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Best free Mac antivirus software in 2025


Despite MacBooks’ robust built-in security features, viruses and other malware rapidly evolve and become more complex. While Mac devices are considered one of the safer operating systems, they are still vulnerable to advancing cyberthreats.

An antivirus is essential to prevent malicious software from disrupting, damaging, or gaining unauthorized access to your MacBook. However, with the antivirus market saturated with solutions – many of which come with a significant cost – you may be searching for a free antivirus for Mac.

I reviewed 26 antivirus programs to find the best free antivirus for Mac devices. Based on my research, the best free MacBook antivirus is TotalAV. Its free version includes the most essential security features and is the most reliable option for detecting and preventing malware from harming your macOS device.

Best completely free antivirus for Mac
TotalAV is the best free antivirus for macOS. Enjoy a completely free unlimited plan, excellent malware protection rates, and real-time security from threats while browsing.
cybernews® score
4.9 /5

Fortunately, TotalAV is not the only anti-malware solution, and, depending on your specific needs, budget, and preferences, there are other options to consider when choosing the best free antivirus for Mac.

Best free Mac antivirus – top 5 picks

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Our team of researchers thoroughly tests antivirus software following a well-established testing process. In unison, our experts combine in-house and independent testing lab findings with first-hand experience to help you make informed decisions about each product. Learn how we test antivirus software.

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Is it worth having a free antivirus on Mac?

To put it simply, it’s better to have a free antivirus on Mac than none at all. While it’s commonly believed that free antiviruses lack comprehensive security features, they can still offer basic protection against well-known threats, which may be enough to safeguard your system. However, if you need real-time protection and more advanced security, you should consider upgrading to a paid solution.

When choosing a free antivirus, it’s important to be cautious and avoid installing ineffective software or malware disguised as an antivirus program. That’s why I recommend true and tested freemium solutions like TotalAV Antivirus, Norton 360 Deluxe, or any other of the best Mac antivirus software that have a free version or a trial.

If you’re interested in upgrading to premium versions of antivirus tools, make sure they include useful features like VPNs or password managers to get an all-around cybersecurity experience.

Expert comment
Tech copywriter and security expert

The best free antivirus for Mac in 2025 – full overview

There are many free antivirus services, but only a few are worthy of being on the list. Continue reading to discover the top contenders and their detailed descriptions that will help you choose the best free Mac antivirus software for you.

1. TotalAV – the best truly free antivirus for Mac

TotalAV banner
Subscription plan:From $19.00/year
Real-time protection:Premium only
VPN:✅ Yes
Current deal:Get TotalAV, now 80% OFF

TotalAV Antivirus for Mac is one of the best free antivirus tools for macOS users. That’s because it provides all the top essential features. During our TotalAV in-depth analysis, the provider showed excellent malware detection results and demonstrated solid anti-phishing protection.

Features. The free version of TotalAV Antivirus is a great anti-malware tool, all thanks to Quick, Smart, and System scans, which can be scheduled. There’s also the Large & Old File Scan feature, which scans your macOS system to locate files that are either large in size or have not been used for an extended period. The feature is useful when you need reclaim disk space by identifying unnecessary files that can be deleted.

Other notable features to mention include Junk Cleaner, Duplicate Finder, Browser Cleaner, Startup Programs Scanner, Uninstaller, and the WebShield browser extension (for Safari, Chrome, and Firefox). On the downside, the free version of TotalAV doesn’t offer real-time protection, unlike Avira's Free Security, for example.

In-house and independent tests. When I tested TotalAV Antivirus for Mac, the Smart scan took around 2 minutes, and the free antivirus detected 10/10 malware samples. The full system scan took 16 minutes to scan around 525K files, and again, it detected all malware files. I was particularly impressed by the low antivirus’ CPU usage – around 20-25% during the full system scan. And when I tested the WebShield browser extension, it caught 9/10 threats – a great result overall.

TotalAV also achieved outstanding results in the test conducted by the independent IT security institute, AV-TEST. It scored a perfect 6/6 in both protection and performance while earning 5.5/6 in usability. The antivirus demonstrated its effectiveness by detecting 389 samples of widespread malware, with minimal impact on system speed during daily use. Additionally, it excelled in avoiding false positives, registering no false detections of legitimate software as malware and only a single false blockage during software installation.

User interface. My hands-on experience with TotalAV Antivirus showed that the tool performs better on macOS than Windows. The user interface is modern, sleek, and intuitive, so even inexperienced users should have no trouble navigating different menus and settings. The best part is that you’re not constantly bombarded with suggestions to upgrade to premium. Also, one minor drawback is that in order to use the free TotalAV version, you must first create an account.

Pricing. If you decide that you want to unlock all available features, the TotalAV Antivirus for Mac prices start from $19.00/year. You can also use the 30-day money-back guarantee to try the premium version out risk-free.

2. Norton 360 Antivirus – Mac antivirus for essential protection with a free trial option

Norton banner
Subscription plan:From $29.99/year
Real-time protection:Premium only
Free VPN:✅ Yes
Free version:Free trial
Current deal:Get up to 58% OFF Norton Antivirus

Norton 360 Antivirus is another great software to protect yourself from cyberthreats. While it doesn’t have a free plan, you can take advantage of its free trial and the 30-day money-back guarantee. This way, you can secure your devices with the market-leading antivirus software and use the advanced tools. Please keep in mind that to sign up for the free trial, you need to provide payment details. This means you have to cancel it in time if you do not want to be automatically charged once the trial ends.

Features. When testing the free trial of Norton 360 Antivirus, you get all the advanced security benefits. Aside from real-time protection that guards you against various malicious threats, you also get a dark web monitor. It checks whether any of your data has been compromised. The included VPN lets you stay anonymous online. Plus, thanks to the password manager, you don’t have to remember any of your passwords except the master password. Overall, feature-wise, Noton 360 offers a top-notch protection package.

In-house and independent tests. Norton 360 is one of the best Mac antiviruses in 2025. Thus, excellent malware detection results are to be expected. Norton 360 Antivirus test results showed that the quick scan function took around 8-9 seconds, but it wasn’t great at finding hidden malware. Nonetheless, the system scan found all of the malicious files. It’s also worth noting that I didn’t notice any difference between the free trial and the premium Norton 360 Antivirus version, as both performed exceptionally well.

Meanwhile, during the most recent independent lab test by AV-Test conducted in September 2024, Norton 360 managed to block 100% of threats as well, and the antivirus detected zero false positives. It also scored maximum 6/6 in all areas – usability, performance, and protection.

User interface. Setting Norton Antivirus up takes a bit of time, with device restarts and multiple log ins. But once that’s done, everything is perfect. The features are neatly organized and easy to find. On the downside, some Norton’s features, like Dark Web Monitoring, open outside the app, which means you might have to navigate the app using multiple windows or browser tabs.

Pricing. If you enjoy Norton 360 Antivirus during the free trial, pricing starts at $29.99/year. You can choose from Plus, Standard, Deluxe, and Select plans.

3. Malwarebytes – fast macOS antivirus with a good free version

Malwarebytes-banner
Subscription plan:
From $44.99/year
Real-time protection:Premium only
VPN:✅ Yes (with Malwarebytes Plus plan)
Current deal:Get Malwarebytes, now 30% OFF

Malwarebytes is another premier free antivirus for Mac that allows scanning for malware. During my tests, the application stood out for its excellent malware detection capabilities. Plus, it offers a free Browser Guard extension.

Features. The free Malwarebytes macOS version allows scanning the device for malware. Scheduled scans are accessible through the settings and included in the free plan. You can also use a free Malwarebytes Browser Guard extension to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites, while the dark web monitoring tool Digital Footprint Scans scours through the internet for data breaches.

In-house tests. Previous Malwarebytes macOS antivirus tests showed that no matter which type of scan you select, the software performs it quickly with minimal CPU usage. During the Malwarebytes tests, the System scan took just over 8 minutes, and the antivirus managed to scan 231K files. The CPU use stayed around 20-25%, showing consistency and stability. In short, Malwarebytes stands out among slower antivirus programs as evidenced by great performance results.

User interface. The Malwarebytes macOS app is straightforward and uses an intuitive dashboard to inform users of security issues. While Malwarebytes has undoubtedly improved its application design sleekness since the last update of this list, it still doesn’t make up for the fact that the provider lacks features.

Pricing. To unlock the full Malwarebytes potential, you have to upgrade to premium. However, looking at the price-to-value ratio, it is worth it. The premium version also includes a no-logs VPN and ransomware protection. Premium plans start at $44.99/year. Luckily, you can use the 14-day free trial and the 60-day money-back guarantee for a test run and try out the premium version risk-free.

4. Avira Free Security – resource-rich free antivirus for Mac

Avira antivirus banner
Subscription plan:From $26.99/year
Real-time protection:✅ Yes
VPN:✅ Yes
Current deal:Get 1 year of Avira at 58% OFF

Avira Free Antivirus for Mac offers a nice range of features at no cost at all. It’s a solid solution for those seeking key basics regarding device security. Avira Free Antivirus offers a great set of essential tools, including the real-time protection functionality.

Features. The free version of Avira is very generous in terms of features. You even get a limited but free Avira Phantom VPN and a password manager for secure and easy management of your login credentials. Apart from these treats, you can run quick, full, custom, or scheduled scans and enable real-time protection. The free version also contains Junk Cleaner that helps delete unnecessary files and declutter your macOS device.

In-house and independent tests. During the in-house Avira Antivirus tests, the full scan of a macOS device took 40 minutes. The scan looked at 561K files and had no trouble detecting 10/10 malware files. On the downside, the CPU use was a little higher than other free AVs on this list – around 40-50%.

Independent lab tests by AV-Test show that Avira Antivirus is reliable in all areas of protecting against malware. It demonstrated a perfect 6/6 score in protection, performance, and usability tests.User interface. With Avira, you download the app, and you’re good to go – you don’t need to register. Also, the app is very organized and simple to navigate, which is always a huge plus, especially if you’re a beginner. The navigation on the app is similar to TotalAV – features are found on the left panel. However, the interface itself looks a bit more cluttered.

Pricing. The paid plans of Avira Antivirus offer software and drive updates and comprehensive customer support. If you need more than the free version can offer, prices start from $26.99/year. And, if you’d ever like to test the premium version, it comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

5. Sophos Home – free-trial macOS antivirus with fundamental protection

sophos home product table banner
Subscription plan:From $44.99/year
Real-time protection:✅ Yes
VPN:❌ No
Current deal:Get Sophos Home, now 25% OFF!

Sophos Free is a solid free macOS antivirus that provides essential protection against many threats and malware. While it may not match the feature richness of some premium options like Norton 360 Antivirus, it is a reliable free-trial option for basic cybersecurity needs.

Features. The free-trial version of Sophos Home includes features such as real-time protection and web filtering. I especially appreciate the parental control feature. It allows for customization in blocking access to specific websites or categories of content deemed inappropriate. While the security measures are less extensive than premier antivirus solutions like TotalAV or Bitdefender, Sophos Home covers the essentials.

In-house tests. The Sophos Home tests revealed its malware detection and scanning performance. The scans performed reasonably well, though they were less efficient than competitors. For instance, a malware scan consumed about 30% of the CPU and took longer than average to complete. The detection rate was also inconsistent, ranging from 86% to 100%, and Sophos sometimes flagged legitimate files as threats, which required manual whitelisting. If you’re a tech-savvy user, this may be a drawback and consume your time.

User interface. Setting up Sophos Home is straightforward and requires minimal user input. However, all settings and controls are accessed through a web-based interface. Unfortunately, I did not find the interface responsive or intuitive, as I prefer native applications, and it could use a more modern design. Also, the lack of quick or full scan options felt limiting.

Pricing. Sophos Home has a 30-day free trial and doesn’t require credit card details. The premium version, Sophos Home Premium, starts at $44.99/year. The paid version unlocks advanced features like ransomware protection, banking protection, and webcam monitoring.

6. Bitdefender Virus Scanner – reliable and completely free antivirus software

bitdefender user interface
Subscription plan:From $9.99/year
Real-time protection:Premium only
VPN:❌ No
Current deal:Get Bitdefender for up to 78% OFF

Bitdefender Virus Scanner is an antivirus solution for macOS. It is another great option that offers solid protection from various online threats. The free version comes with an effective malware scan that doesn’t call for high CPU usage – a significant benefit.

Features. The free version of Bitdefender Antivirus is very basic. Pretty much all you get are three different scans: Scan Critical Locations (a quick scan), Deep System Scan, and Scan a Custom Location. While Bitdefender Virus Scanner doesn’t offer more advanced features, unlike some other free antiviruses on this list, including TotalAV or Avira Antivirus, it provides basic protection from cyber felons.

In-house tests. To test the Bitdefender Virus Scanner on macOS, we ran a quick scan and a Deep System Scan. The quick scan took just under 3 minutes, used around 20% of CPU, and detected 10/10 malware files. The deep scan took over an hour (1 hour and 13 minutes), used around 20-40% of CPU, and also detected 10/10 threats, proving to offer effective protection against malware.

User interface. Downloading and setting up the antivirus is an effortless task, but the scans aren’t instant because the software takes around 5 minutes to download the virus database. Just like Malwarebytes, the Bitdefender Virus Scanner only offers scan options, which is why the interface is very minimal. However, we didn’t find the macOS app convenient, and the interface itself calls for a more modern update.

Pricing. If you want to take advantage of everything the premium version of Bitdefender has to offer, you'll pay from $9.99/year. The premium version includes real-time, web attack, ransomware, and Wi-Fi. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee you can use.

How we test free Mac antiviruses – methodology

At Cybernews, our evaluation of antivirus software is rooted in extensive research and a hands-on approach. Collaborating with the in-house research team, I analyzed the offerings of various providers to determine the best free Mac antiviruses.

To ensure thorough testing, we set up a virtual environment using an Apple M2 Pro Ventura machine with 8GB RAM and 268GB storage, running on an Apple M2 Pro Sonoma host system with 10 cores, 16GB RAM, and 50GB SSD storage. This setup allowed us to simulate real-world conditions effectively. We began by downloading and installing antivirus software, followed by preparing malware samples for testing. Our process included performing quick and full scans to measure how well each antivirus detected malware.

For antiviruses that included real-time and phishing protection, we evaluated their ability to detect malware samples and phishing threats in real-time. Additionally, we explored and assessed any extra features or functionalities offered during our trials.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the criteria we used to rank the free macOS antiviruses:

  1. In-house test results (25%). We assessed each antivirus program’s ability to detect malware samples, focusing on how effectively they protected against cyberthreats. By testing various types of malware, we gauged how well the software identified and flagged potential security risks.
  2. Independent lab test results (20%). To validate our findings, we examined independent lab test results for our top Mac antivirus picks. This allowed us to compare external data with our in-house results for a comprehensive evaluation.
  3. Performance (20%). Using real-life scenarios, we tested how each antivirus affected device usability, CPU load, and overall performance. Our goal was to identify solutions with minimal impact on system performance.
  4. Additional features (15%). Free Mac antiviruses vary widely in the features they offer. While some provide advanced tools, others stick to basic protection. We evaluated these features to determine their significance in enhancing overall Mac security.
  5. User interface (10%). A user-friendly interface is crucial, especially for non-technical users. We spent time navigating each antivirus solution to evaluate how intuitive and accessible it was.
  6. Pricing (10%). We reviewed free trial and money-back guarantee periods, analyzed pricing differences, and assessed whether upgrading to premium was worthwhile. Providers were ranked based on their price-to-value ratio.

Free Mac antivirus tools compared

The free Mac antiviruses I tested demonstrated impressive potential and stood out as strong contenders in the evaluation. The competition was intense, with each provider showcasing unique strengths and features.

Let’s compare the providers side by side to determine which ones offer the most effective solutions for safeguarding your macOS devices.

AntivirusRatingMoney-back guaranteeSubscription priceReal-time protection (free version)
TotalAV
4.9
30 days$19.00/year❌ No
Norton 360 Antivirus
4.7
60 days$29.99/year
❌ No
Malwarebytes
4.1
60 days$44.99/year
❌ No
Avira Free Security
4.2
60 days$26.99/year
✅ Yes
Sophos Home
4
30 days$44.99/year
✅ Yes
Bitdefender Virus Scanner
4.6
30 days$9.99/year
❌ No

The dangers of using a free Mac antivirus

The free antiviruses on my list belong to reputable companies, and I tested them myself to ensure my recommendations are valid. Unfortunately, not all free antiviruses are made equal.

Free antiviruses that don’t provide premium services on the side might be unreliable for 2 reasons. First, providers don’t get money, which means they may resort to questionable practices to make a profit. Second, free tools might not be up to standard simply because it’s hard to invest in the security of software that doesn’t bring in the money. Here’s what dangers this might bring:

  • Providers may sell user data. It’s an industry standard for free tech products to make money by selling your personal data to third parties. By opting for an entirely free, unreputable provider, you can end up putting your personal data the wrong hands.
  • No software updates. Database and software updates require money, and free antivirus providers may be unable to pay for them, especially if they don’t participate in such shady practices as selling user data. Considering new types of malware are being developed every day, the products usually aren’t able to detect zero-day threats.
  • Great way to spread malware. Free products are always tempting for users trying to save money, so using an offer of an attractive free antivirus may be an effective way for cybercriminals to expose you to malicious threats and phishing scams.

However, if a free antivirus is the only option you want, pick a freemium Mac antivirus from my list. Free antivirus providers offering premium plans are much more reliable and secure. That’s because they offer free services with the intent to sell you the premium ones in the future.

While you may not get many features for free, the services are trustworthy, and you should get basic macOS protection.

Free Mac antiviruses I do not recommend

There is antivirus software I don't recommend using purely due to security concerns. One of them is Avast. From 2014 to 2020, Avast collected users’ browsing data – including location, age, and gender – through its antivirus software and browser extensions. The data was then sold to third parties via its subsidiary Jumpshot.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) then investigated these practices and, in February 2024, fined Avast $16.5 million for unfair and deceptive data collection and sales. The FTC also prohibited Avast from selling or licensing web browsing data for advertising purposes.

Such an instance raises concerns not only about Avira but also about AVG – Avira’s parent company. Therefore, my suggestion is to choose an antivirus solution with a spotless record of safeguarding its users from cyberthreats without engaging in shady data collection practices.

Conclusion

macOS is widely regarded as one of the safest operating systems in the tech world. This reputation stems from its integrated security features and Unix-based foundation – a robust architecture that makes it more challenging for malware to exploit vulnerabilities. However, no system is entirely immune to cyber threats.

That’s where antivirus software comes into play. For enhanced security and peace of mind, installing an antivirus is essential. While premium antivirus solutions are highly effective in combating threats, they often come with a significant price tag. That said, using free antivirus software is still far better than having no protection at all.

Fortunately, there are several reliable free antivirus programs that can safeguard your Mac against vulnerabilities. To help you choose a trustworthy option, I reviewed 26 antivirus programs and identified the 6 best free Mac antivirus solutions.

While TotalAV emerged as the top choice due to its robust security essentials and strong performance across the board, the other providers also offer valuable features for various needs. Ultimately, my review shows that all 6 options can help you enhance your Mac's security without cost.

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