Software
Jun 09, 2020 Kaspersky antivirus software packages are available with three-, five-, 10-, or 20-device coverage in one-, two-, and three-year subscriptions. Protect your devices with the best antivirus software - we'll help you decide on the right software, with free antivirus and business solutions included.
- Antivirus for Mac (10) Everyone should have an anti-malware program running and a firewall enabled on their computers. We tested all the products using Chrome as the browser, since it is the most.
- Jul 02, 2020 Avast Free Antivirus has the best assortment of extra goodies of any free antivirus program, including an unlimited password manager, a hardened browser, a gaming mode.
- May 22, 2020 Remember, free antivirus software is a lot better than not having antivirus software at all! Going for a premium version of a software isn’t required but some antivirus software offers great deals and includes a bunch of additional features that will cover every type of a Mac user.
- May 19, 2020 TotalAV is a beautiful solution that combines lightness and functionality. This antivirus may be installed on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, which makes it perfectly adaptable. As a relatively new antivirus software on the market, it offers a starting free scan after the installation and registration to help with the identification of the main issues.
- Jun 05, 2020 The best antivirus protection for Windows 10 in 2020. Your Windows PC needs protection against malware, and free antivirus software may be enough.
Pros
- Top scores from one independent testing lab.
- Speedy full scan.
- Attractive, lightweight user interface.
Cons
- Phishing protection not yet working.
Bottom Line
Newcomer Airo Antivirus for Mac earns top scores from one testing lab and has a refreshing Mac-centric interface, but some of its components aren't yet ready.
The proliferation of cross-platform security suite products has resulted in a Mac antivirus boom, as each vendor wants to promise protection on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Few companies focus specifically on macOS, and even fewer new Mac-specific products show up. It's refreshing, therefore, to see the arrival of Airo Antivirus for Mac on the market. This newcomer earned some impressive lab scores, and its attractive, lightweight design should appeal to Mac enthusiasts. However, it's on the expensive side, and not all components are working yet as of this writing.
Pricing and OS Support
You pay $49.99 per year for a single Airo license. Upping that to $69.99 gets you three licenses, and $89.99 brings the total to five. Originally I reported prices of $69.99, $99.99, and $129.99, since these were visible (though struck out) on the pricing page. My company contact pointed out that those prices are never used, and proved it by removing them from the pricing page. I'm glad; the product looked rather expensive before that fix.
Intego costs $99.99 for three licenses, while ClamXAV (for Mac) costs just $29.99 for three. Like Airo, Intego and ClamXAV are specific to the macOS platform. In the cross-platform realm, you get five Norton licenses for $99.99, along with five no-limits licenses for Norton's VPN.
You can try Airo for a week at no cost, with no need to give any personal details. That's a nice touch, but a few macOS antivirus products are entirely free. You don't have to pay a thing to protect your Mac with Avira, Avast, or Sophos. Even ignoring these free options, Airo is on the high side, price-wise. The most common price-point for a single license is $39.99; that's what you pay for Bitdefender, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac, ESET, Trend Micro, and Webroot.
Between $45 and $65 for three licenses is another sweet spot; Bitdefender, ESET, Kaspersky, ProtectWorks, Vipre, and Webroot all fall in that range. And for $59.99 per year, McAfee AntiVirus Plus (for Mac) lets you install protection on every Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS device in your household.
Like Avira, Sophos, and Vipre, Airo supports macOS versions 10.11 (El Capitan) and later. Trend Micro really wants you up to date; it only supports 10.13 (High Sierra) and later. If legacy software or antique hardware requires you to stay with an old macOS version, you might consider ProtectWorks AntiVirus (for Mac) or ClamXAV, both of which go all the way back to 10.6 (Snow Leopard). Webroot also handles dated systems, with support back to 10.7 (Lion).
Getting Started With Airo
Once you've purchased your license and created your Airo account, you simply download and install the product. It quickly grabs the latest build from Airo's servers. The installer walks you through granting necessary permissions, such as full disk access to remove malware, and it offers to explain why it needs each permission. It also offers to add phishing protection to your browser. When the installer has finished, it cheerily announces, 'All is good in the world. Airo has been installed.'
Airo aims for a light footprint. It doesn't appear in the dock. Rather, you pull down its distinctive tall, skinny window from its icon in the menu bar at top whenever you need it. The main Status page just reports on the latest scan and latest update, with a big button to launch a scan. A Threats page lets you review malware threats that the product found and quarantined. Another page holds the product's few configuration settings. The fourth and final page lets you manage your account.
The product prompted me to run a quick scan, so I indulged it. That scan finished in barely 20 seconds. Then I clicked the hard-to-see Scan Options link and launched a full scan, which also finished quickly, 11 minutes. Trend Micro came in slightly faster, at 10 minutes. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (for Mac) is the fastest macOS scanner I've timed, finishing its full scan in just 2.5 minutes.
Hands On With Airo
Just about every Mac-focused antivirus also tries to wipe out any Windows malware it encounters. Naturally these foreign programs can't execute on a Mac, but the Mac could conceivably serve as a conduit for them to reach Windows boxes on the network. I turned on the setting 'Scan external devices when connected' and plugged in a USB drive containing my current set of Windows malware samples.
When nothing happened, I checked with my contact at Airo. He explained that with this setting enabled, the scans you launch include any connected external drives. It doesn't mean that the event of connecting a drive triggers a scan.
With this understanding, I launched a folder scan of the removable device. Airo eliminated 72 percent of the Windows malware samples, which is precisely the average for current products.
It's true that others have done better against Windows malware. Webroot got 100 percent of them, ESET managed 93 percent, and F-Secure Safe (for Mac) detected 91 percent. Again, these samples can't infect a Mac, so detecting them is icing on the cake.
Airo's real-time protection checks any apps you download; it also checks apps on launch. Some products, among them Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac($34.99/Year at Bitdefender), F-Secure, and Sophos, figure this real-time protection is all you need and hence don't bother with scheduled scanning. Airo runs a daily quick scan and a weekly full scan automatically; it doesn't bother to expose the schedule for user-initiated changes. Given that both full and quick scans are plenty fast, this makes perfect sense.
Excellent Lab Test Scores
I've been working with PCs since the 80s, and with Windows-based antivirus tools for many, many years. I'm fully equipped for hands-on testing of Windows antivirus utilities against actual malware samples, even ransomware. But this is a Mac-specific product, and my expertise on macOS is minimal by comparison. That's why test results from independent labs are so important for my Mac antivirus reviews. In fact, when I started reviewing such products, I only chose products with scores from at least one lab.
As you can see in the chart below, the labs don't necessarily keep testing the same set of products. More than 40 percent of the products I track don't have any current lab results. Airo looks very good, with a perfect score from AV-Test Institute. That means it successfully protected the test systems against malware, correctly avoided flagging valid programs or sites as malicious, and did it all without dragging down performance.
Of course, getting top scores from two labs is even better. Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Trend Micro all got perfect scores from both AV-Test and AV-Comparatives.
Quite a few big names, among them ESET, McAfee, and Sophos Home Premium (for Mac), don't have any current test results. For newcomer Airo to hit the scene with one set of perfect scores is impressive.
No Phishing Protection Yet
During Airo's installation I encountered a screen that stated, 'Airo can warn you about deceptive and phishing sites before you visit them.' In response to that offer, I installed browser protection in both Chrome and Firefox to take advantage of phishing protection. I did notice that the settings for the browser extension mentioned blocking sites that contain: Malware, Adware, Scareware, Spyware, and Suspicious. Phishing wasn't listed.
Indeed, when I ran my standard phishing protection test, Airo did not detect or block a single phishing site. Fakes of PayPal, eBay, Amazon, and popular banks slipped right past it. The only page I found that got a reaction was the phishing test page from the AMTSO's collection of antivirus feature tests. Airo detected that one as an adware site.
My contact at the company confirmed that phishing protection is not yet present in Airo, and that the team plans to change the phishing protection promise during install until such time as that feature becomes available. That's good, because it's dangerous to give users a false sense of security by promising protection that isn't actually offered.
An Interesting Arrival
Airo Antivirus for Mac's enthusiastic developers have come up with an attractive new macOS antivirus that does its job unobtrusively. AV-Test Institute put it to the test and awarded the top score in each of three criteria. It wiped out some, but not all, of our Windows malware samples in testing. However, its promised phishing protection isn't yet present. We look forward to the next iteration of this interesting new arrival.
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac and Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac get top scores from both labs we follow. Both excel in phishing protection, and both include uncommon features such as ransomware protection for Bitdefender and parental controls for Kaspersky. And both cost quite a bit less than Airo. The five-license price of Norton 360 Deluxe (for Mac) is the same as Airo's three-license price, and you can use your Norton licenses on macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. In addition, your Norton subscription gets you five unlimited licenses for Norton's VPN and 50GB of online storage for your (Windows) backups. These three products are our Editors' Choice picks for Mac antivirus.
Best Antivirus Picks
Further Reading
Utility • May 22, 2020
Remote working is on the increase, and if you are doing any work on a Mac without antivirus protection – your Mac computer is very vulnerable. And vulnerability might even lead to a bad experience while working from home.
Usually, companies take care of these things, but if you’re on your own now – there’s nothing to worry about. Since there is free antivirus software for Mac you can install right today, there’s no need to put yourself at risk.
If you’re believing in the myth that Mac computers don’t get infected with viruses – you’re putting your computer at a higher risk than you can imagine.
That’s why, in this post, you’ll not only find some of the best free Mac antivirus software we’ve reviewed – but you’ll also find the pros & cons of the free version and whether going for a premium antivirus version is really worth it.
Top free Mac Antivirus Software mentioned
Avast Security for Mac (our #1 choice)
Avast is one of the most commonly used free antivirus software, for both Mac and Windows. The installation is fairly simple and once you download the Avast package, the download of the Avast Security will begin which is followed by the installation.
I was able to download it and get it installed in about 15 minutes. Upon the opening of the Avast, the automatic Smart scan starts (which can be skipped) and the free version protects your computer from the following threats:
- Virus Definitions
- Viruses & Malware
As you probably know, that’s not everything Avast offers. Even as a free user, you can experience additional benefits that will keep you safe when you’re actually browsing the internet.
There’s a Core Shield addition which includes the following:
- File shield
- Web shield
- Email shield
This means that you will be protected during scanning or opening of any files, as you browse the web, and even when you receive dangerous email attachments.
All of this is free, and there’s also a virus chest where you can find viruses that Avast detected. In there, it’s very simple to take action to delete and remove the virus or take any further actions such as adding a known virus by yourself.
I think that this is very useful for advanced users who might have experienced a rare type of virus and yet would like to let Avast know about it and stay prepared in the future.
And the last great feature of Avast Security is the Wi-Fi Inspector. Avast inspects the network you’re connected to, rates your computer security, and the router security. This is pretty useful to have when you’re using the public network and you don’t have the chance to protect yourself using the Virtual Private Network software (VPN).
Avast Security features a very simple & attractive interface which makes navigation easy even for people who had no prior experience with antivirus software. Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of features in the free version which is just one of the reasons Avast Security is categorized as “Our Pick”.
But how about the Premium features? Would you need them and what do they even include?
Just like any free antivirus software, there’s always a premium version you can upgrade to.
In this case, Avast Security Premium offers the following:
- Ransomware Shield
- Extra Wi-Fi monitoring security features
- Ability to avoid fake sites for safer online shopping
Do you really need the Premium version? I believe that about 75% of users will be fine with the free version of Avast Security. However, if you are an advanced user and you’d like to unlock all features and get the most advanced protection – it’s highly recommended.
But are you going to be fine with Avast Security free version? Absolutely – and that’s why Avast is the safest pick on our list.
Sophos Home (our #2 choice)
Sophos Home has a very simple interface. Or better yet – it doesn’t have a regular interface everyone’s used to.
Once you download and install Sophos Home antivirus, you’ll see it in Mac’s taskbar, just like Avast Antivirus. However, you can’t actually open the Sophos Home interface as there is no actual interface.
It’s a bit of a different approach, but it’s very simple to use. How do you find the needed information? It’s all stored in the cloud!
Oh yes, the good old cloud. For example, when I went to see my activity – I was directed to the Sophos Home cloud space where I could see full history, status, protection, web filtering, and privacy for the antivirus that’s installed on my Mac.
Even though you can’t check much directly on your computer – there are plenty of commands you can use to find exactly what you’re looking for.
The free version of Sophos Home is full of features that protect your Mac from three main things:
- General viruses
- Ransomware
- Web threats
Once you install Sophos Home, you will automatically get all features enabled, so you can truly test the premium features before you are back on the free version.
A free version is more than enough to keep you protected, however, there aren’t many free features and it’s pretty basic.
On the other hand, there are many premium features that can protect you from a lot of different threats and virus types – however, you will have to upgrade.
Therefore, I consider Sophos Home to be a bit more efficient if you upgrade, but if you’re looking for free antivirus software and you’re fine with the basic protection – Sophos is a good choice.
Avira Free Antivirus for Mac
Avira offers enough free features to keep your Mac protected at all times and I really like how it operates. It’s fairly convenient so once you set the schedule for your scans using the Scheduler feature, you can forget about it.
However, you’ll also stay protected in real-time. The interface is pretty simple and it’s very straightforward, so you won’t waste any time around Avira.
Avira is almost as lightweight as Malwarebytes and yet it offers plenty of free features that can sufficiently protect your Mac at all times.
What I liked the most is that they even have a free version of a mobile app to protect your iOS devices such as an iPhone or an iPad.
Using one account, you can keep an eye on as many devices as you have in one tab which is pretty useful.
Best Free Antivirus Software
AVG Antivirus FREE
I was positively surprised by the AVG’s simple design only to discover a lot of features behind it.
AVG AntiVirus FREE for Macacts both as a powerful virus cleaner but also as real-time anti-virus protection. I believe it’s mostly aimed for people who work on many devices as it offers 3-in-1 protection where you can connect and protect your Mac, Windows, and even smartphone (or a tablet).
Keeping an eye on all your devices regardless of their operating system is pretty neat inside the AVG antivirus software.
A free version is pretty lightweight even though it features plenty of features. One thing you should keep in mind is that it runs in the background, but I’ve rarely noticed any notifications so it’s not disturbing.
If you’re easily distracted during your work and you are all about minimalism – AVG antivirus FREE software might be a great choice.
Malwarebytes for Mac (Free Version)
Malwarebytes is one of the lightest antivirus software you can get for your Mac. It took me only a minute and a half to download it and install it.
The free version is pretty basic and the only thing you can expect is the removal of existing infections on your Mac.
The paid version offers a lot more features (most of the features you can see in other antivirus software).
I find this light yet efficient antivirus software to be great for checking your Mac thoroughly if you suspect that it has been infected. It’s also great to have it installed (even along with another antivirus software).
But you should understand that the free version is pretty limited and it can’t protect your laptop in real-time. However, as I’ve mentioned previously, it’s an ideal antivirus for checking up on your laptop’s health periodically.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac
Bitdefender Virus Scanner is our last recommendation in this post, but this doesn’t mean it’s the least secure one.
This antivirus software works by scanning the critical locations on Mac to find and eliminate viruses that are the most harmful.
Free Mac Antivirus
It can also do a deep system scan where it scans the whole mac (which might take time!) and then it eliminates all threats it can find so your Mac is 100% clean.
You can also scan a custom location such as the most recently downloaded file to quickly scan new documents for viruses.
It has a very simple interface, it’s very easy to use, and its free version is pretty decent considering some other antivirus software that is all about making the users upgrade to the premium version.
You’ll probably have questions about…
Are these free antivirus software safe to use?
Every one of this antivirus software comes from an established software company and almost all companies have been providing efficient antivirus protection for at least a decade now.
Therefore, just because they’re free – doesn’t mean that they’re not safe. Our picks are chosen from the list of only reputable and well-known antivirus software.
However, as you can see, all of them work in a different way and have different features – so you should still wisely choose your antivirus software, regardless of its cost.
Are free antiviruses for Mac good enough?
As you could’ve seen from the antivirus software featured in this review post – there are some pretty decent yet free options to protect your Mac.
For example, Malwarebytes antivirus software might not be good enough if you’re looking for software that will keep protecting your Mac in real-time in the background.
If that’s what you’re looking for, an antivirus software such as Avast Security will give you great coverage.
But if you would only like to periodically run a search for viruses – Malwarebytes, in fact, could be a great option.
Therefore, you should know your needs before determining whether each one of these might be a good choice for your needs.
If you’re really serious about keeping your Mac laptop when browsing the internet – Intego Mac Internet Security X9 might be a great choice. It’s a dedicated antivirus software app that will keep your Mac safe in real-time and even though it has a Premium version – the free version offers plenty of features to protect your Mac on its own.
Why most “free” antivirus software aren’t exactly free?
A great example of free antivirus software that isn’t exactly free is the Bitdefender. As you could’ve noticed, I’ve mentioned that this software is pretty basic, and yet it has plenty of premium features.
Some antivirus companies are dedicated to creating quality & useful versions of their software as both free & paid.
On the other hand, some antivirus software companies are focusing more on the premium version so as a free user – you might feel like you aren’t even able to experience 40% of the actual software.
And I understand that when the security is in question – there’s no room for you to compromise.
But does this mean that you simply shouldn’t stick with free antivirus software? Of course, not!
All you have to do is wisely review each one of this software, ensure you know what you would need from an antivirus software – and then find an option that will fit your needs.
Avast Security and Sophos Home are the top two antivirus software for this reason. They offer a very sufficient free version which won’t make all users feel like they need to upgrade to stay protected.
And as with any other antivirus software, including the ones from this article – all of them have pros & cons and it’s up to you to decide which pros & cons you will be okay with.
Should you consider upgrading to a Premium version?
Investing in security has never been a bad idea, and if your budget allows you – going for a premium version will definitely help you increase the level of your protection and have your Mac secured at all times.
Premium version of the antivirus software includes additional features that can keep you protected as you browse the internet, or even when you’re shopping online from not-very-known online stores.
I highly recommend going with a free version first, see how you like it, but also check out what the premium version offers. If you think you will be benefit form at least half of the premium features and your budget allows you to upgrade – you should definitely invest in the security of your Mac!
Conclusion
Best Free Mac Antivirus Software 2019
You are definitely able to protect yourself well using a free version of antivirus software and even though any of these are a great option – you should take your time to find out which one would fit your needs the most.
Remember, free antivirus software is a lot better than not having antivirus software at all! Going for a premium version of a software isn’t required but some antivirus software offers great deals and includes a bunch of additional features that will cover every type of a Mac user.
Finally, if you are working remotely – by using an antivirus, you aren’t only protecting yourself, yet you’re also protecting everyone else you’re working with, whether you’re a part of the company or a team.
Free Mac Antivirus Software
With that being said – I believe that our suggestions are more than enough to efficiently protect yourself. Stay safe!