A good VPN helps keep Internet users safe in their browsing activities. Review and compare the best VPN for Mac devices:
A VPN plays a vital role in keeping users safe on the Internet and in protecting their privacy.
While virtual private network services have existed for many years, choosing the right one can be challenging. This is because there are so many VPN for Mac devices to choose from. Each one offers distinct features and advantages.
In this guide, we will examine the best VPN for Mac devices so that you can find the right one for your needs.
Let us begin!!
Table of Contents:
Review VPN For Mac Devices
VPN Market Growth:
List of the Best VPN for Mac
Here is the list of some popular Mac VPNs:
- NordVPN
- ExpressVPN
- Surfshark
- Free Planet VPN
- Private Internet Access
- TunnelBear
- Hotspot Shield
- Mullvad VPN
- Urban VPN
- CyberGhost
- VyprVPN
- PrivateVPN
- ProtonVPN
- Windscribe
- Hide.me
- Atlas VPN
Comparison of Top VPN Clients for Mac Devices
| Tool Name | Best For | Price | Ratings ***** |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Users seeking a speedy VPN for Netflix and torrenting. | 1 Month: $11.95 1 Year: $59.00 2 Years: $89.00 |  |
| ExpressVPN | Users that need a reliable security and privacy tool. | 1 Month: $12.95 6 Months: $59.95 12 Months: $99.95 |  |
| Surfshark | Supports unlimited number of devices. | 1-month: $12.95, 12-months: $39.99 for the first year, $59.76 thereafter, 24-months: $59.76 for the first two years, and then annually charged. | |
| Free Planet VPN | Robust Encryption Protocols | Starts at $9.99/month |  |
| Private Internet Access | Split tunnelling and ad-blocking | 1 month: $9.95/month, 1 year: $39.95, 3 years: $79 | |
| TunnelBear | Users seeking a free VPN to unblock streaming services like Netflix and Youtube | Free: Free Unlimited: $3.33/month Teams: $5.75/user/month | |
| Hotspot Shield | Users that need a free VPN for torrenting. | Basic: Free Premium: £6.99/month Premium Family: £10.49/month | |
| Mullvad VPN | Users seeking a simple and affordable VPN. | €5/month |  |
Detailed review:
#1) NordVPN
Best for users seeking a speedy VPN for Netflix and torrenting.
NordVPN is a leading virtual private network service that also includes special tools. The service follows many practices to ensure privacy and security for its users. It boasts a massive and diverse range of servers along with WireGuard technology for additional security.
Users can use up to 6 devices simultaneously on the service and have the option of purchasing a static IP address to prevent their virtual private network connection from being blocked.
Features:
- Over 5000 servers.
- Cutting edge encryption.
- No logs policy.
- DoubleVPN.
- DNS leak protection.
- Blazing-fast speeds.
- Dedicated IP address.
Verdict: NordVPN’s blazing fast speeds and DNS leak protection make it a brilliant choice among paid virtual private networks. Users can rest easy knowing their activity is safe thanks to their no logs policy.
Trial: Yes | 30 Days
Pricing:
- 1 Month: $11.95
- 1Year: $59.00
- 2 Years: $89.00
#2) ExpressVPN
Best for users that need reliable security and privacy tool.
ExpressVPN offers a great service with multiple layers of protection. The service utilizes its own DNS servers to prevent attackers from eavesdropping on your Internet activity. It also features a special “killswitch” that blocks your device’s Internet connection if the VPN drops.
Users can also opt for ExpressVPN’s Lightway, which is a speedy and secure virtual private network protocol.
Features:
- 160 server locations.
- High speed.
- Leak protection.
- Network locking killswitch.
- Split tunneling.
Verdict: ExpressVPN is a superb choice for users that want a reliable VPN that keeps their internet activity private. Its killswitch ensures you always have a virtual private network active for all your web activities.
Trial: Yes | 30 Days
Price:
- 1 Month: $12.95
- 6 Months: $59.95
- 12 Months: $99.95
#3) Surfshark
Best for users seeking a VPN can that supports an unlimited number of devices.
Surfshark is one of the best paid Mac VPN options available. Like other virtual private network services, Surfshark routes user web traffic through its encrypted connections via remote servers.
It also allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices to the VPN service. This makes it a significant choice for households or small businesses where employee internet activity must be secured.
Features:
- No logs policy.
- Kill switch.
- Private DNS and leak protection.
- NoBorders mode allows users to access Surfshark from anywhere.
- Changing user IP.
Verdict: Surfshark is good for users that wish to connect an unlimited number of devices to a virtual private network. Its price makes it marginally more expensive than other paid options. However, it is a relatively small additional expense that ensures reliability.
Trial: Yes | 7-Days
Price:
- 1-month: $12.95
- 12-months: $39.99 for the first year, and $59.76 for each following year
- 24-months: $59.76 for the first two years, and then annually
#4) Free Planet VPN
Best for Robust Encryption Protocols.
With Free Planet VPN, you get a robust cross-compatible VPN service… meaning this is a VPN tool that works just as well with other OS as it does with macOS. Users of Free Planet VPN have the option of either using its services for free or opting for the very affordable premium plan.
If you opt for the free plan, you’ll be able to connect with 5 different locations around the world to cloak your internet activity. With the premium plan, you get access to 1260 servers scattered across 60 countries. Free Planet VPN also doesn’t maintain logs of its user activity.
Features:
- Kill Switch Tech
- 256-bit encryption
- DNS and IP Leak protection
- No-Logs policy
- Smart filters for sites in browser extension
Verdict: Free Planet VPN is affordable and highly effective in assuring internet anonymity to its users. With just a single click, you’ll be able to connect to a server location of your choice to bypass censorship restrictions and access blocked content.
Price: Free Planet VPN can be used for free with limited capabilities. To leverage its full potential, you’ll need to subscribe to any of three plans:
- $9.99/month
- $3.99/month for annual plan
- $1.99/month for 3 +1 year promotional plan.
#5) Private Internet Access
Best for users seeking a virtual private network with split tunneling and ad-blocking capabilities.
Private Internet Access is a popular VPN service known for its great user privacy protocols and no-longs policy. This service has over 20,000 servers and is based in the United States. It also offers full P2P support, which makes it great for torrenting. Users can also use split-tunneling to decide which of their apps passes through the virtual private network.
Features:
- Unlimited bandwidth.
- Over 20,000 servers in 70 countries.
- Adblocking.
- 24/7 live customer support.
- High-speeds.
- Open-source.
Verdict: Private Internet Access offers basic VPN features along with split tunneling capabilities. Its price makes it more affordable than the other paid virtual private networks we have seen.
Trial: Yes | 30-days
Price:
- 1-month: $9.95
- 1-year: $39.95
- 3-years: $79
#6) TunnelBear
Best for users seeking a free VPN to unblock streaming services like Netflix and Youtube
TunnelBear prioritizes customer privacy and transparency. It is also one of the best FREE VPN for Mac. Users can use up to five devices on their accounts. The service also recently began allowing P2P file sharing, so users can use it for torrenting.
The Free version comes with only 500MB of bandwidth per month. However, users can get this upped to 1.5GB by tweeting at the company each month.
Features:
- No data logging.
- Anti-VPN blocking features.
- Supports up to 5 devices at once.
- Strong encryption.
- Can be set to be always on.
Verdict: TunnelBear may not offer the wide range of features and add-ons its competitors provide. However, it comes with a charming interface and prioritizes consumer privacy and transparency in its operations.
Price:
- Free: Free
- Unlimited: $3.33/month
- Teams: $5.75/user/month
#7) HotSpot Shield
Best for users that need a free virtual private network for torrenting.
Hotspot Shield is one of the leading VPN software for Mac. It has servers in over 80 countries and is used by over 650 million users across the globe. Hotspot Shield offers users fast speeds thanks to its special Catapult Hydra protocol. It also includes P2P support, dedicated user apps, and 24/7 customer support live chat.
Further Reading => Some of the Worth Trying VPNs for School
Features:
- Private browsing.
- Malware protection.
- Unlimited bandwidth.
- No ads.
- Unlimited content access.
Verdict: Hotspot Shield is a suitable choice for users that are seeking a virtual private network for torrenting. The paid versions offer a wonderfulvset of apps and an antivirus program that is sure to meet the needs of most users.
Trial: Yes | 7-days
Price:
- Basic: Free
- Premium: £6.99/month
- Premium Family: £10.49/month
#8) Mullvad VPN
Best for users seeking a simple and affordable virtual private network.
Mullvad VPN is one of the lesser-known VPN providers. However, they excel due to their strict commitment to user privacy. The service does not collect information from its users when they sign up. Instead, they generate a random number which is then used as the user’s identifier.
Features:
- Mass surveillance protection.
- Anonymous sign up.
- Public Wi-Fi security.
- Multiple layers of protection.
- Strict no tracking and no-logging policy.
Verdict: Mullvad VPN doesn’t offer the Hi-Fi features other paid virtual private network services provide. However, its dedication to privacy and anonymous sign-up structure makes it a good choice for people who would like to be extra cautious.
Price: €5/month
#9) Urban VPN
Best for anyone that needs a simple website unblocker.
Urban VPN touts itself as The only 100% FREE, 100% fast & 100% anonymous VPN in the world. This virtual private network client for Mac offers great website unblocking capabilities as well as a range of apps. It uses a “hola” type system where some of your web traffic is routed through other users’ computers and vice versa.
Features:
- Unlimited bandwidth.
- 80 server locations.
- Website unlocking.
- Unlimited devices.
Verdict: Urban VPN’s unlimited bandwidth and free price make it attractive for many users. However, its additional features and apps leave a lot to be desired.
Price: Free
#10) CyberGhost
Best for individuals and businesses seeking a feature-packed VPN service.
CyberGhost is a leading service that boasts an extensive network of servers. Users can use up to seven connections at once and enhance their security with the service’s additional tools. CyberGhost also includes ad blocking and malware protection capabilities. Users can also exempt specific URLs from being accessed through the VPN connection.
Features:
- 256-bit AES encryption.
- P2P Sharing.
- Over 3,700 servers across the globe.
- Use up to 7 devices at once.
- Ad and malware blocking.
- Automated kill switch.
Verdict: CyberGhost is pricey, even among other paid competitors. Its ad and malware blocking capabilities are passable, but users may prefer to use their own apps for these tasks. This service may be a good choice for small businesses with 7 or fewer employees.
Trial: Yes | 1-day
Price:
- 1-month: $12.99
- 6-months: $38.34
- 2-years: $58.50
#11) VyprVPN
Best for individuals and professionals seeking an affordable virtual private network with great apps
VyprVPN was introduced by the Swiss company GoldenFrog. The service has been audited and recently updated its logging policy to ensure data privacy for users. VyprVPN allows up to five connections simultaneously, owns its servers, and offers 24/7 customer service live chat.
Features:
- Doesn’t log activity.
- Offers strong security features.
- Owns their own servers.
- 24/7 customer service live chat.
Verdict: VyprVPN is fairly priced and offers basic virtual private network capabilities. However, some users have reported that its speeds are slower than other paid VPN providers.
Trial: Yes | 30-day
Price:
- 2-months: $12.95
- 18-months: $45.00
- 36-months: $65.00
#12) PrivateVPN
Best for users seeking a high-performance VPN service.
PrivateVPN is a fast-growing VPN service provider based in Sweden. The service offers reliable connections, sturdy security, and support for torrenting. Users can use this virtual private network to access streaming services, such as Amazon Video, ABC, and Hulu.
Features:
- 100 servers
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Live chat support
- Torrenting support
- Supports up to 6 devices at a time
Verdict: PrivateVPN is a straightforward virtual private network that offers what you would expect from a basic service.
Trial: Yes | 7-days
Price:
- 1-month: $8.99
- 3-months: $17.99
- 24-months: $59.99
#13) ProtonVPN
Best for users that need a basic free VPN with upgrade options.
PrivateVPN is a great virtual private network app for Mac that is useful for streaming and torrenting. This service supports up to six connections simultaneously and includes customizable encryption.
Features:
- Supports streaming services.
- Up to six connections simultaneously.
- Kill switch.
- Customizable encryption.
Verdict: PrivateVPN is straightforward to use. It’s a brilliant choice for anyone that isn’t looking for added bells and whistles in their VPN.
Trial: Yes | 7-days
Price:
- Free: Free
- Basic: €4/month
- Plus: €8/month
- Visionary: €24/month
#14) Windscribe
Best for users seeking a feature-rich VPN solution.
Windscribe is a virtual private network service with a multitude of added features. The app allows users to look up which servers are best for torrenting. It also includes desktop apps that include WireGuard protocol.
Features:
- Large server network.
- No identifiable logging.
- Strong encryption.
- Static IPs.
- Port forwarding.
Verdict: Windscribe offers a wide range of features for a reasonable price. This VPN is great for users looking for something a bit extra.
Price:
- Free: Free
- Monthly Plan: $9.00
- Yearly Plan: $49.00
#15) Hide.me
Best for anyone seeking an advanced VPN that values privacy and transparency.
Hide.me is a popular VPN that packs loads of great features. Users can have up to ten connections simultaneously and make payments anonymously. It is also BitTorrent friendly and offers great speeds.
Features:
- Supports up to ten connections simultaneously.
- BitTorrent friendly.
- Large server network.
- 2GB of data for a FREE version.
Verdict: Hide.me is a suitable choice for users that would like a reliable virtual private network with extra features. The FREE version offers more bandwidth than many other FREE VPNs out there.
Price:
- FREE: Free
- 1-month: $12.95
- 1-year: $99.95
- 2-years: $129.95
#16) Atlas VPN
Best for Internet Privacy and Protection.
As a VPN service, Atlas VPN serves dual purposes. Not only can it cloak your internet activity, it also goes above and beyond to keep you safe from online threats. It gives you access to more than 750 servers to switch between different destinations.
It automatically blocks websites that contain malicious content that may harm your device. A single subscription can be used to keep unlimited number devices secure. Furthermore, the service adhere to a zero-logs policy, which means you data isn’t collected by the service provider.
Features:
- Network Kill Switch
- Split Tunneling
- Data Breach Monitoring
- Malware Blocking
- SafeSwap Servers
Verdict:
From assuring total privacy to protecting your devices from viruses, malware and all sorts of threats, Atlas VPN is a powerful VPN tool that’s easy to implement and extremely effective in its functioning.
Trial: There is a 30 day money back guarantee.
Price:
- $10.99 for the monthly plan
- $3.29/month if billed annually
- $1.82/month for the 2-year plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you really safe with a VPN?
A virtual private network protects your IP and keeps your Internet history confidential. However, it can’t protect you from downloading malicious files or falling for online scams.
They are legal in North America and most European countries. Only a handful of countries, such as China, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, have banned virtual private networks.
Is it good to have a VPN?
It can keep your mind at ease while conducting browsing activities. You won’t need to worry about websites or your ISP tracking you when your virtual private network is activated.
Is a VPN meant to be slow?
Some VPNs can be slow because they must route data across multiple locations. However, plenty of modern ones is speedy enough to keep up with your Internet connection.
Are Free VPNs good?
There are plenty of free virtual private networks that protect your identity while browsing online. Modern free VPNs offer many of the features that their paid counterparts provide.
Do VPNs collect your data?
Some VPNs may keep logs of your browsing data. It is important to research each virtual private network and learn about their data collection policies before installing them.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of VPN options for Mac users. The best-paid options include ExpressVPN and NordVPN for their great speeds and excellent customer service support.
TunnelBear is the best FREE VPN for Mac for its simple yet attractive design and reliability. Consult the above list the next time you want to download VPN for Mac.
Research Process:
- Time taken to research this article: We spent approximately 10 hours researching the best virtual private network for Mac.
- Total tools researched: 28
- Top tools shortlisted: 14