“Macs don’t get viruses” is one of the most persistent myths in tech. In 2024, Malwarebytes reported a 200% increase in Mac-specific malware detections year-over-year. As Macs gained market share, they became more attractive targets. Here’s what you need to know.
2026 Update: Bitdefender won AV-Comparatives Product of the Year for the fourth consecutive year with a 99.98% detection rate. Norton added deepfake detection and now includes unlimited-data VPN across all paid Mac plans. The core advice is unchanged — Macs are safer than Windows but not immune — but the quality gap between free and paid options has widened.
Do Macs Really Need Antivirus in 2025?
macOS has several built-in protections — XProtect (signature-based malware scanner), Gatekeeper (app verification), and SIP (System Integrity Protection). These are genuinely useful and block many common threats automatically.
However, they have significant blind spots:
- XProtect signature updates lag behind active threats by days or weeks
- Adware and PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) are largely ignored by Apple’s tools
- Browser hijackers and information stealers targeting Mac are rising fast
- Zero-day exploits bypass signature-based detection entirely
For casual users browsing trusted sites, Apple’s built-in tools may suffice. For anyone who downloads software, uses torrent sites, opens many email attachments, or stores sensitive data, a dedicated antivirus is worth having.
Best Antivirus for Mac: Top Picks
🥇 1. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
Bitdefender’s Mac version is lightweight and effective. It doesn’t try to replicate its Windows feature set (no firewall, no cloud backup on Mac) but what it does, it does excellently. Real-time protection, Time Machine backup protection against ransomware, and a VPN add-on. CPU impact is minimal — I saw less than 1% idle usage on my M2 MacBook Air.
🥈 2. Intego Mac Internet Security
Intego is Mac-exclusive and has been for over 20 years — they know the platform inside-out. Their VirusBarrier engine is excellent at catching Mac-specific threats (including the adware variants that Windows AV engines often miss on Mac). It also includes NetBarrier (a two-way firewall), which is unique at this price point.
🥉 3. Malwarebytes for Mac (Free/Premium)
The free version of Malwarebytes is great for on-demand scanning — run it when you suspect something. The premium version adds real-time protection. It’s particularly good at detecting the adware and browser hijackers that Mac users encounter most often.
What About Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky on Mac?
Norton 360, McAfee, and Bitdefender all offer Mac versions, but they’re less feature-rich than their Windows counterparts — no cloud backup, limited firewalls. For a Mac-native experience with better optimisation, Intego or the Mac-specific Bitdefender build are better choices.
Best Free Antivirus for Mac?
The free tier of Malwarebytes is your best free option for on-demand scanning. For real-time protection on a budget, Avast Free Mac Security offers decent coverage, though it does collect some usage data and push upsells.
Honest take: if you’re on Mac, the best “free” antivirus is actually Apple’s built-in tools (XProtect + Gatekeeper) combined with sensible browsing habits. Only download software from the App Store or verified developers.