The Moonlock Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Moonlock in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Moonlock
The Insider’s Guide
Mac antivirus with real-time scanning, a VPN and a scam checker
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among antivirus apps, read from Moonlock’s own pages.
Made by MacPaw Way Ltd. · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Moonlock’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Moonlock’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.0
GPA, above 0 of the 25 other antivirus apps we grade
Moonlock is an antivirus app built only for macOS by MacPaw's cybersecurity division. It runs background malware scanning, a manual scanner, a VPN, a network inspector that can block connections to chosen countries, and a tool that checks pasted messages for scams. It is sold by subscription for 1, 2 or 5 Macs, or as a one-time purchase.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Moonlock, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It is an app you install and run, with nothing to set up before it starts scanning.
- 1
Best for antivirus for a single Mac
Moonlock is a Mac-only antivirus with real-time scanning, a VPN and a scam checker.
- 2
Paid plans start at $4.50 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $54 per year for 1 Mac ($13.50 billed monthly).
- 3
You can try it first
7 days free, then billed at the plan chosen
- 4
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 5
Real-time protection
Scans in the background, even when the app is closed, and checks files, apps and Mail attachments. It neutralizes a risky file but leaves the decision to remove it to you.
- 6
Malware scanner
A manual scan of the Mac that quarantines detected malware, and explains what it found, why it is dangerous and what to do next.
- 7
VPN and network inspector
A VPN encrypts the connection on untrusted networks, and the network inspector can cut connections to countries the user chooses.
- 8
A 2.0 GPA, above 0 of 25
That is against the other antivirus apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Moonlock you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Moonlock at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $54 per year for 1 Mac ($13.50 billed monthly)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 7 days free, then billed at the plan chosen
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- MacPaw Way Ltd.
- Category
- Antivirus & Malware Protection
- Our grade
- 2.0 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for antivirus for a single Mac
Moonlock is a Mac-only antivirus with real-time scanning, a VPN and a scam checker. It runs on macOS 13 or later and nothing else, the 7-day trial turns into a $54 charge unless you cancel, and the one-time $150 may leave out major upgrades.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | $54 a year for 1 Mac, which works out to $4.50 a month. That sits right at the middle of what antivirus charges ($4.50), neither cheap nor dear. The one-time $150 is more than two years of that middle price. |
| Free plan and trial | D | 7 days free, and it starts on the yearly plan, so $54 is charged automatically when it ends unless you cancel. No free version of the app. |
| Features | B | Real-time scanning, a manual scanner, a VPN, a network inspector that can block countries, a scam checker and a settings advisor. Nothing in the listing is missing from the job an antivirus does. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. It is an app you install and run, with nothing to set up before it starts scanning. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | macOS 13 or later only. The site mentions no Windows, iPhone or Android app, and no integrations. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Moonlock is for
- Fits if you have one Mac and want a scanner built only for macOS
- Works for a household of 1, 2 or 5 Macs that wants a one-time purchase option
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you also use Windows, iPhone or Android, as there is no app for them
- Watch out: the 7-day trial charges $54 on its own when it ends unless you cancel
- Pricey if you pay monthly, at $13.50 against $54 for the year
- Watch out: the one-time $150 may not include major upgrades and new features, and 2- and 5-Mac prices only show at checkout
Good to know
Good for
- Mac owners who want a malware scanner built for macOS
- People who prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription
- Households with one, two or five Macs
Worth knowing
- Mac only: the system requirements list macOS 13 or later, and the site mentions no Windows, iOS or Android app.
- The 7-day trial starts on a yearly plan and charges $54 automatically when it ends unless cancelled.
- Prices for the 2- and 5-device options were not shown without selecting them, so only the 1-device prices are listed here.
- The one-time purchase may not include major upgrades and new features, according to the checkout page.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$4.50
A month to start, paid by the year
Moonlock is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $54 per year for 1 Mac ($13.50 billed monthly).
Yearly
$54
per year for 1 device ($13.50 billed monthly)
Shown as $4.50 a month billed yearly. The 7-day free trial starts on this plan. 2- and 5-device options also exist.
Monthly
$13.50
per month for 1 device, billed monthly
Month-to-month billing for one Mac. Prices for the 2- and 5-device options were not readable without choosing them in checkout.
One-time purchase
$150
for 1 device, paid once, one-time
Paid once with no renewal. The checkout says it may not include major upgrades and new features.
Trying it first
7 days free, then billed at the plan chosen
Read from pay.macpaw.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Yearly billing is $4.50 a month
The checkout lists the yearly plan at $54 billed yearly against $13.50 a month when billed monthly.
Stated on pay.macpaw.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Mac antivirus with real-time scanning, a VPN and a scam checker. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, vPN, malware protection.
Real-time scanning, a manual scanner, a VPN, a network inspector that can block countries, a scam checker and a settings advisor.
- Real-time protection
- Scans in the background, even when the app is closed, and checks files, apps and Mail attachments. It neutralizes a risky file but leaves the decision to remove it to you.
- Malware scanner
- A manual scan of the Mac that quarantines detected malware, and explains what it found, why it is dangerous and what to do next.
- VPN and network inspector
- A VPN encrypts the connection on untrusted networks, and the network inspector can cut connections to countries the user chooses.
- Scam Detector
- Paste a suspicious message and the AI-powered detector says whether it looks like a scam.
- System protection and Security Advisor
- Checks the Mac's security settings and walks through the ones to tighten, plus short advice on safer habits.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Moonlock is made by MacPaw Way Ltd.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
0/25
Other antivirus apps it is graded above
Moonlock's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 0 of the 25 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on features (B, above 9 of 25) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $4.50 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.50 for the category: 10 of the 20 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 9 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 26 antivirus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Moonlock’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 5 of 25
- DFree plan and trialAbove 2 of 25
- BFeaturesAbove 9 of 25
- BEase of useAbove 4 of 25
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 25
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 22 antivirus apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Moonlock is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Moonlock you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 22 of the 25 other antivirus apps grade higher. It costs $54 a year.
What you could not
- An engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Moonlock’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Intego, Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Norton 360 and Avast
The 5 tools Moonlock is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.0GPA
Intego
From $39.99/yr
Mac antivirus and firewall suite, with a VPN and a Windows edition.
- Only Intego lists Windows and iOS apps.
- Intego also covers disk cleanup.
- 2.2GPA
Malwarebytes
Free plan · from $59.99/yr
Malware scanner and real-time protection, with VPN and ID plans.
- Malwarebytes has a free plan. Moonlock does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Malwarebytes lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- Only Malwarebytes lists a browser extension.
- 2.8GPA
Bitdefender
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
Antivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier.
- Bitdefender has a free plan. Moonlock does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Bitdefender lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- Bitdefender also covers password manager.
- 2.8GPA
Norton 360
Free trial · from $84.99/yr
Antivirus suite with VPN, password manager and PC cloud backup.
- Only Norton 360 lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- Norton 360 also covers password manager and ad and tracker blocking.
- 3.0GPA
Avast
Free plan · from $77.99/yr
Free antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate.
- Avast has a free plan. Moonlock does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Avast lists Windows, Android and iOS apps.
- Only Avast lists a browser extension.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Moonlock free?
No, Moonlock is a paid product, but you can try it first. 7 days free, then billed at the plan chosen.
How much does Moonlock cost?
Moonlock lists 3 plans. Yearly: $54 per year for 1 device ($13.50 billed monthly).
What platforms does Moonlock work on?
Moonlock is available on macOS.
Does Moonlock offer any discounts?
Moonlock publicly lists the following: Yearly billing is $4.50 a month.
Does Moonlock have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Moonlock is listed for macOS.
Does Moonlock have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Moonlock is listed for macOS.
Is Moonlock open source?
Moonlock is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Who makes Moonlock?
Moonlock is made by MacPaw Way Ltd.
What are the alternatives to Moonlock?
The closest alternatives to Moonlock in our directory are Intego, Malwarebytes, Bitdefender, Norton 360 and Avast.
How does Moonlock compare with other antivirus apps?
Moonlock's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 0 of the 25 other antivirus apps we grade, and level with 3.
Is Moonlock good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Moonlock C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $4.50 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $4.50 for the category: 10 of the 20 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Moonlock?
To replace Moonlock you would be making an engine that recognises new malware as it appears.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Moonlock’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Moonlock's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by MacPaw Way Ltd. Prices change, so check moonlock.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Moonlock, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/moonlock
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Moonlock: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/moonlock
Know someone choosing between antivirus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/moonlock/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded antivirus apps after Moonlock, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Antivirus & Malware Protection Insider's GuideEvery one of the 26 antivirus apps we grade, compared
- Avast Insider's GuideFree antivirus for PC, Mac and phones, with paid Premium and Ultimate3.0 GPA
- AVG Insider's GuideFree antivirus for Windows, with paid Internet Security and Ultimate2.8 GPA
- Bitdefender Insider's GuideAntivirus suites for computers and phones, with a free Windows tier2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Moonlock’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Moonlock is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by MacPaw Way Ltd. Prices and plans change: check moonlock.com before you buy.