The Best Antivirus Software for iPhone 2024

If you have an iPhone and want an additional layer of protection for security, we’ll help you choose the best antivirus products available to keep your device safe.
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Best for Premium Features

4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website

Norton 360 Antivirus
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Best for Identity Monitoring

4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On McAfee's website

McAfee
View More

Best Value

4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Avira's website

Avira
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We’ve researched antivirus products for iOS and found that the three best antivirus software programs for the iPhone are Norton, McAfee, and Avira.

Norton has been around for years and offers an impressive lineup of security features, such as Wi-Fi protection and online browsing protection. McAfee offers email monitoring to help you stay ahead of phishing scams. Avira offers a free mobile security plan that also includes a complimentary virtual private network (VPN). Let’s dive into the details about why we chose these antivirus products and how they can boost your iPhone security.

In this article
The best antivirus apps for iPhone
Norton Mobile Security: Best for premium security features
McAfee Security & Wifi Privacy: Best for protecting multiple emails and devices
Avira Mobile Security: Best value
Honorable mentions
How we tested the best antivirus software for iPhone
Need antivirus for your Mac, too?
Best antivirus for iPhone FAQs
Bottom line: The best antivirus apps for iOS

The best antivirus apps for iPhone

Many of us already have software in place to protect our PCs and Macs from computer viruses but neglected to secure our mobile devices. If you have an iPhone and are considering extra protection, you’re in the right place. Here are our recommendations for the best antivirus apps for iOS:

Top 3 antivirus products for iPhone compared

Antivirus
Star rating
4.8
4.8
4.8
iOS App price $19.99/first yr $29.99/yr Free
App Store rating 4.7 out of 5 4.7 out of 5 4.2 out of 5
EICAR test results 3/3 3/3 3/3
Malware scans Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection
Wi-Fi network protection
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
24/7 customer support
Learn more Get Norton Mobile Security

Read Norton Review

Get McAfee Security & Wifi Privacy

Read McAfee Review

Read Avira Review

How we tested the best antivirus software for iPhone

When searching for the best antivirus software for your iPhone, we looked at a number of factors. We know each person is different and not everyone wants the same features.

For our testing purposes, we looked for the best antivirus products for those considering their budgets and available security features, such as spyware and phishing protection. Some programs come with a wide range of tools to keep your iPhone more secure, such as VPNs and data breach scanning, so we also considered those.

Lastly, we also considered ease of use for both the free app (if available) and the paid version.

Norton Mobile Security: Best for premium security features

Enjoy Norton’s 100% Virus Protection Promise
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • Excellent protection against malware, ransomware, and hacking with perfect test results
  • Full security suite available to protect every aspect of your digital life
  • Protect with confidence thanks to their 100% virus removal guarantee

Who it’s best for

Norton's Mobile Security, also called Norton 360 Antivirus & Security, is best for those wanting to protect their iPhone against ransomware, spyware, malware, and other cyber threats with premium features.

If you use your iPhone for everything, Norton offers protection for things such as online banking and public Wi-Fi. It also includes a VPN so your internet traffic is encrypted while you’re on the go.

Norton Mobile Security offers premium security features that set it apart from other iPhone antivirus apps.

What we liked

One of the things we liked most about Norton’s iPhone antivirus is that it checks for the latest security patches and iOS updates. That’s a crucial step for an antivirus to stop current malware from infecting your device.

Norton covers all the critical security layers, and the antivirus protects you with SMS security that helps keep your text messages and iOS calendar invites free of phishing links. With so many people getting random texts, that’s a nice perk.

Also, if you’re using public Wi-Fi, Norton notifies you whether the network is potentially unsafe. This Wi-Fi security feature can help you thwart potential security threats and, paired with the VPN, help secure your internet connection. Norton’s iPhone antivirus also monitors the dark web and notifies you if your personal information is for sale.

What we didn’t like

You can use the free 14-day trial but only if you sign up for an annual subscription. (And even if you want to forgo the trial, you still have to sign up for a subscription.) Then, if you choose not to keep the software, you must cancel it through the App Store or Google Play Store.

That makes using Norton somewhat frustrating since you can’t test out its app beforehand.

Test results

To make sure we're getting the full picture of what Norton 360 can do, we looked at malware detection scores from independent antivirus testers. We checked AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs, three trustworthy sources of antivirus capabilities. 

Norton 360
AV-TEST Windows score 18/18
AV-TEST macOS score 18/18
AV-TEST Android score 18/18
AV-Comparatives malware protection score 99.97%
SE Labs results 99%
EICAR score 3/3
Learn more Get Norton Mobile Security

Read Norton Review

McAfee: Best for identity monitoring

Online Protection With VPN Access and Identity Monitoring
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On McAfee's website
Antivirus Software
McAfee
Save up to $110 on annual plans
  • Premium antivirus, scam, and web protection, plus a VPN, identity monitoring, and secure password manager
  • Added peace of mind with 24/7 expert online support and McAfee’s Virus Protection Pledge
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS on up to 5 devices

Who it’s best for

McAfee is another great antivirus option that offers a free plan. You get phishing and spyware security, which are both big issues for anyone online these days. It’s also a light app and good for anyone who wants their antivirus running in the background without slowing down their phone.

We liked how McAfee Mobile Security protects up to 10 emails and up to 5 devices.

What we liked

McAfee provides identity monitoring for email addresses, Social Security numbers, passport info, and bank accounts. With so many cyber threats related to identity theft, that’s a big plus for any antivirus product. When there’s an identity breach, you’ll get immediate notification so you can take action quickly to prevent further damage.

It also has a number of cleanup tools, including ways to clean your data from data broker sites and reviewing your online accounts for data exposure risk. You can also protect your device while browsing online with its safe browsing tools that blocks malicious websites and a VPN to encrypt your connection.

On top of all this, McAfee’s iOS app has a system scan that looks for the latest operating system updates, which helps you patch any vulnerabilities and avoid current malware issues.

What we didn’t like

There’s no clear direction on what to do if your phone gets infected. The McAfee website shows that your mobile device can get a virus, but offers virus scans only for Android devices. What if you need to get rid of iPhone malware?

Plus, if you use McAfee Mobile Security, you only get protection on one device. To get security on multiple devices, you’d need to upgrade to a different plan, such as McAfee Total Protection.

Test results

When we tested McAfee, we also checked testing results from other independent antivirus testers to see how well McAfee detects malware. The three testers we looked at were AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs, all trustworthy sources. 

McAfee Mobile Security
AV-TEST Windows score 18/18
AV-TEST macOS score N/A
AV-TEST Android score 18/18
AV-Comparatives malware protection score 99.91%
SE Labs results 100%
EICAR score 3/3
Learn more Get McAfee Security & Wifi Privacy

Read McAfee Review

Avira Mobile Security: Best value

4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Avira's website
Antivirus Software
Avira
  • Tried and true real-time antivirus protection
  • Free plan comes with antivirus protection, software updates, and web protection
  • Can be expensive for multi-device coverage

Who it’s best for

With Avira, you get free antivirus security on one device that protects you against theft and scammers. It may not offer as many features as the others, but you still get basic security for your iPhone without paying premium prices.

Avira may also be the top choice if you feel your iOS device is already mostly secure and you don’t need extra security features such as online shopping and identity protection. That’s why many people buy iPhone vs. Android devices. Still, if you can get antivirus for free, the boost in cybersecurity may be worth the download.

Avira Mobile Security comes as a free plan to secure one iOS device.

What we liked

We like the no-frills option Avira offers. We know Apple is serious about security and, as such, only allows downloads from the App Store. We also know that even though Avira is a free app, Apple wouldn’t allow it in the store if it didn’t abide by strict security guidelines. Many free apps may try to get around security policies, but not Avira.

Avira gives you anti-theft protection and helps you recover stolen or lost iPhone or iPad devices from your dashboard. We also like the free VPN you get that gives you even better protection while using public Wi-Fi. Another feature we thought was good to have is blocking Siri from recording your conversations.

What we didn’t like

Although Avira offers a reliable free antivirus, it’s not exactly feature-heavy. It’s more of a minimalistic app.

We do like the added VPN, but you get a traffic limit of 100 MB per day. If you want unlimited data, you’ll need to buy the Phantom VPN Pro plan for an extra $10.00/mo. Also, to get Avira’s safe online shopping features and protection against malicious websites, you’ll need to upgrade to the Avira Mobile Security Pro plan.

Test results

We looked at malware detection rates from other independent testers to see if Avira is a reliably good antivirus. We looked at scores from AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs, three trustworthy antivirus testers.

Avira Mobile Security
AV-TEST Windows score 18/18
AV-TEST macOS score 18/18
AV-TEST Android score 18/18
AV-Comparatives malware protection score 99.95%
SE Labs results 88%
EICAR score 3/3
Learn more Read Avira Antivirus Review

Honorable mentions

There are a couple of antivirus programs we think are still top-notch but didn’t make the top three spots. These include Avast and TotalAV.

  • Avast Mobile Security: Avast offers free antivirus protection for iOS, macOS, and Android. Avast touts its six layers of security, which include a smart scan, cybercapture, behavior shield, a file shield, a rescue disk, and quarantine.

    Get Avast | Read Our Avast Review

  • TotalAV: TotalAV offers a solid antivirus for both iPhone and iPad. The free version has Smart Scan, which checks for iOS security updates and provides tips for better protecting your device. We also like the data breach alerts and photos and video cleanup features that come with the free TotalAV app. 

    Get TotalAV | Read Our TotalAV Review

Need antivirus for your Mac, too?

We’ve all heard people say that Apple products don’t need antivirus software, but that’s not the case. With Apple devices becoming increasingly popular, they become a bigger target for hackers and cybercriminals.

If you use a Mac alongside your iPhone, we’ve chosen four antivirus programs to keep your device safe and working smoothly:

  • CleanMyMac X: CleanMyMac X offers incredible optimization tools designed specifically for Mac users. While its antivirus protection isn’t as strong as the other options on our list, CleanMyMac X is a stellar device optimization tool. We especially like the app updater, junk cleaner, and Space Lens file and folder visualizer.

    Get CleanMyMac X | Read Our CleanMyMac X Review
  • Avast: Avast gives you a premium security suite that includes website scanning, ransomware, and phishing protection at an affordable price.

    Get Avast | Read Our Avast Review
  • MacKeeper: Another security product built for macOS, MacKeeper comes with additional features like a VPN and an ad blocker. MacKeeper also checks your Mac for email phishing scams and potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) to ensure nothing gets in the way of your Mac doing its job.

    Get MacKeeperRead Our MacKeeper Review
  • AVG: AVG comes with a malware protection rate of nearly 100% and does the job without affecting your system. We also like that AVG comes with phishing and ransomware protection. Plus, you get a free trial to see if this product fits your Mac lifestyle before you buy it.

    Get AVG | Read Our AVG Review

Learn More
On CleanMyMac X's website
Antivirus Software
CleanMyMac X
  • Cleanup tools optimize space
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • No verified third-party malware tests

FAQs


+

Does an iPhone need an antivirus?

An iPhone needs an antivirus if you want an extra layer of security protection. Apple has rigid security structures in place, but hackers are smart and always working to bypass mobile infrastructures.


+

Do Apple devices have a built-in antivirus?

Apple has built-in security features that help protect your data and minimize the information that’s available to anyone but you, but it doesn’t have built-in antivirus. macOS, on the other hand, has built-in antivirus called XProtect that searches for and removes malware.


+

What antivirus does Apple recommend?

Other than XProtect, there isn’t a specific antivirus that Apple recommends using. All apps obtained from the Apple App Store are sandboxed to provide the highest level of security, which makes iPhone apps likely more secure than those found in the Google Play Store.

Bottom line: The best antivirus apps for iOS

Out of the available antivirus products on the market today, we found Norton, Avira, and McAfee to be the top three antivirus apps for iPhone. Close runners-up were Avast and TotalAV. These five options offer many helpful features most users want. Whether you want something on the budget-friendly side or an antivirus loaded with layers of protection, these programs have what you need.

If you want to pay extra for premium features, such as SMS text protection, you could opt for Norton Mobile Security. But for those who want to start with a free antivirus app, Avira or McAfee are hard to beat. We think you’ll be happy with any of them, but the choice comes down to your desired features and antivirus budget.

3 best antivirus products for iPhone

Starting price Best for Details
$19.99/first yr Best for premium security features Get Norton
Read Norton Review
$29.99/yr Best for identity protection Get McAfee
Read McAfee Review
Free Best value Read Avira Review


Enjoy Norton’s 100% Virus Protection Promise
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Norton 360 Antivirus's website
Antivirus Software
Norton 360 Antivirus
Save up to 58% your first year
  • Excellent protection against malware, ransomware, and hacking with perfect test results
  • Full security suite available to protect every aspect of your digital life
  • Protect with confidence thanks to their 100% virus removal guarantee
Author Details
Patti Croft is a seasoned writer specializing in technology, with three years of experience. With a B.S. in Computer Science and a background as a technical analyst and security specialist, she covers a range of topics like data security and parental control software.