Free Antivirus for Your Mac: Comparing Avast, AVG, and Bitdefender
If you’ve been told that “Macs don’t get viruses,” you’re not alone. That belief was popular for years, and while it’s true that Macs are safer than Windows PCs in some ways, they’re not immune. Bad links, sneaky downloads, and fake pop-up warnings can all cause problems.
The good news? You don’t need to spend money right away to protect yourself. There are three well-known antivirus programs you can install for free on your Mac: Avast Free, AVG Free, and Bitdefender Free. These tools help guard against both antivirus and malware threats. Let’s take a look at how they compare, in plain English.
Why Antivirus Matters on a Mac
Even careful people can run into trouble.
- A link in an email can open the wrong website.
- A pop-up that looks like a “software update” might be fake.
- Malware (bad software) can sneak onto your Mac and slow it down.
Take this example: a client of mine once got an email that looked exactly like it came from their bank. The email asked them to “confirm their login details,” but it was actually a scam. Another time, someone clicked a pop-up that claimed their Mac had “3 viruses” and needed an immediate download. Both of these are common tricks, and both can lead to malware infections.
Antivirus and malware protection acts like a security guard. It scans files, checks websites, and alerts you if something isn’t right.
Avast Free for Mac
Some Mac users find Avast’s dashboard a little busy at first, but the upside is that it gives you a clear picture of what’s happening on your computer. It not only scans for viruses but also looks out for unsafe Wi-Fi networks and suspicious browser activity. That said, these extras can sometimes feel more like clutter if all you really want is basic antivirus and malware protection.
What’s good about it:
- Real-time scanning (always checking in the background).
- A lot of features for a free program.
- Known brand with years of experience.
What’s not so good:
- Lots of pop-ups and upgrade ads.
- Can use more system resources, making your Mac feel slower.
AVG Free for Mac
AVG’s biggest strength is that it doesn’t overwhelm you with complicated menus or settings. Once installed, it mostly takes care of itself, which is perfect if you’d rather not fuss with technology. However, because it runs background updates and checks fairly often, you may notice a slowdown if your Mac is older or already crowded with files. It offers reliable antivirus and malware scanning while staying fairly simple to use.
What’s good about it:
- Simple design, easy to use.
- Blocks dangerous websites before they load.
- Runs fairly smoothly in the background.
What’s not so good:
- Can still push you toward paid upgrades.
- Background updates may slow things down if your Mac is older.
Bitdefender Free for Mac
Bitdefender is designed with simplicity in mind, which makes it appealing if you just want something that works without nagging you. It focuses on catching threats quickly and efficiently rather than offering a long list of tools. This “less is more” approach is great for peace of mind, but if you enjoy extra features like Wi-Fi scanning or password checks, you may feel it’s a bit too bare-bones. Still, its quiet, lightweight antivirus and malware protection makes it a strong choice.
What’s good about it:
- Lightweight — doesn’t slow down your Mac.
- Quiet — not many pop-ups or upgrade nags.
- Very good at catching new threats quickly.
What’s not so good:
- Fewer extra features compared to Avast or AVG.
- Very basic — no fancy tools, just core protection.
Why System Requirements Matter
Before you install any antivirus program, it’s important to check your Mac’s operating system. Each program has a minimum version of macOS it can run on. If your Mac is older and can’t update past a certain version, you’ll need to choose the antivirus that still supports it.
For example, if your Mac is running El Capitan (10.10), Bitdefender is your only option out of these three. If your Mac has High Sierra (10.13) or newer, you can choose between Avast, AVG, or Bitdefender. Checking this first saves you from downloading something that simply won’t install.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Avast Free | AVG Free | Bitdefender Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Medium | Easy | Easy |
| System Impact | Heavier | Medium | Light |
| Pop-Ups / Ads | Many | Some | Very Few |
| System Requirements | macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer | macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer | macOS 10.10 (Yosemite) or newer |
| Best For | Lots of features | Balanced choice | Simple protection |
| Links | Download | Download | Download |
Which One Should You Pick?
- If you like having lots of tools: go with Avast Free.
- If you want something simple but solid: try AVG Free.
- If you’d rather keep things light and quiet: choose Bitdefender Free.
The most important thing is this: any of these is better than having nothing. Installing free antivirus and malware protection is a smart step toward keeping your Mac safe.
A Final Word
Technology should feel helpful, not stressful. If setting up antivirus, cleaning up your Mac, or just keeping things running smoothly feels overwhelming, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
I help people just like you — Mac users who want peace of mind without the headache of technical jargon.
👉 Reach out to me through my contact form on the Apple Pro website, and I’ll gladly guide you through the next steps to keep your Mac safe and comfortable to use.