5 Mac antivirus apps that beat Apple’s built-in security

Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is our top pick for Mac antivirus software. It is approved by independent testing labs AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, offering solid antivirus and firewall protection. As the only antivirus in this round-up to be built from the ground-up for Mac, it has a simplicity about it that Apple users will appreciate.

We love how easy this no-fuss Mac antivirus is to set up and use, with deep customization options, and no pushy upsells. If you have just the one Mac you wish to protect, Intego is an extremely effective security product – and also the cheapest paid option here.

Who’s it for?

Intego is for Mac users who want simple, but effective security, and are looking to gain peace of mind without diving into system-level configuration gymnastics. Intego’s VirusBarrier is ideal for users who have a single Mac or MacBook to protect, while NetBarrier lets them quickly and easily set up profiles for home, work or public connections.

Further considerations

The basic package includes the company’s VirusBarrier real-time antivirus and NetBarrier firewall, along with anti-phishing protection. If you need additional features, the Premium Bundle adds parental controls so you can monitor internet time and block inappropriate content, optimization utilities for reducing file clutter and improving system performance, organizational tools for putting your most frequently used files at your fingertips and neatly arranging your desktop and dock, plus backup. A VPN is also available as an add-on.

Because Intego is a Mac-only security suite, it isn’t suitable for users who also want to protect their iPhone or iPad, Windows PC or Android device. Most alternative antivirus products offer cross-platform protection.

If unbeatable malware protection is your only concern, there are better alternatives to Intego. In September 2024, AV-Test awarded Intego a rating of 5 (out of 6) for Protection, 6 for Speed, and 6 for Usability. Then, in June 2025, AV-Comparatives rated it 97.1% for Mac malware protection, 97% for protection from potentially unwanted applications, and 100% for Windows malware detection. All four of the alternative Mac antivirus programs listed below scored a 6 for Protection from AV-Test, plus 100% for Mac malware protection and the maximum possible 99% for protection from potentially unwanted programs from AV-Comparatives.

Use our link to get the best deal on Intego Mac Internet Security X9 and Mac Premium Bundle.

Norton is a name with which most readers will be familiar, which is important for a tool that’s going to be responsible for your digital security. Norton’s Virus Protection Promise means you’ll get your money back if it can’t remove a virus from your Mac.

Including VPN, a password manager, Deepfake protection, and antivirus, antimalware, ransomware and hacking protection, it has a more complete feature set than many of the Mac antivirus offerings here – without the high price tag to match.

Norton 360 appeals for its top marks across both AV-Comparatives and AV-Test’s June 2025 benchmarks, delivering on malware protection, performance, and usability.

A new feature that moves Norton up our ranking here is AI-powered Genie Scam Protection. The Genie Scam Assistant is available around the clock to answer your security questions, and can provide instant reassurance for dodgy-looking emails and texts.

Who’s it for?

The standard Norton 360 package is well suited to security-minded individuals who need a solution to cover all angles, and would appeciate the peace of mind afforded by an AI scam assistant that is able to answer questions in real time. The Deluxe package is ideal for couples, covering up to five devices, while the Advanced package is perfect for families, with up to 10 devices covered.

Further considerations

Norton 360 supports Mac, iOS, Windows and Android, but if you use only Mac then you may be better served by Intego. Here macOS feels like more of an afterthought, with some features (such as cloud backup) available to Windows users only.

There’s a lot of functionality here, and a lot of customization options, but if you’re not comfortable going digging into the settings for them then you might find this overkill. Some technical knowledge is required to take full advantage of these features.

Although Norton performed very well in independent testing, in our own tests it missed a few threats, such as OSX.Proton, and it struggled to scan Zip files. We also found that the browser extension and private browser still allowed us to travel to questionable websites from spam email links.

If you have multiple devices to protect, Surfshark One’s unlimited device protection for macOS, Android, and Windows is unbeaten. Not only does this antivirus product ace AV-Test’s malware protection benchmark, it has several extra features designed with privacy in mind, including the Surfshark VPN the company is arguably better known for.

Additional features found within Surfshark One include: Alert, which alerts you if your email, credit card or personal data is leaked in a data breach; Search, which lets you browse the web ad-, tracker and threat-free; Alternative ID, which generates a new identity and proxy email for online registrations; and CleanWeb, for blocking pop-ups.

Who’s it for?

Many of the digital threats we face today target the person as well as the PC. Surfshark One is the Mac antivirus tool for anyone who is concerned with protecting their personal data and identity, as well as their Mac (or PC, or Android device).

Further considerations

While Surfshark One packs a lot of features, it is also the most expensive option in this round-up – especially if you plump for the one-month plan (not an option with all Mac antivirus vendors). All plans are billed monthly, with the cheapest tying you in for two years. If cost is a concern, Intego offers the cheapest entry point.

Surfshark One has not been tested by AV-Comparatives but, as we noted, notched up the maximum possible score for protection in AV-Test’s benchmarks in June 2025. However, it did drop half a point on both speed and usability, where every other Mac antivirus product here scored the full six points.

Like Norton 360, Avast is going big on AI in the latest edition of its Premium Security suite. The logic is there: if AI is enabling the most sophisticated digital threats, AI may also present the best solution for finding and thwarting them. Avast also boasts an on-demand scam assistant as part of its new Scam Guardian module, providing instant reassurance for your security concerns, and it can prevent you clicking on dodgy links in scam emails and on fraudulent websites.

Premium Security from Avast covers Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android, with packages available for one or up to 10 devices. You get a clean interface that is easy to use, and robust malware protection (scoring top marks in AV-Test and AV-Comparatives benchmarks in June 2025), with flexible scan options, smart network tools, and strong defense against browser hacks and ransomware.

Who’s it for?

Avast is well suited to individual users or families who are active on the internet, with protection focused on helping you spot the latest scams and guarding you while you shop or bank online.

Further considerations

If you’re not ready to buy Avast Premium Security, the company offers a generous 60-day trial, as well as a free version of its real-time antivirus. We would strongly urge you to consider the Premium version for its new AI-powered Scam Guardian module, and protection beyond basic malware.

AVG is probably better known for its free antivirus than its premium security suite, but it impresses with its broad feature set, clean interface, and solid malware/phishing protection. If you’re not sure whether to take the plunge and purchase paid antivirus then it offers the easiest path to do so, first offering a 60-day trial and then a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.

In June 2025, AVG Internet Security for Mac scored top marks with AV-Test for Protection, Speed, and Usability, and also scored the maximum possible with AV-Comparatives when pitted against Mac malware, Windows malware, and potentially unwanted applications.

Who’s it for?

AVG Internet Security for Mac is for – as the name implies – Mac users. It does not support Windows or Android, although versions for those platforms are available. Best suited for cautious Mac users who want layered protection without complexity, the free trial lets them check it out with no strings attached.

Further considerations

AVG is mostly well designed and easy to navigate. It is good at its basic job, letting you use the web with confidence. We would like to see clearer indication of when scans are running, and it didn’t manage to prevent a fake Adobe Flash Player from being installed in our tests, but it’s difficult to fault this otherwise very strong Mac antivirus, which also did a great job of removing malware that did get through. It doesn’t particularly stand out among the competition here, but nonetheless it offers Mac security you can trust.