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Avast for Mac

Antivirus app with on-demand scanning.

Free
In English
3.0
Based on 64 user rates

Avast overview

Avast for Mac provides enhanced security with intelligent threat-detection, real-time protection, and additional features to prevent malicious attacks.

Simple to install and easy to use, Avast antivirus for Mac is designed for effortless Internet security. It protects your identity, ensures your privacy, and secures your files, folders, and computer.

Avast comes in two versions:

  1. Avast Security for Mac is a free download.
  2. Avast Premium Security is licensed for 1, 2, or 3 years for with single or multi-device options (up to 10). The premium version offers a 60-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Download Avast for Mac and get:

  • Real-time protection: Blocks malware, spyware, Trojans, and viruses in real-time.
  • Web Shield: Prevents access to dangerous downloads and websites.
  • Email Shield: Protection against receiving or sending infected attachments.
  • Scheduled scans: Schedules full virus scans for minimal user impact.
  • Real-time updates: Protects your Mac against the latest threats.
  • Wi-Fi Security Alerts: Issues warnings about home or public network weaknesses.

Additional Features

  • Ransomware Shield: Prevents personal files from being held for ransom.
  • Wi-Fi Inspector: Real-time alerts regarding network intruders and vulnerabilities.
  • Real Site: Multi-layer security protection against spoofed sites.
  • Phishing Net: Avast’s cloud database protection against threats identified worldwide.

Awards and Recognition

  • AV-Comparatives: Avast Free Antivirus (now known as Avast Security for Mac) was awarded two stars for both Real-World Protection and Malware Protection, and three stars for Performance.
  • AV-Test: 100% for protection against malware infections and 100% for usability.

Version Features

Avast comes in two free and one licensed package.

Avast Security

  • Real-time protection against malware, spyware, viruses, and other threats.
  • Email and web shields for enhanced protection.
  • Wi-Fi security alerts when threats are detected.
  • Scheduled scans and real-time updates.

Avast Premium Security

Everything in Avast Security PLUS:

  • Ransomware protection against the encryption of personal files.
  • Wi-Fi vulnerability detection and protection.
  • Multi-layer phishing protection.

What’s new in version 15.2

  • WebShield: Added per-domain silent mode for alerts.
  • WebShield: Added better malware description in alert dialogs when available.
  • RealSite: Added DNS over HTTPS protocol for secure resolution via Avast servers.
  • SmartScan: Added simpler communication of all solutions Avast can provide.
  • WiFiInspector: Updated scanning engine.
  • Uninstaller: Can now be found directly in Applications folder.
  • Other bugfixes and stability fixes
View older Avast versions

FAQ

Is Avast good for Mac?
Yes. Avast Mac security is a highly effective solution protecting against all types of malware. It comes in both paid and free versions.
Is Avast safe for Mac?
Yes. Avast Security for Mac detected 100% Mac malware threats during tests conducted by Top Ten Reviews, making it one of the best antivirus programs for Mac solutions.
Is Avast free for Mac?
Yes. As a free mac security product, Avast Security for Mac is recognized as being one of the best free Mac antivirus programs available.
Does Avast remove malware?
Yes. Avast Free Antivirus was awarded two stars for both Real-World Protection and Malware Protection by AV-Comparatives. The product offered 100% protection against both Mac and Windows malware.
Does Avast slow down my computer?
No. Avast Free Antivirus was awarded three stars for Performance by AV-Comparatives.

Avast for Mac

Free
In English
Version 15.2

What users say about Avast

Pirx
By Pirx on Aug 14 2022 for v.15.2

Value: 4.0

In terms of e-mail scanning outperforms all the others I have used over 15 years, by far, and that is what really matters the most to me. All other functions work as expected. There is, however, one feature that is not so good: Every Mac OS upgrade seems to catch Avast by complete surprise. That means, your Mac becomes almost unusable because Avast and the upgrade don't coexist on friendly terms. So, wait with upgrades until Avast has overcome the utter surprise, made a working update available and only then upgrade the OS. If they ever get a grip on that one, I would add the 5th star.

Other user ratings:

Ease of use | 4.0
Features | 5.0
Reliability | 4.0
Customer support | 2.0
Write a detailed review about Avast

What customer like

Performance
Stability
Value

What needs improvements

Support
Bug fixing

Avast qualities

Value
4.0
Ease of use
4.0
Features
5.0
Reliability
4.0
Customer support
2.0

Write your thoughts in our old-fashioned comment

MacUpdate Comment Policy. We strongly recommend leaving comments, however comments with abusive words, bullying, personal attacks of any type will be moderated.
3.0

(84 Reviews of Avast)

  • Comments

  • User Ratings

Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Feb 25 2024
15.2
1.0
Feb 25 2024
1.0
Version: 15.2
In the continued lawsuit of the US Federal Trade Commission vs Avast: "Avast ordered to stop selling browsing data from its browsing privacy apps. Identifiable data included job searches, map directions, "cosplay erotica."" ARTICLE: It includes links to both the FTC Complaint and their proposed order. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/avast-ordered-to-stop-selling-browsing-data-from-its-browsing-privacy-apps/ - - Of interest from the article: "Since the time of the FTC's complaint and its Jumpshot business, Avast has been acquired by Gen Digital, a firm that contains Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, CCLeaner, and ReputationDefender, among other security businesses." - - I'm personally considering Gen Digital to be the next Symantec, in a bad way.
Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Oct 27 2023
15.2
1.0
Oct 27 2023
1.0
Version: 15.2
YES, Avast / AVG were caught deliberately and systematically SELLING USER DATA. That of course is nothing new in the computing field. But at least the company relented in 2020. Are they a reputable company now? Keep an eye on them. - -> From 2020: "AVAST Unit Stops Collecting User Data After Privacy Complaints. Company to close DATA-SELLING SUBSIDIARY, but experts say users of antivirus software could still be at risk. - -> https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/avast-shutters-data-selling-subsidiary-in-wake-of-privacy-complaints-a9105985168/
MyronV9060
MyronV9060
Oct 31 2022
15.2
5.0
Oct 31 2022
5.0
Version: 15.2
Does the basics of anti-virus and malware successfully. It found a virus on my iMac upon initial installation and execution, and it intercepted a few malicious website over the last 2.5 years of using it. My employer recommended Avast for my Mac over other options when I started working from home due to the COVID pandemic. I've been very happy with what the free version has provided and am strongly considering purchasing it for the extended options such as system cleaning.
Michael-Vilain
Michael-Vilain
Sep 17 2021
14.2
0.0
Sep 17 2021
0.0
Version: 14.2
A friend installed Avast on their PC and found out "death will not release you" from their Marketing department. He never paid for anything service or gave them credit card information but that didn't stop the company from charging his credit card. He called his bank in an outrage about the fraudulent charge. I recommended filing consumer fraud charges with the CA AG and complaining about every email to their upstream Internet provider. It's seemed to have stopped now. Maybe the Marketing director moved on to another company when the CA AG came calling.
bob-185
bob-185
Dec 4 2020
14.2
5.0
Dec 4 2020
5.0
Version: 14.2
I have tried a few anti virus programmes but always come back to this one. I like its simplicity.
Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Oct 27 2023
15.2
1.0
Oct 27 2023
1.0
Version: 15.2
MyronV9060
MyronV9060
Oct 31 2022
15.2
5.0
Oct 31 2022
5.0
Version: 15.2
bob-185
bob-185
Dec 4 2020
5.0
Dec 4 2020
5.0
Version: null
RogerG5788
RogerG5788
Mar 4 2020
1.0
Mar 4 2020
1.0
Version: null
Solutionscts
Solutionscts
Jan 30 2020
1.0
Jan 30 2020
1.0
Version: null
kopperka
kopperka
Oct 16 2019
1.0
Oct 16 2019
1.0
Version: null
Mikael-B
Mikael-B
Aug 10 2019
3.0
Aug 10 2019
3.0
Version: null
davetorr44
davetorr44
Mar 5 2019
0.5
Mar 5 2019
0.5
Version: null
Sampler
Sampler
Dec 23 2018
5.0
Dec 23 2018
5.0
Version: null
valpar-fr
valpar-fr
Sep 17 2018
0.5
Sep 17 2018
0.5
Version: null
june8
june8
Aug 11 2018
5.0
Aug 11 2018
5.0
Version: null
CODE_ASH
CODE_ASH
Jul 20 2018
5.0
Jul 20 2018
5.0
Version: null
Pirx
Pirx
Jul 12 2018
5.0
Jul 12 2018
5.0
Version: null
swanbeth99
swanbeth99
May 30 2018
3.0
May 30 2018
3.0
Version: null
seahunt
seahunt
Apr 17 2018
1.0
Apr 17 2018
1.0
Version: null
abyteofdata
abyteofdata
Jan 26 2018
4.0
Jan 26 2018
4.0
Version: null
kristysmith016
kristysmith016
Jan 17 2018
0.5
Jan 17 2018
0.5
Version: null
anonymous-thrush-1121
anonymous-thrush-1121
Nov 18 2017
5.0
Nov 18 2017
5.0
Version: null
zlazkow
zlazkow
Dec 19 2016
2.0
Dec 19 2016
2.0
Version: null
seealtaf
seealtaf
Sep 21 2016
0.5
Sep 21 2016
0.5
Version: null
ohmmmmmm
ohmmmmmm
Aug 13 2016
4.5
Aug 13 2016
4.5
Version: null
scoutpaget
scoutpaget
Nov 15 2015
1.0
Nov 15 2015
1.0
Version: null
Wild-West
Wild-West
Oct 4 2015
5.0
Oct 4 2015
5.0
Version: null
freiheit
freiheit
Sep 25 2015
1.0
Sep 25 2015
1.0
Version: null
jdidun
jdidun
Aug 26 2015
5.0
Aug 26 2015
5.0
Version: null
Ray-Ban
Ray-Ban
Aug 19 2015
4.0
Aug 19 2015
4.0
Version: null
jrkow
jrkow
Aug 6 2015
4.0
Aug 6 2015
4.0
Version: null
Jim-Jones
Jim-Jones
Aug 4 2015
5.0
Aug 4 2015
5.0
Version: null
superroberto
superroberto
Jul 31 2015
2.5
Jul 31 2015
2.5
Version: null
aheur
aheur
Jul 30 2015
5.0
Jul 30 2015
5.0
Version: null
My-Name-Is-Fry
My-Name-Is-Fry
Jul 28 2015
5.0
Jul 28 2015
5.0
Version: null
los(00)santos
los(00)santos
May 26 2015
5.0
May 26 2015
5.0
Version: null
assassin-assassin
assassin-assassin
Apr 6 2015
5.0
Apr 6 2015
5.0
Version: null
Penguirl
Penguirl
Mar 11 2015
1.0
Mar 11 2015
1.0
Version: null
koehnleinruth
koehnleinruth
Feb 13 2015
5.0
Feb 13 2015
5.0
Version: null
Lookky
Lookky
Jan 31 2015
0.5
Jan 31 2015
0.5
Version: null
tjekov37
tjekov37
Jan 30 2015
3.5
Jan 30 2015
3.5
Version: null
Gseifert
Gseifert
Jan 30 2015
5.0
Jan 30 2015
5.0
Version: null
jack2001
jack2001
Jan 22 2015
5.0
Jan 22 2015
5.0
Version: null
Tomq
Tomq
Dec 27 2014
2.0
Dec 27 2014
2.0
Version: null