To help you make the right decision and enhance your security, we’ve put together the following VPN for Mac reviews.
Are Mac VPNs different from other VPNs?
Not really. The main purpose and function of a VPN for MAC is very much similar to a VPN for any other OS. They behave in, more or less, the same manner. However, there could be a slight difference in a few features of the best free VPN for Mac and place of downloading. For instance, during our research, we figured out that the kill switch facility will be auto-activated in NordVPN once we download it from the app store. However, in its DMG version, the user has to activate it.
What Is the Best VPN for Mac?
If you want safe and secure internet access with excellent encryption, protection, and streaming support, these are the best VPN for Apple products you can try.
According to our tried-and-tested reviewing techniques, the top VPN services for Mac are:
- NordVPN – NordVPN is among the most popular VPN software for Mac on the market. It offers top-notch, military-grade equipment and it boasts some impressive features. Some of those include a strict no-log policy, 24/7 customer support, malware protection, and a wide variety of international servers.
- ExpressVPN – When it comes to VPN for Macbook, ExpressVPN is another amazing option. This high-speed VPN service provider has servers in 160 locations and 94 countries. It offers unlimited bandwidth, 24-hour live chat support, VPN split tunneling, a killswitch, and AES-256 encryption.
- CyberGhost – CyberGhost is a VPN for Macbook Air that enables users to browse the web anonymously. It was designed with top-notch security in mind, offering 256-bit military-grade encryption technology. It is based in Romania and it currently has over 36 million users worldwide.
- Hotspot Shield – Hotspot Shield is among the best VPN for Apple products. It was named the world’s fastest VPN service by experts at Ookla’s Speedtest.net. Some of the key features include military-grade encryption, over 115 different server locations, 24/7 live chat support, and unlimited data.
- Windscribe – Windscribe is yet another top-rated VPN for Mac that comes with an extensive set of features. It offers servers in over 63 countries and 110 cities and it follows a strict no-log policy. Windscribe uses AES-256 encryption with SHA512 authentication and a 4096-bit RSA key.
NordVPN – Top-Rated VPN for Mac ✅
NordVPN is a superb Virtual Private Network for Mac with more than 5600 servers across 59 countries. What makes this VPN particularly great is the fact that it boasts the impressive, military-grade 256-bit AES encryption. Moreover, it offers top-notch DNS and IPv6 leak protection that ensures that no requests are ever exposed.
It supports up to 6 simultaneous internet connections, allows torrenting and P2P, has a kill switch, a strict no-logs policy, and offers its services at very affordable prices. Lastly, it offers a SmartPlay feature that makes streaming on Mac much more convenient. In case something goes wrong, you can always reach NordVPN customer service representatives via 24/7 live chat support.
+ Double data encryption
+ DNS leak protection
+ Excellent performance
– Rather basic iOS app
ExpressVPN – Best VPN for Macbook Air ✅
ExpressVPN is the best IP blocker for Mac with the fastest internet connection speeds. It supports 256-bit AES encryption alongside OpenVPN for Mac devices. Just like NordVPN, it also has stellar DNS and IPv6 leak protection, ensuring that all user data is safe at all times.
It has over 3000 servers in 160 server locations, supports up to 5 simultaneous connections, has a zero-logging policy, a kill switch, uses split tunneling, and allows P2P and torrenting. One unique thing about ExpressVPN is the fact that users can set their Mac devices to share VPN connections over Wi-Fi. ExpressVPN also offers 24/7 live chat customer support, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.
+ Access to unlimited bandwidth
+ Fastest connection speeds
+ Excellent support on most Mac devices
– Not the cheapest VPN
CyberGhost – Best VPN Service for Mac ✅
CyberGhost has over 5600 servers in over 90 countries. It is one of the top VPN picks for Mac devices because of its speed and reliability. It also boasts the industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, as well as IPv6 leak protection.
One interesting thing about CyberGhost is the fact that it has a built-in ad-blocker that complements its malware protection features. It can even stop tailored advertising on websites.
It keeps zero logs, supports up to 7 devices, torrenting, and P2P, and additionally secures your connection with a kill switch.
However, it has an average connection and download speeds.
+ Good performance
+ Unlimited bandwidth
+ Great Mac-friendly features
– Average speed, with slow connection from some servers
Hotspot Shield – Best VPN Client for Mac ✅
Hotspot Shield has over 2500 servers in over 70 locations across 80 countries. Its user-friendly interface is suitable for both beginner and advanced VPN users. It was recently rebranded under the Pango name. While it does not offer as many advanced features as some other VPNs on the list, it is still an affordable option for novice users who don’t need so many options.
It offers fast speeds, supports up to 5 simultaneous internet connections, doesn’t keep logs. This VPN allows torrenting and P2P, and has military-grade encryption.
+ High download speeds for Mac
+ An extra layer of data security thanks to owned servers
+ Very affordable
– Supports only official apps
Windscribe – Best VPN for Apple Products ✅
Windscribe is a free VPN for MacBook with 610 servers in 60 server locations. It does have a paid version, but its free Mac-friendly VPN features are quite impressive. It also has an ad blocker, which is always a great addition to any VPN suite. It doesn’t collect any user data thanks to its strict no-log policy.
When it comes to encryption technology, Windscribe utilizes 256-bit AES encryption with SHA512 authentication and 4096-bit RSA key.
Free VPNs are usually not as secure as their paid counterparts but, with Windscribe, you can get the best VPN for Mac free of charge and enjoy excellent security.
+ Free data plan of up to 10GB per month
+ Unlimited devices
+ Good performance
– Free Mac users are limited to 10 countries
How to Download and Set Up a VPN on Mac and Your Router
Downloading and setting up a VPN for Mac has pretty the same procedure. Below we describe the general instructions shortly.
For instance, to get NordVPN on Mac you need to find it in the App Store, then:
- Click the “Get” button.
- Enter your Apple ID.
- Click “Install.” You’ll find your dedicated Mac app on your device in seconds.
You can also download the OpenVPN version of NordVPN for macOS on the NordVPN’s website.
To set it up:
- Launch the app.
- Log in with your credentials.
- Click the “Quick Connect” button. You can then choose a VPN server to connect to from a list of servers and access any content you want.
To install a VPN on a router:
- Open your browser.
- Log into your router.
- Redirect its traffic to your VPN for Mac’s servers.
PRO TIP: Change your router’s default username and password for extra data security. You’ll minimize the risk of data breaches, and thoroughly enjoy your access to servers all over the world with enhanced data security.
Best VPN for Mac Free Offered Through Apple
Unfortunately, there aren’t any dedicated nor built-in VPN solutions for Apple devices, including Mac. However, you can always opt for reliable third-party services, which will ensure that all your online activities remain anonymous.
Make sure to thoroughly check out our best VPN for Apple product reviews above and choose the most suitable fit.
Do You Need a VPN on Mac?
It’s commonly known that Apple has top-notch systems capable of preventing potential cyberattacks.
That’s why most Mac users believe that they don’t even need antivirus software on their MacBook Pro, Mac Air, iMac, Apple desktop computer, or other macOS and iOS devices.
However, a VPN service can be just as beneficial for Mac as it is for Windows, mainly because even macOS isn’t immune to cybersecurity threats.
Cybercriminals are continually looking for innovative ways to breach security systems and steal or misuse sensitive data.
So, even if you use a Mac, it’s wise to have an extra layer of security that a VPN service provides, especially when you connect to the internet via unsecured public Wi-Fi.
How VPN Will Protect My Mac?
A Virtual Private Network makes you anonymous online by masking your IP address and hiding your online activity.
It uses encryption and tunneling protocols to secure your internet connection and browsing, hiding your location and traffic even from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). So, if you want secure access to content blocked by your ISP, government, company, or school, connecting to a VPN server is your way to go.
The most popular reason why Mac users are increasingly turning to Virtual Private Network services is streaming geo-restricted content on Netflix. Netflix and many other streaming services, even YouTube, have geo-restrictions that block traffic from certain countries.
With a VPN service, you can bypass these restrictions and even use a provider for online gaming.
Final Verdict — What’s the Best VPN Protection for Mac?
Which VPN for Mac service you’ll choose depends on your personal preferences and needs.
With any of these VPN services, you can have excellent security on Mac, secure and protect your data, have full control of your browsing, and connect to worldwide servers to access geo-restricted content from Netflix and other streaming services.