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Intego Antivirus Review (2025): Is it the right choice?
By Tibor Moes / Updated: January 2025
Intego Antivirus Review 2025
Intego Antivirus is one of the best antivirus for Mac. It has perfect anti-malware protection, no impact on the speed of your Mac, many security features, and a great design.
Buy it if you want excellent protection and intuitive design. You will get anti-malware, anti-phishing, a firewall, and a genuinely excellent VPN. However, Intego does not include a password manager.
Alternatively, you could consider Norton 360 Deluxe. If you want to protect multiple devices and include a VPN, Norton is a fair bit cheaper. On top of that, it also has a password manager.
- Malware protection: 100%. Intego detected and removed all of the 1,200 malware samples in our test.
- Speed impact: 100%. Intego’s anti-malware engine is lightweight and did not slow down our test PC.
- Features: 60%. Intego includes anti-malware, anti-phishing, a firewall, and a VPN. But no password manager and the VPN costs extra.
- Price: 70%. Intego has a fair price. But Norton offers more features and is considerably more affordable.
Thanks to the 30-day return policy, you can try it risk-free.
| Ranking | #2 of 28 for Mac |
| Anti-malware | ✅ |
| Anti-phishing | ✅ |
| Firewall | ✅ |
| Password Manager | – |
| Unlimited VPN | ✅ |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 🔥 Discount | Save 60% on Intego 🔥 |
Full Review
Intego is ranked #2 of the best antivirus for Mac.
Intego is one of our top choices for Mac internet security in 2025. It effectively detects and removes Mac-specific malware, outperforming Apple’s built-in protections and competitors like MacKeeper.
The Mac Premium Bundle X9 offers an antivirus scanner, firewall, data backup, system clean-up tools, and parental controls—all at a lower cost than most Mac antiviruses. While the VPN requires a separate subscription, all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Anti-malware
VirusBarrier, Intego’s malware scanner, offers a straightforward and user-friendly dashboard while providing robust virus protection tools like real-time scanning, scheduled scans, and malware removal. It can scan your entire Mac, external drives, and even iOS devices, which is a great feature despite Intego not offering a dedicated iOS app. The scanner can also detect Windows-based malware, helping prevent spreading malicious files to PC users.
In our tests, VirusBarrier’s Quick Scan took just over two minutes to process 240,000 files, and the Full Scan, which scanned 1,200,000 files, completed in just 3 minutes and 45 seconds on a fast Mac. On an older Mac, scan times were longer, but still competitive with other antiviruses. Notably, scans had minimal impact on system performance, with low memory and CPU usage, even with maximum protections enabled.
The “Scan with low priority” setting allows scans to run in the background with reduced system impact, which is useful for maintaining performance during resource-heavy activities like streaming.
VirusBarrier detected almost all malware samples, including trojans and adware, and offers three response options: Delete, Quarantine, or Restore & Repair. However, the “Restore & Repair” function had some issues, with a few files failing to repair, though they were safely quarantined. The scanner also includes a “Safe Browsing On” feature that ensures anti-phishing settings in browsers are enabled, though this feature feels somewhat underwhelming.
Intego’s real-time protection is highly effective, instantly blocking simulated ransomware attacks in our tests. The scanner also allows safe files to bypass macOS quarantine warnings, providing a smoother experience when opening clean files.
Overall, VirusBarrier is fast, lightweight, and thorough, with solid malware detection and useful scan options. While it lacks comprehensive built-in web protection and could better handle notifications for quarantined files, it still offers excellent malware protection for Macs.
Firewall (netbarrier)
NetBarrier, Intego’s advanced firewall, is a standout feature that surpasses both Apple’s built-in firewall and many other Mac-focused antivirus solutions. It automatically adjusts security settings based on the type of network you’re using—home, work, or public Wi-Fi. During our tests on a public Wi-Fi hotspot, NetBarrier switched to stricter settings to protect against threats common on unsecured networks. Users can also manually control incoming and outgoing internet and LAN connections.
NetBarrier alerts you when apps or background scripts attempt to connect to the internet, giving the option to allow or block those connections. This feature provided surprising insights into the number of apps making internet requests, even those not actively in use. The Applications tab offers an organized view of programs attempting connections and allows you to manage permissions, either blocking or allowing connections or setting them to request permission first.
Overall, NetBarrier is intuitive, highly functional, and far more comprehensive than Apple’s default firewall, making it a key asset in Intego’s security suite.
VPN
Intego’s VPN, Privacy Protection, offers strong security and privacy features, using the same infrastructure as Private Internet Access (PIA), a top standalone VPN. It includes military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, a kill switch, and access to servers in over 90 countries. The VPN supports split tunneling, P2P torrenting, obfuscation via Shadowsocks, and an ad blocker. It also allows unlimited data use across 10 devices.
While Privacy Protection performs impressively—offering fast speeds, minimal drop-offs, and the ability to stream HD content on platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer—it is only available as a separate subscription. This is a drawback compared to other antivirus suites that bundle VPNs with their main plans, like Norton Ultra VPN and Bitdefender Premium VPN.
Though packed with features, the separate pricing model makes Privacy Protection less convenient. Since it mirrors much of PIA’s offering, users may prefer subscribing directly to PIA, which also includes mobile support, Tor access, and data breach monitoring for just a slightly higher price.
In summary, Intego’s VPN is excellent in terms of features and performance, outperforming most antivirus-bundled VPNs, but its lack of integration into the main antivirus plans is a missed opportunity. If you’d like to explore other stand-alone VPN options, we suggest NordVPN or Surfshark.
Personal backup
Personal Backup is a flexible alternative to Apple’s Time Machine, allowing for more customized backup options. You can back up specific files or folders to an external drive or schedule different backups at various intervals (e.g., daily for work files, weekly for music). It includes:
- Bootable Backup: Clones your entire system, including macOS, so you can transfer it to another Mac without reinstalling the OS.
- Synchronize: Syncs files across devices, automatically updating changes on both the Mac and the external drive.
- Restore: Restores backups from external storage.
Though it has a slight learning curve, Personal Backup offers more advanced features than Time Machine and stands out among antivirus backup tools for macOS.
Parental controls (contentbarrier)
Intego’s ContentBarrier is one of the most comprehensive parental control tools for Mac, surpassing even Norton and Kaspersky’s offerings. It allows users to block specific websites and apps, schedule internet access, and filter or block instant messaging, email, file transfers, and game server connections.
Advanced features include keystroke tracking, screenshot recording, and detailed usage reports via email. You can block entire categories like adult content and gambling or create custom lists of allowed or restricted websites.
ContentBarrier’s standout feature is its anti-predator protection, which filters suspicious phrases in multiple languages during online chats and alerts parents if inappropriate communication is detected. While it can’t filter encrypted apps like WhatsApp, it can block them entirely.
The intuitive interface and useful online resources make it easy to set up and customize. Overall, it provides better protection and control than Apple’s built-in parental controls and most other antivirus products.
Optimizer (washing machine)
Intego’s Washing Machine offers efficient Mac cleaning and system organization tools. While it doesn’t include speedup features, it excels in three key areas:
- Reclaim clears out junk files like caches, logs, and trash.
- Duplicates finds and removes duplicate files to free up disk space.
- Organize tidies files, desktop clutter, and helps rearrange apps in the Dock.
The Reclaim feature allows users to choose what junk files to delete, with clear explanations and customizable levels of deletion safety. Duplicates offers preview options before removal, while Organize helps users sort files into smart folders and arrange the desktop efficiently. While lacking speedup tools, Washing Machine provides excellent clean-up and file organization.
Plans and pricing
In the table below are the core products with their features and prices.
The prices shown are from the USA. However, most brands have different prices (and currencies) in other regions. So visit the brand’s website to see the price in our country.
Plan description
We delved into Intego’s pricing options and found that their plans cater to different needs without breaking the bank. The plans range from $39.99 to $84.99 per year and offer options for 1, 3, or 5 Macs. A unique perk is Intego’s “Dual Protection” feature, which also protects your Windows PC for a nominal fee. It’s rare for a Mac-centric antivirus to offer PC protection.
The budget-friendly Mac Internet Security X9 costs $39.99/year, providing the core VirusBarrier and NetBarrier functionalities. It’s decent for users focused solely on malware protection and internet security.
The mid-tier plan, Mac Premium Bundle X9, is excellent. For $69.99/year, you get the VirusBarrier, NetBarrier, Washing Machine, Personal Backup, and ContentBarrier. It’s a complete package for those who want total security, parental control, and system optimization.
Lastly, for $89.99/year, the Mac Premium Bundle + VPN is the most comprehensive. It features everything from the Premium Bundle and adds the VPN on top. Considering the $ 20 price difference, we’d recommend it.
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, making them risk-free options. Given the robust performance of each tool, Intego provides excellent value for Mac users seeking a reliable, all-in-one security solution.
Test score comparison
We conduct in-house anti-malware tests and review the results from AV-Test, a German lab renowned for its objective evaluations. Below is the average of the last 10 AV-Test results for macOS. Their scoring criteria are:
- Protection (1-6): Effectiveness in blocking malware.
- Performance (1-6): Impact on system speed.
- Usability (1-6): Frequency of errors like false alarms.
We calculate a final score using this formula:
Final Score = 60% Protection + 20% Performance + 20% Usability.
While these results influence our choice of the best antivirus for Mac, other factors like privacy and identity protection also play a key role. For a similar analysis for Windows or Android, visit our other comparisons:
Note: Brands not listed in the table either do not participate in AV-Test trials or are tested too infrequently, such as Surfshark Antivirus.
Source: AV-Test. Last updated: December 2024.
User reviews
We’ve compared the user reviews of all antivirus brands. We’ve used the scores and review count of TrustPilot, a leading user review platform.
We consider scores above 4.0 very good. Lower scores indicate that the brand might have a poor product or customer service. McAfee’s scores, for instance, are worrying.
Source: TrustPilot. Last Update: December 2024.
Company Profile
Intego is owned by Kape Technologies, a London-based security software provider with ties to Israel. Kape also owns CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, and ZenMate, with over 7 million paying subscribers across its products.
Kape Technologies
Kape’s history is notable:
- 2012: Teddy Sagi, an Israeli entrepreneur, acquired Crossrider, a browser extension development company later associated with adware.
- 2014: Crossrider went public on the London Stock Exchange.
- 2016: New management pivoted to privacy and security.
- 2017-2021: Kape acquired CyberGhost VPN, Intego, ZenMate, Private Internet Access, and ExpressVPN.
- 2023: Kape delisted from the London Stock Exchange and became private.
Some worry that Kape is largely a financial holding company, focusing on subscriber growth, while limiting the R&D spend in its companies.
How we test antivirus software
At SoftwareLab, we provide thorough and unbiased antivirus reviews to help you make informed cybersecurity decisions. Our comprehensive testing covers all critical aspects of antivirus performance. We assess each product in six key categories, weighted by importance:
For even more details, visit our blog posts on how we test antivirus software.
Anti-Malware Protection (30%)
We evaluate how well the antivirus detects and removes various malware types like viruses, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.
In-House Testing: Using 1,200 diverse malware samples, we conduct real-time attack simulations to assess detection and neutralization of known and emerging threats through signature-based and heuristic analysis.
Independent Lab Results: We incorporate findings from respected institutes like AV-Test, SE Labs, and AV-Comparatives to validate our results.
Security and Privacy Features (30%)
We assess additional tools that enhance cybersecurity:
Web Protection: Testing the software’s ability to block phishing sites and web-based threats by accessing known malicious websites.
Firewall: Evaluating effectiveness using intrusion simulations and the ShieldsUP! test to secure network ports and monitor traffic.
Password Manager: Assessing capabilities to generate, store, and auto-fill complex passwords, plus features like two-factor authentication and biometric login.
VPN: Evaluating security protocols, encryption, speed, server locations, data limits, and support for streaming and peer-to-peer sharing while hiding IP addresses.
Parental Controls: Testing screen time management, content filtering, location tracking, and resistance to bypass attempts to protect children.
Identity Theft Protection: Assessing monitoring of personal info and responsiveness to potential identity theft alerts.
Secure Cloud Storage: Evaluating capacity, security, usability, and features like file encryption and secure sharing.
Anti-Ransomware: Simulating attacks to test detection and blocking of unauthorized encryption via behavioral detection and exploit prevention.
Dark Web Monitoring: Checking effectiveness in scanning the dark web for personal info and providing timely alerts.
System Performance Impact (10%)
We measure how the antivirus affects device performance during everyday tasks:
Resource Usage: Monitoring CPU and memory during scans and real-time protection.
Performance Tests: Evaluating impact on launching apps, downloading files, browsing websites, and copying data, aligned with AV-Test criteria.
False Positives (10%)
Accuracy is crucial to avoid interruptions:
False Positive Detection: Assessing how often legitimate applications or files are incorrectly flagged.
Usability Tests: Referencing AV-Test evaluations to gauge false positive frequency for effectiveness and user-friendliness.
Price and Value (10%)
We analyze overall value by comparing features to cost:
Cost Analysis: Considering subscription prices, device coverage, and multi-year plans.
Feature Evaluation: Assessing if included features justify the price compared to competitors.
Ownership and Reputation (10%)
Trust is essential in cybersecurity providers:
Company Background: Researching history, industry track record, mergers, or acquisitions.
Privacy Policies: Examining data handling, privacy commitment, and compliance with regulations.
Ethical Conduct: Investigating past unethical behavior, data breaches, or controversies.
Sources and tools
- Apple Platform Security
- AV-Comparatives Consumer
- AV-Test Android
- AV-Test macOS
- AV-Test Windows
- GRC Firewall Test
- Microsoft Defender
- SpeedTest VPN
- Trustpilot Security Software
Author: Tibor Moes
Founder & Chief Editor at SoftwareLab
Tibor has tested 28 antivirus programs and 25 VPN services, and holds a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate from Stanford University.
He uses Norton to protect his devices, NordVPN for his privacy, and Proton for his passwords and email.
Intego Antivirus
Rating: 5 of 5