So you need to balance cost against performance impact when selecting a product. You’ll see that even though the best free antivirus programs are good at protection, they tend to hurt your Mac’s speed much more than paid- for software. AV-Test also looks at the impact of these pieces of software on your system: in layman’s terms, how much the antivirus slows down your Mac, if at all.įor each of the security solutions we outline here, we have tested their ability to keep your Mac safe, and balanced that against the impact on your Mac’s performance. In order for an antivirus to work effectively it also needs to be unobtrusive. Thank you!īut security is only half the story. You can support the site directly via Paypal donations ☕.

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If these features can get your work done, you can prefer installing them. Some features that this antivirus software offers are ransomware protection, cryptojacking protection, and a system optimizer. The user interface is also very confusing, which makes it very difficult to use. Despite being lightweight, it has a heavy system impact during scans. However, the program doesn’t offer many features, which is something Apple users don’t prefer.

It is a bargain if you buy the family version. McAfee is one of the most lightweight antiviruses on our list. Despite being free, it is one of the best options for your Mac M1 device.ĭownload Avira Free Security for Mac M1 7. As complete system scans can take a bit of time, they can sometimes slow down your device. It also has a built-in real-time scanner that can scan your entire computer or just specific files. This free antivirus software comes loaded with features.

It automatically scans your device within specific time intervals to detect malware and viruses. Avira Free Security is another best antivirus for Mac M1.

Best free mac antivirus software 2020