If you want to be as safe and private as possible while online, then having a VPN for Mac running in the background is essential.
VPNs hide your activity, give you added security features and stop your internet provider and other companies from tracking your activity. Additionally, there is also the fun size, such as being able to watch Netflix content from different countries. All of the VPNs covered in this article are compatible with Mac and other Apple devices.
Further down in this article, we will take a look at how MAC VPN software works and the main purposes for using it. For now though, let’s not waste any more time and look at the top five VPN providers for Mac and Apple users:
As well as being the top VPN for Mac, ExpressVPN is also actually the best provider overall, regardless of what type of device you are using. It has good download and streaming speed thanks to its AES-256 encryption, some of the best security features and the app is extremely user-friendly.
If we look at the features which are specific to Mac, ExpressVPN has software that prevents data mining on Apple devices. Additionally, it has versatile compatibility and allows you to connect to up to five devices. Therefore if you or someone in your house also has non-Apple products, you can still work ExpressVPN from the same account.
So what are the downsides? There aren’t really any. If we were to nitpick, we could highlight the fact that the five device limit per account might be restrictive for some households. However, if you are looking for an account just for yourself, this shouldn’t be an issue.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 3,000+ servers 94 countries Data mining protection for mac Seven day free trial High speed Good security a privacy 24/7 customer support Extension for Safari |
Limited to five devices |
CyberGhost is the best VPN provider if you want to protect yourself from hackers and anyone else who might be tracking your activity. This operator uses unique software and optimized servers that are designed to keep your Mac completely safe and anonymous while you are online.
The app is also easy to use and you can install and use the app on seven devices at the same time, which is two more than you get with an ExpressVPN account. Other features include a kill switch, leak protection and the best no-log policy of any provider on this list.
The only real negative here is that it doesn’t appear to work well in countries with restricted VPN use, such as China and the UAE. However, in most Western and South Asian countries it works perfectly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Protects your Mac from hackers No. 1 provider for anonymity Located outside of the 5 Eyes* Best no-log policy User-friendly app Fast servers |
Doesn’t work well in UAE or China |
*5 Eyes = Intelligence alliance made up of five countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States) that trace online communications of persons and government bodies.
This is the best VPN for Mac users that live in a larger household, as you can install and use the software on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Additionally, SurfShark VPN also has a 10 Gbp speed that has specifically been optimized for Apple Macs.
Overall, SurfShark offers you most of the same features as ExpressVPN, only at a slightly lower cost. On top of that, it comes with great blockers for ads, malware and phishing attacks.
With “only” 64 locations, it is slightly limited when compared to the two providers above. However, all of the most popular VPN locations are there, including the UK, US, Switzerland and Spain.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good ad and tracking blockers Excellent malware protection Some Mac-specific features Good speed on Mac Unlimited devices Unlimited bandwidth |
Could add more VPN locations |
If you’re looking for the most secure VPN for Mac, then this is definitely it. Quite literally, PIA has military-level security features and encryption. As a result, no one - from hackers to advertisers - can trace your online activity, steal your data or attack you in any way.
While it doesn’t have an extension available for browsers such as Safari, PIA’s software features cover all of the apps and browsers on your Mac when it is switched on. Moreover, there are thousands of servers available, so if one gets busy, you can just switch over to another.
However, what we would say is that this is one for a more experienced user. It is not the easiest and most intuitive of the VPN apps for Mac on this list. Therefore, beginners might struggle a bit at first. However, if you can handle the learning curve, it’s definitely worth it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Military-grade encryption Highly secure VPN Completely anonymous browsing Up to 10 devices per account Cheapest VPN on the list No. 1 rated in the UK |
Not very beginner-friendly |
With the NordVPN Mac app, you get some specific tools, including NordLynx and IKEv2/IPSec protocols. On top of that, all forms of this provider’s software use next-gen encryption technology.
As a result, this is the best VPN provider for getting around geo-blocks and restrictions. Added up, this makes NordVPN the best option if you want to access streaming libraries in another country or get around your work’s social media blocker.
While it doesn’t quite have as good privacy and security features as some other VPNs on this list you do get unlimited devices, bandwidth and speed. Therefore if you are a family or large household, NordVPN might be the best option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mac-specific protocols Best unblocking ability Next Gen encryption software Unlimited devices and bandwidth Unlimited speed Rarely disconnects |
Only has 60 locations |
All of the VPNs mentioned above come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, save for CyberGhost, where the period is extended to 45 days. If you are looking for a bonafide free trial, then the best VPN for Mac in this regard is ExpressVPN as you get a seven-day free trial.
Completely free VPNs do exist, but they are basically not worth it. As well as offering less security and lacking almost any ability to work around geo-blocks, free VPNs also often sell your data to third parties.
This effectively defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place. In actual fact, there is a strong argument for the case that you’re actually better off not using a VPN at all than a free one.
A VPN works by routing your internet connection through a private server, as opposed to your own. This gives you a new IP address, which hides your actual location. Additionally, most premium VPNs also have additional encryption and security features that further protect your privacy and anonymity.
When browsing with a VPN, your service provider, the website you are using and other companies cannot track your online activity. Additionally, this also keeps you safe from hackers. On top of that, being able to browse from another location on your Mac gives you access to websites and content that you normally can’t access where you are.
There are a number of reasons why you should install and use a VPN on your Mac. However, there are three main reasons that stand out:
When you browse with a VPN in the background, you are completely anonymous. This makes it harder for hackers, advertisers and other unwanted parties to trace your online movements.
Using a VPN makes you more secure anyway, however on top of that most premium paid VPNs even come with added security features. As a result, VPNs keep you even more protected against viruses, malware and cyber-attacks.
The two previous points tell you why using the best VPN for Mac is essential. Additionally, though, it also serves some leisure purposes as well. For example, when you change your browsing location, you can access streaming sites and libraries that you otherwise couldn’t
In the vast majority of countries in the world, it is perfectly legal to use a VPN. In fact, in most of Europe, the US and Canada you actually have the right to use one to protect your privacy.
However, there are some countries with heavy VPN restrictions, including UAE, Russia and China. Meanwhile, there is a small number of nations where VPNs are outright banned, which are as follows:
Here is a quick step-by-step guide that walks you through the whole process of getting started with a VPN:
At the end of the day, you should actually always have a VPN on in the background when using your Mac. Doing so means that you are always protected and anonymous online.
If you also want to access different Netflix libraries or do research in other countries, then a VPN with good unblocking ability is also essential. Whatever your needs are, you should be able to find the right VPN for you here at TheGameHaus.
This article contains everything that you need to know about Mac and VPNs, including whether or not you need to download paid VPN software.
Here at TheGameHaus.com, you can check out the top five best-rated VPN apps and clients for Mac and other Apple products. Also, you can see what premium providers have a free trial available.
Full instructions on how to make a VPN subscription and download the client onto your Mac have been provided for you in this guide.
