macOS Sonoma offers plenty of built-in security features that are designed to keep your computer safe, such as Find My Activation Lock. So, when you buy a Mac, you get access to these protective layers by default. These include scanning the files you download and alerting you if malware is detected. That's not to mention that it displays several warnings when attempting to install and launch an app from outside the App Store. Nonetheless, an antivirus could still come in handy for those unhappy with Apple's solutions. For this reason, we've listed the best antivirus apps available for Mac below.

Our favorite Mac antivirus software

Bitdefender is one of the best antivirus software you can buy for your Mac. It runs in the background and eliminates malware as it shows up in your system. Bitdefender also deletes most system threats before they manage to even enter the computer. It has a simple UI that lets you keep a tab on the system status at all times. It also removes adware to get rid of annoying targeted ads that pop up once in a while when your system is infected. If you have several Macs, then you can buy three licenses for a discounted price.

Avast remains a popular pick among enthusiasts when it comes to reliable antivirus software. It also happens to be one of the fastest antivirus software around that can perform its task without slowing down the system. It's very easy to install and start using Avast thanks to its clean and modern UI. Avast's premium security users also get some welcome additions like VPN, password manager, system cleaner, and more. It also includes a firewall to monitor your internet connection.

Malwarebytes is yet another popular pick, mainly because it's sometimes recommended by tech support at Apple. It works just as advertised and is on par with other antivirus software mentioned in this collection. The software uses a bunch of threat detection techniques to keep your device safe at all times. Malwarebytes can also protect your data from unpatched and vulnerable software until they're fixed via an update. A single copy of this software will protect up to 5 devices, which is neat.

Kaspersky Internet Security is one of the oldest and most reliable security solutions on the market. It offers a popular feature called 'Secure delete', which essentially scrubs the deep corners of your system to permanently remove a threat. Kaspersky also offers a lot of extras for the price including a password manager, protection for banking and shopping transactions, etc. You also get webcam monitoring to keep an eye out for any program or person trying to access the webcam of your computer.

McAfee has become one of the best antivirus software over the years, thanks to its reliable antivirus protection. From stopping malicious downloads to blocking dangerous websites and pushing warnings, McAfee can do it all. The best thing about the software is you can manage multiple subscriptions from a single account, making it the perfect antivirus solution for families. It's, however, worth noting that you get VPN and identity theft protections only when you agree to renew your subscription every year automatically.

This is one of the free antivirus software for mac that doesn't skimp on any important features. It scans each and every downloaded file in your system to catch all kinds of threats. AVG can also scan zip files for malware during the extraction process, which is great. The only real drawback of this antivirus is the occasional pop-up ads. It's common for free software to have ads but it can get annoying at times, especially while consuming media content.

Our favorite Mac antivirus software: The bottom line

While the Bitdefender antivirus is our pick for the best antivirus software for Mac, you can't go wrong with any of the options in this collection. All of them can stop up to 99% of malware threats on your Mac. Some of these apps, such as Malwarebytes, also work on Android devices, which is great. Just make sure to pick from the ones that offer some added perks like VPN, password manager, and more. We highly recommend McAfee too since it allows you to manage multiple accounts from a single device.

As we mentioned earlier, even the latest Macs out there aren't entirely safe from online threats. An antivirus software purchase is one of the best investments you can make for your new Apple device. A lot of these programs tend to be available at a discounted price, too.