Mac software is not allowed to security bug. Third-political party apps tin 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 safety, 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 free software sites for Windows, we ran each site through two reputation checkers—Spider web of Trust (WOT) and URLVoid.

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

i. MacUpdate

macupdate

WOT Trustworthiness: 91/100

URLVoid Rating: 35/36

MacUpdate is one of the most pop 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'southward team of experts, so y'all can be confident they've all gone through a full vetting process.

MacUpdate can as well 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 equally 90 pct.

Navigating the site is easy; all the apps are divided into 20 well-defined categories. They include Internet, Utilities, Drivers, Games, Education, Habitation, Concern, Multimedia Blueprint, Development, and Graphics and Design.

2. Softpedia

softpedia

WOT Trustworthiness: 93/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

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

The download files are updated every 24-hour interval, so you can be certain yous're ever getting the latest bachelor version. Using up-to-appointment versions is critical for fugitive security bugs and flaws.

Many apps are likewise tagged with the "100% Make clean" label. Here is how Softpedia describes information technology:

Softpedia guarantees that the app is 100% Make clean, which means it does not contain any grade of malware, including but non limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.

This software product was tested thoroughly and was found absolutely make clean; therefore, information technology can be installed with no business concern by any reckoner user. However, it should be noted that this product will be retested periodically and the honor may be withdrawn, and then you lot should check dorsum occasionally and pay attention to the date of testing shown to a higher place.

Softpedia also has user reviews for many of the available apps. They tin can provide insight on whatsoever issues you may encounter during employ.

iii. Pure Mac

pure mac secure mac downloads

WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

If you can expect past the slightly dated visuals, Pure Mac is another of the most secure sites to download Mac software and apps.

The site boasts i of the most all-encompassing selections of categories; there are more 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 non run its own download servers. All the downloads on the site are direct links that the app's publisher or developer has provided. Retrieve, using ane of the best anti-virus apps for Mac can assistance to catch whatever malware-laden downloads you lot encounter.

4. CNET Download

cnet

WOT Trustworthiness: 90/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

CNET's Download.com is some other of the spider 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 cheque for malware and other viruses.

Download.com also bans whatsoever apps that:

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

Considering it's part of CNET, many of the Mac apps you tin can download take editorial reviews, accompanying blog posts, and how-to articles. These combine to make sure that not just is the initial download safety, but that you lot also use the software in a safe and secure way once it's on your arrangement.

5. MacApps

MacApps home screen

WOT Trustworthiness: Non Ranked

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

If yous'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 choose the ones you desire, then download them in bulk via a custom installer. It tin save hours during the system setup phase.

Sadly, Ninite does not provide a solution for Macs—only there is an alternative: MacApps. The bachelor software is divided into seven categories: Internet, Productivity, Programmer, Tools, Utilities, Multimedia, and Messaging. There are download links for all the apps you probably use every twenty-four hours, including Spotify, GitHub, Docker, Evernote, Firefox, Chrome, and many more than. In total, in that location are more than than 120 apps to choose from.

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

6. Mac App Store

mac app store

WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100

URLVoid Rating: 36/36

Of grade, if you desire to avoid 3rd-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.

Simply 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 information and uploading it to servers controlled past the developer. In many cases, the servers were in China. Amazingly, one of the apps—Adware Doctor—was number one in the nautical chart for paid utilities until the research was made public.

seven. Download Directly From the Developer

It'southward easy to sympathize why sites that curate libraries of Mac app downloads are pop. They relieve time, offering unbiased reviews, and allow you to download older versions of software to get rid of unwanted new features.

Just none of the sites we've looked at are perfect. If Apple can't even proceed bad actors out of its own shop, you tin can be sure that some malicious software makes its manner onto the other platforms as well.

The most reliable mode 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 virtually popular software!

Make Sure You Download Safely

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

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About The Author

Dan Price (1604 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. Y'all can likewise find him roaming the evidence floor at CES in Las Vegas every yr, say hello if yous're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant.

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