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Reviewed
Macs are no less vulnerable to cybersecurity threats, such as malware, viruses and ransomware, than their competitors. A virtual private network (VPN) can help keep your Mac and personal data safe by cloaking your IP address and rerouting your internet use through different servers. Here are the best Mac VPN options in 2024. Forbes Advisor analyzed VPNs for Mac across a variety of data points to present the seven best options.
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
To find the best VPN for Mac, we considered dozens of the leading providers in the space and narrowed it down to seven, which we then evaluated across five key categories and 33 different metrics. Our ratings consider factors such as transparent pricing, server locations, compatibility with third-party integrations, access to customer support and ratings. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Starting Price | Number of VPN Server Locations | Number of Servers | LEARN MORE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN |  |
4.5 |  |
$3.69 per month (for the first two years, plus three free months) | 60 countries | Undisclosed | Learn More | On NordVPN's Website | |
| TunnelBear |  |
4.3 | |
$3.33 per month (billed every three years) | 47 countries | 5,000 | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| TorGuard VPN |  |
4.3 | |
$59.99 per year (approximately $5 per month) | 50 countries | 3,000 | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| ProtonVPN |  |
4.2 |  |
$4.99 per month (billed every two years) | Depends on plan; three or 65-plus countries | Depends on plan; 100-plus (Free plan), 1,900-plus (Plus plan) | Learn More | On ProtonVPN's Website | |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) |  |
4.2 | |
$2.03 per month (billed every two years, plus two free months) | 84 countries | Undisclosed | Learn More | On Privateinternetaccess.com's Website | https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8860193-14566801?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.privateinternetaccess.com%2Fbuy-vpn-online |
| hide.me |  |
4.1 | |
$2.59 per month (billed every 27 months) | 84 countries | 2,100 | Learn More | On hide.me’s website | |
| Surfshark |  |
4.0 | |
$2.29 per month (for the first 24 months, plus two free months) | 100 countries | 3,200 | Learn More | On Surfshark's Website |
A Mac VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server. This makes it difficult for anyone to track or spy on your online activity. A VPN also hides your IP address, which prevents websites from tracking your location.
There are several reasons Mac users might want to use a VPN, including increased security and privacy, which apply to users of Windows machines, too.
When you connect to the internet without a VPN, your traffic is not encrypted. This means that your ISP, government and anyone else can see what you’re doing online. A VPN encrypts your traffic, which makes it much more difficult for anyone to spy on your online activity.
In addition to increased security, a VPN also allows you to access geo-blocked content. For example, if you’re trying to watch a show that’s only available in the UK, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in the UK and access the content that way.
A virtual private network (VPN) is an essential tool for anyone using a Mac who wants to safeguard their internet activity. With so many options available, choosing the best Mac VPN can be overwhelming. We’ll break down what you need to know.
When looking for a VPN, don’t let it slow your internet too much. Distance from the VPN server and the amount of traffic on that server can affect the speed of a VPN connection. If you use a VPN, your data has to go a longer distance to get to its destination, resulting in a slower loading time for web pages or downloading of files than if you weren’t using a VPN at all.
To test the speed of your VPN connection, you can use a website such as Speedtest.net or Fast.com. These websites will show you how fast your internet connection is with and without the VPN. If the difference in speed is too big, try a different VPN provider.
It’s important to keep in mind that VPN providers might not always be truthful about their speed. They might advertise a faster speed than what you actually get. That’s why it’s a good idea to test the speed yourself before signing up for a VPN.
When selecting a VPN provider, ensure it offers fast speeds without compromising security. You also want to make sure it has servers in locations that are close to you and that it offers specialized servers for things such as streaming or gaming. Testing the speed of your VPN connection before committing to a provider can help you make sure it meets your needs.
When choosing a Mac VPN, look for a provider that offers native macOS compatibility. A VPN designed specifically for macOS will offer seamless integration with your device’s features and settings, providing a smoother user experience. Look for a VPN that supports other platforms, such as Windows, Android and iOS. Cross-platform support allows you to secure multiple devices under a single subscription, providing comprehensive protection for your entire digital ecosystem. Having browser extensions for web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Safari is also helpful, improving your online security and privacy.
The cost of a Mac VPN can vary significantly between providers, with many factors influencing the price. You can expect to pay between $5 and $10 per month for a Mac VPN. Your price depends on the VPN provider, its features and your contract term. You’ll pay less for agreeing to a multi-year contract, whereas it’s not unusual to pay $10 to $14 per month on a month-to-month basis.
Here are some aspects to consider when evaluating the cost of a VPN:
When choosing a Mac VPN, it’s essential to weigh the cost against the features and level of protection offered. While saving money is important, prioritizing security and privacy should be your primary goal. It’s better to invest in a reliable, feature-rich VPN service that offers a fair price than to compromise your online safety with a free or low-quality option.
Reliable customer support is an essential factor when choosing a Mac VPN. Even the best VPN services can occasionally encounter issues or require assistance with setup and configuration. A responsive, knowledgeable customer support team can make all the difference in resolving problems quickly and efficiently.
Look for the following:
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
$3.49 per month
6
AES-256
2
Surfshark
$2.29
Unlimited
AES-256
3
Proton VPN
$4.99
servers to 4462+
protected by Swiss law
4
Private Internet Access
$2.03
Unlimited
AES-256
A fast VPN should provide download speeds of at least 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps or more. These speeds are generally sufficient for most online activities, including HD video streaming and large file downloads. Faster speeds mean better user experiences, especially for those on high-speed connections.
To maintain fast speeds while using a VPN, consider the following:
It’s important to note that using a VPN can sometimes result in slower internet speeds. This is because your data must travel through the VPN server, which can add latency and decrease speed. The level of speed reduction largely depends on the VPN provider, server distance and network congestion.
Some VPNs also implement bandwidth throttling, intentionally limiting users’ connection speeds to manage server load or encourage users to upgrade to a higher-priced plan. However, many top-tier VPNs prioritize providing fast and stable connections without throttling. Take a close look at a provider’s rules around this functionality when making your decision.
To compile our list of the best VPNs for Macs, Forbes Advisor scrutinized 33 factors to identify the top options for Mac users. Our evaluation process involved examining several aspects and weighting them according to their significance, with the most emphasis placed on security features and speeds.
We awarded higher scores to contenders that offered the most features for their price points. We took note of the lowest and highest price points, and platforms with money-back guarantees or free trials received bonus points for delivering additional value to users. These criteria make up 15% of the score.
We studied each VPN’s general features, such as anonymous browsing, DNS protection measures, dedicated IP, kill switch, split tunneling and multifactor authentication, as well as additional features including the number of continents with servers, no-logs policy, browser extensions and simultaneous connections. This array of features contributes 35% of each provider’s score.
A reliable VPN should securely encrypt your data without sacrificing speed, ensuring a smooth browsing experience that doesn’t compromise safety. The Forbes Advisor team tests speeds weekly to evaluate this score, which accounts for 20% of the total.
We assigned top marks to companies offering 24/7 customer support across multiple channels, recognizing that users may face issues with their VPN connection at any time and require prompt assistance. Some VPN providers also have community-based support, such as a Reddit forum, where users can access community help. Support services are worth 7% of the total score.
We assessed the App Store ratings for each VPN’s desktop app, along with customer reviews on Trustpilot, Capterra and G2. Analyzing star ratings, review numbers and balancing public opinion accordingly helped us determine the overall customer experience and satisfaction levels for each VPN. These reviews make up 13% of the score for each provider.
Lastly, we added the Forbes Advisor Expert Score for each VPN, including details and standout features, value for money, popularity and ease of use. We also considered our own experiences and scores from other experts to compare and validate our rankings. This analysis contributes the final 10% of the score.
The best Mac VPN depends on your specific needs. However, we recommend Surfshark for most users because it offers a large server network, strong encryption and a host of privacy features.
Yes, several VPN providers offer a free Mac VPN. These include ProtonVPN and TunnelBear.
No, Macs do not have built-in VPNs. However, you can use a number of different VPN services to encrypt your traffic and route it through a remote server.
Yes, using a reputable VPN on a Mac is safe and helps protect your online privacy and security.
No, you don’t need a VPN for Mac. However, using a VPN can provide increased security and privacy. Apple products used to benefit from the lower risk associated with viruses, malware and adware, but that’s not the case anymore.
You can set up a VPN on a Mac by either downloading a dedicated VPN app from a provider or manually configuring the VPN in your Mac’s network settings.
To check if your VPN is working on a Mac, visit a website such as ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com to verify if your IP address and DNS requests are coming from the VPN server.
Although a VPN significantly enhances your privacy, it doesn’t make you completely anonymous, and advanced techniques or targeted monitoring could still potentially track your activity.
