Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Macs have built-in antivirus protection, but it does not do every job a third-party security suite might. Gatekeeper and notarization help stop unsafe downloaded apps from launching; XProtect detects and can remediate known malware. Depending on the product, third-party tools may add behavioral detection, phishing and web protection, Windows-malware scanning, or centralized monitoring. Whether those extras matter depends on how you use your Mac and what the specific product actually offers.
What macOS’s built-in protections catch
Apple’s protections work at different points: before an app launches, when known malware is detected, and after a threat runs. They reduce risk, but no single layer guarantees that every threat will be caught.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Gatekeeper checks downloaded software
When you first open downloaded software, Gatekeeper checks whether it comes from an identified developer, has been notarized by Apple, and has not been altered. It can require your approval before opening an app. Gatekeeper also tracks where downloaded files came from and can help protect against malicious plug-ins bundled alongside legitimate apps. Some policies can be changed by users or administrators, subject to device-management controls. Apple’s Gatekeeper and runtime protection documentation describes these checks.
Notarization screens apps distributed outside the App Store
Apple scans apps distributed outside the App Store for known malware. If an app passes, Apple issues a notarization ticket that Gatekeeper can verify. Apple can also issue revocation tickets for apps later identified as malicious; Apple says those checks happen more frequently than background XProtect signature updates. Notarization is a check for known threats, not a promise that an app is harmless in every respect. See Apple’s overview of macOS malware protection.
#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.
XProtect detects known malware and can remediate infections
Apple describes XProtect as built-in antivirus technology. It uses YARA signatures to check for known malicious content automatically when an app first launches, when it changes on disk, or when XProtect signatures update. Apple says XProtect blocks detected malware, alerts the user, and includes remediation functions. Its signatures update independently of full macOS system updates; checking for XProtect updates is on a daily default schedule. That makes XProtect genuine antivirus protection, but it does not mean every threat or unwanted program will be detected.
Runtime protections limit damage if something runs
macOS separates the app space from protected system files, resources, and the kernel. Apps from the App Store are sandboxed, limiting what they can access. These controls help contain harmful behavior; they are not a substitute for detecting every malicious file.
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.
What third-party Mac antivirus may add
Third-party capabilities vary by product and configuration. AV-Comparatives identifies several features worth checking rather than assuming every Mac security product includes them:
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
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 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Behavioral or heuristic detection: May catch some newer, zero-day, or fileless attacks that signature-only scanning could miss.
- Web and phishing protection: May block malicious sites or fraudulent pages before a user enters information or downloads a threat.
- Windows-malware detection: Can help prevent a Mac from carrying Windows threats to other computers through shared files.
- Potentially unwanted application (PUA) detection: May flag software that is unwanted or intrusive even when it is not classified as malware.
- Centralized endpoint visibility: In managed environments, some products can gather security events for central logging and incident response.
On macOS 15 or later, Apple’s Endpoint Security API can report Gatekeeper-bypass events and XProtect detection details to third-party security developers. That enables tools to support monitoring and response, but it does not mean every consumer antivirus product collects, displays, or acts on those events. Apple describes the API and protections in its macOS malware protection overview.
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.
How the two approaches differ
| Protection or capability | macOS built in | Third-party tools |
|---|---|---|
| Checks downloaded apps before first opening | Gatekeeper checks developer identity, notarization, and whether software has been altered. | May provide additional scanning or policy controls; capabilities vary by product. |
| Known-malware detection | XProtect uses signatures and can block and remediate detected malware. | May offer its own signatures, heuristics, behavioral detection, or other scanning; verify the product’s features. |
| Phishing and web protection | Not established as a function of the Gatekeeper, notarization, and XProtect layers described here. | Some products offer web or phishing protection. |
| Windows-malware detection | Not established as a function of the built-in layers described here. | Some products scan for Windows malware that could be passed to other systems. |
| Central event monitoring | Apple’s Endpoint Security API can make certain events available to third-party developers on macOS 15 or later. | Some products may collect events and support centralized logging or incident response; consumer products do not necessarily expose these features. |
What independent Mac antivirus tests tell you
Lab results can show how products performed against a defined set of samples in a particular setup. They cannot establish that a product will catch every future threat or that every Mac user needs paid antivirus. Read the test’s date, macOS version, samples, settings, and measured outcomes before comparing results.
AV-Comparatives: May 2025
AV-Comparatives tested products on macOS Sequoia in May 2025, allowing cloud connectivity and updates. Its sample set included 899 Mac malware samples, 750 Mac PUA samples, and 500 Windows malware samples. The report states that its clean-software false-alarm test produced no false alarms. These figures describe that test’s samples and conditions, not detection of all threats. See the AV-Comparatives 2025 Mac Security Test and Review.
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.
AV-TEST: March 2025
AV-TEST evaluated 11 home-user security products on macOS Sequoia in March 2025. Products could earn up to six points each for protection, performance, and usability; the evaluation included malware detection, false positives, and performance. Those scores use a different test and scoring system from AV-Comparatives, so the results should not be combined into a single ranking. See AV-TEST’s Mac security product evaluations.
How to choose based on your Mac use
For a typical home user
If you mostly use trusted software sources and want protection against downloaded apps, macOS already provides meaningful layers through Gatekeeper, notarization, XProtect, and runtime controls. A paid scanner is not automatically necessary. Keep macOS and apps updated, review permission prompts, and be cautious about unfamiliar downloads and links.
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.
If you install unfamiliar software or handle shared files
A third-party product may be useful if it adds a feature you need, such as behavioral detection, phishing protection, or Windows-malware scanning. Check that the exact product and version include that feature; do not infer it from a general antivirus label or a lab’s inclusion of the product.
For a family device or an organization
Consider how much oversight and response you need. A family may value clearer alerts or web protection for less experienced users. An organization may need centralized event collection, incident-response workflows, or policy management. Ask whether the product supports those functions on the macOS version and device setup in use; API availability alone does not guarantee that the product exposes them.
How to assess a product’s test results
- Match the operating system. Check whether the test used the same macOS generation and a comparable patch level.
- Inspect the samples. Look for sample recency and whether the evaluation included Mac malware, PUAs, or Windows malware relevant to your needs.
- Check test conditions. See whether cloud access and definition updates were allowed and what product settings were used.
- Identify what was measured. Detection scores alone do not tell you how well a product handles false positives, phishing, real-time behavior, performance, usability, or remediation.
- Verify the product version and date. A result is most useful when it covers a consumer-available version and is recent enough to reflect current software and threat definitions.
Apple’s built-in protections and a third-party product address overlapping but not identical risks. The sensible comparison is not “Macs need antivirus” versus “Macs cannot get malware”; it is whether a specific tool adds protection or visibility that matches your exposure.
Backups help with recovery, not detection
Backups will not catch malware, but they can help restore data after a serious incident or other loss. Apple recommends regular backups using Time Machine or another backup solution. Keep a backup plan as a separate recovery measure rather than treating it as an antivirus feature; see Apple’s guide to backing up files on Mac.
Quick Recap
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.
