Macs are becoming increasingly popular as Windows continues to lose market share, and as a result, there is an ever-increasing demand for the best possible Mac virtual private network (VPN). We can now thank our lucky stars that the days of software developers ignoring MacOS in favour of Windows are behind us, and the good news is that almost all of the top VPN services now support Apple’s operating system.
Although it is true that malware and viruses are less likely to affect Macs (due to the fact that there are fewer devices to target, rather than any inherent protection), users of Macs still run the same risk of having their data and online activity compromised. Using a virtual private network (VPN) for your Mac not only helps you conceal your online activity from prying eyes, but it also makes it possible for you to circumvent tracking.
Not only that, but in addition to being able to unblock streaming websites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and others, the best Mac VPNs will also be able to assist you in gaining access to free live streams of sporting events that are typically unavailable in your country of origin. In this article, we will provide a roundup of the most capable Mac VPNs that are currently available.
What makes the best Mac VPN?
Even if your only intention is to stream content from an international Netflix location, protecting your privacy should always come first. There are a variety of excellent services available today that have been subjected to audits and provide zero-logging policies; as a result, we strongly advise against cutting corners in this area.
The next step is to think about the primary purposes for which you will be using your Mac VPN. Big torrenter? Check to see that the service provider you choose enables torrenting on a diverse selection of servers. Love TV? Make sure that your virtual private network has a perfect unblocking record. It is also important to have good connection speeds, but thanks to recent advancements in VPN protocol technology, almost all virtual private networks (VPNs) are now capable of delivering speeds that are significantly faster than the typical domestic internet line.
ExpressVPN, our top pick for a VPN service for Mac, not only meets all of these criteria but also offers excellently crafted client software and first-rate technical support. It satisfies all of our needs, is incredibly easy to operate, and performs admirably on pretty much every device we own, including our Macs. However, there are a few competitors that are also worth taking into consideration, so continue reading to learn about our top five VPNs for Mac.
1. ExpressVPN – the very best Mac VPN
Our top recommendation for virtual private networks (VPNs) that are compatible with Macs is ExpressVPN due to its user-friendly design, extensive server network, simple one-touch functionality, and unrivaled privacy credentials. In addition, you can now save money and get three months of Tom’s Guide completely free of charge if you sign up through their website.
2. Surfshark – secure your Mac for as little as possible
Surfshark is an excellent choice to make if you are looking for the best value for your money. It is not quite as powerful as Express, but at a cost of less than $2.50 per month, you will have plenty of change left over to put towards Apple’s next game-changing device.
3. NordVPN – Mac VPN from the biggest name around
You’ve probably heard of NordVPN before, and it’s an excellent virtual private network (VPN) service for Mac users. All of this will be available to you for a very affordable monthly price, and you will receive incredible speeds, excellent security, and apps that work well with Apple’s “it just works” philosophy.
The best five Mac VPNs you can get today
1. Surfshark
Excellent VPN for Mac at a low cost
Also works on: Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | Unblocks: Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Number of servers: 3,200+ | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited
- Longer plans are extremely affordable.
- It is extremely simple to use.
- Excellent unblocking performance Connections are limitless.
- Not as customizable as some
Surfshark 24 MonthsUS$2.21/mth
Surfshark 12 MonthsUS$3.99/mth
Surfshark 1 MonthUS$12.95/mth
Surfshark has been making waves in the VPN industry for a couple of years now, and in our Surfshark review, we discovered that it offered a pleasing combination of low price and premium performance. Surfshark has been making waves in the VPN industry for a couple of years now. Do not believe that just because it has a low price for a virtual private network. The price of the Surfshark product is rock bottom.
It is a comprehensive solution because it provides full support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 as well as the industry-standard AES-256 encryption and a few additional features such as split tunneling and Double Hop. It is easy to use or ignore these features thanks to the straightforward and user-friendly interface, and just like ExpressVPN, it is an excellent choice for users who are just starting out.
It was unreliable with Netflix for a couple of months, but now it’s back in the lead pack and can access libraries from the UK, the US, and other countries. Surfshark is also very capable of unblocking streaming sites. It offers support for iPlayer, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, making it an excellent option for people who enjoy streaming content.
But if we’re being completely straightforward, the most appealing aspect of Surfshark is its affordable price. Even though it can’t compete with ExpressVPN or NordVPN in terms of power and features, it’s a great value Mac VPN that costs less than $2.50 per month, and you’ll even be able to use one account on an unlimited number of devices. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both excellent options. What could possibly go wrong?
2. ExpressVPN
Also works on: Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | Unblocks: Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Number of servers: 3,000+ | Maximum devices supported: 5
- Functions faultlessly on a Mac.
- Applications that are pristine and fresh on all devices
- Support that is first in its class
- Excellent connection speeds
- Only 5 connections can be made at the same time
When we conducted our analysis of virtual private networks (VPNs), ExpressVPN emerged on top as our top choice for best VPN overall; similarly, we have determined that it is also the best VPN for Mac. There is more to the service provider than just lightning-fast connections, as demonstrated by the fact that you won’t even notice it’s turned on thanks to the exceptional speeds made possible by its patented Lightway protocol.
Your information is never shared with a third party because ExpressVPN runs its own “TrustedServer” DNS servers; this ensures that your privacy is protected at every stage of the VPN connection process. When you combine this with encryption that is impossible to break and a zero-logging policy that is rock-solid and has been thoroughly audited, you can rest assured that your personal information will not be compromised.
When it comes to streaming content, ExpressVPN also offers the best performance of any VPN. It is able to unblock a vast majority of global Netflix libraries, in addition to BBC iPlayer outside of the UK, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and a great deal of other online video services.
Because of all of these factors, you will have a tonne more options when it comes to your weeknight binge-watching, and because of the wide device compatibility (which includes Android, iOS, routers, and even devices like Amazon’s Fire Stick), you will be able to stream on any device that you own. In addition, unlike some of its competitors, the application for macOS does not lack any functionality when compared to the client for Windows.
One limitation of ExpressVPN is that a single subscription can only be used on up to five different devices at a time. However, in our experience, that is more than enough, and if you have more, you can simply log out of one device and use another one instead.
Aside from this one insignificant criticism, ExpressVPN is as close to perfect as any Mac VPN we’ve tested, so if you’re looking for the best of the best, there’s no need to look any further.
3. NordVPN
Also works on Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | Unblocks: Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube, Hulu | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Number of servers: 5,500+ | Maximum devices supported: 6
- Some helpful additions to the security system a multitude of servers
- A great number of extensions
- The apps are a little cumbersome.
It should come as no surprise that NordVPN is included on this list of the best VPNs for Mac, given that it is quite probably the most well-known VPN service currently available. It is a trusted brand that millions of people rely on on a daily basis because of its excellent reputation for security and privacy, which was borne up in our comprehensive review of NordVPN.
In addition to providing all of the standard features, such as robust encryption and a variety of different protocols, NordVPN also provides a few additional features that its competitors, ExpressVPN and Surfshark, do not. The one-of-a-kind ‘Onion over VPN’ configuration redirects your traffic through the Tor network, trading off some speed for unparalleled levels of privacy protection. In addition to this, you will get access to a handy Double VPN option as well as two kill switches.
In the most recent round of tests that we ran, NordVPN demonstrated that it is a very fast virtual private network (VPN), with its WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol reaching speeds of approximately 760Mbps on our gigabit line. Even though you might not have access to such a powerful connection, you can rest assured that Nord won’t be the cause of any significant sluggishness on your end.
The map-based interface has been enhanced recently, but it is still not great, and the apps aren’t quite as deep on Mac and iOS as they are on Windows. Unfortunately, this is one area in which NordVPN is rather let down by its clients. However, if you only need a VPN for day-to-day use or for streaming content, you won’t be disappointed with this one. In fact, you can even test it out risk-free thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee that is customary in this business.
4. Proton VPN
Also works on: Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | Unblocks: Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+ | Money-back guarantee: 30 days | Number of servers: 1,600+ | Maximum devices supported: 10
- Superior safeguards for one’s privacy.
- Apps have a lot of power.
- Excellent quality for streaming.
- Support is not available around the clock.
In our most recent assessment of Proton VPN, we noticed that the Swiss service provider has been steadily improving, and it is now a real competitor to the “big three” that were previously mentioned.
Proton VPN is well regarded for being an extremely private VPN service, and it provides its users with outstanding safety in every aspect. In addition to more unique capabilities like Tor over VPN and its rock-solid Secure Core servers, it is a terrific alternative for anyone searching for a Mac VPN that provides adequate security thanks to its fully audited applications, outstanding no-logging policy, and complete AES-256 encryption.
However, it does not sacrifice any usefulness in doing so, and in addition to being a very powerful streaming and Netflix VPN, it also has a very good reputation. While you combine that with the high speeds it achieves when using OpenVPN and WireGuard, you get a terrific all-arounder.
The large and somewhat complicated interface of Proton VPN does not necessarily fit in perfectly with the clean aesthetic of MacOS; however, a recent rebranding has certainly simplified things a little bit. Despite the fact that they are very powerful, they do not necessarily fit in perfectly with the aesthetic of MacOS. And when you take into account the strength that they provide, it is simple to overlook any tiny aesthetic faults that may exist.
Although Proton has already implemented live chat, this feature is not accessible around the clock, which is one of the platform’s drawbacks. If you have a problem outside of normal business hours, you might have to wait a while for a response, but the responses we got when they were available were quite knowledgeable and helpful. Aside from that, though, it is an outstanding VPN service for Mac that is very simple to recommend.
5. CyberGhost
Also works on: Windows, Linux, iOS, Android | Unblocks: Netflix, iPlayer, YouTube, Amazon, Hulu | Money-back guarantee: 45 days | Number of servers: 7,800+ | Maximum devices supported: 7
- Excellent quality for streaming.
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Great value
- Still no independent audit despite the fact that customers can be a little cumbersome
The fact that CyberGhost claims to have developed its software with Mac in mind should, in principle, enable you to have the greatest possible virtual private network (VPN) experience on your Mac. The boast is not too far from the reality thanks to well over 7,000 servers that are spread across 88 different countries, and it impressed us during our in-depth evaluation of CyberGhost VPN.
The vast server network that CyberGhost maintains isn’t the only thing the company can boast about, though, as its clients come equipped with some very cool features that should make it easier for you to get the most out of the service with the least amount of effort. One of these is a filtration system, which is designed to display the best server for whatever purpose you desire, such as streaming Netflix or using a torrenting VPN. We would want to see this included in all VPNs, therefore it’s high on our wish list.
You can rest easy knowing that you are anonymous thanks to a no-logs privacy policy, a working kill switch, and outstanding encryption, and it will even block adverts for you, disable trackers, and avoid harmful websites – all in the name of keeping your Mac safe. On the other hand, given that an increasing number of competitors are subjected to these intrusive testing methods, the absence of a third-party audit is becoming an increasingly pressing concern.
In terms of its product, the only thing holding CyberGhost back are several features that are now absent (like no notifications upon connection and disconnection). However, other than that, there isn’t much we can take fault with, and if you’re looking for a low-cost Mac VPN that makes streaming and torrenting a joy, then CyberGhost is worth having on your list of potential options.
Mac VPN FAQs
Do Macs require VPNs?
It is true that people who use Macs may fairly easily get away without having antivirus software, despite the fact that Macs are generally considered to be a safer alternative than Windows PCs. On the other hand, a Mac VPN will protect your data after it has been transmitted from your computer. Once your data has been transmitted into the ether of the internet through an unsecured connection, neither a Windows PC nor a Mac PC can do anything to retrieve it.
A virtual private network, or VPN, gives you access to the internet over a protected and encrypted connection no matter where you are in the world. This is useful whether you want to torrent anonymously at home or do business over a public Wi-Fi connection when you are travelling.
Macs are excellent at preventing dangerous malware from entering your machine, but once your data has been exported, they are unable to prevent its loss. A virtual private network (VPN) is the sole solution available for doing that.
Is there a VPN integrated into my Mac?
The short answer is no.
Although all Macs have the capability to support VPN use, Apple does not supply its own VPN software. As a result, if you want true privacy, you’ll need to use a third-party service.
The good news is that there are several to pick from, and we believe the five on this page are the cream of the crop.
Is it possible to acquire a free Mac VPN?
There are a handful of free VPN services that, when push comes to shove, can get you through a sticky situation. Thankfully, all of these services are compatible with Macs. You will, however, be need to make a number of significant concessions in order to succeed.
If you are not careful, you run the risk of having the security of your data compromised; therefore, it is imperative that you select an option from among our suggestions.
On many different providers, you’ll run into constraints such as server locations, maximum connection speeds, and data storage quotas. Our top recommendation is Proton VPN Free (opens in new tab), however we still think that utilising a premium provider with a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days is preferable to using a free service. (Opens in new tab)
How can I buy a Mac VPN?
On a Mac, setting up a virtual private network (VPN) is just as easy — if not easier – than doing so on a computer running Windows. First and foremost, it is recommended that you sign up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN) account. After that, you will have two alternatives to choose from.
On the one hand, the VPN software is readily available for direct download from the website of the VPN service provider. You will be left with a file ending in.DMG, which you may then proceed to install. It is possible that you will be required to provide the software permissions at some point during the procedure.
On the other hand, the Apple App Store hosts mobile applications for a number of virtual private networks (VPNs). Installing the application is as simple as accepting the default permissions and clicking the “Install” button. After that point, whatever the outcome may be, you will be required to provide your login details in order to be covered.
Is it legal to use a Mac VPN?
The fact that utilising a virtual private network (VPN) on a Mac is entirely lawful does not change the fact that engaging in illicit behaviour is still against the law. There is a widespread misconception that using a virtual private network (VPN) is synonymous with engaging in illegal activities; however, this misconception is gradually being dispelled as VPN services become increasingly commonplace and its legitimate applications become better understood.
However, people who breach the law find the anonymity that a virtual private network (VPN) affords to be appealing. Our only statement is that we do not support using virtual private networks (VPNs) in a way that is illegal, and we encourage our readers to make the most of what they are able to provide while staying within the bounds of the law.
What distinguishes Mac VPNs from other VPNs?
In a nutshell, not really at all. Although macOS is distinct from other operating systems like as Windows, iOS, Linux, and Android, there is very little difference in how a virtual private network (VPN) would perform for a user – much like Microsoft Word or Photoshop.
Be aware, however, that the characteristics of some virtual private networks (VPNs) may vary very little depending on the location from which you download them. For instance, during our testing, we discovered that the kill switch for NordVPN’s version that was downloaded from the App Store was always on and did not provide an option for the user, whereas the version that was downloaded from the site in the.DMG format gave the user control over the kill switch.
Live chat is an effective tool for resolving issues of this nature, which is more evidence of the need of having a reliable support system like the one offered by ExpressVPN.