Top 5 Antivirus Software for Mac (2023)
When people think of Mac computers, the immediate thought is it’s sleek, powerful, and mainly for creative use, but another idea people have is that as opposed to Windows, it is far more secure.
However, Macs are not immune to malware and other online threats as people would have you believe. As Mac users continue to grow, so do the bad actors who develop malware and launch cyberattacks against the system.
It can be overwhelming to choose the right antivirus for your needs, especially for Mac if you’ve gone all this time without one. Among these options that you might want to consider strongly is CleanMyMac X, which has become a popular choice for Mac users recently due to its comprehensive features and ease of use.
But that aside, feel free to read on as we are featuring 5 Mac antivirus software available in the market which hopefully would help you make an informed decision.
But first…
Do You Really Need an Antivirus for Mac?
Mac users have a sense of security for quite some time because it was largely believed that Macs are invulnerable against malware, which was somewhat true because it wasn’t as popular as Windows systems so there wasn’t much incentive to spend time developing viruses and malware against it
This doesn’t take into account the tech and knowledge needed to make malware for Mac systems. That said, now that the market share of Mac systems has grown significantly, so does the threat of adware, trojans, ransomware, and even phishing scams.
That said, most antivirus software nowadays helps improve your system’s performance by removing junk files, duplicates, and other system-generated files that contribute to the degradation of its performance, so you should strongly consider having one in your system.
For instance, CleanMyMac X has various optimization tools that help speed up your Mac and free up storage space.
So to answer your question if you need an antivirus for your Mac, the answer is probably yes.
Now, let’s analyze this Mac antivirus software, starting with CleanMyMac X.
1. CleanMyMac X by MacPaw
As previously mentioned, CleanMyMac X is a popular antivirus for Mac devices since it offers a wide range of features to help maintain your system, as well as optimize it. Its antivirus module can and will help protect your Mac against malware, along with its other features.
Malware Removal
Its Malware Removal feature is designed to detect and remove malware from your Mac. It scans your system for known malware and at the same time uses a real-time database to detect new threats.
It is effective at detecting and removing malware to the point where it might be a bit too aggressive at times, especially with false positives. But that said, if real-time protection is important for you, you might have found your antivirus.
Live Monitor
Its Live Monitor feature monitors and keeps track of your Mac’s health in real-time. It runs in the background so it is non-intrusive and won’t affect your device’s performance at all.
It can provide you with information about your system’s CPU, memory usage, drive status, network connections, and battery life. It is designed to help you identify and troubleshoot issues before they become major problems. It also provides alerts in case your system is about to run out of disk space or has unusually high CPU usage.
Privacy
CleanMyMac X’s privacy module is a feature that helps protect your privacy by removing sensitive data from your Mac. This includes browsing history, chat logs, downloaded files, and other items that could compromise your privacy.
The privacy module scans your Mac for these items and lets you choose which ones you want to remove. It also has a secure shredder feature that ensures the files are deleted permanently and cannot be recovered.
Additionally, CleanMyMac X can scan and clean up your email attachments and other temporary files that may contain sensitive information. By using the privacy module, you can ensure that your personal information is kept safe and secure.
CleanMyMac X’s Price:
You can download CleanMyMac X for free, to give its features a try. To uncover all the features the app ships with, it will cost you $34.95/year for 1 Mac, $54.95/year for 2 Macs, or $79.95/year for 3 Macs.You can also purchase the app at a one-time fee of $89.95 (for 1 Mac).
Things we like:
- User-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and use
- Effective malware removal module that detects and removes various types of threats
- Live monitor that provides real-time protection against new threats
- Privacy module that helps to protect your sensitive data and online privacy
- Ability to remove system junk, including large hidden files, old documents, and unnecessary localizations, freeing up space on your Mac
- Shredder feature that securely erases files, making them unrecoverable
- Option to scan external drives and other devices for malware
- Regular updates that ensure the program stays up-to-date with the latest threats and operating systems
Things we don’t like:
- Since it deals with file deletion, it may be too aggressive in its cleaning and removal of files, which could lead to the accidental deletion of important files if the user is not careful
- Some users may prefer a more minimalistic approach to antivirus software without the added system cleaning and optimization features.
The verdict
Overall, if you are looking for an effective and user-friendly tool to optimize and protect your Mac, CleanMyMac X is definitely worth considering. Its comprehensive set of features and excellent performance make it a great choice for anyone looking to keep their Mac running smoothly and securely.
Additionally, CleanMyMac X offers a 7-day free trial to allow users to test the software before committing to a purchase.
2. Intego Mac Internet Security X9
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is an antivirus program designed specifically for Macs. It offers a range of features to keep your Mac safe from malware and other security threats. Here’s an in-depth look at Intego Mac Internet Security X9’s pros and cons, capabilities, interface, pricing, and verdict.
Capabilities
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 includes a range of features to keep your Mac safe. It offers real-time scanning, which means it scans your Mac for malware and viruses as soon as you download a file.
The software also includes a firewall, network protection, and parental controls, giving you a comprehensive security solution for your Mac.
Interface
Intego Mac Internet Security X9’s interface is simple and user-friendly. It’s easy to navigate, and the dashboard provides a clear overview of your Mac’s security status. Additionally, the software’s settings are easy to customize, so you can tailor the program to your specific needs.
Pros and Cons
One of the advantages of Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is that it offers real-time scanning, which means it’s constantly monitoring your Mac for viruses and malware. It also offers a firewall, network protection, and parental controls, making it a great option for families.
However, one of the drawbacks of Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is that it can be resource-intensive, which may cause your Mac to slow down. Additionally, some users have reported issues with false positives, meaning the software may flag legitimate files as malware.
Mac Internet Security X9’s Price:
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is priced at $49.99 per year for one device, which is competitive with other antivirus software on the market. However, if you need to protect multiple devices, the price can quickly add up.
The verdict
Overall, Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is a solid antivirus program for Mac users. It offers a range of features to keep your Mac safe from malware and other security threats, and its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use.
However, it can be resource-intensive, and some users have reported issues with false positives. If you’re in the market for antivirus software for your Mac, Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is definitely worth considering.
3. Clario Mac Antivirus
Clario Mac Antivirus is a newcomer to the antivirus market, designed specifically for Mac users. In this review, we will examine Clario Antivirus and evaluate its pros and cons, capabilities, interface, pricing, and overall verdict.
Capabilities
Clario Antivirus offers comprehensive protection for your Mac, including malware detection, phishing protection, identity theft prevention, and online privacy features. The software’s malware detection capabilities are excellent, with a high detection rate and a low false positive rate.
Interface
It has an easy-to-use interface, with a sleek and modern design. The software’s dashboard provides an overview of your Mac’s security status, with clear indications of any potential issues. The navigation is intuitive, with clear labels and instructions.
Clario’s Price:
It is a bit expensive, with plans starting at $4.17/ month paid annually, which translates to $50/year for 3 devices, or $8.99 if paid monthly. The good thing is, this subscription covers both Mac and iOS, and Android devices.
Things we like:
- Clario Antivirus provides comprehensive protection for your Mac, covering all potential attack vectors, including malware, phishing, and identity theft.
- The software comes with an easy-to-use interface, with intuitive navigation and clear instructions.
- Customer support is top-notch, with a 24/7 live chat available to answer any questions you may have.
- Clario Antivirus includes a VPN service, allowing you to protect your online activities and keep your browsing private.
Things we don’t like:
- Does not include a VPN
Verdict
Overall, Clario is a good alternative choice for Mac users who want comprehensive protection and privacy features. However, the software is a bit pricey, and some advanced features are missing. Nevertheless, the software’s ease of use and excellent customer support make it a top contender in the Mac antivirus market.
4. Sophos Home Premium Antivirus
Sophos Home Premium Antivirus for Mac is a comprehensive security software that aims to protect your computer from various threats. Let’s take a closer look at its pros and cons, capabilities, interface, pricing, and verdict.
Capabilities
It offers real-time protection against various types of threats, including trojans, viruses, worms, bots, PUAs, ransomware, and more. It also comes with parental website filtering, remote management, privacy protection, and identity protection.
Interface
It has a straightforward interface that is easy to navigate. Users can easily access all the features from the main dashboard. The interface is user-friendly, and users can customize the settings according to their preferences.
Sophos’s Price:
Sophos Home Premium Antivirus for Mac offers a 30-day free trial, after which the pricing is $44.99/year, $74.99/2 years, and $104.99/3-year subscription. The pricing is slightly higher compared to other antivirus software in the market.
Things we like:
- Real-time protection against various types of threats, including viruses, malware, Trojans, ransomware, and more.
- Parental website filtering allows parents to control their children’s online activity.
- Mac web protection uses SophosLabs blacklist to block compromised or dangerous websites.
- Remote management enables you to secure multiple PCs and Macs from a simple web interface.
- Privacy protection blocks unwanted access to your webcam and keystrokes.
- Advanced malware scan and clean remove any traces of previous infections.
- Premium support includes live email and chat support, as well as access to the 24/7 knowledge base.
Things we don’t like:
- It technically does not have a free version; after the 30-day free trial, all features will be disabled.
- Reports from users suggest that scanning is slow and affects performance somehow.
- Compared to other Mac antivirus, it doesn’t seem like it offers a VPN or firewall for its users.
Verdict
Sophos Home Premium Antivirus for Mac is a fully-featured security software that offers real-time protection against various types of threats. The advanced malware scan removes any traces of previous infections.
If you are willing to pay a premium for a comprehensive security solution, Sophos Home Premium Antivirus for Mac could be a great choice.
5. F-Secure Total
F-Secure Total is an all-in-one cyber security package that offers antivirus, VPN, and password manager with 24/7 identity monitoring for all your devices. And maybe, for the casual user, all these features won’t be needed, but as a fully-featured antivirus software for Mac, F-Secure seems to have it all. But read on.
Capabilities
F-Secure Total can protect your Mac devices with its wide range of features, and when I say wide, I really mean wide. It is comprehensive enough to include features aside from acting as an antivirus, like browsing protection, parental controls, privacy protection, and it also provides a virtual location along with its VPN service that encrypts your connection to ensure your privacy while online.
It also has a password manager that stores your passwords and syncs them across devices in a secure manner. Additionally, the online identity theft monitoring feature will alert you if your personal information has been leaked online.
Interface
F-Secure Total has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. It offers a dashboard that provides an overview of your device’s security status, and each feature is organized in a separate tab. The password manager allows you to easily store, manage, and access your passwords.
F-Secure Total’s Price:
F-Secure Total’s pricing is a bit on the higher end compared to other antivirus solutions in the market. It costs $59.99/year for 1 device, $69.99/year for 5 devices, and $75.99/year for 10 devices. However, the cost/device is driven down if you have multiple devices.
Things we like:
- F-Secure Total is an all-in-one package that offers comprehensive protection for all your devices against online threats.
- Its antivirus engine is highly rated by independent test organizations such as AV-TEST.
- It includes a VPN service that encrypts your connection, protects your privacy, and allows you to browse safely on public Wi-Fi networks.
- The password manager allows you to securely store your passwords and access them on any device.
- Its identity monitoring feature alerts you if your personal information has been compromised in a data breach and provides personal assistance in case of identity theft.
Things we don’t like:
- The pricing is a bit on the higher end compared to other antivirus solutions in the market.
Verdict
F-Secure Total is an excellent all-in-one cyber security package that provides comprehensive protection for all your devices. Its antivirus engine is highly effective, and its VPN service, password manager, and online identity monitoring features are valuable additions.
However, the pricing is a bit on the higher end compared to other antivirus solutions in the market. If you value comprehensive protection and are willing to pay a premium price, then F-Secure Total is a great option for you.
To End
In conclusion, the protection of your Mac and all of the personal data stored in it is important. The increasing threats online are just going to get worse, and having a reliable antivirus solution is becoming more important than ever.
I hope that with this post you can make an informed decision on which antivirus software will work best for you. I wouldn’t wait until it’s too late!