Avast for Mac
Antivirus app with on-demand scanning.
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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:
- Avast Security for Mac is a free download.
- 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
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
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
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(85 Reviews of Avast)
Comments
User Ratings
Dec 26, 2025
Version: 15.2
I've had some operational hiccups on my MacBook Air, so I decided to turning off the VPN and remove Avast Premium Security. It comes with an uninstaller, but the uninstaller still leaves a bunch of files, so apparently only the app is removed. In Login Items & Extensions there is an Avast Coordinator, but it is nowhere to be found in the Library and Apple can't help me locate it even after support escalation. I can apparently turn it off, but not remove it. Avast support shared my screen, but the agent was obviously not familiar with Mac OS and kept trying to install an .exe file on my Air. Worthless. I can't recommend Avast.
Feb 25, 2024
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.
Oct 27, 2023
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/
Oct 31, 2022
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.
Sep 17, 2021
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.
