If you are using a Mac, you are less prone to cybersecurity issues than those using other types of PC. But this doesn’t mean Macs are immune to cyber-attacks. With cyber-criminals getting more sophisticated and cyber crimes getting more intense, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become important. This has offered a great opportunity for VPN developers, so it’s no surprise that the market is littered with VPN service providers.
Interestingly, all these providers promise similar benefits: security, privacy, geo-unblocking capabilities, etc. However, not all VPN providers deliver on these promises. There are always those that are better than others, especially when Mac is concerned. Hence, we’ve conducted extensive research and testing in order to identify the best VPN for Mac owners.
Why do you need a VPN for your Mac device?
- For Online Security: The primary function of a VPN is to secure your online data. It does this by encrypting the data and ensuring that no one else can access it. You won’t have to worry about anyone snooping on your activities or stealing your personal information while you are connected to the internet.
- For privacy and anonymous browsing: A VPN helps hide your IP address and prevents government agencies, websites, or companies from tracking your activity or gathering your data, or monitoring your online activities without your permission.
- To unblock geo-restrictions: A VPN can help you bypass geo-restrictions by rerouting your traffic through servers in different countries. This means you will be able to access content that is only available in certain regions without having to worry about being blocked or monitored.
- To improve your internet connection speed: You could experience a slow internet connection due to a congested server or ISP throttling.
This happens when your ISP detects torrenting activities coming from your network. A VPN can help you improve your internet connection speed by routing your traffic through dedicated servers and also hiding your connection from your ISP.
What to look out for in a VPN for Mac
The first thing you have to be sure of before picking a VPN for your Mac is if your Mac supports the software. If you are going for any of the VPNs we have listed in this article then you don’t have to worry about that as we have tested and confirmed that they all work on Mac.
Also, your VPN choice should be based on what you need a VPN for. If your main concern, for instance, is security and privacy, you will want to go for a VPN that offers the strongest security and privacy features. If you use your Mac for streaming and torrenting you would want to go for a VPN with high connection speed and geo-unblocking capabilities.
However, all the listed VPN offers all of the features and even more, so irrespective of your needs, you will be covered when you use their premium services. Let’s take a look at 10 VPNs that have been tested as the best for Mac. Meanwhile, if you’re not looking to spend on a VPN service at the moment, you may want to check our list of the 7 best free VPNs for Mac. Be advised, however, that free VPNs come with their own risks.
Best VPN for Mac 2023
1. NordVPN – best for older Mac
With over 14 million users worldwide, Nord VPN is reputed to be one of the best VPNs for Macs in the market. It offers lots of amazing features that make it a perfect VPN for macOS. Even if you are using an older version of a Mac, you don’t have to worry because this VPN runs natively on an M1 Mac. It also provides two versions of its application for Mac (the IKEv2 and the OpenVPN version).
NordVPN provides 5000+ servers across 59 countries offering you several server options to connect to. If you ever encounter congested server issues while gaming with your Mac you can switch to NordVPN and use any of its less congested servers to enjoy faster browsing.
It uses Military Grade 256-bit encryption, a standard encryption algorithm used by top security agencies. Nord uses this together with the OpenVPN (UDP & TCP), IKEv2/IPsec (Mac & iOS), and NordLynx VPN protocols to mask your IP address and encrypt your traffic, offering your full online security and privacy.
Also, if you want to hide the fact that you are using a VPN when you access websites, streaming platforms, etc. NordVPN has obfuscated servers to make your traffic look like normal HTTPS traffic.
NordVPN has three plans – the complete plan goes for $5.99/month, the plus plan is $4.69/month and the standard plan is priced at $3.69 monthly. It accepts payments through credit cards, cryptocurrency, PayPal, Amazonpay, Sofort, iTunes, and GooglePay.
Other features of NordVPN for Mac
- Automatic kill switch
- Six simultaneous connections
- Unblocks Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon, YouTube, and Hulu.
- 30-day money-back guarantee
2. Express VPN – best for geo-blocking
ExpressVPN which has been around since 2009 actually prides itself as the best VPN for Mac. It provides 3000+ servers in 94 countries, giving you enough server options to connect on your Mac. The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands which makes it excellent for privacy, as the country neither has data retention laws nor is it a member of the 5 Eyes or 14 Eyes signal alliances.
It uses 256-bit AES encryption coupled with OpenVPN protocol which helps protect your data from hackers, ISPs, and other third parties. It also features an automatic kill switch, split tunneling, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy to ensure your online privacy when using their service on Mac.
ExpressVPN provides fast connection speeds which allow you to stream and game with no buffering. You can use its proprietary Lightway protocol which is optimized for faster connection to increase your internet speed.
It is also capable of unblocking websites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, etc., even when used on Macs running older versions of macOS. It also allows up to 5 simultaneous connections so you can connect your other devices on a single subscription.
The subscription for ExpressVPN includes $12.95/month, $9.99/month, and $8.32/month for the 1-month, 6 months, and 12 months plans respectively. Payments can be made through Bitcoin, PayPal, and credit cards.
Other features of ExpressVPN for Mac
- 256-bit AES encryption
- OpenVPN (UDP & TCP), IKEv2, and L2TP protocols
- No logs policy
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 30-day money-back guarantee
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) – The highest number of servers
If you are looking for a reliable VPN with the highest number of servers, Private Internet Access (PIA) is the one to go for. It provides over 35000 servers in 84 countries, providing a lot of options for you to get a fast and safe connection If you are struggling with a crowded ISP server. PIA is also great at unblocking content. You can enjoy watching streaming platforms like Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, etc., outside the US.
Additionally, it comes with a split tunneling feature allowing you to choose which apps should use the VPN for connecting and which ones don’t need it. With this, you can save data and improve the speed of your internet connection. It also has a Kill-switch feature which has two options: VPN Kill Switch and Advanced Kill Switch.
The VPN kill switch stops traffic only when the VPN is turned on, whereas, the Advanced Kill Switch feature blocks all internet access to your Mac even when PIA is turned off. Overall, PIA is built to provide foolproof security and privacy and is one of the best VPNs for Macs.
With $11.95/month you can get PIA or you may decide to opt for the $39.95 yearly plan. Though PIA may be a little pricey, it is worth it.
Other features of PIA for Macs
- Multi-Hop
- Strict no logs policy
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Split tunneling feature
- Automatic kill switch
- DNS leak protection
4. Surfshark – best for budget buyers
Surfshark, another popular VPN for Mac users, is one of the most affordable options in the market. It provides 3200+ servers across 100 countries and allows unlimited simultaneous connections from a single subscription. This makes Surfshark the perfect option if you are looking to save money while still getting quality features like encryption and IP masking.
The VPN was recently upgraded to meet version 10.12 and above compatibility. However, you may have to set up Surfshark manually or connect to a router if your Mac is older than version 10.12.
Surfshark uses Military-grade 256-bit encryption and supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. With this, you are assured full anonymity while browsing the internet.
There is also the IP rotator feature that changes your IP address every minute, making your traffic untraceable as you browse through the web. And if your personal information ever leaks, you can set up real-time data breach alerts to monitor the web for your personal information. Additionally, if you find yourself in regions where VPNs are restricted, you can turn on the No Border Mode to hide your VPN traffic.
If you are going for Surfshark’s yearly plan, it will cost you $3.99/month but the monthly plan is set at $12.95.
Other features of Surfshark for Mac
- Clean Web feature to block ads
- Camouflage mode
- Kill switch
- No logs policy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Cyberghost – best for streaming
You can’t mention top VPNs without Cyberghost making the list. With 36 million users worldwide, this VPN ranks among the top and provides a fast and reliable VPN service. It has over 9000 servers across 91 countries and offers top-notch 128-bit encryption to protect you from cyber threats. The protocol lineup includes WireGuard, PPTP, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec. With this, it is impossible for anyone to spy on you or intercept your data.
In addition to security, Cyberghost is well-known for its streaming capabilities especially if you are trying to access geo-restricted content like Hulu, Netflix, or BBC iPlayer. It also unblocks other streaming platforms outside the US including ESPN+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and more. Its servers are super fast and secure, and have no bandwidth limit, making it the best for gaming and torrenting.
You can activate CyberGhost for Mac with a single click as it is incredibly user-friendly, making it ideal for beginners. It also offers advanced security features such as a strict no-logs policy, DNS leak protection, and an Automatic Kill Switch to ensure your connection is secure at all times.
For a 2-year and 4-month plan, Cyberghost gives a generous $2.03 monthly. The monthly subscription goes for $12.99 and $6.99/month for the 6 months plan. Acceptable mediums of payment include PayPal and credit cards.
Other Features of Cyberghost for Mac
- Split tunneling
- Ad Blocking feature
- Unlimited bandwidth and data transfer
- 45-day money-back guarantee.
- Dedicated servers for streaming and gaming
- Simultaneous connection of up to 7 devices
6. Proton VPN – best for advanced users
Proton VPN provides an excellent user experience for Mac users. It is easy to install and use, making it a good choice for both beginners and experienced users. It offers fast speeds with over 1700 servers in 60 countries so you can access any content from anywhere in the world.
It uses strong protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard to provide top-notch security. This VPN also offers perfect forward secrecy that changes your encryption key every time you connect. Additionally, it has an Automatic Kill Switch feature that disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection is lost for any reason.
ProtonVPN also offers very advanced features like Secure Core, which routes your traffic through multiple servers before connecting you to the internet. This ensures extra security by making it impossible for anyone to track or intercept your data.
Though ProtonVPN has a free version, its paid version goes for 4.99€/month.
Other Features of Proton VPN for Mac
- No logs policy
- Connects up to 10 devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Tor over VPN
- Ad blocker
7. Pure VPN – Best for Speed
PureVPN is one of the most popular VPNs on Mac and it has an impressive network of 6500+ servers in 75 countries. It offers an impressive range of features for advanced users such as split tunneling and dedicated IP addresses. It also has a built-in ad blocker and malware protection to keep your devices safe from malicious content.
In terms of speed, PureVPN is one of the fastest VPNs available. Its servers provide excellent speeds for streaming, downloading, and gaming – even in high-traffic areas. And with unlimited bandwidth and data transfer, you can use PureVPN without worrying about running out of data or speed.
PureVPN costs $0.99 for a week, $10.95 for a month, and $39.95 for 12 months.
Other features of PureVPN For Mac
- Internet Kill Switch
- Unlimited server switching
- 24/7 customer support
8. Vypr VPN – Best for Privacy
Vypr VPN may not be a really big name, but it sure can be placed among some of the best VPN for Mac. Its Chameleon protocol scrambles OpenVPN data packets to make it impossible for anyone to track and intercept your data. It also offers AES 256-bit encryption and a strict no-logs policy, making it one of the best options if you want to keep your data safe.
Vypr VPN also offers fast speeds for streaming and downloading content, with over 700 servers in 64 countries. It has a dedicated IP address feature that allows you to access restricted websites even if they are blocked in your country. It has a 3-year plan that allows you to pay just $1.81/month, giving you excellent value for your money.
Other Features of VyprVPN for Mac
- Secure NAT Firewall
- Automatic connection feature
- DNS leak protection
- 24/7 customer support.
9. IPVanish – Best for Multiple Devices
IPVanish allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously and enjoy good speeds for streaming and downloading content. It has over 1300 servers in 75+ countries, giving you access to a large selection of content from around the world.
IPVanish also offers really interesting security features. The On-Demand feature will let you customize your Mac to automate VPN connections: for example, enabling it only when connecting to less-secure public Wi-Fi network protocols.
You can also securely store 500GB of files on its encrypted storage. It also has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your data is never tracked or shared with anyone else. Additionally, it offers 256-bit AES encryption to keep your data safe from hackers and snoopers.
IPVanish quarterly plan is $10/month, the yearly plan is $3.99/month and $11.88/month for the monthly plan.
Other Features of IPVanish for Mac
- SOCKS5 Proxy included
- Anonymous torrenting
- Unlimited server switching.
10. Private VPN – Best for Streaming and torrenting
Private VPN is one of the best VPNs available for streaming content online. It has over 150 servers in 60 countries and provides excellent speeds for streaming and downloading. You can access Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more with its servers.
It also offers AES-256-bit encryption to keep your data secure from third parties. Private VPN also offers a strict no-log policy, so you can be sure that your data is safe and secure. In terms of security features, it has an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection to keep your traffic safe from cyber threats.
PrivateVPN has three different plans altogether. The 36-month plan is $2.00 monthly, $6.00 for a 3-month plan, and $9.90 for a 1-month plan.
Other Features of PrivateVPN for Mac
- Easy-to-use VPN apps
- 6 simultaneous connections
- 24/7 customer support.
Final thoughts
Choosing the best VPN for Mac is no small task. With so many different options to choose from, you may find it difficult to decide which one is right for you. We hope that this article has helped you make an informed decision about the right VPN for your Mac device. With any of these 10 services, you can be sure that your data is safe and secure, and you can enjoy the best streaming and gaming experience.
