop)

My Recommendation for Clam Xav (desktop)

My Recommendation for Kaspersky Antivirus & Security

My Recommendation for Kaspersky Antivirus & Security

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