Mac software is not immune to security problems. 3rd-party apps can harbor malware, spyware, adware, ransomware, and numerous other security-based threats.

Equally such, y'all demand to make certain yous only download Mac apps from safe, secure, and trustworthy websites. Hither are some of the safest sites to download Mac software from.

Analyzing Site Security

When we looked at the safest costless software sites for Windows, we ran each site through two reputation checkers—Spider web of Trust (WOT) and URLVoid.

We're going to utilise the same philosophy in this article. Web of Trust provides a trustworthiness score out of 100 while URLVoid grades each site out of 36.

1. MacUpdate

WOT Trustworthiness: 91/100

URLVoid Rating: 35/36

MacUpdate is one of the most popular websites to download Mac software safely. It has a library of more than 32,000 apps.

All the apps in the library accept been hand-picked past the site'south team of experts, so you can be confident they've all gone through a full vetting process.

MacUpdate can also save you money every bit at that place are groups for complimentary apps and apps that are currently on auction. Sometimes you can find savings of as much as 90 percent.

Navigating the site is piece of cake; all the apps are divided into 20 well-defined categories. They include Internet, Utilities, Drivers, Games, Pedagogy, Home, Business, Multimedia Design, Development, and Graphics and Blueprint.

2. Softpedia

WOT Trustworthiness: 93/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

Softpedia is one of the largest software download sites on the web. Unsurprisingly, it has an unabridged department dedicated to Mac apps.

The download files are updated every twenty-four hour period, so you tin be sure you're always getting the latest available version. Using upwardly-to-date versions is critical for avoiding security bugs and flaws.

Many apps are besides tagged with the "100% Clean" label. Here is how Softpedia describes information technology:

Softpedia guarantees that the app is 100% Make clean, which means it does non contain any course of malware, including merely non limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.

This software production was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean; therefore, information technology tin be installed with no concern by any computer user. However, it should exist noted that this product volition exist retested periodically and the award may be withdrawn, so you should check back occasionally and pay attention to the date of testing shown above.

Softpedia also has user reviews for many of the available apps. They can provide insight on any bug you may run into during employ.

3. Pure Mac

WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

If you can look past the slightly dated visuals, Pure Mac is some other of the near secure sites to download Mac software and apps.

The site boasts ane of the virtually extensive selections of categories; in that location are more than fourscore to choose from. The big number of groups means the site is first-class for finding a Mac app to perform a detail function.

On the downside, Pure Mac does not run its ain download servers. All the downloads on the site are direct links that the app'southward publisher or developer has provided. Remember, using one of the all-time anti-virus apps for Mac can help to take hold of any malware-laden downloads y'all encounter.

4. CNET Download

WOT Trustworthiness: ninety/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

CNET's Download.com is another of the web's largest collections of apps. Like Softpedia, information technology covers all the major operating systems, including macOS. In total, the site offers more 150,000 costless downloads.

All the Mac software on the site goes through a rigorous testing procedure to check for malware and other viruses.

Download.com also bans any apps that:

  • Don't have easy-to-read end-user license agreements.
  • Modify default browsers, search-engine home pages, or other security settings.
  • Ship information about your computer usage habits to the developer without prior notification.

Because it's part of CNET, many of the Mac apps you tin can download accept editorial reviews, accompanying blog posts, and how-to articles. These combine to make certain that not only is the initial download safe, but that you also use the software in a safe and secure way once information technology's on your system.

5. MacApps

WOT Trustworthiness: Not Ranked

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

If you lot've ever bought a new Windows machine, you may be familiar with Ninite. It provides a comprehensive list of many of the most popular Windows apps across a range of categories. You lot can cull the ones you want, then download them in bulk via a custom installer. It can relieve hours during the organisation setup phase.

Sadly, Ninite does non provide a solution for Macs—simply there is an alternative: MacApps. The available software is divided into seven categories: Internet, Productivity, Programmer, Tools, Utilities, Multimedia, and Messaging. There are download links for all the apps you lot probably use every solar day, including Spotify, GitHub, Docker, Evernote, Firefox, Chrome, and many more than. In total, there are more than than 120 apps to cull from.

To use the tool, select the apps you lot want from the list, and MacApps volition provide you with a custom Last command. Paste the command into the Terminal app, and the download will begin.

6. Mac App Shop

WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

Of course, if yous desire to avoid third-party Mac software sites entirely, you could just head to the official Mac App Shop. In theory, it has highly robust processes to prevent malicious apps from finding their way into the listings.

Just contrary to popular belief, the Mac App Shop isn't bulletproof from a security standpoint. Some bad stuff does sneak through.

For case, in September 2018, Malwarebytes discovered that multiple apps were collecting sensitive user information and uploading it to servers controlled by the developer. In many cases, the servers were in China. Amazingly, one of the apps—Adware Doctor—was number i in the chart for paid utilities until the inquiry was made public.

7. Download Directly From the Developer

It'due south like shooting fish in a barrel to understand why sites that curate libraries of Mac app downloads are pop. They save time, offer unbiased reviews, and allow you to download older versions of software to get rid of unwanted new features.

But none of the sites we've looked at are perfect. If Apple can't even keep bad actors out of its own shop, y'all can be sure that some malicious software makes its way onto the other platforms as well.

The near reliable way to safely and securely download Mac apps, therefore, is to caput to the developers' own sites and download the file directly. But beware of phishing attacks for the most popular software!

Make Sure You lot Download Safely

As long as you have reasonable precautions while downloading Mac apps, you should be condom. All the usual advice applies—don't download pirated or croaky apps, don't utilize unknown mirrors, don't use third-party installers, and run an anti-virus at all times.

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Well-nigh The Author

Dan Cost (1609 Articles Published)

Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships Managing director since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires about sponsored content, affiliate agreements, promotions, and any other forms of partnership. Yous can besides detect him roaming the show flooring at CES in Las Vegas every year, say hullo if you're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Fiscal Consultant.

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