Reviews Of Avast Anti Virus For Mac

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Avast tied with Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac, Sophos Home for Mac and Norton Security, which also all scored 99.17 percent, and did better than Avira Free Antivirus for Mac, which stopped. Review by Israel Torres. Mac Edition is an Antivirus software for Mac. The software offers the following features: On-Access Scanning.

  1. Best Virus Protection For Mac
  2. Best Antivirus For Mac
  3. Avast Antivirus For Mac Review
  4. Free Antivirus For Mac

Besides the World’s most popular antivirus for Windows, Avast is offering a comprehensive antivirus for Apple Mac OS X (Macintosh). The product is called Avast Free Mac Security 2018 (version 11) and same as the Windows version it’s completely for free. It doesn’t even require the registration, so you can just download, install and use it without any hassle.

While some Mac users are still questioning the need for the antivirus/security software on OS X, we definitely recommend have Avast installed as the number of hacker attacks on Mac users is rising rapidly.

Avast antivirus mac free download - Avast Free Mac Security, AVG AntiVirus for Mac, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac, and many more programs.

Avast for Mac Key Features & Benefits

  • Award-winning antivirus engine with 100% detection rate (according to the independent test by AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives)
  • Real-time protection with 3 layers (File System Shield, Mail Shield, Web Shield)
  • Automatic streaming updates of the virus definitions
  • Excellent performance – very low on system resources
  • Simple and intuitive user interface
  • Completely for free – no registration required

Avast for Mac Free Download & Installation

Avast for Mac is unfortunately not available on iTunes or App Store. But you can simply download Avast Free Mac Security using the link below:


From the Official Avast Servers

After you finish the download you can proceed with the installation. The installation process is really easy and doesn’t require any technical skills:

  1. Close the Safari browser, locate the setup file called ‘avast_free_mac_security.dmg‘ and run it
  2. Confirm the Avast License Agreement by clicking on ‘Agree
  3. You can customize the installation by clicking on ‘Customize’, click on ‘Install’ to start the installation
  4. If prompted enter the administrator name and password
  5. Once the installation is complete, you should get the confirmation screen

Please note it’s heavily recommended to uninstall any other antivirus/security software from your Mac before installing Avast.

Avast Security Pro for Mac – Is it worthy to pay extra?

Besides the free version of Mac antivirus, there is also a premium one called Avast Security Pro for Mac. The pro version offers two extra features

  • Wi-Fi Alerts – This feature will immediately notify you if someone connects to your Wi-Fi network. This helps you to keep hackers/neighbors out of your network.
  • Ransomware Shield – Ransomware shields keep your personal data from being encrypted without your permission.

For these, you need to pay for the premium version which costs $59.99 per year. Is it worthy? We would say yes as ransomware on Mac is on the rise and Avast offers solid protection against it.

Avast for Mac User & Experts Reviews – What others are saying?

Avast Free Mac Security is also really popular among the users and technical experts. It is by far the most downloaded Mac antivirus/security on Download.com with more than 4.5 million downloads! While other competitors don’t have even half a million (Sophos 247k, Avira 80k, Norton 30k, Kaspersky 12k, McAfee 11k, Eset 9k).

Avast Free Mac Security is the most downloaded antivirus for Mac with more than 4.5 million downloads

Also, the user reviews on Download.com are very positive. Avast Free Mac Security 2018 has 4.5 stars (out of 5) from 1,641users.

Avast for Mac is doing really well also in the independent tests. It has been certified with 100% detection rate by the German laboratory AV-TEST. Same results were measured also by the Austrian laboratory AV-Comparatives.

According to Tom’s Guide, Avast Free Mac Security was better in detecting viruses than the other paid solutions: ‘it was better at malware detection than all three of the paid antivirus solutions we reviewed‘.

Avast for Mac System Requirements – Will it run on your Mac?

Best Virus Protection For Mac

Minimum system requirements are quite easy to comply and really nothing special. Avast Free Mac Security will run even on the older MacBooks (Air/Pro) and iMacs:

  • OS X Version: Apple Mac running macOS 10.9 (Mavericks) or newer
  • Processor: Intel-based Mac computer with 64-bit processor
  • Memory: 128 MB RAM or above (1 GB RAM or higher preferred)
  • Free space: 500 MB minimum hard disk free space

Avast for Mac Uninstall – How to remove it from your Mac?

Mac virus software

Avast for mac free. If you decide to uninstall Avast Free Mac Security from your Mac, there is nothing special you would need to do compared to any other Mac application. To remove it simply follow the instructions below:

  1. Close Safari browser and open Avast by going to ‘Finder’ » ‘Applications’ and double-click on the Avast orange icon
  2. Open ‘Avast Mac Security‘ in the menu bar at the top-left, select ‘Uninstall Avast‘ and confirm (you may need to log in as an administrator)
  3. Wait and the uninstall process to finish and Avast Free Mac Security is completely removed

Unfortunately, there is no removal tool or uninstall utility for Mac. Avast Uninstall Utility (AvastClear) is available only for Windows.

Original review: April 21, 2019

I have installed Avast after malware got onto my computer, and I had to do a full restart of Windows 10. I already have Mcafee, which costs money just to protect you from a virus.>:( I shouldn't have to pay just to be protected. If the company believes in the customer and wants to actively be there for the customer, not just to get money, they would make this aspect free. I understand the other aspects, but you should be protected from malware on your computer. I was going to originally install Norton, because I've used that Anti-virus protection before, and, I like Norton, but I also know they make you pay, for literally everything, so I decided to try a new Anti-Virus. I found Avast upon my search. It looked good from the logo and the website.

I installed it and immediately was impressed with the user-interface. When I got re-directed somehow to another website, it protected me immediately, and even buzzed letting me know. Not only that, it told me what drivers to update, (although I only have free version so I cannot install this), but I can install the drivers manually myself, now that I know what drivers to install. I also swear my computer was speedier since this app install! This protects me from what I need to be protected, without money-costing me, because they care about me, not just my money.

I just love this product so much! Everything is perfect with this! I am going to stick with this Anti-virus forever! I love this Anti-virus so much, that I decided I am going to upgrade so It'll install drivers for me and do lots more! This program has so many features versus Mcafee, (which I also have but won't do anything because not paid!), and so much more than what other virus-protection services have. It also has good Anti-virus tests to prove it! Thank you so much Avast, you have changed my life for the better. Definitely will recommend!!

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Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Sophia:

Thanks for your feedback and for choosing Avast for your security needs!

-Avast Team

2 people found this review helpful
Gloria of Coos Bay, OR Verified Reviewer Verified Buyer
Original review: April 15, 2019

I have Avast Premier, Cleanup and SecureLine. SecureLine is working normally. Premier and Cleanup have both been completely out of service for 2 days, starting April 3, 2019. Cleanup simply will not open. Trying to open Premier gets a black square on-screen that says, 'UI failed to load. This is embarrassing. Your protection is running, but the UI is having a really bad day.' Well, this is the 3rd day. What's happening with Avast? Can't find any news stories related to problems at Avast. Is it just me?

Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Gloria:

Thanks for reaching out! We'd recommend running a repair to try to resolve the issue. Instructions for this can be found in our website.

If this does not resolve the issue, please contact us privately with your name, Avast account information, and your preferred contact email address so we can work with you directly.

-Avast Team

3 people found this review helpful
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Paweł of Poland Verified Reviewer
Original review: Feb. 1, 2019

I'm using free Avast Protection. Recently, Avast has interfered with my computer by replacing Adobe Reader with its Avast Browser for reading PDF files. It has made it impossible to use any other programmes for reading PDF files, preventing me for installing Adobe Reader again and actually making Adobe disappear as an option for reading PDF files. I wonder if it is the company's policy?

Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Pawel:

Thank you for reaching out! Our software would not have replaced your existing product with our browser without your permission. There would have been a option when installing our browser to include PDF documents. Please check your default programs list in Windows for the option to switch it back. If this does not resolve the issue, please contact us privately for further assistance and we'll be happy to help!

-Avast Team

6 people found this review helpful
Original review: Nov. 29, 2018

I've been using Avast FREE version for over 10 years, it help me block off harmful popups and ads, even a little suspicious connection they can handle it quickly and clean, virus scanning work really good and my computer is totally virus/malware/ransom free now. To those who rated 0.5, I'm pretty sure they are hired by other companies or are 'smart' people who get their laptop from Best Buy or Walmart.

Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Testa:

Thanks for being a loyal customer for more than a decade! We're thrilled to hear you've been pleased with our software's ability to keep you and your information safe!

-Avast Team

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Original review: Nov. 24, 2018

Since 2005 I have utilised Avast antivirus free version and later paid, and despite being free, it has protected my computer from virus, malware and recently stopped countless of ransomware attacks that have been going haywire on the Internet line in my area. Reading countless of the negative reviews of this program I can without a doubt say these people have no idea what they are doing, it surprises me they even know how to turn a computer on.

Avast unlike many other AV software I have tested, has successfully managed to isolate viruses and malware even in archived files surprisingly. Another astonishing feature with Avast subsequently missing from vast majority of other AV programs is customisation in the installer letting you decide exactly what you want included and what you want excluded.

Avast AV also gives you good control of settings, all the annoying features can be easily turned off, Avast has always had a good interface which really helps navigating through the various advanced features. Avast not only lets you quick scan but also do complete scans, Avast also includes a boot scan option which will scan your computer before Windows boots, extremely helpful in removing very dangerous threats.

Despite this, Avast will not compromise in safety even on the free version and will constantly give you offers on the paid variant, there no reason not to accept. Avast is also one of the extremely few that STILL supports Windows XP and Vista to this day letting you safely use older computers with Internet connection. As someone who still has to rely on old systems for crucial software support, this is a Godsent gift to not having to worry about ransomware attacking old systems thanks to Avast.

All my clients really like Avast except the annoying pop-up reminding them to buy the software but people having previously had their computers attacked by virus has never had issues after I installed Avast free Antivirus on their systems afterwards. It can without a doubt be said that Avast tops all charts in review sites for best protection, features, user friendliness, and excellent customer service willing to help. It is hard to understand why Avast themselves receive such harsh critique when they are just trying to help, but in reality there is no helping the helpless.

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Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Johnnew:

Thanks for your feedback and for being an awesome Avast customer! We're thrilled to hear you've been pleased with our software!

-Avast Team

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Allison of Smithfield, VA Verified Reviewer
Original review: Sept. 3, 2019

I cancelled my service in 2017 with Avast because I was paying for 3 computers and I was down to one. They said they cancelled and refunded my money that year. The next year 2018, they charged me again (but changed the name of the service) and I missed it because I did not have the email that I had used anymore and I didn't check my Credit card statement. This year, 2019, I am charged again, but this time I see it and check with my CC company to find I was charged in 2018 also. Avast refunded my 2019 charge but keeps telling me that I never cancelled this new service (they changed the name and kept saying I had both, though I was never charged for both at one time and the new named service was also for 3 computers).

After they give me all the generic responses I try to reason with them that Why would I order a new service for 3 computers when I was down to 1. They changed the name, never cancelled me, charged me (stole from me) and refuse to refund my $60 from 2018 because it is beyond their refund time. I was able to get the order numbers so that I had proof of the charges but I have been given the runaround over and over with them trying to tell me that I ordered this and I never did. Be very careful.

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Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Allison:

Thanks for reaching out! We'd like to help find out what occurred and get this resolved for you. Please contact us privately with your full name and the subscribed email address (as well as your current email address if that one is no longer being used) so we can further assist you.

-Avast Team

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Original review: Sept. 1, 2019

While it works ok as a free version, Avast has become Adware. It constantly harasses with ads asking for paid upgrade. Which should be ok if it wasn't for the following. It has an insidious and sneaky way of making you go for a free trial of the paid version in an advert that makes you think you are updating the virus database. This method is only seen in predatory tactics of Adware.

Another disgusting Adware characteristic is lying and scaring the user into thinking they are being watched and followed and they need protection. Which Avast does it plenty. Mum called me horrified to tell me she's being watched and needs protection. I thought she's gone mad, but no. It was an Avast ad. Finally it does the same scaremongering as fake registry cleaners. Avast will tell you you need to upgrade to its paid version in order to clean your computer of unused programs and free your drive space. Avast kindly go ** yourself, I'm finally going for a paid version of ESET. Go cry in a bucket.

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Avast Antivirus response

Hi, I:

Thanks for your feedback. While we do occasionally notify our customers of our other great products and features, they are not meant to cause any undue stress and we do offer the ability to add/remove features that may or may not fit our customers' specific needs by clicking Menu>Settings>General>Troubleshooting>Add/Remove Components. Additionally, Silent Mode is located under the Notifications tab.

-Avast Team

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V of Other, Other Verified Reviewer
Original review: Aug. 31, 2019

Best Antivirus For Mac

I subscribed to the Avast Antivirus software. I'm not sure how good the software is, but it occasionally tells me it's spotted or blocked something. The problem is that I am paying much more than I intended. I was led to believe it was an annual fee, yet I've been charged four times within 12 months - each time the amount increases ($49.99, $49.99, $59.99, $79.99). Back in March I asked PayPal to stop letting them withdraw funds from my account and PayPal agreed. Since then the company has used disposable account information to withdraw funds. I'm now clamping down on my PayPal account so the processing company (Digital River) can't take money from me anymore.

Avast Antivirus For Mac Review

Avast Antivirus response

Hi, V:

Thanks for reaching out! We'd like to investigate further to see what's happening as we do charge annually for each product. Please contact us privately with your full name, email address, and the dates and amounts of the charges and we'll be happy to sort it out for you!

-Avast Team

2 people found this review helpful
Hunter of Rancho Cucamonga, CA Verified Reviewer
Original review: Aug. 26, 2019

Avast installed without permission from me and without knowing which is an automatic one star from me. They also force you to use their uninstall software instead of having control panel delete it. It constantly sent me notifications that I have a virus, I have done multiple full scans with Windows Defender and it said nothing. And I also got this in an Adobe Flash scam, so they paid people to put something I don't want on my computer and wasting my time.

Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Hunter:

Thanks for reaching out! We can assure you we would never install our software without your permission. There would have been a box to opt-out during the installation of your other program. If you have any additional questions, we would be happy to help you directly.

Free Antivirus For Mac

-Avast Team

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Reviews Of Avast Anti Virus For MacOriginal review: Aug. 15, 2019

I signed up for a free trial and within an hour, they had upgraded me to a full subscription and charged my card $86. I called and cancelled subscription they added without authorization and got my money back. Took a while. Then on August 13th, I got two (2) $86.59 charges back to back that came out of nowhere. I called and talked with someone I couldn't understand well, but was told one of the charges would be refunded. It hasn't happened yet. Disputing with bank and Avast. It's a slow process. When this gets taken care, I will cancel my card. I was actually asked if I wanted to cancel my subscription!!?? Do not trust them.

Avast Antivirus response

Hi, Monica:

We apologize for the inconvenience and would like to investigate what happened and get this resolved for you! Please contact us privately with your full name, contact email address, the charges that were placed on your card, support ticket information (if you received an email), and the number you dialed so we can ensure you spoke with genuine Avast Support.

-Avast Team

3 people found this review helpful