You don't have to pay for solid AV protection. Got high marks from our testers for its ability to stop threats, for example. And also performed well.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is one of the most accurate virus protection suites for Apple devices on the market, and it comes with a host of features, including multi-layer ransomware protection. There is a common misconception that a Mac is so secure that it doesnt need an antivirus, but this isnt the case! Luckerly there is some great free antivirus programs for Macs. Here at Top10BestAntivirus.com we have showcased some of the best free antivirus software for Mac to make it easier for you to find your perfect Mac protection.

The software that comes installed on new Windows computers is not quite as strong as those first three, but it still offers considerable protection. The paid programs have extra benefits. Shelling out money—generally $30 to $80—does get you a few perks, says Richard Fisco, who heads CR’s antivirus testing program.

Case in point: In addition to its top-rated malware-fighting abilities, offers a firewall, a spam filter, and anti- features. Others provide,, and email and/or banking protection. Another benefit? With a paid program, you don't get peppered with pop-up ads asking you to upgrade from the free version, Fisco says.

“They can be almost as annoying as adware that constantly bugs you to buy something,' he adds. Opening your wallet does not guarantee you a better product. The $60 and $50 suites both scored lower than Windows Defender without offering any meaningful extras. The $50 at least had email protection and spam and parental filters. Yes, Macs need AV, too. Yes, it's true, there isn’t as much malware aimed at Macs, but that doesn't mean Apple fans can ignore cyber threats.

They do exist in greater numbers, 'And if you don't protect yourself and you get an infected file,' says Fisco, 'you can pass that malware on to a friend with a Windows PC.” For those reasons, Consumer Reports now rates antivirus products for Mac computers. If you’re looking for a free option, we recommend.

The top paid options include. Download the software from trusted sites. If you click on a pop-up ad promising free AV protection, you can easily end up with malware on your computer instead. It's a common scam employed by cyber criminals.

To be safe, go straight to the source and manually type in the web address for the company that offers the product you want to use.

Fortunately, there are many fantastic anti-malware platforms designed to give your Mac a booster shot against the latest viruses, adware, and ransomware,. Many of them are made by the same companies that produce the solutions. The best free antivirus for Mac Avast Security for Mac Avast Security for Mac is one of the most popular security suites available, and it’s easy to see why.

It’s effective and free for non-commercial use, providing on-demand tools for quickly performing full-system malware scans, as well as sifting through specific email threads, attachments, and various web activities like web pages, downloads, and JavaScripts. Furthermore, it offers drag-and-drop scanning for individual files and phishing protection, along with the ability to scan external drives and attached volumes for potential infections. You can also initiate scans for connected devices like external hard drives. The application’s interface is straightforward and self-explanatory, and features a navigational pane on the left that consists of five primary buttons and a real-time graph that aggregates shield activity and allows users to quickly check the overall stats of their computer. The free version also offers to install two other programs during installation: Avast Internet Security ($30 per year) and Avast SecureLine VPN ($60 per year). Neither are necessary for detecting and removing malware, however, so pay attention during installation if you don’t want them.