If you are a longtime Mac user than chances are you’ve heard of MacKeeper. The antivirus software is a controversial one, as in the past MacKeeper has been accused of false advertising as well as not performing well in independent tests.

MacKeeper has also been accused of deceiving users into paying for unnecessary fixes on their Mac, though since that lawsuit in 2015 the company has been trying to clean up its own image.

Pros

• Reasonably priced with ability to only use it by the month, half a year, or more than a year
• Provides online and offline safeguards to ward off malware, spyware and phishing
• Designed to improve performance of a Mac device with sweeper and cleanup feature

Cons

• Controversial product that has performed up and down in efficiency tests
• Not necessarily a true antivirus software program, though does scan for malware

MacKeeper Protects You From…

MacKeeper advertises its antivirus software as able to “clean your Mac in just one click”. Fittingly, customers are presented with an easy to use interface, with an antivirus program that is designed to make cleaning up a Mac relatively simple and safe.

One feature MacKeeper is extremely proficient at is the ability to help clean up your Mac and improve its overall performance. Unlike PCs, Macs are not always straightforward in how to remove unwanted files and other data taking up space. MacKeeper is built to assist you with clean up.

The antivirus software frequently scans your Mac for unnecessary junk and copies of files that are not serving a purpose. It also uninstalls unneeded apps and cleans all files without putting any at risk. It’s a terrific feature and one of the primary selling points of MacKeeper.

The software also helps improve the speed of the Mac. It keeps your apps up to date, optimizes and frees up memory and targets any other issues that are preventing full power and performance.

MacKeeper is built to ward off a variety of threats from malware to phishing, adware and spyware. It offers online and offline protection. MacKeeper also assists in helping avoid identity theft.

As for the allegations that MacKeeper was deceitful in the past? The software company did settle a class-action lawsuit in 2015 regarding the matter and has taken steps in recent memory to clean up their image. Whether you trust MacKeeper is up to you, but it is important to bring up their past in order to understand the product.

Devices/Operating Systems MacKeeper Supports

As the name suggests, MacKeeper is only designed for Mac devices. It does not support PCs or Android devices. MacKeeper is also not suggested for mobile devices such as your iPhone. It has a very targeted demographic, that of only Mac users.

Installation & Performance

MacKeeper provides instant activation after you commit to a plan (more information, below) and make the first month’s payment. There is little to get in the way during the installation portion, so you should have no issues in that regard.

Performance on your Mac maintains a steady level. It is not great but poor, just middle of the road with regular Mac usage still available though a lag may occur here or there.

MacKeeper prides itself on offering 24/7 support for your Mac. Their certified support team can help explain the various safety tools provided with MacKeeper as well as assist in troubleshooting an issue. They are available 24/7 via live chat or over the phone. Response time is generally fairly good.

Price

MacKeeper offers three different price tiers for its antivirus software.

The Premium suite is offered in either 12 month or 24 month commitments, with the 2 year agreement costing less than $5 per month and the one year agreement at $8 per month.

MacKeeper also features a Standard plan that will get you coverage for a half year at just under $10 per month. Or you can pay by the month at $15 per month.

It is unusual to find an antivirus software provider that allows you to pay by the month or twice a year, which is a nice feature though you are more than likely going to need antivirus protection for a year or more, so why not save some cash and commit to a year or two anyhow?

Conclusion

Some argue if MacKeeper is really necessary, as Apple devices are generally regarded for having enough safeguards already built into their devices to avoid most malware attacks. The truth is, people can fall for phishing or malware, and it really doesn’t matter what kind of device they are using but rather that they can be susceptible.

For the price paid, MacKeeper is reasonable and worth your consideration, especially if you want to be extra safe. Though MacKeeper has a shady background, recent steps to correct their public image indicates that MacKeeper is finally trying to do the right thing. Buyer beware.