Best VPN for Mac: Speed, Security, and Reliability

If you’re a Mac user, you’re probably looking for elegance, intuitive controls, and tools that can handle any task with ease. At the same time, you probably care about security too, so you’re looking for the best VPN for Mac.

You’ve probably heard that Macs are much safer than traditional PCs. That’s why you might have thought that you didn’t need to worry about online security on a Mac. But that’s not quite true.

In our testing, NordVPN is the best VPN choice for Mac. It offers easy installation, malware protection, 10 connected devices simultaneously, and has over 7,156 servers in over 118 countries. It’s the perfect choice for work and for safe and anonymous web surfing.

David SVOBODA

Whatever computer you use, there are dangers lurking at every turn on the Internet. From internet scammers seeking access to your savings to overzealous ISPs collecting your data and selling it to third parties, the online world of the internet is a treacherous and unsettling one.

You may be asking yourself, what is a VPN good for? In short, a virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your data. This way, no one can track your online activities and get to your sensitive data.

And if you’re looking for the best VPN for Mac, you’ve come to the right place. After thorough testing on several Mac devices, we can confidently say that some VPN services are better than others at getting along with the operating system.

Our evaluation focuses on connection speed, security level, ease of use for the user and price/performance ratio. Based on these criteria, we can provide you with the most reliable VPN recommendation for your iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad, or even iPhone.

Why is a VPN essential for Mac users?

Using a VPN on your Mac is crucial to protecting your privacy because Internet Service Providers (ISPs), advertising companies, and government agencies can track what you do online. A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic, which means no one can see the websites you visit, the files you download, or the services you use.

This not only gives you peace of mind, but also more control over your personal and sensitive data.

Another reason every Mac user should use a VPN is to secure connections to public WiFi networks. While hotels, coffee shops, wifi in the city, or airports may offer convenient free internet access, without protection they can easily become a target for hackers who can eavesdrop on your login credentials or sensitive information.

A VPN creates a secure encrypted tunnel for your data, effectively eliminating the risk of these attacks.

In addition to security, a VPN also provides anonymity when browsing the web and allows you to bypass geographical restrictions. Whether you want to watch content only available in another country or access blocked services, a VPN allows you to connect through servers in different locations.

For example, if you want to watch your favorite Netflix while on vacation outside US, UK or other, VPN is just a click away.

This means you can enjoy the exact same level of internet freedom and convenience at home and on the go, without having to worry about any surveillance or potential restrictions.

How to Know a Quality VPN for Mac

Before we present our top Mac VPN tips, let’s focus on the key features that a good VPN should have. These requirements are essential not only for Macs, but for other operating systems as well.

Data protection and encryption

A high level of security is an essential element of any quality VPN for any Mac. In addition, it should run on a reliable VPN protocol such as OpenVPN or WireGuard. NordVPN even uses its NordLynx protocol.

These technologies ensure that your IP address remains hidden and your data is protected from attacks and tracking.

Large number of servers and global coverage

The best VPN for Mac should have enough servers to handle the influx of users without slowing down. It should have at least thousands of servers, and offer connections in at least 75+ countries, ensuring access to geo-blocked content and possibly banned sites.

Key features for Mac users

In addition to basic encryption and connection protection, a VPN should include advanced features that improve the user experience. Some of the most important features include:

• Kill switch – disconnects the internet when the VPN connection goes down
• Split tunneling – allows you to specify which applications use VPN connections and which do not
• Block ads, trackers and malware
• Virtual LAN (Local Area Network) – ideal for local gaming and file sharing
• Multi-hop – increases anonymity by routing your connection through 2 or more servers

Not to worry, all of these features will be explained in detail when describing each VPN service. The important thing to know is that every Mac VPN in our selection offers at least one of these features.

Comparison of Best VPNs for Mac

Now, let’s take a look at our top 5 recommended VPNs for Mac and explain why they’re among the best on the market.

Tested at 150Mbps internet speed

1. NordVPN – The Ideal VPN for Your Security

BestSafeVPN ratings
9,9 / 10

Current offer
74% discount + 3 months free

NordVPN Specifications

• Multihop (double connection): yes
• Camouflage Mode: yes
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Streaming: yes
• Mac App: Yes
• Torrenting: yes

NordVPN is one of the top VPN services on the market – especially if you work on a Mac. The macOS app is packed with all the advanced features you might need and regularly goes through updates.

The service’s security protocols are very robust (AES-256 encryption), performance is excellent, and it allows you to stream content from the US, UK, Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands. At the same time, NordVPN is reasonably priced.

NordVPN Security Protocols

NordVPN protects your data with state-of-the-art AES-256 encryption. This encryption is also used by the NSA to protect its classified information. Given current computing capabilities, it would take millions of years to break it by brute force.

NordVPN’s strict no-logging policy has been confirmed by independent privacy audits. Their servers, which use only RAM, are automatically wiped after each reboot. This means that there would be nothing to store even if an attempt was made to retrieve your data. During our testing, we didn’t notice any security holes.

Number of servers and NordVPN network

NordVPN has more than 7,159 servers in 118 countries, providing coverage for more than half the world. Few other VPN services offer a similarly large network, such as CyberGhost (100 countries) or ExpressVPN (106 countries).

A wide network of servers allowed us to easily change IP addresses according to the current needs. Using an IP address from Germany, we were able to watch the German Netflix library without any problems. An IP address from Turkey in turn opened up the possibility of watching local football league broadcasts.

Other NordVPN features

NordVPN offers a wide range of additional features. We’ve tested the most important ones available for macOS

• Threat Protection: this feature protects against malicious websites, ads and trackers. Although not a full-fledged antivirus, Threat Protection successfully blocked access to a phishing link from a suspicious email.
• Double VPN: This technology doubles encryption by routing data through two servers, providing a higher level of security. You’ll especially appreciate this feature when working with sensitive documents or sending confidential emails.

Advantages of NordVPN

• Reliable and stable macOS app without crashes or crashes
• Favourable price for long-term subscription
• Extensive server coverage worldwide
• Strict no-logs policy
• Great app reviews
• Not part of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes or 14 Eyes alliances

Disadvantages of NordVPN

• Dedicated IP addresses for an additional fee
• Limited number of simultaneously connected devices to 10
• Average quality of customer support

Experience with NordVPN on Mac

macOS is known for its stability and intuitive interface, which NordVPN perfectly complements with its easy-to-use app with advanced security features.

The macOS app installed on a Macbook Pro with iOS 15.2 in less than a minute. The app installs in the defaults, which works immediately.

Another advantage is the fact that you can reconfigure the whole thing to suit your needs in a few clicks.

We really appreciated the auto-connect feature – our work MacBooks automatically connected to NordVPN when the system booted. This saved us time and saved us from having to manually activate a secure connection every time we logged in.

Meshnet – Advanced Network Function

Meshnet works like a virtual local area network (LAN). A LAN usually connects devices through the same router and allows file sharing or access to printers or other devices.

Meshnet allows you to create a virtual LAN that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. One of our colleagues on holiday in Portugal, for example, printed a document on a printer in our office in Prague without any problems.

NordVPN speed and performance

NordVPN performed great during our intensive tests. When used on a MacBook Pro with iOS 15.2, download speeds decreased by about 5%. After a thorough evaluation, we found the NordLynx protocol to be the best choice in most situations, especially when streaming content from Netflix or Hulu in America.

Price

NordVPN offers 4 service options: Basic, Plus, Complete and Ultra. Subscriptions can be arranged for three different durations – one month, one year or two years. The longer the term you choose, the better the price per month. Below you will find a detailed price overview of each plan.

NordVPN price overview

This pricing structure allows you to save if you choose a longer subscription, which is ideal for those looking for long-term protection and want a better price.

2. Surfshark – The best choice for torrenting

Reviews of BestSafeVPN
9,7 / 10

Current offer
87% discount + 3 months free

Specifications of Surfshark

• Multi-Hop connection: yes
• Camouflage Mode: yes
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Streaming: yes
• Netflix support: yes
• Torrenting: yes

Security protocols

Surfshark uses advanced Multi-Hop protection, which is similar to a double VPN. This feature routes your connection through two different servers, increasing anonymity and security.

In our test, we found that this feature can slow down the connection slightly, so we used it mainly when accessing sensitive sites.

In addition, Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption, which is considered the most secure standard in the industry, and all of their servers are RAM-only, meaning no data is permanently stored. This technology offers maximum security without compromising your privacy.

Surfshark Server Infrastructure

Surfshark operates approximately 3,200 servers in 100 countries. While this is less than NordVPN’s server network, its presence in over 100 countries provides near-global coverage.

All Surfshark plans include access to the entire server network, making it an excellent choice for IP address changes.

Unique Surfshark features

One of SurfShark’s exceptional features is CleanWeb. This feature serves as a powerful ad and tracker blocker, which you’ll especially appreciate on ad-laden sites. Not only are ads annoying, but they often pose a security risk, for example due to malicious content.

CleanWeb can remove unwanted ads and pop-ups and protect you from being tracked.

In our testing, we noticed that web browsing was much more enjoyable. News sites, which are usually cluttered with ads, were much clearer and loaded faster with this feature.

Benefits of Surfshark on macOS

• Frequent app updates for better security and performance
• Intuitive and clear interface for macOS
• Servers available in over 100 countries
• Great ability to bypass geographic and network constraints

Disadvantages of Surfshark on macOS

• Slower connection when using OpenVPN
• Limited app customisation options
• Live chat support first connects to the automated bot

Seamless downloading via torrents

Another great feature of Surfshark is the torrent-optimized servers. When connecting through these servers, we didn’t experience any dropouts or speed drops.

Some VPNs can restrict data transfer, but Surfshark offers high speeds without any throttling of your connection, making it much easier to download large files.

We compared the connection to other VPNs during our test and Surfshark performed the best, with no complications on torrent download sites.

SurfShark speed and performance

In our testing, Surfshark performed better on a Mac than on a PC, but the difference was not significant enough to interfere with normal use. Download speeds dropped by about 12%, while upload speeds dropped by about 8%.

For comparison, we’ve seen similar results with other top VPNs like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA(Private Internet Access). However, it’s important to note that the speed tests only provide a snapshot of the connection at any given time.

In practical terms, we have not seen a slowdown significant enough to disrupt our daily activities. None of the VPNs in our ranking slowed us down enough to feel frustrated or need to disconnect. So Surfshark definitely keeps up with the best.

Surfshark Price Plans

Like NordVPN, Surfshark offers three different plans based on the length of your subscription: monthly, annual, and two-year. If you’re looking for the best value option, a simple rule of thumb applies – the longer the commitment, the lower the monthly price. Let’s take a look at the price overview of each plan:

Surfshark price overview

In addition, Surfshark offers various packages – from the basic Starter to One+, which includes additional premium features such as advanced privacy tools and antivirus protection.

If you’re looking for a VPN with an excellent price/performance ratio, the 2-year plan is the obvious choice.

3. Private Internet Access – Ideal VPN for custom setup

Reviews of BestSafeVPN
9,5 / 10

Current offer
85% discount + 2 months free

Specifications of Private Internet Access

• Multihop: Yes
• Camouflage Mode: no
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Split Tunneling: yes
• Netflix compatibility: yes
• Torrenting support: yes

PIA for Mac: Customization without complexity

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a great option for Mac users who want to be able to customize their connection without having to research the technical details of the setup.

With a clear user interface, you can easily choose how you want your VPN to work. We really appreciate this flexibility.

Security protocols

PIA offers AES-256 encryption, which is the leading standard in cybersecurity. In addition, it blocks ads, trackers and malware, greatly improving both security and web browsing convenience.

One of the few drawbacks is that PIA is based in the US, which means it falls under the 14 Eyes data-sharing alliance. In practice, however, this shouldn’t be a problem either – PIA strictly adheres to a zero-logging policy.

This policy was verified in 2022 by an independent audit by Deloitte, which confirmed that PIA does not store any data. Even if the service were asked to hand over the data, it would have nothing to disclose.

Performance and connection speed

In our performance testing, we found PIA speeds to be slightly below Surfshark or NordVPN. Download speeds on the Mac dropped by over 16% and upload speeds by 13%.

However, keep in mind that speed test results vary depending on time, connection location and other factors, so it is not a universal performance measure.

Benefits of Private Internet Access

• 30-day money back guarantee
• Strict no-logging policy
• Split tunneling for macOS
• RAM-only servers

Disadvantages of Private Internet Access

• No free trial
• The company is headquartered in the USA
• Limited number of simultaneous connections
• Occasional shortcomings in customer support

Private Internet Access (PIA) Price Plans

PIA is one of the most affordable VPN services in our review. Let’s take a look at the different subscription options.

PIA price overview

If you choose a 3-year subscription, you get 3 months for free and the monthly cost is minimal. This plan is therefore ideal for those who want to save as much as possible.

4. CyberGhost – Best price/performance ratio

Reviews of BestSafeVPN
9,6 / 10

Current offer
82% discount + 2 months free

CyberGhost Specifications

• Multihop: No
• Camouflage Mode: no
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Split Tunneling: yes
• Netflix support: yes
• Torrenting support: yes

Key Features of CyberGhost

One of CyberGhost’ s biggest strengths is its huge server network – nearly 12,000 servers in 100+ countries. Thanks to advanced security features, we were able to easily bypass geographical restrictions when traveling, especially in Europe.

Even after returning home, we enjoyed the cultural diversity of the streaming offerings – for example, the content on Netflix in Turkey really surprised us!

We also like the optimized streaming servers that guarantee smooth playback without annoying loading times. CyberGhost has servers directly tailored for popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and more.

If you like to watch foreign content, CyberGhost is the ideal choice.

Security protocols

CyberGhost, like other high-end VPNs, uses AES-256 encryption, which is currently the highest standard of protection. The service also includes a powerful ad and tracking blocker, which pleasantly surprised us during our testing.

When watching YouTube videos, we’ve stopped being bothered by personalised ads based on previous searches. The ISP may have known we were looking for our next vacation, but thanks to CyberGhost, we weren’t seeing any more ads from travel agents.

Benefits of CyberGhost

• Wide network of 12 000+ servers worldwide
• Acceptable subscription price
• It does not fall under the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes or 14 Eyes alliances.
• Additional safety features for better protection

Disadvantages of CyberGhost

• Missing split tunneling feature
• Using static IP addresses
• Operating in a jurisdiction that may be contentious from a data protection perspective
• Limited payment options

Price and 2 subscription options

CyberGhost prices are clear and fair:

• 1 month: €6,99
• 2 years: $2.19 per month (+ 2 months free)

If you choose a 2-year subscription, you get the best price plus 3 months free. CyberGhost also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is a nice bonus compared to the usual 30 days with competitors.

This gives you plenty of time to find out if the service really suits you.

If you’re looking for a user-friendly VPN for Mac that won’t break the bank, you should definitely consider CyberGhost. If you choose a long-term subscription, the monthly fee will literally only cost you a few pennies.

5. ExpressVPN – Best for privacy

Reviews of BestSaveVPN
9,7 / 10

Current offer
61% discount + 6 months free

ExpressVPN Specifications

• Multihop: No
• Camouflage Mode: yes
• Kill Switch: Yes
• Split Tunneling: yes
• Netflix support: yes
• Torrenting support: yes

Key features

ExpressVPN is one of the fastest and most secure VPN services you can use on any device. You’ll especially appreciate it when you’re travelling.

During our travels in Europe last year, we used ExpressVPN without interruption. It has over 3,000 servers in 106+ countries and the connection always remained absolutely stable – whether we were on a train to Albania or in Norway.

One of the most interesting features is the AirCove router, which ExpressVPN offers for $189.90. This router protects all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network – your TV, phone, printer, and even your smart fridge. Installing a VPN directly on the router provides comprehensive protection for your entire network.

ExpressVPN security protocols

ExpressVPN was one of the first services to have primarily RAM-only servers, meaning no data is stored permanently.

All data is deleted on every reboot. In our testing, we found no security vulnerabilities – the encryption is top-notch and meets the highest standards.

Benefits of ExpressVPN

• Excellent performance
• Live chat support available 24/7
• Multilingual interface
• Intuitive and clear user interface

Disadvantages of ExpressVPN

• Lack of telephone support
• Limited number of simultaneous connections
• Kill switch feature available only on desktop devices
• Higher subscription price

Performance and connection speed

ExpressVPN impressed us with its speed. In testing on a Mac, download speeds dropped by 16% and upload speeds by only 9%. These results are very good, especially compared to slower services such as IPVanish, which performs better on Windows rather than Mac.

ExpressVPN price and subscription

ExpressVPN’s pricing structure is simple – no complicated tariffs:

• 1 month: $12.95
• 12 months: $6.67 per month + 3 months free
• 24 months: $4.99 per month + 4 months free

While it’s not the cheapest VPN, the prices are reasonable within the industry. For comparison, the average VPN costs between $3-$12 per month depending on the length of your subscription.

ExpressVPN maintains its reputation as a premium service, with a combination of high speed, reliability and security features that are ideal for even the most demanding Mac users.

Why do you need a VPN on your Mac?

Although Macs are often considered safer than Windows PCs – you’ve probably heard the claim “Macs don’t have viruses” (which of course isn’t true) – you still need to protect your digital privacy and security.

At a time when identity theft and cyber-attacks have become a daily threat, caution is in order. In addition to hackers and fraudsters, there are ISPs who will happily sell your data to anyone who pays enough money.

The most reliable way to protect yourself from these threats is with a reliable VPN on your Mac. But what exactly can a VPN do?

1. Privacy protection

A VPN protects your personal information by preventing third parties from tracking your movements on the internet. Without a VPN, your location, device type, IP address, and browsing history are easily accessible to anyone interested in tracking you online.

2. Increased security

A VPN ensures that your connection is encrypted, even if you’re connecting over public Wi-Fi networks, such as in a coffee shop or airport. That way, no one can get sensitive information like your bank account login details or passwords to your services.

3. Access to content without restrictions

VPNs can bypass geographical restrictions. For example, if you can access your Netflix account from home, but your IP address shows that you’re away from home, a VPN allows you to watch content that would otherwise be unavailable.

In short, with a VPN, you can make the most of paid services no matter where you are.

A VPN makes your Mac not only a tool for work and play, but also a bulwark against surveillance, cyberattacks, and censorship.

How do I install a VPN on a Mac?

Previously, setting up a VPN was quite complex and required some knowledge of the network environment. Today, however, the process is extremely simple thanks to modern services. The installation procedure on a Mac is as follows:

1. Choose a VPN from our list and go to its official website.
2. Choose the tariff that best suits your needs.
3. Create an account and enter your payment details.
4. Download the VPN installation file.
5. Drag the downloaded file into the Applications folder.
6. Launch the VPN app, log in and connect to the server of your choice.

User-friendly settings

Both Mac and quality VPN services emphasize ease of use.

In our tests of more than 18 different VPNs, we found that most of them are easy to install and use. NordVPN and ExpressVPN, for example, are intuitive and easy to set up.

Some services, such as Private Internet Access, may have minor complexities, but this is especially true if you choose to customize the connection settings in detail.

Even so, installing a VPN on a Mac is a matter of minutes and can be done by a beginner without any technical knowledge.

So if you want to strengthen your digital privacy, you don’t have to worry about a complicated process. With just a few clicks, you’re protected.

How do we rate VPN services?

We consider 7 key criteria when evaluating a VPN: security, privacy, speed, features, and price.

Step 1: Research and analysis

We start by thoroughly researching each VPN service. For example:

• Legal Jurisdiction – We look at whether the VPN is based in a country that respects user privacy or whether it falls under alliances like Five Eyes, Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes that share user data with each other.
• Data leak history – We check if the service has a history of security incidents such as user data leaks.
• Support for protocols and encryption technology – We check what security protocols the VPN uses (e.g. WireGuard, OpenVPN) and whether it offers standard AES-256 encryption.
• No-logs policy – We check how detailed the no-logs policy is and whether the service clearly states what data, if any, it collects.
• Company transparency – We examine whether the provider is transparent about its ownership structures and data protection processes.
• Speed and quality of customer support – We look to see if they provide 24/7 live chat, quick responses, and accessible troubleshooting guides.
• Platform compatibility – We check that the VPN works on a wide range of devices and operating systems, including macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, routers and smart TVs.
• Customer reviews and ratings on independent platforms – We read feedback from regular users to get a real-world view of how the VPN works in real-world conditions.
• Additional features – We check if the VPN offers value-added features such as adblockers, tracking protection, Multi-Hop, split tunneling and other features that increase convenience and security.

VPNs that have their policies audited by independent auditors have a big advantage. Many services claim that they don’t store user data, but few have this claim independently verified.

Step 2: Practical testing

We install and test each VPN to see how resilient it is to different stresses. For example:

• How long does it take to connect to a server? – Whether the connection is established immediately or whether the connection time to servers is extended during peak times.
• Speed when streaming high-definition videos (Full HD, 4K) – We check for any choppiness or drop in picture quality during viewing.
• Connection stability when switching servers – We test how fast and stable the VPN responds when switching from one server to another.
• Resistance to VPN detection – We check for VPN blocking by streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime.
• System Resource Consumption – We measure how the VPN application impacts the performance of the computer (CPU, RAM), which is especially important for older devices.
• Protocol support (e.g. WireGuard, OpenVPN) – We look at what protocols the VPN offers and whether they allow switching based on user preference (speed vs. security).
• Reconnecting after an outage – We test how the VPN responds after losing internet connectivity – whether it can reconnect automatically and how quickly.
• Kill Switch Functionality – We check that the kill switch works reliably and disconnects the device from the internet when the VPN fails to prevent data leakage.

Step 3: Normal use

We use the VPN during daily activities for at least 2 weeks to find out:

• Are you experiencing slowdowns during normal surfing?
• Are you experiencing errors or connection failures?
• Is the interface intuitive, or do we have to click our way to important functions?

Additionally, for this particular list, we’re looking at how well the VPN performs on a Mac. This approach helps us recommend the best services for Mac users based on their specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions