10 Best Antivirus Software for Mac (April 2024)

Many people believe they don’t need antivirus software for Mac. While it is true that Macs are less likely to be targeted by malware and viruses, they are far from immune. For one, Macs can be used as a way to infect users on other platforms. And it is possible for them to be hit by things like ransomware, password theft, and stolen iPhone backups. 

While macOS is safer than other operating systems thanks to Apple’s heavy investments in built-in security solutions, cybercriminals are constantly developing new threats that can infect Mac devices. That is why it is crucial to add an extra layer of protection in the form of a robust antivirus. 

There is a lot of good antivirus software on the market that can protect your Mac on all fronts. A good antivirus will catch malware that's spreading, block ransomware, protect older systems, prevent your Mac from being a malware carrier, and much more. 

All of these systems use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create the most effective and modern cybersecurity solutions. 

Let’s take a look at the 10 best AI-powered antivirus software for Mac in 2022: 

1. Bitdefender

Topping our list of 10 best AI-powered antivirus software for Mac in 2022 is Bitdefender, which offers top notch protection against Mac-related online threats. Bitfender can help keep you safe against a variety of attacks, such as ransomware and adware. One of Bitfender’s top features is its Time Machine Protection (TMP), which is hard to find among other Mac antivirus software. TMP protects all of your backed-up files in case of a ransomware attack. 

Bitdefender is a high-quality and all-round malware protection software, combining many different technologies to offer increased protection. Even with all of these advanced features, Bitdefender does a great job at avoiding any negative impact on your Mac’s speed or performance. 

Bitdefender also offers cross-platform detection solutions that automatically scale for all types of malware, enabling you to securely share files with people using a different operating system. The Safe Files feature also prevents any unauthorized access to important files. 

When it comes to web protection, Bitdefender offers an adware blocker that detects and removes unwanted programs. It also blocks malicious websites that target important data with its anti-phishing technology. 

Here are some of the main features of Bitdefender: 

• Adware removal and block
• Ransomware protection
• Web protection
• Time Machine Protection
• VPN protection
• Cross-platform detection solutions

2. MacKeeper

3. Webroot

Another one of the top AI-powered antivirus softwares for Mac is Webroot, which is one of the fastest on the market. It is recommended for its highly effective anti-malware capabilities. It is also user-friendly and includes a lot of extra features to keep your Mac protected. It is useful against malware, ransomware, phishing, spyware, keylogger, webcam hacks, and more. 

Webroot uses behavioral patterns and metadata to protect against incoming attacks. Rather than terminating dangerous files when they are detected, Webroot blocks and quarantines them. 

Because the company uses cloud computing for the complex calculations required with antivirus, the system is low impact.

Phishing is one of the biggest threats for modern-day Mac users, and Webroot is highly effective at detecting and blocking phishing URLs. It relies on the Web Shield module, which is a browser extension that blocks any suspicious sites while not straining the computer. The Web Shield can be installed on various browsers like Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and Chromium. 

Another top feature of Webroot is that it creates backups whenever suspicious activity is detected, meaning the backups can be restored after a threat is dealt with. 

Here are some of the main features of Webroot: 

• Fast scans and low system impact
• Behavioral patterns and metadata to fend off attacks
• Web Shield module
• Automatic backups

4. Intego

Intego is an extremely experienced company in the field of Mac antivirus software. The company’s VirusBarrier provides real-time protection scanning files and programs when they’re accessed. It also measures against PC-based malware, helping you avoid spreading viruses to others. 

Intego Mac Internet Security is one of the software’s top offerings. It also allows you to choose from various types of scans. While the first scan is usually slower, subsequent scans rely on smart file-caching technology to scan only recently added or modified files. 

One more great feature of Intego is its Mac’s firewall, which allows you to choose your location to match the threat level. For example, you can block incoming Local Connections. 

Here are some of the main features of Intego: 

• VirusBarrier
• Intego Mac Internet Security
• Smart file-caching technology
• Mac firewall

5. Avira

Avira is another great option for Mac antivirus. The antivirus app blocks and removes the latest online threats while also offering data protection through its encrypted VPN. All of this helps you be secure when downloading and purchasing online. 

Besides blocking 99-100% of all provided threats for Mac devices, Avira is also really good at excluding false positives. It also provides a real-time scan that analyzes all of the flies you use or click, with detected suspicious items being placed into quarantine. 

Some of the other additional features of Avira include a password generator, as well as a VPN for identity theft protection. The junk remover tool allows you to have more space on your device as it deletes unwanted temporary files. 

Here are some of the main features of Avira: 

• VPN and password generator
• Excludes false positives
• Real-time scan
• Junk remover tool 

6. NordVPN – Threat Protection

One of the best ways to get protected by viruses is to sign-up for the NordVPN Threat Protection service.

Regardless of if you are using a VPN, with Threat Protection, you have instant peace of mind. It scans the files you download for malware and deletes them immediately if a threat is detected. The smart system protects users even when errors are made.  For example, it will immediately block your access if it detects you’re trying to visit a malicious website.

Some core features:

Threat Protection – It scans the files you’re downloading for malware. If it detects that the file is malicious, it deletes it immediately, before the contents can do any damage to your computer.

Block Malicious Websites –  Forget about phishing, fake websites, and malware. Threat Protection will stop you from accidentally landing on malicious websites — it will instantly block your access and prevent the attack from happening.

Stop Trackers – Browse without being tracked. Use Threat Protection to stop trackers from following you around the internet and gathering information about your browsing habits.

7. Norton 360

Perhaps the biggest name in the cybersecurity industry, Norton is an obvious choice for Mac antivirus software. It has built a reputation for identifying the most complex macOS malware types and other unwanted programs while keeping false positives to a low. 

Norton also has a machine learning tool that analyzes every process on the machine, which it then uses to quarantine any potential threats. One of the more unique features of Norton’s Mac antivirus is its Dark Web monitoring, which alerts you if your data is leaked in a data break. 

Here are some of the main features of Norton 360: 

• Machine learning tool
• Dark Web monitoring
• Firefox and Chrome extensions
• VPN and password manager

8. Avast

Avast Security for Mac has dramatically improved its software over the years, achieving a near perfect malware-detection rate. It has also improved its system performance impact. 

The Mac antivirus software screens websites for phishing scams and other common threats, as well as your Wi-Fi network for any outdated devices or suspicious guests. The company has created a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. 

One of the things that makes Avast unique is its user base of 450 million devices, which helps it identify new threats quickly. It also scans for malware targeting Windows PCs so that you don’t use your Mac to pass on potential Windows threats over email, the local network, or some file-sharing method. 

Here are some of the main features of Avast: 

• Improved system performance impact
• Screens Wi-Fi network
• User base of 450 million devices
• Prevents virus transfer to Windows

9. TotalAV

One of the newer Mac antivirus softwares on the market, TotalAV is a great option for protecting your device. TotalAV relies on traditional malware scanners to detect malicious software, and its real-time engine can detect many different types of threats when downloading or opening files. 

While it doesn't have as many features as some of the other top Mac antivirus programs, it does offer robust optimization tools that clean junk files. It also offers a VPN with an unlimited data plan. 

Here are some of the main features of TotalAV:

• Traditional malware scanners
• Real-time engine
• Robust optimization tools
• VPN 

10. Trend Micro

At the end of our list is Trend Micro, which offers great protection for your Mac device. Trend Micro relies on sophisticated AI learning technologies to block all suspicious and unusual activity. One of its best features is the malware scanning, which takes less time than other programs and offers a quick, full, or custom system scan. 

Trend Micro also offers solid protection against different web threats like malicious websites and adware. The company’s Trend Micro Pay Guard protects your financial data while you are carrying out online banking or shopping, and the best part is that it’s activated automatically when you are on sensitive websites. 

Here are some of the main features of Trend Micro: 

• VPN and password manager
• AI learning technologies
• Trend Micro Pay Guard
• Real-time protection