Best And Free Antivirus Software For Mac M1, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro 2024

Mytips.id - Viruses and other forms of malware can unexpectedly infiltrate any of your devices, including macOS. 

While macOS is generally considered to be a safe operating system, it is not completely immune to threats. 

Therefore, it is crucial to have antivirus protection to ensure your online safety. The market is saturated with various antivirus solutions, making it difficult to choose the right one for Mac, especially when it comes to free options. 

To assist you in making an informed decision, we have extensively tested several trustworthy free antivirus products.

Our top recommendation is TotalAV because it offers a truly free version that includes all essential features and boasts excellent malware detection rates. 

But is it worth having a free antivirus on Mac? The answer is simple – it is definitely better to have a free antivirus than not having any antivirus protection at all. However, it is important to be cautious and avoid downloading just any free antivirus, as illegitimate apps may harm your device instead of protecting it.

The best option is to choose paid providers that offer free versions or opt for freemium antiviruses. With paid antiviruses, you gain access to additional features such as a VPN or password manager, providing a comprehensive cybersecurity bundle to safeguard against digital threats.

1. TotalAV – the best truly free antivirus for Mac overall

When searching for a free antivirus for Mac, TotalAV is the optimal choice. It offers a completely free version that includes all the necessary features.

 During independent laboratory tests, TotalAV excelled by blocking 100% of threats without flagging any false positives, which is an exceptional achievement. Our own tests confirmed the antivirus's capabilities as it successfully blocked 10 out of 10 threats while being resource-efficient. 

Additionally, the user interface of TotalAV is intuitive and beginner-friendly, without constant prompts to upgrade. Despite lacking real-time protection in the free version, TotalAV compensates with its WebShield feature that provides real-time threat monitoring and blocks harmful links. 

Moreover, TotalAV's Smart Scan goes beyond traditional scanning methods by identifying startup programs, junk files, and duplicate files. It also offers an ad-free experience with the TotalAV Adblock feature. Overall, TotalAV offers a remarkable free protection package for Mac. 

Should you decide to unlock all features, pricing starts at $19.00 per year, and a 30-day money-back guarantee is available for you to try out the product.

2. Norton Antivirus – free Mac antivirus for essential protection

Although Norton Antivirus does not have a completely free plan, it offers a free trial of the pro version and a 60-day money-back guarantee, ensuring high-quality antivirus software without compromises. 

During independent laboratory tests, Norton demonstrated excellence by blocking 100% of threats while reporting no false positives. Our own tests revealed that the quick scan function is swift, taking only 8-9 seconds, but may miss well-hidden malware. However, the system scan successfully detected all malicious files. 

Setting up Norton Antivirus requires some time, including device restarts and multiple logins, but once configured, it functions flawlessly. The user interface is well-organized and user-friendly. With the free trial version, you gain access to advanced security measures, including real-time protection against various malicious threats and a dark web monitor that checks data compromises. 

Moreover, Norton Antivirus provides a VPN service for online anonymity and a password manager for convenience. It offers a comprehensive protection package with a myriad of features. If you decide to upgrade, pricing starts at $19.99 per year.

3. Bitdefender – reliable and completely free antivirus software

Bitdefender is another reliable free antivirus solution for Mac, offering solid protection against various online threats. Independent laboratory tests show that Bitdefender achieves a 100% success rate in blocking threats with no false positives. 

In our own tests, the quick scan swiftly removed 9 out of 10 threats in under a minute, and the full system scan successfully detected 9 malicious files out of 10 in just 18 minutes. Bitdefender is resource-efficient and provides an effortless downloading and setup experience, albeit with a slightly longer virus database download time. 

The free version offers basic protection through its virus scanner but lacks additional features and real-time protection. However, for $29.99 per year, users can upgrade to the premium version that includes real-time, web attack, ransomware, and wifi protection, along with a Bitdefender VPN, password manager, file shredder, and more. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available for those who wish to try out the premium version.

4. Surfshark AV – secure Mac antivirus with a free trial

Surfshark Antivirus is a secure premium Mac antivirus option that offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to use it for free for over a month. Independent laboratory tests confirm Surfshark's effectiveness, as it achieves a perfect score of 100% in malware detection rates.

In our own tests, Surfshark successfully detected all 10 malicious threats in just over five minutes while exerting minimal strain on system resources. Setting up the antivirus is effortless, with clear instructions provided. The interface is intuitive, with main features easily accessible. 

With Surfshark Antivirus, you gain real-time protection and access to a next-gen VPN, ensuring online anonymity and security. 

Additionally, Surfshark offers Surfshark Search, a private search engine that protects your data from being collected. For an additional subscription, users can access Incogni, which provides a comprehensive protection package. To subscribe, pricing starts at $29.99 per year.

In conclusion, it is crucial to have antivirus protection for your Mac, even though macOS is considered relatively safe.