Cheapest Antivirus Software for Mac 2021

There's a persistent myth that the tightly controlled Apple MacOS X resists malware attacks more effectively, and without the need for antivirus software, than Windows. Experts disagree. "Technically," says Simon Edwards, CEO of security testing company SE Labs, "it's not any harder to hack into a Mac than it is to hack into a Windows PC."

Even if Macs seem somewhat safer, that doesn't mean Mac owners should skip investing in antivirus software protection or opt for the cheapest antivirus software available regardless of the features and protection it provides. Either of those options could cost you dearly in the long run if you don't buy an antivirus program that provides good security for your Mac and other Apple devices.

To help you save money on antivirus software, here's our list of the cheapest antivirus software for Macs of 2021 (prices reflect the annual subscription rate after the first year):

#1 Trend Micro: $39.95
#2 Bitdefender: $39.99
#3 Webroot: $39.99
#4 ESET: $39.99
#5 Intego: $49.99

Cheapest Mac Antivirus Software

The Cheapest Antivirus Software for Macs of 2021 includes:

Trend Micro: Trend Micro offers a range of antivirus software. On the cheaper side, it costs $29.95 for one year of the Windows-only Antivirus+Security or the Antivirus for Mac package. For two years of the Maximum Security package for up to 10 devices, it costs $154.95.

Read more about Trend Micro or check out the top Trend Micro promo codes.

Bitdefender: Bitdefender’s five different antivirus packages, each with different prices depending on the number of devices (usually three, five, or 10) and subscription length (one, two, or three years). These packages range in price from $19.99/$39.99 for one device for one year for Antivirus Plus to $89.99/$149.99 for 10 devices for one year for Bitdefender Premium Security.

Read more about Bidefender or check out the top Bitdefender coupons.

Webroot: Webroot’s plans start at $39.99 for a single year and a single device with basic malware protections and a few extras. At the high end, these plans cost up to $239.97 for a more complete set of protections, a password manager, and 25 GB of cloud storage covering up to five devices for three years.

Read more about Webroot or check out the top Webroot promo codes.

ESET: ESET’s cheapest option costs $39.99 a year for basic malware defense for one device. The most advanced option comes in at $449.97 a year for the Smart Security Premium package, which covers 10 devices for three years.

Read more about ESET or check out the top ESET promo codes.

Intego: Intego sells four consumer macOS antivirus packages covering just macOS devices or macOS devices plus a single Windows device. They range in price from $39.99/$49.99 for a single-year/single-device subscription to $149.99/$184.99 covering three devices for two years.

Read more about Intego or check out the top Intego coupons.

All prices reflect the ongoing annual subscription rate, not the discounted introductory rate for the first year. Note that entry-level Mac antivirus software packages will protect your computer from malware, but you won't get extras like a virtual private network (VPN). Moreover, you'll probably only get protection for one computer and no mobile devices.

How Much Does Antivirus Software Cost?

Just like antivirus software for Windows, Mac antivirus software is sold in annual renewable licenses, usually in two or three good-better-best levels. Most basic packages include protection from a variety of malware threats; premium packages include other features like a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which might also be sold separately.

Entry-level Mac antivirus licenses are usually discounted to less than $50 the first year, then increase to about $100 thereafter. Higher-level packages, which usually include licenses for multiple devices, initially will cost between $50 and $100 for the first year, then will increase in price if you renew, usually to less than $150.

Should I Get Cheap Antivirus Software?

It costs a lot of money to repair damage to your Mac, and even more if your financial accounts, credit cards, or Social Security number are compromised. Given the consequences of a successful malware attack, skimping on the relatively minimal cost of antivirus software for your Mac probably isn't the best choice.

Shopping for antivirus software based solely on price, reasoning that your Mac offers enough security by itself, involves a calculated risk. Even exercising disciplined online behavior isn't necessarily enough to protect you if you have a subpar antivirus program. "The MacOS platform is not safer or more secure ... when compared with Windows," says Andreas Marx, a managing director at independent antivirus and security testing lab AV-Test. "Both platforms are different, of course, so some kinds of attacks might be easier on MacOS, others on Windows."

Instead of focusing on price, you should concentrate on getting the most protection you can for your money. Consider an antivirus program that protects your Mac and your other Apple devices, like an iPhone or iPad. Is there a VPN included for safe mobile connectivity? Are there protections for your Mac's webcam, email, and web browsing? Does the antivirus software use strong passwords, include controls for your children's online activities, and protect your financial data?

Rather than comparing misleading introductory prices, focus on the regular annual price after the first year, as well as the minor price difference (usually around $20) between the basic and premium antivirus software packages each vendor offers. This difference amounts to pennies a day to make sure you and your Mac have as much protection as possible.

Should I Get Free Antivirus Software?

A few Mac antivirus software suppliers such as AVG offer no-frills free antivirus software that does little more than block malware for a single user and a single device. These free offerings are designed to simply whet your appetite for the broader protections offered by a paid version.

Apple includes antimalware capabilities within the Mac operating system, such as XProtect, which checks files against known malware signatures and quarantines suspicious files; Gatekeeper, which blocks apps that Apple hasn't approved; and a malware removal tool (MRT). The Gatekeeper and the MRT operate largely in the background, invisible to the user. However, while these protections are better than nothing, they probably aren't sufficient. "The effectiveness of Apple’s built-in antimalware features have been questioned, and some security experts recommend strengthening the defenses by adding in a third-party antivirus package," the testing lab AV-Comparatives says.

For instance, protections against malicious threats such as ransomware, email phishing, Wi-Fi security, or threats potentially buried in non-Apple software require a more extensive paid antivirus software package. Because most Mac owners likely own an iPhone and maybe an iPad, this means you'll need to pay for a multidevice license with an included VPN for safe connectivity away from home on open Wi-Fi networks. A paid Mac antivirus software subscription that includes a VPN offers a higher value and broader protection than any single-device free offering plus a separate paid VPN combination.

How to Choose Antivirus Software

Here's a checklist of the features you should look for in antivirus software.

1. Known Brand. Antivirus software vendors who have a proven reputation are best. To get started, check out our list of the Best Antivirus Software for Mac 2021.

2. Device/OS Coverage. Antivirus software packages should protect both your Mac computers and your portable iOS devices.

3. Malware Protection. Software should include safeguards for all types of real-time malicious threats, not just viruses. Also look for protection against spyware, adware, viruses, worms, and ransomware, as well as email phishing and web protection.

3. Necessary Extras. Look for Mac antivirus packages that include at least a VPN, as well as firewalls, password managers, parental controls, backup, financial account protection, and VIP support.

5. Free Trial. Take advantage of the free trial that comes with most antivirus software and lasts 14 or 30 days. Use this time to see if you like how it operates and make sure it doesn't slow down your Mac.

6. Price. Don't be swayed by advertised discounted prices. Instead, compare the "original" prices. This is what you will pay if you choose to renew after the first year.

For more information, see How to Buy Antivirus Software.

Cheapest Antivirus Software for Windows

The Cheapest Antivirus Software of 2021 for Windows includes:

#1 F-Secure
#2 Trend Micro
#3 Bitdefender
#4 Webroot
#5 ESET

Similar to Mac antivirus software, entry-level antivirus packages for Windows 10 and other versions of Windows frequently offer protection for three devices or more and cost less than $50 during the first year. If you renew your subscription, expect to pay less than $100. Premium packages will often cost between $50 and $100 initially, and less than $150 after the first year. The higher the introductory percentage discount, the higher costs tend to jump upon renewal.

For more information, see our Cheapest Antivirus Software of 2021.

Best Antivirus Software for Mac

To help you find the antivirus software that best meets your needs, we've rated the Best Antivirus Software for Mac 2021. This software includes:

Learn More

Still looking for more information about antivirus software or trying to find the best antivirus software for you? Explore the directory below to learn more.

Our 360 Methodology for Evaluating Cheapest Antivirus Softwares

To determine the cheapest antivirus software, 360 Reviews collected the price of the base home security package offered by each company on our Best Antivirus Software and Best Antivirus Software for Mac OS lists.This resulted in a list of companies ranked from least to most expensive. For information about our methodology, click here.

All information was accurate as of Mar. 18, 2020.