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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the best balanced pick in these 2026 results: its tested edition earned AV-TEST’s top score and also performed strongly in AV-Comparatives’ separate Mac malware test. For the highest detection results in both lab rounds, Kaspersky Premium stands out. Neither finding proves a universal winner, and the tests do not establish which product offers the best value.
How the 2026 Mac antivirus ranking works
This ranking gives priority to recent, Mac-specific independent lab results, then considers whether the tested product and edition are clearly identified and what additional features the reports describe. It does not combine the labs’ scores: they use different methods, and their results are not directly interchangeable. No original installation, malware testing, timing or hands-on comparison was conducted for this article.
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The evidence covers AV-TEST’s June 2026 home-user round and AV-Comparatives’ May 2026 Mac malware test, both on macOS Tahoe. Product names, editions and versions matter: a result for one tier should not be assumed to apply to another.
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AV-TEST results: June 2026 on macOS Tahoe
AV-TEST evaluated nine home-user products using the most current versions available during the round. Products could update and use cloud services. The lab assessed protection, performance and usability, scoring each category out of six points, for a maximum of 18.
#1 Best Overall
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
| Product tested | Version | Protection | Performance | Usability | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avast One | 26.5.1 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 18/18 |
| AVG Antivirus | 20.8 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 18/18 |
| Avira Security | 2.3 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 18/18 |
| Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac | 10.3 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 18/18 |
| ESET Security Ultimate | 9.0 | 6/6 | 5.5/6 | 6/6 | 17.5/18 |
| F-Secure Total | 26.6 | 6/6 | 5.5/6 | 6/6 | 17.5/18 |
| Kaspersky Premium | 27.0 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 18/18 |
| Norton 360 | 26.6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 18/18 |
| Protected.net TotalAV | 5.12 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 18/18 |
Seven products received the maximum overall score. ESET Security Ultimate and F-Secure Total lost half a point in performance, while still receiving full marks for protection and usability. These are results for the listed products and versions in this round, not a guarantee about later releases.
AV-Comparatives results: May 2026 Mac malware test
AV-Comparatives tested on patched macOS Tahoe using fresh machine images, updated definitions at the start of May and an active internet connection. Consumer products used default settings. The lab first scanned a USB drive, then copied samples not detected at that stage onto the Mac and executed them, giving the products another chance to identify threats.
Rank #2
- THREAT DETECTION – Stay one step ahead. Suspicious links, risky sites, viruses, and scams, caught automatically before they reach you.
- PERSONAL INFO PROTECTION – Keep your personal info safer. Identity monitoring watches for your exposed info and tells you what to do about it.
- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
| Product tested | Mac malware detected | Mac PUA detected | Windows malware detected on Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avast One Free | 99.9% | 95% | 100% |
| AVG AntiVirus Free | 99.9% | 95% | 100% |
| Bitdefender Antivirus | 99.0% | 94% | 100% |
| CrowdStrike Falcon Enterprise | 100% | 99% | 0% |
| ESET HOME Security Essential | 99.9% | 94% | 100% |
| Intego ONE Complete | 96.7% | 94% | 100% |
| Kaspersky Premium | 100% | 99% | 100% |
| Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac | 99.9% | 95% | 100% |
| Trellix Endpoint Security (HX) | 99.0% | 94% | 100% |
PUA means potentially unwanted applications. The lab also tested 100 Windows malware samples as a separate, discretionary measure of cross-platform detection; it is not a Mac malware score. Some products omit that capability or face technical limits. No tested product raised a false alarm in AV-Comparatives’ clean Mac program set, and all nine qualified for its Approved Mac Security award.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11AV-Comparatives used 1,500 Mac malware samples and 1,500 Mac PUA samples. Those are the sizes of the lab’s test sets, not estimates of all malware or unwanted software. A 100% result means the product detected every sample in this particular test; it does not promise detection of every threat in the future. The lab reported no meaningful performance impact among the products it reviewed, but that finding does not replace checking the exact edition and features that matter to you.
Rank #3
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 3 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qw3FS3qLL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 3 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
Which Mac antivirus should you choose?
1. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac: best balanced pick
Bitdefender is the most balanced choice here for readers who want a clearly identified Mac product with strong support across both lab rounds. The tested Mac edition also has a feature set the AV-Comparatives report describes in practical terms: malware and ransomware protection, browser-security extensions, chat protection, multiple scan options, automatic external-storage scans and a data-limited VPN. Confirm the current edition’s exact inclusions before buying; features can vary by product and plan.
2. Kaspersky Premium: strongest combined lab showing
Kaspersky Premium delivered the strongest detection results across these two rounds and also received AV-TEST’s maximum score. That makes it a compelling option if the measured lab outcomes are your main selection criterion. The results remain bounded by the samples and conditions tested, and this comparison does not establish its price, availability or value in your region.
Rank #4
![Norton 360 Premium 2027 Antivirus, 10 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41JNWru8mYL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 10 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
3. Avast One Free or AVG AntiVirus Free: strong free-edition results
The free editions tested by AV-Comparatives had high Mac malware detection, and both brands’ AV-TEST products received the maximum total. These are not necessarily the same editions across the two labs: AV-TEST’s product names are Avast One and AVG Antivirus, while AV-Comparatives explicitly tested Avast One Free and AVG AntiVirus Free. The AV-Comparatives report describes Avast One Free as including malware protection and a basic email guard, and AVG Free as including malware protection plus web and email protection.
4. ESET: a credible alternative, with edition differences to watch
ESET’s tested editions performed well across the two labs. AV-TEST evaluated Security Ultimate, while AV-Comparatives tested HOME Security Essential; these are different named products, so do not treat their features or results as interchangeable. The AV-Comparatives report describes the Essential edition as including web and email protection and a firewall.
Best Value
![Norton 360 Deluxe 2027 Antivirus, 5 Devices, Auto-Renews [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IYV5zGyCL._SL160_.jpg)
- ONGOING PROTECTION Download instantly & install protection for 5 PCs, Macs, iOS or Android devices in minutes!
- TOP-PERFORMING VPN Faster speeds, more server locations, and greater connection control to protect your privacy across all your devices, including Smart TVs.
- ADVANCED SCAM PROTECTION Help spot hidden scams online. With the built-in Genie AI assistant, you’ll never wonder if a message or email is suspicious again.
- REAL-TIME PROTECTION Advanced security protects against existing and emerging malware threats, including ransomware and viruses, and it won’t slow down your device performance.
- DARK WEB MONITORING Identity thieves can buy or sell your information on websites and forums. We search the dark web and notify you should your information be found.
5. Norton: strong results across two differently named products
The lab results support Norton as a credible option, but the product names differ: AV-TEST evaluated Norton 360, while AV-Comparatives tested Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac. The latter report describes malware protection, network threat prevention and scam protection. Check the precise Norton tier and platform before relying on any particular feature.
6. Intego ONE Complete: consider it for a Mac-focused feature bundle
Intego ONE Complete combines malware protection with a firewall, system optimization and a VPN, according to AV-Comparatives. Its Mac malware detection result was lower than the leading entries in that test, so it is a feature-led alternative rather than the top pick on measured detection alone. Macworld’s July 3, 2026 guide named Intego ONE its top choice; that is Macworld’s editorial judgment and testing, not a universal lab verdict.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does a Mac need third-party antivirus?
macOS already has layered malware protections. Apple’s Platform Security guide, published December 19, 2024, says: “macOS includes built-in antivirus technology called XProtect for the signature-based detection and removal of malware.” Apple describes protections that combine the App Store, Gatekeeper and notarization to prevent unsafe apps from launching or executing, plus XProtect to block and remediate malware. XProtect uses regularly updated YARA signatures and behavioral analysis; it checks known malicious content when an app is first launched, changed or signatures are updated. macOS checks for XProtect updates daily by default.
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Third-party protection adds another layer rather than replacing Apple’s safeguards. AV-Comparatives notes that third-party heuristic and behavioral engines may address some gaps, while web and phishing protection can block malicious URLs. That added layer may be more useful for non-expert users, children, or people who frequently install new software. If you mainly install trusted apps and are comfortable evaluating downloads, your needs may differ; no product removes the need to keep macOS and apps updated or to be cautious with links and installers.
Quick Recap
What to check before paying
- Match the tested edition. The lab results apply to the named product and test version, not automatically to another tier, a bundled suite or a later release.
- Check the protections you will use. Compare malware scanning with web and phishing safeguards, firewall, ransomware controls, external-drive scanning and any cross-platform support. The reports describe different feature bundles, not identical suites.
- Decide whether a free tier is sufficient. AV-Comparatives tested free Avast and AVG Mac editions, but the report’s feature descriptions show that their included safeguards differ.
- Verify price and availability for your location. Prices, device coverage and plan terms are not established by these lab reports and may change.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
