Mac software is not immune to security problems. Third-party apps can harbor malware, spyware, adware, ransomware, and numerous other security-based threats.
As such, you need to make sure you only download Mac apps from safe, secure, and trustworthy websites. Here are some of the safest sites to download Mac software from.
Analyzing Site Security
When we looked at the safest free software sites for Windows, we ran each site through two reputation checkers—Web of Trust (WOT) and URLVoid.
We're going to apply 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 have been hand-picked by the site's team of experts, so you can be confident they've all gone through a full vetting process.
MacUpdate can also save you money as there are groups for free apps and apps that are currently on sale. Sometimes you can find savings of as much as 90 percent.
Navigating the site is easy; all the apps are divided into 20 well-defined categories. They include Internet, Utilities, Drivers, Games, Education, Home, Business, Multimedia Design, Development, and Graphics and Design.
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 entire section dedicated to Mac apps.
The download files are updated every day, so you can be sure you're always getting the latest available version. Using up-to-date versions is critical for avoiding security bugs and flaws.
Many apps are also tagged with the "100% Clean" label. Here is how Softpedia describes it:
Softpedia guarantees that the app is 100% Clean, which means it does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.
This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely clean; therefore, it can be installed with no concern by any computer user. However, it should be noted that this product will be retested periodically and the award may be withdrawn, so you should check back occasionally and pay attention to the date of testing shown above.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 issues you may encounter during use.
3. Pure Mac
WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
If you can look past the slightly dated visuals, Pure Mac is another of the most secure sites to download Mac software and apps.
The site boasts one of the most extensive selections of categories; there are more than 80 to choose from. The large number of groups means the site is excellent for finding a Mac app to perform a particular function.
On the downside, Pure Mac does not run its own download servers. All the downloads on the site are direct links that the app's publisher or developer has provided. Remember, using one of the best anti-virus apps for Mac can help to catch any malware-laden downloads you encounter.
4. CNET Download
WOT Trustworthiness: 90/100
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
CNET's Download.com is another of the web's largest collections of apps. Like Softpedia, it covers all the major operating systems, including macOS. In total, the site offers more than 150,000 free 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.
- Send information about your computer usage habits to the developer without prior notification.
Because it's part of CNET, many of the Mac apps you can download have editorial reviews, accompanying blog posts, and how-to articles. These combine to make sure that not only is the initial download safe, but that you also use the software in a safe and secure way once it's on your system.
5. MacApps
WOT Trustworthiness: Not Ranked
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
If you'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 can choose the ones you want, then download them in bulk via a custom installer. It can save hours during the system setup phase.
Sadly, Ninite does not provide a solution for Macs—but there is an alternative: MacApps. The available software is divided into seven categories: Internet, Productivity, Developer, Tools, Utilities, Multimedia, and Messaging. There are download links for all the apps you probably use every day, including Spotify, GitHub, Docker, Evernote, Firefox, Chrome, and many more. In total, there are more than 120 apps to choose from.
To use the tool, select the apps you want from the list, and MacApps will provide you with a custom Terminal command. Paste the command into the Terminal app, and the download will begin.
6. Mac App Store
WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
Of course, if you want to avoid third-party Mac software sites entirely, you could just head to the official Mac App Store. In theory, it has highly robust processes to prevent malicious apps from finding their way into the listings.
But contrary to popular belief, the Mac App Store isn't bulletproof from a security standpoint. Some bad stuff does sneak through.
For example, in September 2018, Malwarebytes discovered that multiple apps were collecting sensitive user data 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 one in the chart for paid utilities until the research was made public.
7. Download Directly From the Developer
It's easy to understand why sites that curate libraries of Mac app downloads are popular. 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 store, you can be sure that some malicious software makes its way onto the other platforms as well.
The most reliable way to safely and securely download Mac apps, therefore, is to head to the developers' own sites and download the file directly. Just beware of phishing attacks for the most popular software!
Make Sure You Download Safely
As long as you take reasonable precautions while downloading Mac apps, you should be safe. All the usual advice applies—don't download pirated or cracked apps, don't use unknown mirrors, don't use third-party installers, and run an anti-virus at all times.
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