If you use macOS, you might believe you don’t want the additional security provided by a VPN because Apple is renowned for the excellent level of security of its products. However, even if you use a macOS, various websites can still get your IP address or your ISP can monitor your browser activities on both macOS and iOS (iPhone). Both of those things are beyond the capacity of macOS to avoid, but the best Mac VPN can. Therefore, it’s a good idea to utilize a trustworthy and well-tested VPN if you want to keep your online activity safe and protected.
Keep in mind that the degree of anonymity that the best VPN for mac and iOS users now provide is subject to some restrictions. Despite the security provided by an encrypted VPN tunnel, recent independent research has suggested that Apple may still get browsing and internet data from macOS (and perhaps iOS) users.
Finding the best macOS VPN provider for your needs might be challenging due to the numerous companies fighting for your business. In our guide, we’ve dedicated ourselves to deep research and testing of various VPNs that can work flawlessly on macOS. This will help you choose the perfect provider for you.
MacOS VPNs That 100% Work For Anything
- NordVPN: 30-Days Money-back Guarantee [NordVPN_Price]
- Surfshark: The Most Affordable macOS VPN @ [Surfshark_Price]
- Private Internet Access: Easy to Set up and Use for macOS [PIAVPN_Price]
- PureVPN: Go Fast with Unlimited Bandwidth @ [PureVPN_Price]
- iProVPN: The Only Free macOS VPN @ $1.30/month
How To Download, Install and Use a VPN For macOS?
Although the procedure may vary slightly depending on the VPN provider, we are certain that it would be just as simple as downloading any other new apps. To install any VPN on your Mac, follow these procedures.
- Select the VPN from the list and subscribe to a plan (Look for a VPN provider which offers a 7-day free trial).
- Now download the respective App from its website or from the Google/Apple Store.
- Use the credentials provided by your VPN provider to enjoy unrestricted internet on your Mac.
Note: All of the services on this list include comprehensive tutorials and friendly customer care, so you should be able to handle any problems you encounter without difficulty.
The Way To Select The Best macOS VPN?
It doesn’t matter what is your use of the VPN on Mac, I think privacy should always be the top consideration when using a security solution for your PC or MAC.
After ensuring privacy, you should search for the best features based on your personal requirements. For instance, want to improve your streaming experience? Make sure your VPN can access as many streaming services as possible. A serious internet gamer? Then, you want to think about a VPN that provides the fastest connections possible. Want to get around tough internet censorship? Look for a VPN which uses good obfuscation technologies.
Fulfilling all of these checks, NordVPN is our #1 VPN for Mac in addition to having excellent application and customer support. It performed flawlessly in our field tests, is incredibly easy to use, and is compatible with almost every device you own, especially on macOS. However, a few competitors are also worthwhile alternatives to take into account if you are tight on budget or NordVPN doesn’t work well in your country. Continue reading to learn about our top five Mac VPNs.
NordVPN for macOS: No 1 and Value for Money
As always NordVPN now is getting priority for macOS devices, It held the top spot on this ranking for several years. Compared to other top VPNs, NordVPN even with a free trial option provides specialized servers for certain uses.
Thanks to the handy “Quick connect” feature, which selects the server best suited to your needs. NordVPN unblocks popular streaming services like US Netflix and BBC iPlayer worldwide, and connections are quick and reliable. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously on one account.
NordVPN is now one of the fastest macOS VPNs available due to the addition of its proprietary tunneling protocol called NordLynx which is based on the super-fast WireGuard protocol. You must download the “OpenVPN” version on NordVPN to get more control over your privacy despite the fact it is slower than most of the other protocols.
The three plans offered by NordVPN are Standard, Plus, and Complete. The Nord Password Manager and Data Breach Scanner are included in the Plus edition, while the Complete plan additionally includes 1TB of secured cloud storage.
Surfshark VPN For macOS: For All MacBook Models
There are so many positive reasons to go for a SurfShark VPN, It has the quickest connections worldwide and an incredibly simple user interface thanks to recent updates made to meet Apple M1 compatibility. All of it can be found in a solution that consistently ranks near the top of our best-priced MacOS VPN list.
For encryption, Surfshark provides OpenVPN and a number of additional protocols, including the lightning-fast WireGuard. AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy are in place to make sure that no one can find out what websites you’ve been visiting.
Surfshark won’t let you down either if you’re searching for a strong VPN for streaming. When we last checked, it successfully opened geo-restricted content on all the major streaming services.
PIA: Get a Privacy Upgrade VPN For macOS
If you’re seeking a MacOS VPN that combines top-notch service with really low prices, Private Internet Access (PIA) is only the option. Furthermore, it works well for both beginners and IT professionals due to its highly customizable features.
It offers an enormous 30,000+ servers spread across 73 countries, which is far more than a typical VPN service offers. With the capacity for up to 10 simultaneous connections, these servers include all of the most well-liked locations.
Despite being situated in the US, the service doesn’t record any of your information or activities, therefore PIA wouldn’t have any information to turn over should the authorities demand it. But it’s not flawless. There is no proof of an independent audit, and the Mac app is slow compared to some competitors.
PureVPN: Trust to Protect Your Mac
PureVPN offers outstanding protection to all of its users. It’s a solid option for anyone looking for the best Mac VPN that is truly secure + has an excellent no-logging policy, full AES-256 encryption, typical capabilities like Tor over VPN, and its rock-strong Secure Core servers.
The pricing plan is substantially higher than the top 3 VPNs on this list, which is primarily why it came in 4th position. but it includes 10 simultaneous connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee. It is also one of the VPNs that provides its services for free but with a limited number of features and speeds.
Can I Get a Free Mac VPN?
Fortunately, there are many free VPN services available in the Apple Store that work on Mac. But you’ll have to make some big compromises. Make sure to choose the free VPN service as per our recommendation since if you’re not careful, you are at risk of having your data compromised.
Proton VPN is our top choice for a free Mac VPN, which you can try with more than 100 servers in 3 different countries but at a slower speed. However, if you want to experience the fastest speed and additional security features, we still advise taking advantage of a paid provider’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
Sort of. L2TP/IPSec and IKEv2 VPN protocols are in fact built into Macs, and you may enable them at any moment for additional security. Go to your network settings and select add a VPN using one of those protocols to turn it on. However, you still need to subscribe to a VPN plan that offers L2TP or IKEv2 protocols or you can make use of iCloud Private Relay which was recently introduced by Apple.
Having a Mac VPN is entirely legal, but using one does not excuse criminal behavior from prosecution. Many individuals associated using a VPN with criminal activities, but as the services become more popular and their legitimate purposes become well understood, this perception is now weakening.