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Cybernews
cybernews.com › home › best antivirus software › best free mac antivirus software in 2026
Best Free Antivirus for Mac in 2026
November 20, 2025 - My top pick is TotalAV, as 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. ... TotalAV is the best free antivirus for macOS.
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Comodo
comodo.com › home › internet security › free antivirus for mac
Best Antivirus for Mac | Free Mac Antivirus Software
January 27, 2024 - Comodo's Best Antivirus for Mac offers free Mac Antivirus software. Download free Antivirus for Mac for virus protection. Do a free virus scan for mac now!
Discussions

Free Mac antivirus
Hello, As far as protection goes, any of the programs listed in the wiki at https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/wiki/index#wiki_anti-virus_.28aka_anti-malware.29_developers would be a good start. Look for ones that say "macOS" in the OS Support? column and have a check mark ("✔️") in the Free Version? column. Also be sure to read the https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/wiki/index#wiki_securing_your_computer section towards the end for additional tips for protecting your computer. Regards, Aryeh Goretsky More on reddit.com
🌐 r/antivirus
2
1
August 22, 2024
Free Antivirus Software for Mac - Apple Community
"Free Antivirus Software for Mac: Do you have any recommendations for an antivirus app for Mac? More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
Free Malware Scanner for Mac?

Malewarebytes is top notch. BUT it's primary function is to identify and eliminate specific, known adwares. So it depends on what you're looking for. It's even used at the Genius Bar.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/macsysadmin
12
3
December 12, 2015
What’s the best free virus scanner for Mac OS and iOS?
IMO and likely the rest of this sub, you don’t need one. Especially for iOS. If you were going to get anything, Malware Bytes was the only one we were allowed to recommend for Genius Bar customers. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/applehelp
28
11
August 1, 2023
People also ask

Is there a completely free antivirus for Mac?
Yes, TotalAV and Avira are completely free antivirus software for Mac. Both performed well in the in-house and independent lab tests and are capable of providing you with basic protection features.
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cybernews.com
cybernews.com › home › best antivirus software › best free mac antivirus software in 2026
Best Free Antivirus for Mac in 2026
Do I need antivirus for Mac?

Plenty of Mac users will tell you that Apple computers are inherently secure and don't require protection beyond the software already provided by Apple. We'd argue that they are wrong, or at very least overconfident.

Macs are generally more secure than their Windows brethren because macOS is a Unix-based operating system, which means it is sandboxed. This is like having a series of fire doors: even if malware gains access to your Mac, it is unable to spread to other areas of the machine. But while they are more difficult to exploit than Windows PCs, it is not impossible.

You can read more about this topic in our article do Macs need antivirus? More general advice can be found in our Mac security tips; and those who have been hit by a malware attack should see how to remove a virus from a Mac.

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macworld.com
macworld.com › home › security
Best Mac antivirus 2026: Security apps tested vs Apple Xprotect ...
What makes Avira Free Antivirus the ideal antivirus for Mac?
Avira Free Antivirus for Mac not only helps you better protect your device from malware such as viruses, Trojans, spyware, and ransomware but also includes many other security, online privacy, and optimization features alongside virus protection. Thanks to the integrated VPN, you can enjoy bank-grade security to surf anonymously and encrypt your traffic even on unsecured public Wi-Fi hotspots. The password manager helps you create strong passwords for your user accounts, while the junk cleaner rids your Mac of junk data and duplicate files. The Avira Browser Safety add-on helps you block harmf
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avira.com
avira.com › avira antivirus › mac
Avira Free Antivirus for Mac: virus protection for Apple
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TechRepublic
techrepublic.com › home › the 6 best free antivirus software providers for mac
The 6 Best Free Mac Antivirus Software Providers
November 19, 2024 - Bitdefender is a well-respected antivirus provider that offers a free on-demand malware scanner and removal tool for Macs. The software is easy to install and navigate, with a bare-bones interface that nonetheless provides advanced users with ...
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TotalAV™
totalav.com › totalav™ download › totalav™ free antivirus
Free Mac Antivirus Software 2026 - TotalAV™ Antivirus for Mac - TotalAV™
Antivirus Protection and Security for Your Mac. LetTotalAV™ Protect Your Mac in Real-Time from the Latest Malware, Viruses and Threats.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/antivirus › free mac antivirus
r/antivirus on Reddit: Free Mac antivirus
August 22, 2024 -

Hello! I'm looking for a free antivirus thats compatible with Mac, any suggestions are appreciated, thank you :)

Top answer
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Hello, As far as protection goes, any of the programs listed in the wiki at https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/wiki/index#wiki_anti-virus_.28aka_anti-malware.29_developers would be a good start. Look for ones that say "macOS" in the OS Support? column and have a check mark ("✔️") in the Free Version? column. Also be sure to read the https://old.reddit.com/r/antivirus/wiki/index#wiki_securing_your_computer section towards the end for additional tips for protecting your computer. Regards, Aryeh Goretsky
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I heard from a macOS security research that Malwarebytes is good. However, third-party AV software isn't as useful as they once were. macOS already comes with three layers of built-in defence: Gatekeeper, XProtect and Malware Removal Tool (MRT). General tips to keep your device safe: Always keep your Mac and apps up-to-date. Use an Adblock extension on your browser. uBlock Origin Lite for Chrome, uBlock Origin for Firefox, Wipr (paid but only a couple of dollars, and a Wipr 2 is currently in beta) or AdGuard (free) for Safari. Ads should be blocked as they are often malicious. Make sure Google Safe Browsing is enabled. If you use Google Chrome, maybe enable "Enhanced Safe Browsing". in System Settings, go to "Privacy & Security" and under "Allow application downloaded from" select "App Store". This won't prevent you from installing apps from the internet, but will require you to go into System Settings and into "Privacy & Security" to override the block and allow it. It will give you some time to think before you install something. Only download the apps you need. Ideally get them from the App Store as Apple requires apps submitted to the App Store to be sandboxed. Apps distributed outside of the App Store don't need to be. Sandboxing apps is a security boost, so always use the App Store as much as you can. Change your Mac's Domain Name System (DNS) resolver to one that blocks malicious websites. I recommend DNS0 (I recommend the "ZERO" version for better protection) if you live in the EU or Quad9 if you live outside the EU. Always check URLs and files on VirusTotal before visiting the link or opening the file. macOS is one of the more secure desktop operating systems you can get. Take a look at this GitHub user's "macOS_hardening" guide.
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Avira
avira.com › avira antivirus › mac
Avira Free Antivirus for Mac: virus protection for Apple
Our Mac OS antivirus software offers the best Mac virus removal and protects your system. Scan your system at the push of a button and repair folders with just one click. Our Apple virus scan software is free.
Find elsewhere
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Malwarebytes
malwarebytes.com › home › mac
Mac Virus Scan | 2026 Mac Antivirus and Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Antivirus for Mac (2023) scans & removes viruses, adware, ransomware & other Mac malware. The Mac antivirus protects you & your mac so it keeps running. Premium device cyber protection for you and your family.
Rating: 4.6 ​
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Macworld
macworld.com › home › security
Best Mac antivirus 2026: Security apps tested vs Apple Xprotect & Gatekeeper | Macworld
1 month ago - 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 ...
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254811968
Free Antivirus Software for Mac - Apple Community
Last I checked, Malwarebytes wasn't MacOS's built-in antivirus protection. And that's what the poster was asking about.
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AVG
avg.com › en-us › avg-antivirus-for-mac
Download Mac Antivirus Software | Free Virus Scanner | AVG
Help protect your MacBook or other macOS device with a free virus & malware scanner. Download AVG Antivirus for Mac, now!
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Avast
avast.com › en-us › free-mac-security
Download Free Antivirus for Mac | Free Mac Virus Scan | Avast
Improve Mac's security & privacy with free antivirus software for Mac. Scan and stop malware & find Wi-Fi security weaknesses. Download and use for free!
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App Store
apps.apple.com › us › app › antivirus-one-virus-cleaner › id1068435535
Antivirus One - Virus Cleaner on the Mac App Store - Apple
However, it is also unprofessional to advertise a free app called "Antivirus One - Virus Cleaner" that does not deliver any of the promised features without payment. Developer Response 10/31/2023 We are really sad to see your ratings for our app. Can you please share detailed feedback about the app at [email protected]?
Rating: 0 ​
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McAfee
mcafee.com › en-us › antivirus › mac.html
Antivirus for Mac | Try our free trial | McAfee® Total Protection
While Apple devices are generally less susceptible to hackers, malicious websites and unsecured networks still pose serious threats to your device and privacy. That’s why McAfee Total Protection provides Mac-specific antivirus and anti-malware ...
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App Store
apps.apple.com › us › app › antivirus-one-virus-cleaner › id1068435535
Antivirus One - Virus Cleaner App - App Store
However, it is also unprofessional to advertise a free app called "Antivirus One - Virus Cleaner" that does not deliver any of the promised features without payment. Developer Response 10/31/2023 We are really sad to see your ratings for our app. Can you please share detailed feedback about the app at [email protected]?
Rating: 0 ​
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Malwarebytes
malwarebytes.com › home › free antivirus
Free Antivirus 2023 | Free Malwarebytes Download | 100% Free & Easy Install | Malware Removal
Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes free antivirus includes multiple layers of malware-crushing tech. Our anti-malware finds and removes threats like viruses, ransomware, spyware, adware, and Trojans. ... Multiple layers of malware-crushing tech, including virus protection. Thorough malware, spyware, and virus removal. Specialized ransomware protection. ... Proven Malwarebytes technology crushes the growing threat of Mac ... Premium device cyber protection for you and your family.
Rating: 4.6 ​
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Bitdefender
bitdefender.com › en-us › consumer › free-antivirus
Bitdefender Free Antivirus Software
Need protection on more operating systems? Bitdefender Total Security offers cross-platform protection that covers Windows PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets running Android or iOS for up to 10 devices.
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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › best products › security › antivirus
The Best Free Antivirus Software We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag
November 26, 2025 - Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies. Avast One Basic for Mac gives you effective antivirus protection at no cost, along with a feature-limited VPN and a substantial collection of bonus security and privacy features.
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McAfee
mcafee.com › en-us › antivirus › free.html
Free Antivirus Download | 100% Free and Easy Install | McAfee
McAfee Free Antivirus and Threat Protection Download. Try our Award-Winning antivirus for today’s security and privacy threats. 100% Free Download Try it Today!
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McAfee
mcafee.com › en-us › antivirus.html
McAfee Antivirus Software 2025 Anti-Virus Free Download
November 26, 2019 - Award-Winning Antivirus for Windows PC, Android, and iOS, to protect you from computer viruses. McAfee Antivirus is trusted security for you and your family.
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Avast
avast.com › en-us › index
Avast | Download Free Antivirus & VPN | 100% Free & Easy
Join hundreds of millions of others & get free antivirus for PC, Mac, & Android. Surf safely with our VPN. Download Avast!