Best Free Antivirus Software for Mac in 2024

When it comes to safeguarding your Mac, choosing the best free antivirus software is crucial. With a plethora of options available, including TotalAV, Bitdefender, Avast, and more, finding the right balance of protection and performance is essential.

Whether you prioritize seamless integration with your Mac’s ecosystem, additional features like VPN and password management, or simply want fast and effective malware detection, the ideal free antivirus solution for your Mac is within reach.

Join us as we explore the Best Free Antivirus Software for Mac in 2024, empowering you to make an informed decision and keep your Mac secure.

Best Free Antiviruses for Mac

There are many free antivirus programs, but only a few are really good. Here, you’ll find info about the best ones for Mac, making it easier for you to pick the right antivirus.

1. TotalAV – Best Free Antivirus for Mac Overall

TotalAV is a great antivirus choice with strong malware detection. It’s easy to use for beginners and advanced users, and it covers multiple devices. The free version adds an extra layer of protection.

If you opt for the premium TotalAV subscription, you get various cybersecurity features like real-time protection, ransomware detection, cloud scanning, anti-phishing, a VPN, and a password manager.

TotalAV provides various subscription options in addition to a free plan. The most affordable premium plan is priced at $19 per year, covering up to 3 devices and offering essential security features. If you want more features, you’ll need to consider upgrading your plan.

TotalAV Security Features

TotalAV comes with a variety of extra security features. It safeguards your device against various threats, such as ransomware and phishing attempts.

Additionally, it offers some bonus features like the Safe Browsing VPN and tools for optimizing your system. Check out the following sections to learn more.

Here are some of the standout security features that TotalAV provides:

Real-time protection: This feature is always active, continuously scanning your system.
Ransomware protection: Guards your devices against ransomware.
WebShield extension: Prevents you from accessing malicious websites.
Safe browsing: Ensures the security of your online identity.
System Tune-up: Cleans up unnecessary and duplicate files on your system.

Pros:

Excellent protection against all types of internet threats.
Impressive desktop application.
Offers a basic free version.
Real-time protection for continuous safety.
Optimization tools to enhance device performance.

Cons:

Limits protection to a maximum of six devices.
The browser extension may not be very user-friendly.
Safe Search doesn’t always function effectively.

2. Norton Antivirus – Free Mac antivirus for essential protection.

The Norton 360 security suite is recognized as one of the top antivirus programs in 2024. It boasts impressive malware detection rates, provides effective real-time protection, and is arguably the most feature-rich antivirus application.

Norton relies on machine learning for its protection, resulting in outstanding malware detection. Additionally, Norton offers valuable extra features, including a VPN, password manager, and tools for identity theft protection.

If you find Norton suitable and choose to upgrade, prices start from $19.99 per year.

Norton 360 Security Features

Certainly, when it comes to antivirus software, the most important thing people want to know is what security features it has. Norton 360 is great because it has one of the best security packages out there. It protects in real-time, has a strong firewall, and gives you access to Norton’s VPN.

Let’s go through Norton 360’s security features:

Malware and virus scans: Different types of scans to keep your device safe from infections.
Real-time threat protection: It finds and stops common online threats like viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware.
Smart firewall: A quiet two-way firewall that keeps an eye on the traffic to and from your computer.
PC cloud backup: Secure cloud storage that saves space on your device.
Parental controls: You can set rules for kids, like blocking certain websites or keeping track of what they do online.
Password manager: A useful tool to keep all your passwords secure and organized.
Secure VPN: It hides your IP address and encrypts your online activities for more privacy.
System optimization: Cleans your device by removing duplicate, old, and broken files, making it work better.

Pros:

100% protection against all types of malware.
Outstanding independent test results.
Excellent security features.
Includes a secure VPN and password manager.
Identity theft protection tools.
Excellent mobile app.
Parental control features.

Cons:

No free version is available.
Higher price for the antivirus suite.
Some features require additional apps.

3. Bitdefender – Completely Free Antivirus Software

Bitdefender is one of the best antivirus providers in 2024. It always does well in tests, costs less than others, and has good security features.

Bitdefender uses a cloud-based system, and when we tested it, the scans were quick and didn’t use up a lot of computer power. There are three plans to pick from based on what you need: Antivirus Plus for regular users, Internet Security, and Total Security for everything.

If you’re thinking about choosing Bitdefender, check if your budget allows you to pay $29.99 per year for the premium version. It comes with many more features, including real-time protection, web attack protection, ransomware protection, and wifi protection.

Plus, you also get a Bitdefender VPN, a password manager, a file shredder, and more! You can try it out without any risk thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Bitdefender Security Features

Here’s a list of some impressive features included in the Bitdefender antivirus package:

Firewall: This lets you monitor all connections from your device.
Anti-theft: Enables you to locate your device on Google Maps and remotely lock it.
Malware scanner: Offers different scanning options, from quick to a thorough search for threats in your device system.
Real-time protection: Effectively catches threats before they enter your system.
Anti-tracker: A browser extension that protects you from online trackers harvesting your data.
VPN: A tool for digital protection and preventing data collection.
Password manager: A security tool to keep all your passwords safe and in one place.

Pros:

Best-in-class malware detection.
Built-in VPN.
Flexibly adapts to your hardware specifications.
Exceptional scores in independent tests.
Automated system updates.
Password manager available.
Multi-layered ransomware protection.
Excellent customer support.

Cons:

Limited VPN usage on most plans.
Fewer features for macOS.
Web protection doesn’t always work.
Incompatible with other security software.

4. Surfshark AV – Secure Mac Antivirus with a Free Trial

Surfshark One is a cybersecurity bundle with various security features. Our experts tested it. While Surfshark is famous for its VPN, its antivirus tool is also good.

Surfshark Antivirus is lightweight and doesn’t have many features, but it protects your device without slowing it down much.

Surfshark One includes the antivirus, a good VPN, a private search engine, and tools to monitor data breaches. It works on macOS, Windows, and Android. You can use the money-back guarantee after the trial or buy Surfshark One starting from $48.86 per year for continued cybersecurity.

Surfshark Security Features

Surfshark, a VPN service, offers a range of security features to ensure user privacy and data protection. Some of its key security features include:

CleanWeb: An ad and malicious link blocker to ensure a clean browsing experience.
Unlimited devices: Allows the use of the VPN on an unlimited number of devices.
Private DNS & leak protection: Each server has private DNS and leak protection to enhance security.
Camouflage Mode: Hides VPN usage from internet service providers.
NoBorders mode: Enables usage of Surfshark in restrictive network environments like China, Russia, or the UAE.
Encryption: Industry-leading AES-256-GCM encryption to safeguard user data.
Secure protocols: Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols for secure connections.
No-logs policy: Does not monitor, track, or store user online activities.
Kill Switch: Blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent data leaks.

Pros:

Includes one of the best VPNs on the market.
Split tunneling feature.
Ad and tracker blocker.
Data breach monitoring.
Utilizes the WireGuard protocol.
Webcam protection.
Great customer support.
Private search engine.
Real-time protection.

Cons:

No firewall.
No parental controls.
ID check isn’t available in all countries.

5. NordVPN Threat Protection – Leading VPN that comes with free antivirus features for Mac.

NordVPN offers a feature called Threat Protection, which includes powerful anti-malware capabilities. It can block malware, trackers, ads, and malicious URLs, and scan files for malware during downloads. This feature is integrated into NordVPN and can be personalized to suit specific needs.

It works independently of the VPN connection, and its benefits can be accessed even when not connected to a VPN server. NordVPN Threat Protection is available as a standalone product or as part of the Standard Security package, which includes the VPN.

It is priced at $4.99 per month, with a discounted rate for the first year. Additionally, NordVPN’s Threat Protection comes with a vulnerability detection feature to help prevent malicious infections.

NordVPN Security Features

NordVPN offers a comprehensive set of security features to ensure user privacy and data protection. Some of its key security features include:

Next-generation encryption: NordVPN employs AES 256-bit encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy and a 4,096-bit key for OpenVPN, as well as the proprietary WireGuard-based NordLynx encryption protocol.
Strict no logs policy: NordVPN does not log any of the traffic that passes through its servers.
Threat Protection: This feature includes anti-malware capabilities, ad and tracker blocking, and scanning of files for malware during downloads.
DoubleVPN: Adds an extra layer of encryption by routing the user’s traffic through two VPN servers.
Automatic Kill Switch: It blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent data leaks.
DNS leak protection: Ensures that DNS requests are handled by the VPN’s DNS servers.
Onion Over VPN: Routes the user’s traffic through a VPN server and then through the Tor network for added privacy.
Double-hop VPN connections: Allows users to route their traffic through two VPN servers for additional security.
Obfuscated servers: These servers are designed to bypass network restrictions and provide an extra layer of security.

Pros:

Blocks malware-filled sites.
Scans downloaded files for threats.
Effective ad blocker.
URL trimming feature.
Includes a market-leading VPN.
Offers a 7-day free trial.
Provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons:

Android and iOS versions only support the Lite version.

How to Install Free Antivirus on Mac?

Installing a free antivirus on any device is easy. Just follow these steps:

Go to the official website of the antivirus you want.
Look for and click the “Free Download” or a similar button.
Follow the installation instructions, and you’re done! Now, you can run your first scan.

Is It Worth Having a Free Antivirus on Mac?

Yes, it is worth having a free antivirus on a Mac. While Macs are less prone to viruses than PCs, they are not immune. Free antivirus software, such as Avast Security for Mac and AVG AntiVirus FREE for Mac, can provide essential protection against malware, malicious websites, and other security threats.

Apple’s built-in security measures are decent, but a quality antivirus adds an extra layer of protection, especially with the increase in Mac-focused cyber activities.

It is important to note that while free antivirus software may lack advanced features, it still handles the core tasks cleanly and seamlessly, making it a valuable addition to Mac security. Therefore, having a free antivirus on a Mac is recommended to enhance its overall security.

FAQs

Q: Is there a completely free antivirus for Mac?

Yes, TotalAV, Bitdefender, and Avira are all entirely free antivirus software for Mac. They have achieved top results in independent lab tests and offer essential protection features.

Q: What is the best free virus protection for Mac?

The top choice for free virus protection software on Mac is TotalAV. It stands out due to its rich feature set, user-friendly app, and excellent scores in independent lab tests.