best vpns for mac

Here are the best VPNs for Mac:

  • NordVPN – Best Mac VPN.
  • PrivateVPN – fast, robust and secure choice
  • Surfshark – Impressive speed and great security in an affordable package.
  • ExpressVPN – VPN app for Mac with robust security features.
  • Private Internet Access – Great service with the broadest server network.

Mac computers offer balanced and more robust security software than their Windows counterparts. However, even these devices have their limitations, especially when it comes to online privacy and anonymity. Because of this, it’s great to pair your Mac device with a trusted VPN.

A strong and reliable VPN service will encrypt your valuable data and keep it private once it goes out into the free Internet. In this regard, it’s crucial to find a VPN for Macbook that you can trust. That said, if you’re looking to find the answer to what is the best VPN for Mac, you’ve come to the right place!

10 Best VPNs for Mac

With hundreds of Mac VPNs on the market, narrowing your choice to a couple of services can be challenging. The ten best VPNs for macOS we’ve singled out on this page are all worth your subscription. To make it easier for you to decide, we’ve directly compared some of the key aspects. Here’s a table overview of the critical features for the ten best Mac VPN services:

VPN Service Rating  Supported macOS Version Headquarters Simultaneous Connections
NordVPN 4.9/5 10.12 (Sierra) or later Panama 6
PrivateVPN 4.7/5 10.11 (El Capitan) or laterr Sweden 6
Surfshark 4.6/5 10.12 (Sierra) or late The British Virgin Islands Unlimited
ExpressVPN 4.5/5 10.10 (Yosemite) or later The British Virgin Islands 5
Private Internet Access 4.3/5 10.13 (High Sierra) or later United States 10
CyberGhost 4.3/5 10.12 (Sierra) or later Romania 7
VyprVPN 4.2/5 10.12 (Sierra) or later Switzerland 30
IPVanish 4.1/5 10.13 (High Sierra) or later United States Unlimited
PureVPN 3.9/5 10.12 (Sierra) or later Hong Kong 10
HideMyAss 3.9/5 10.10 (Yosemite) or later The UK 10

Top VPNs for Mac Speed Comparison

Mac devices are known as lightweight, streamlined, and very user-friendly. It just fits that the VPN you install on such a device is equally sleek and efficient not to impede your overall experience. This was an essential criterion for us when filtering out all of the unsuitable VPNs.

With that in mind, each of the ten Mac VPNs on this page offers at least above-average connection speeds and great network consistency. But, even with this being the case, some VPNs on our list perform better than others. To give you a better understanding of how each VPN performs, we’ve conducted thorough speed tests for each VPN for Mac we’ve featured. Here are the results:

Server Connection Ping Download Speed
Base Test Network 8 56.40 Mbps
NordVPN 21 53.85 Mbps
PrivateVPN 25 51.32 Mbps
Surfshark 16 55.06 Mbps
ExpressVPN 17 54.97 Mbps
Private Internet Access 21 53.70 Mbps
CyberGhost 23 53.01 Mbps
VyprVPN 25 52.40 Mbps
IPVanish 25 52.16 Mbps
PureVPN 27 50.21 Mbps
HideMyAss 24 52.73 Mbps

10 Best Mac VPN Services

NordVPN

NordVPN is arguably the most popular VPN service in the world. It has built its reputation on offering powerful security features. Although more sleek than the Windows app, it still contains traits like DNS leak protection and an advanced kill switch. What’s more, you can utilize NordVPN’s custom features such as Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and Dark Web Monitor.

The service allows you to choose from a network of over 5,200 servers in 60 countries worldwide. NordVPN is especially popular among content streamers, as it can get around all geo-restrictions. Privacy-wise, NordVPN is regularly audited and has a very transparent privacy policy.

Pairing advanced encryption with its in-house NordLynx protocol, NordVPN offers the best of both worlds. In other words, you can enjoy network speeds without any limitations while still staying completely safe and private. Add to this NordVPN’s excellent subscription prices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. This service deservedly comes in at first place as the best VPN for Mac.

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  • 5200+ global servers in 59+ countries
  • CyberSec malware and ad-blocking protection
  • Next-generation encryption with double VPN servers
  • Obfuscation technology that masks VPN traffic
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • Works with Netflix and good for streaming
  • Lightning fast with P2P support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is an excellent choice for VPN users who want a quick and convenient VPN service they can use without too much fiddling around. If you’re a casual VPN user, you’ll love this VPN, as it makes VPN use easy and enjoyable. You can set it up instantly, and all critical features are automatically enabled from the get-go.

Speaking of these features, some of the most important ones include strong leak protection and a kill switch. Even at default settings, PrivateVPN’s macOS client is very capable of unblocking all major streaming platforms.

PrivateVPN also has some interesting in-app characteristics, such as the Stealth Mode feature. It allows you to bypass even the most robust firewalls and access sites from restrictive countries. Plus, since all of PrivateVPN’s servers are P2P-friendly, you can torrent in utmost privacy.

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  • Server locations in 60+ countries
  • Zero data logging policy
  • 2048-bit encryption with AES-256
  • Unlimited bandwidth and great speeds
  • Supports anonymous torrenting / P2P friendly
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Allows port forwarding

Surfshark

The Surfshark Mac client is a high-speed and very lightweight VPN service – a perfect choice to pair up with a Mac device. And, its streamlined design doesn’t compromise on key security features. It supports several protocols, including the sought-after Wireguard protocol. Plus, you can count on strong AES 256-bit encryption and a very capable kill switch.

This VPN service has a network of over 3,200 servers in 65 countries. More important than these numbers alone, Surfshark uses only RAM servers to ensure maximum user privacy. What’s more, the VPN guarantees private DNS on each server.

Looking at its pricing plans, Surfshark is a relatively expensive service to sign up with if you’re going month-by-month. However, if you’re ready to opt-in for a six-month or, better yet, 24-month plan, you can look forward to some fantastic savings. Surfshark’s two-year plan is one of the best deals on the market, especially when considering all of the features this VPN comes with.

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  • 3200+ global servers in 60+ countries
  • CleanWeb ad-blocking feature
  • Secure and strong encryption with OpenVPN
  • Whitelister, Multi-hop VPN and kill switch
  • No-logs policy
  • Works with Netflix and good for streaming
  • Great speeds
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN

The ExpressVPN Mac client is one of the most feature-rich VPN apps you can get. It’s optimized for speed but doesn’t compromise security, as it has advanced leak protection. It also comes with a number of handy features, most notably split tunneling and a network lock kill switch.

ExpressVPN has a well spread out server network, numbering over 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide. OpenVPN UDP/TCP and Lightway UDP/TCP protocols are available on all featured servers. The VPN also employs TrustedServer technology. All of these characteristics make ExpressVPN a competent performer. This is particularly the case when it comes to unblocking restricted content and accessing streaming sites.

All of these features come with one downside that might be a deal-breaker for budget users. ExpressVPN is relatively expensive across the board, no matter which subscription plan you go for. However, if you’re looking for a premium VPN with uncompromising security features, this VPN is hard to beat.

  • 160+ locations and 3000+ servers
  • Strict No-Log policy
  • Unlimited streaming (Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer)
  • Strong military-grade AES 256-bit key encryption
  • Kill Switch, Split tunneling and RAM-disk servers
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android and Linux support
  • Fast speeds and reliable connections

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is one of the veterans in the business and enjoys the trust of over 100,000 worldwide users. For many VPN users, the feature that stands out the most for this VPN is its massive server base.

PIA has an impressive network of over 29,000 servers in 77 countries worldwide. Moreover, all of these servers support the Wireguard protocol. Of course, this isn’t the only reason why you should try out this service.

You can take advantage of convenient split tunneling and port forwarding features. Additionally, there’s also a very reliable kill switch. The Private Internet Access Mac app also includes a MACE feature. It blocks all adware, tracking, and malware.

It is based in the US, which is a part of all major surveillance alliances. This may raise some eyebrows but is no reason to be worried. With its excellent reputation and 100% no-logs policy, PIA is undoubtedly one of the safest VPNs in the industry.

  • Supports WireGuard on all platforms
  • Currently WG is in Beta testing phase
  • No Traffic or Request logs
  • Can be used with 10 devices simultaneously
  • Unlimited Bandwidth and good speeds
  • 3200+ Servers in 29 Countries
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost

CyberGhost Mac users can take advantage of a well-rounded VPN network of over 7,200 servers in more than 91 countries. Server numbers aside, the macOS client comes with a handful of nifty features. These include DNS and IP leak protection, AES 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch.

CyberGhost is one of the most user-friendly VPNs in the industry. It’s very dedicated to transparency and has a strict no-logs policy. Not only this, but it supports around-the-clock customer support in several languages.

In addition to all of this, the CyberGhost Mac client remains very intuitive and easy to use. It incorporates convenient features such as the one-click connect option to make VPN use more user-friendly. All that’s left for you is to enjoy incredible download speeds and above-average streaming performances on your macOS device.

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  • 90+ countries and 6000+ servers
  • Access to NoSpy servers
  • No-logs policy
  • 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Unblocks streaming services
  • Offers Dedicated IP option
  • Strong AES 256-bit encryption
  • IKEv2, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec protocol support

VyprVPN

VyprVPN is a reliable VPN service with solid security characteristics. It might not be the fastest or more comprehensive VPN on our list, but it excels at providing a safe and private VPN experience.

This Swiss-based VPN is all about user safety. It comes with a NAT firewall built into its servers and AES 256-bit encryption. Additionally, the Mac app comes with DNS and IP leak protection, as well as a kill switch.  All of this is backed up by an air-tight no-logs policy.

The service has also created an in-house protocol called Chameleon. It’s a fast and very capable protocol able to bypass even the most restrictive censorship. Available on Mac devices, Chameleon has a Smart IP feature. It allows this protocol to operate with high proficiency in countries such as China and UAE.

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  • Audited No-Log VPN
  • High-Speed Streaming
  • Chameleon technology hides VPN traffic and protects from DPI
  • High-End Encryption/ NAT Firewall
  • OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP protocol support
  • Available on all platforms Win, Mac, iOS, Android
  • 24/7 customer support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

IPVanish

IPVanish possesses more than 1,900 servers in more than 75 locations worldwide. All of its servers support OpenVPN, IPSec, L2TP, IKEv2, and Wireguard. However, their Wireguard rollout is still in beta, so it might not always work as well as it does at some other VPNs on our list.

It’s an excellent VPN for streaming, as it can unblock most streaming platforms and unblocks access to nearly all countries around the globe. Moreover, it’s also great for Mac users who like to torrent frequently. This is because it offers TOR compatibility and a SOCKS5 proxy, allowing for fast downloads with maximum anonymity.

Lastly, IPVanish for Mac doesn’t lack a bit when it comes to security capabilities. This VPN offers top-notch military-grade encryption. It also protects its users’ privacy with a strict zero-logs policy. Furthermore, it comes with leak protection and an automatic kill switch to ensure no user data gets into the wrong hands.

IPVanish logo

  • Apps for all plarforms and OS
  • 1600+ servers in 75 cities around the world
  • Access to SugarSync Storage
  • Zero traffic logs
  • Unmetered device connections
  • P2P and torrenting support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

PureVPN

PureVPN advertises as the best Mac VPN client. While we tend to disagree with this, the VPN certainly deserves a spot among the top ten in the industry. It offers a good set of all of the necessary fundamental features. Additionally, it has a great network of over 6,500 VPN servers across more than 140 countries.

Going down their list of features, there definitely are some excellent qualities to highlight. Namely, this includes port forwarding, dedicated P2P servers, and a kill switch. The service also supports IKEv2, SSTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN.

You can also add a dedicated IP, port forwarding, and DDoS protection for an extra monthly fee. But, even without these features, PureVPN offers a solid service for a novice VPN user. It’s simple, not crowded with too many settings, and reasonably priced.

PureVPN

  • 140+ countries and 2000+ servers
  • 31-day money-back guarantee
  • Hides internet traffic and easily unblocks geo-restricted content
  • Internet Kill Switch and IP leak protection
  • Offers the cheapest Dedicated IP addresses
  • Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android and router support
  • Perfect for streaming Netflix, Hulu, BBC
  • Strict and audited no-log policy

HideMyAss

HideMyAss has a global server network of over 1100 VPN servers in 190+ countries. Their servers are optimized to run at 20 Gbps. That said, the macOS app only supports IPSec/IKEv2 protocols. This does narrow down your options in terms of network customization.

The HideMyAss macOS client has all of the basic features you would look for in a safe and secure VPN. This includes an automatic kill switch, IP shuffle feature, and no-log DNS servers. The VPN also has an IPv4, IPv4, and DNS leak shield. It even has a built-in speed test feature, so you can test and verify server speeds every time you try out a new server or setting.

HideMyAss is very affordable if you’re looking for a long-term VPN for Mac. This is because it’s one of a handful of VPNs that offer a three-year subscription plan, which helps you save a noticeable amount of money in the long run.

HideMyAss logo

  • Apps for all plarforms and OS
  • 1000+ servers in 210+ countries
  • Random IP changes for extra security
  • Kill switch and IP leak protection
  • Split-tunneling
  • Affordable prices
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

How to Use a VPN on Mac

Setting up and using a Mac VPN client is simple and straightforward. But, to make sure everything goes without a hitch when you’re setting up, we’ve drafted a direct manual. As NordVPN is our top choice for Mac devices, we’ll use it as a setup example. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install and use NordVPN software for Mac:

  1. Go to the Apple App Store and download the app.
  2. Install the app.
  3. Once installed, find the VPN icon on your Launchpad and open it up.
  4. Sign up or log in with the VPN (You can also sign up directly on the VPN’s site).
  5. Choose a server you want to connect to and enjoy browsing in anonymity!

It’s important to note that, although we used NordVPN for this example, you can apply these steps with minimal variation to any other Mac VPN you install. The specific configuration settings will vary depending on the VPN. But the basic installation process will be nearly identical.

Mac VPN FAQs

Can you use a VPN on Macbook?

Yes, a VPN can be installed on a Macbook device, much like any other popular operating system. Just follow the detailed setup guide we’ve shared on this page, and you’ll have no trouble setting your Mac VPN on your first try.

Can I use a free VPN for Mac?

No, we don’t advise using a free VPN with Mac. Free VPN services have many downsides and most often do you more harm than good. Plus, while you’re not paying with money, you’re certainly paying with your data. Over the years, many free VPNs have been exposed for stealing user data or exploiting users as VPN exit nodes.

Can I use the Wireguard protocol on macOS?

Yes, several macOS VPNs offer the Wireguard protocol to their Mac users. The most important thing to pay attention to is if the specific VPN’s server supports it. If it does, you can use the Wireguard protocol without any limitations. Moreover, a couple of VPNs on our list even have in-house protocols you can utilize.

Am I safe if I just use Mac’s built-in VPN?

The best answer to this would be – you’re somewhat safe. As Macs have L2TP/IPSec and IKEv2 built-in, you do have some extra protection. That said, if you stick with this, you’re missing out on many essential VPN features. This includes more sophisticated encryption, geoblocking, unblocking streaming, and more.

Mac VPN Services – Summing it Up

Even though Mac devices are generally safer than Windows computers, you shouldn’t leave anything up to chance. A VPN will ensure you’re always private and safe by adding an extra security layer to your base connection. Furthermore, you can employ it for a variety of other things. Enjoy streaming, unblocking content, torrenting, and browsing without anyone snooping around your network.

Any of the ten VPNs we’ve discussed is an excellent choice, and you won’t go wrong regardless of which you pick. Ultimately, it comes down to your needs and preferences. If you can’t decide which VPN would be the best choice for you, we recommend NordVPN. The NordVPN Mac app is the best VPN for Macbook you can get.

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