Mac software is non immune to security problems. Third-party apps tin can harbor malware, spyware, adware, ransomware, and numerous other security-based threats.

As such, you lot need to brand sure you merely download Mac apps from prophylactic, 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 costless 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. Spider web of Trust provides a trustworthiness score out of 100 while URLVoid grades each site out of 36.

ane. MacUpdate

macupdate

WOT Trustworthiness: 91/100

URLVoid Rating: 35/36

MacUpdate is i of the well-nigh popular websites to download Mac software safely. It has a library of more 32,000 apps.

All the apps in the library have been manus-picked by the site'due south squad of experts, and so you can exist confident they've all gone through a full vetting process.

MacUpdate can likewise save you money every bit there are groups for free apps and apps that are currently on sale. Sometimes you tin find savings of as much every bit ninety percent.

Navigating the site is piece of cake; all the apps are divided into xx well-divers categories. They include Net, Utilities, Drivers, Games, Education, Home, Business, Multimedia Design, Development, and Graphics and Design.

2. Softpedia

softpedia

WOT Trustworthiness: 93/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

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

The download files are updated every twenty-four hour period, and so you tin be certain you're always getting the latest available version. Using upwardly-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 information technology does not contain any form of malware, including just not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.

This software production was tested thoroughly and was institute absolutely clean; therefore, it tin be installed with no concern by whatsoever reckoner user. Nonetheless, information technology should be noted that this production will be retested periodically and the award may be withdrawn, then you should check back occasionally and pay attending to the date of testing shown above.

Softpedia also has user reviews for many of the bachelor apps. They can provide insight on whatever problems y'all may come across during use.

3. Pure Mac

pure mac secure mac downloads

WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

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

The site boasts i of the most extensive selections of categories; there are more than than 80 to cull from. The large number of groups means the site is excellent for finding a Mac app to perform a particular role.

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 programmer has provided. Recall, using ane of the best anti-virus apps for Mac tin help to take hold of any malware-laden downloads you encounter.

iv. CNET Download

cnet

WOT Trustworthiness: 90/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

CNET'due south 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 full, 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 whatever apps that:

  • Don't have easy-to-read end-user license agreements.
  • Change default browsers, search-engine home pages, or other security settings.
  • Transport information near 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 manufactures. These combine to make sure that non merely is the initial download condom, but that you also utilize the software in a safe and secure way once it'south on your system.

five. MacApps

MacApps home screen

WOT Trustworthiness: Not Ranked

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

If you've ever bought a new Windows motorcar, you may be familiar with Ninite. It provides a comprehensive listing of many of the most popular Windows apps across a range of categories. You can choose the ones y'all want, and then download them in bulk via a custom installer. It tin can salvage hours during the system setup phase.

Sadly, Ninite does not provide a solution for Macs—just there is an alternative: MacApps. The available software is divided into seven categories: Cyberspace, Productivity, Programmer, Tools, Utilities, Multimedia, and Messaging. There are download links for all the apps you probably use every 24-hour interval, including Spotify, GitHub, Docker, Evernote, Firefox, Chrome, and many more. In total, there are more than 120 apps to choose from.

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

vi. Mac App Store

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 caput to the official Mac App Store. In theory, it has highly robust processes to forbid malicious apps from finding their way into the listings.

Only 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 information technology to servers controlled by the programmer. In many cases, the servers were in China. Amazingly, one of the apps—Adware Physician—was number ane in the chart for paid utilities until the research was made public.

7. Download Directly From the Developer

It's piece of cake to sympathise why sites that curate libraries of Mac app downloads are pop. They relieve fourth dimension, offer unbiased reviews, and allow you to download older versions of software to get rid of unwanted new features.

Simply none of the sites we've looked at are perfect. If Apple can't even go on bad actors out of its own store, you can be sure that some malicious software makes its style onto the other platforms as well.

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

Make Sure You Download Safely

As long equally you take reasonable precautions while downloading Mac apps, y'all should be safety. All the usual advice applies—don't download pirated or cracked apps, don't employ unknown mirrors, don't employ third-party installers, and run an anti-virus at all times.

A Complete Guide to Default Mac Apps and What They Do

Read Next

About The Author

Dan Price (1604 Manufactures Published)

Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships Director since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires most sponsored content, chapter agreements, promotions, and whatsoever other forms of partnership. You tin can also find him roaming the bear witness floor at CES in Las Vegas every year, say howdy if you lot're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant.

More From Dan Price