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Best security suite
Best for identity protection features
Best free antivirus
If you want an extra layer of security protection for your iPad, we recommend Norton, McAfee, and Avast. Norton has lots of extras in its cybersecurity suite, like a virtual private network (VPN) and password manager, with prices starting at $29.99/yr (first year only). If you like McAfee, you can get the antivirus starting with the Plus Plan at $39.99/yr (first yr only), and it’ll include a range of identity protection features. And Avast provides a solid free antivirus if you're on a budget.
There are other antivirus apps you might also consider, and we’ll include those options so you can decide which one is the best for you. We will also explain how to protect your iPad from malicious websites and other cyberthreats.
Norton: Best security suite
McAfee: Best for identity protection features
Avast: Best free antivirus
Honorable mentions
How we tested the best antivirus software for iPads
Best antivirus for iPads FAQs
Bottom line: The best antivirus programs for iPads
The best antivirus software for iPads
We know finding the best antivirus software for an iPad is not a one-size-fits-all approach. There are multiple considerations, like budget, family size, number of iPads to protect, and more. That’s why we’ve selected three top antivirus apps so you can choose based on your needs:
- Norton: Best security suite
- McAfee: Best for identity protection features
- Avast: Best free antivirus
Top 3 antivirus products for iPads compared
Antivirus | |||
Starting price | Starts at $29.99/yr (first year only) | Starts at $39.99/yr (first yr only) | Starts at $35.88/yr (first year only) |
Free version | |||
iOS app | |||
Phishing protection | |||
Ransomware protection | |||
Learn more | Get Norton | Get McAfee | Get Avast |
Norton: Best security suite
Who it’s best for
Norton is best for people who want a cybersecurity suite with different price options. It offers security features like a password manager, dark web monitoring, and webcam protection. All Norton 360 plans come with a VPN, and they start at $39.99/yr (first year only) Norton has so many features to choose from that it’s hard not to find a plan, no matter what kind of coverage you need.
For families, Norton has plans to protect multiple members and includes parental controls, more cloud backup storage, and identity theft protection. Norton 360 with LifeLock Select works with almost any operating system and protects up to 10 devices. So, if you need more than one iPad protected or have additional devices, Norton may be the antivirus for you.
What we liked
There’s a lot to like about Norton. If you’re concerned about computer viruses and want to level up your security game, Norton has plenty of features you might want.
We also liked that Norton didn’t disrupt our processing time while scanning. There were no noticeable lag times, even with numerous browser tabs open. The scanning was fast, taking less than 10 minutes to check over 600,000 files. The junk cleaner was a nice plus and removed some old files we didn’t know were still hanging around.
We love that Norton gives you so many ways to get customer support. Not only is there a knowledge base and a community forum, but you have 24/7 chat, phone support, plus you can message them via social media.
What we didn’t like
If we had to nitpick Norton for anything, it would be that some features won’t work on macOS or iOS. You won’t have the Smart Firewall, SafeCam utility, cloud backup, or parental controls for your iPad, but you’ll still have other features that might make it worth your while.
Norton specs
Price range | $29.99–$99.99/first yr |
Free version | No |
Phishing protection | Yes |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | Yes, for Windows |
Network protection | Yes |
Parental controls | Yes , for Windows |
Extras | Junk cleaner, password manager, identity theft protection, VPN |
Learn more | Get Norton |
McAfee: Best for identity protection
Who it’s best for
McAfee is recommended for people who are serious about antivirus protection and like more features than your basic antivirus might offer.
There are several pricing levels but these start with introductory prices, so be aware that they will go up after the first year. You will have to renew at a significantly higher cost. For instance, McAfee+ Premium is $49.99/yr (first yr only) and will cost you about $149.99 each year after that.
If you like to bank or shop online, McAfee+ includes identity theft protection to keep you more secure. You’ll get coverage for up to $2,000,000 in identity theft coverage, identity restoration, and wallet protection.
What we liked
We liked how fast the scanning process was with McAfee. It seemed to zip through the files without any disruptions to our device’s speed.
The WebAdvisor feature, which is available on Chrome and Safari, sorts and blocks websites by rating and category. We also like the Social Privacy Manager, which scans your privacy settings on your social media accounts and makes suggestions so you can improve your privacy. It even updates those privacy settings for you.
What we didn’t like
While testing McAfee, we noticed that if we wanted to check out all of the identity features, we had to switch browsers, which was a bit frustrating.
The other issue is the cost after the first year. Other antivirus programs will be much cheaper than renewing McAfee, which is something to consider if you need software that is better for your budget.
McAfee specs
Price range | $29.99–$249.99/yr |
Free version | No |
Phishing protection | Yes |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | No |
Network protection | Yes |
Parental controls | Yes |
Extras | Privacy data cleanup, VPN, lost wallet protection, password manager |
Learn more | Get McAfee |
Avast: Best free antivirus
Who it’s best for
If you’re looking for a free option, or you simply don’t need some extras like parental control features, Avast may be the antivirus for you. Avast provides good protection for people who shop or bank online and need solid security features for those times. Avast has real-time and ransomware protection, making your security a priority. Some plans also come with data breach alerts, so you know right away if your information has been shared without your permission.
Avast received high test scores from AV-TEST, and provides ransomware and phishing protection, so this software has the features you need for working and browsing on the internet. Depending on the plan you choose, you could also get data breach alerts to monitor your private information for leaks so you can stay on top of your privacy.
What we liked
If you download the free version of Avast, you'll get the antivirus that blocks malware in real time and can scan for any Wi-Fi vulnerabilities in your network. It also includes the Ransomware Shield, which will give you another security layer to keep your files and personal photos safe from hackers.
We also liked Avast’s Smart Scan and Deep Scan features. There were no issues when running these scans and we noticed no lag times, even with multiple browser tabs open. The interface was easy to navigate, and features like the Ransomware Shield and Network Inspector were simple to find and helped us make our device more secure.
The Personal Privacy features put more control in your hands. You decide if or how you share your data with Avast, to help with analytics usage and interpretation. If you want to share less, you can uncheck the boxes, and you’re set.
What we didn’t like
To get Avast’s Stay Safe Virus Guarantee, you must select the auto-renew option when paying for a plan. Although we like that you can get a refund if Avast cannot remove a virus, we also figure many customers won’t be comfortable committing to an automatic renewal.
We also noted that Avast’s firewall didn’t work with our MacBook Air. We reached out to support, but the rep was not able to tell us why it wasn’t working with our machine.
Avast specs
Price range | $35.88-$119.88/yr (first year only) |
Free version | Yes |
Phishing protection | Yes |
Ransomware protection | Yes |
Webcam protection | Yes |
Network protection | Yes |
Parental controls | No |
Extras | Stay Safe Virus Guarantee, data shredder, Network Inspector |
Learn more | Get Avast |
Honorable mentions
Some antivirus apps didn’t make it into our top three list, but they still offer some good features. If you don’t feel the three antivirus products we chose are right for you, you might consider one of these as an alternative:
- Bitdefender: Bitdefender is recommended for Windows and Android users who want reliable antivirus software with some premium features included.
- Malwarebytes: Malwarebytes offers good protection at a reasonable price and includes a free version if you need fewer features.
- Avira: Avira offers a free version, which includes features like cleanup tools, real-time protection, and online threat blocking.
How we tested the best antivirus software for iPads
To find the best antivirus apps for iPads, we put these programs to the test. We also checked the prices and what kind of coverage is offered for various situations, with our readers in mind. We know that every user is unique, and that means needing access to multiple options, depending on the circumstances.
Here are some of the items we look at when testing antivirus software:
- Price: What you pay for antivirus can vary, so you should know what you get for your money.
- Number of devices covered: Antivirus plans can protect one device or up to an unlimited number of devices, so you should consider how much coverage you need.
- Third-party test scores: Third-party test scores can be a good gauge of how well an antivirus will perform in real-world environments.
- Parental controls: If you have a family, parental control features that help monitor your children’s online activity and location can be crucial.
- Extras: Most antivirus software have bonus features that come with the plans, and some may appeal to you more than others.
- VPN: A VPN is good for protecting your IP address, especially when you travel or use public Wi-Fi.
Best antivirus for iPads FAQs
Do you need an antivirus on an iPad?
Many people think that using an Apple product means they don’t need antivirus protection. Unfortunately, iPads are not immune from all cybersecurity threats, so having antivirus coverage for your iPad is a good idea.
Can you scan an iPad for viruses?
You can use an antivirus to scan for and remove viruses. These programs are made to detect and block malware, and to delete it when found.
Does Apple have a free antivirus?
Apple has built-in antivirus software that makes it harder for malware to harm your device. It also has the Gatekeeper software, which ensures all apps are checked by Apple before you can run them.
How do I get rid of a virus on my iPad?
You can get rid of a virus on your iPad by installing a security app, like Norton, McAfee, or Avast. These can run regular scans to remove malware and give you better protection.
Bottom line: The best antivirus programs for iPads
After extensive testing and research, we feel that the best antivirus programs for iPads are Norton, McAfee, and Avast. For additional options, Malwarebytes, Avira, and Bitdefender are also solid security apps that offer an antivirus app for your iPad.
When looking for the best antivirus software for iPads, we wanted to find options to fit different budgets, and to make sure the programs provided optimization features, family coverage options like parental controls, and a secure VPN for online safety when traveling. The antivirus software in this article give you the options to get what you need, and we think you’ll be happy no matter which one you choose.
3 best antivirus products for iPads
Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
Starts at $29.99/yr (first year only) | Best security suite | Get Norton | |
$39.99/yr (first yr only) | Best for identity protection features | Get McAfee | |
$35.88/yr (first year only) | Best free antivirus | Get Avast |