To discover effective photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT), a series of new meso-tetraphenyltetrabenzoporphyrin (m-Ph 4 TBP) derivatives were designed, prepared, and characterized. All m-Ph 4 TBPs own two characteristic absorption bands in the range of 450−500 and 600−700 nm and have the ability to generate singlet oxygen upon photoexcitation. Most of the m-Ph 4 TBPs demonstrated high photoactivity, among which compounds I 4 , I 6 , I 12 , and I 13 induced apoptosis and also exhibited excellent photodynamic activities in vivo. Nonetheless, the liver organs of the I 4 and I 6 −PDT groups showed clear calcifications, whereas the liver tissues of the other PDT groups showed no calcification. It was indicated that compared to phenolic m-Ph 4 TBPs, glycol m-Ph 4 TBPs exhibited superior biological safety in mice. According to comprehensive evaluations, m-Ph 4 TBP I 12 displayed excellent photodynamic antitumor efficacy and biological safety and can be regarded as a promising antitumor drug candidate.