“Bitdefender Premium Security is a great way to increase antivirus protection and privacy on a Mac and all your devices.”
- Near-perfect protection for years
- Quick and helpful support
- Easy setup
- Integrates well with macOS
- Affordable multidevice plans
- Renewal prices are often double
- 200MB-per-day limit on VPN of low-cost plans
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Bitdefender for Mac aims to block malware and protect your privacy. While Apple products are often considered more secure than Windows and Android devices, macOS isn’t immune to increasingly sophisticated attacks devised by devious hackers. To block malware, clean up infections, and protect your private data, you’ll get better protection from the best antivirus software solutions available.
I was impressed by Bitdefender for Windows, particularly the latest updates that make the 2025 version even better. I knew it was time to retest Bitdefender for Mac to see what’s new and verify how well the 2025 version integrates with macOS and the Apple ecosystem.
I break down the pricing, installation, usability, cybersecurity features, customer support, and more in this complete review of Bitdefender for Mac.
Specs
| Bitdefender | |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Devices | 1 – 5 (individual), 25 (family) |
| Support | 24/7 live chat |
| Free version? | Yes |
Tiers and pricing
Bitdefender offers a free antivirus app for Windows PCs that provides real-time protection, but Mac users only get a Bitdefender virus scanner. You must subscribe to get proactive coverage that can prevent viruses before your Mac is infected.
Thirty-day free trials are available for most plans, and every multi-device option supports macOS and iOS, as well as Windows and Android. If you share files between devices, cross-platform support offers the best security.
Bitdefender’s basic antivirus software for Mac starts at $25 for the first year, then renews at $50 thereafter. For this low price, Bitdefender protects one Mac desktop or MacBook from malware and includes a virtual private network (VPN) that’s capped at 200MB per day. It’s a great deal on antivirus software for your Mac.
If you need to protect your phone or Windows PC, a cross-platform plan like Bitdefender Total Security covers five devices and guards against ransomware, crypto mining, and browser extensions for malware and phishing detection. It also includes parental controls. The subscription starts at $60 and climbs to $110 annually.
I tested Bitdefender Premium Security, which protects up to 10 devices for $80 for the first year. It’s a nice package that includes an uncapped VPN and a password manager. The top-level plan, Ultimate Security, adds identity theft protection, insured up to $1 million, and credit reporting for $90. Unfortunately, both plans double in cost after the first year.
Design
Setting up Bitdefender Premium Security is relatively easy. I accidentally started with the VPN, then the password manager, before installing the main app, Bitdefender Total Security antivirus protection. I suspect starting with the main app would have simplified the process further.
Each installer guided me to enable the required System Settings permissions and install the Safari security extensions. The app recognized that I have Google’s Chrome browser and suggested installing extensions there as well.
The Bitdefender dashboard shows a green shield to indicate my Mac is safe, and guides me toward better security with system scans, malware detection, and cleanup, if needed. My Mac was already clean.
Running through the recommendations, I enabled macOS notifications and did a Time Machine backup. It’s helpful that Bitdefender is familiar enough with Apple’s ecosystem to integrate with built-in features like this.
Bitdefender limits access to the files, a simple and effective way to protect against ransomware. By default, the desktop, documents, downloads, and pictures are restricted, but I could add and remove folders as needed.
Bitdefender builds a list of apps as I allow access to these protected folders. This is a great proactive approach to ransomware. Norton 360 for Mac is another solid antivirus solution, but it relies on cloud backups, which require more time and resources.
Overall, Bitdefender’s app is simple and easy to understand, and exactly what’s needed for cybersecurity.
Features
Malware protection is a critical metric for antivirus software, and Bitdefender is among the best available. Mac antivirus isn’t tested as frequently or by as many security labs, but AV-Test has assessed Bitdefender quarterly for the last five years and biannually since 2017.
Bitdefender scored six out of six in malware protection testing in all but one period in over eight years. A minor weakness in September 2020 resulted in a 5.5 rating. That consistent, reliable protection shows an ongoing commitment to the Mac.
It also enjoyed top scores in AV-Test’s performance and usability evaluations. While I trust the rigorous testing done by independent security labs, I like to spot-check malware blocking on my own MacBook to confirm I’m protected.
I tested Bitdefender’s protection by visiting WICAR.org, an antivirus test website that hosts neutralized malware and common browser exploits. Proactive antivirus software should still block these potential threats, and Bitdefender’s Safari extension successfully blocked access and alerted me to the danger.
Bitdefender uses AI in its new Scam Copilot to help me identify tricks. I wrote up a brief, typical cryptocurrency pitch, making a wild claim about doubling Bitcoin as a test. Scam Copilot quickly recognized the ploy and highlighted the red flags so I could learn to identify similar scams on my own.
The best VPNs offer private browsing and content unblocking without sacrificing performance. Bitdefender Premium Security comes with a VPN to help prevent tracking, but it lacks speed.
I tested it by setting my location to Australia and searching the web. Results for the Sydney area confirmed that Google thought I was Down Under, so my true location was unknown. I used SpeedTest to measure download rates in various locations. A nearby server in Boston had the best performance but was still disappointing, reaching just 27% of my native internet speed.
Support
The Bitdefender app’s help tab lets me replay the quick tour that I saw during setup, browse the user guide, and visit the support center. From the support center, I can search for articles that might answer questions, letting me solve issues on my own.
I scrolled to the bottom and found the button to contact support for personal service. Despite reaching out on a Saturday, a live agent responded immediately and was quite helpful.
I asked about accessing the passwords on my Mac after starting on a Windows PC. I needed the master password, which I pretended to lose. The agent reminded me that I should have a recovery key that’s saved during the initial setup of Bitdefender’s password manager.
Privacy and security
Like most other cybersecurity companies, Bitdefender will comply with legal requests for personal data. However, it won’t sell or share your information with third-party companies for marketing. You can see the full details in Bitdefender’s privacy policy.
Bitdefender may advertise additional services and contact you with special offers. There isn’t a barrage of emails, but you can opt out of marketing emails if you don’t want to be bothered.
The company hasn’t had any recent security issues, and I trust Bitdefender will keep my computer secure and my personal and financial data private.
Bitdefender protects your Mac
If your Mac is behaving strangely and you want to check if something slipped past Apple’s built-in XProtect antivirus software, Bitdefender’s free malware scanner is a good place to start. It can identify and help you clean up your Mac. However, there are better free antivirus apps for Mac.
For real-time detection and prevention, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac offers solid malware protection at an affordable price. If you need a VPN or want to secure all your devices, Bitdefender’s cross-platform plans cover computers, tablets, and phones.
Malwarebytes for Mac also offers antivirus plans that include VPN service. Unfortunately, a lack of independent security reviews of the macOS app means its protection capabilities are unverified.
There are several other antivirus solutions available, but Bitdefender’s strong performance, user-friendly interface, and affordable pricing make it a great choice for your Mac.
