- NordVPN: the best overall pick, with reviewer praise for its speed on Macs.
- Surfshark: the best value, with unlimited simultaneous connections.
- ExpressVPN: the easiest to use, with a one-click Mac app.
- Proton VPN: the best for privacy and the best free plan.
- CyberGhost: a beginner friendly option with a simple Mac app.
- Private Internet Access: the best for tinkerers who want to control encryption.
Best VPN for Mac reviewed
Each pick below is based on the providers’ own pages and on published reviews, not on our own speed tests. Prices change often, so confirm the current rate on the provider’s page before you buy.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is the most common first pick in 2026 Mac roundups. Security.org rates it best for security and cites fast speeds on Macs, and Gizmodo found it the fastest in its MacBook test. Macworld credits its WireGuard speeds, which matters because protocol choice has the biggest effect on how quick a VPN feels.
- Price: Third party listings show a multi year plan at a low monthly rate, with a 30 day money back guarantee. Check the checkout page for the current figure.
- Speed: Strong in the reviews above. We have not measured it ourselves.
- Feature that matters for Mac: A polished native app that works as a simple one click connection for everyday browsing.
- Drawback: Reviewers warn that the price rises at renewal, and Macworld found the two app setup on Mac confusing.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is the value choice. Macworld describes it as a budget option with no device limits, and the provider’s own page confirms unlimited simultaneous connections. That suits a household with a MacBook, an iMac and several phones.
- Price: The provider’s Mac page does not list a price, and third party figures are inconsistent. It backs every plan with a 30 day money back guarantee.
- Speed: The app supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, plus its own protocol, Dausos. We have not measured speeds.
- Feature that matters for Mac: The app runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and needs macOS 12 (Monterey) or later. It adds a kill switch, Multi Hop, split tunneling (Bypasser) and the Clean Web ad and tracker blocker. Its network covers 4,500+ servers in 100 countries.
- Drawback: Older Macs on macOS 11 or earlier need a legacy download, since the current app requires macOS 12.
3. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the easiest to use. Gizmodo recommends it for ease of use with a one click Mac app, and Security.org recommends it for privacy.
- Price: The provider’s Mac page lists no plan prices. It advertises a 30 day money back guarantee for new subscribers, so check the checkout page for the current rate.
- Speed: We have no measured figures, and none are claimed here.
- Feature that matters for Mac: Its servers are in 113 countries, and the app supports macOS 11 (Big Sur) through macOS 26 (Tahoe). It includes a kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS, 256 bit AES encryption and RAM only servers. One account covers up to 14 devices.
- Drawback: The Mac App Store version needs macOS 15 or later, so older Macs must download the app from the website.
4. Proton VPN
Proton VPN is the pick if you want to pay nothing. Its free plan has no ads and no speed or data limits, which is rare. Gizmodo recommends it for privacy, citing the open source macOS app and Swiss jurisdiction, and Macworld lists it among the best free options.
- Price: Free, or Plus, which is offered at $1.00 for the first month and then $9.99. That is a special offer, so confirm it at checkout.
- Speed: The free plan has no speed limits. Paid servers are more numerous, which usually helps with crowding.
- Feature that matters for Mac: The Mac app is open source and independently audited. Plus gives you 20,000 servers in 140+ countries.
- Drawback: The free plan connects you automatically to a free server in a limited set of 10 countries, so you cannot choose a location.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost suits people who want a VPN without learning settings. Its Mac app is built around simple server choices, and the provider lists servers in 100 countries.
- Price: Third party pricing pages put the two year plan near $2.19 per month and the monthly plan near $12.99, last checked in March 2026. Treat these as indicative.
- Speed: Not measured here.
- Feature that matters for Mac: A beginner friendly app with a long money back window on longer plans. Sources disagree on the exact terms, so read them at checkout.
- Drawback: One review reports no OpenVPN option on Mac, which limits protocol control compared with PIA.
6. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access, or PIA, is the one for tinkerers. Security.org recommends it for customizable encryption, and Gizmodo calls it the budget pick.
- Price: We could not confirm a current price from the provider, so check its Mac page.
- Speed: Not measured here. Encryption settings can trade speed for security.
- Feature that matters for Mac: Adjustable encryption settings that most Mac VPNs hide.
- Drawback: More options mean more to configure, which can overwhelm first time users.
Get Private Internet Access for Mac
What to look for in the best VPN for Mac
These are the criteria we compare the providers on.
- Native Apple Silicon support. Look for an app that runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, as Surfshark’s does, and check the minimum macOS version against your machine.
- Protocols. WireGuard is the usual choice for speed on a Mac. OpenVPN and IKEv2 are useful fallbacks.
- Kill switch and split tunneling. A kill switch blocks traffic if the VPN drops. Split tunneling lets chosen apps bypass the VPN. Features can differ between a provider’s website app and its App Store app, so verify before you rely on one.
- Privacy and audits. Prefer a clear no logs policy and independent checks. Proton’s Mac app is open source and audited. Rtings does not recommend NordVPN because of its privacy policies, which is a reminder to read them yourself.
- Device limits and price. Unlimited connections suit shared households, and renewal prices often jump, so read what the plan costs after the first term.
- Money back period. A 30 day guarantee lets you test the Mac app risk free.
If you plan to use a VPN for file sharing, see our Torrenting pages, and for wider protection, our Cybersecurity section.
How to set up the best VPN for Mac
Setup takes a few minutes on any of the providers above.
- Sign up and download the app. Subscribe on the provider’s site, or pick the free plan with Proton VPN. Download the Mac app from the website or the Mac App Store, depending on your macOS version.
- Install it. For a downloaded file, open the DMG and drag the app to the Applications folder. Sign in with your account.
- Approve the system prompts. On first connection macOS asks you to approve a network extension in System Settings. Allow it, or the VPN will not connect.
- Choose a protocol. Pick WireGuard if the app offers it, since reviewers tie it to the faster speeds.
- Connect to a server. Choose a nearby server for speed or a specific country for a location. Turn on the kill switch if the app has one.
- Check it works. Search for your IP address in a browser and confirm it shows the VPN location.
Best VPN for Mac FAQs
Does a Mac have a built in VPN?
macOS lets you add a VPN connection manually in System Settings, but you need server details from a provider. A VPN app is simpler and adds features such as a kill switch.
Is there a free VPN for Mac?
Yes. Proton VPN’s free plan has no ads and no speed or data limits, with free servers in 10 countries. Rtings names Windscribe as its best free option for Mac, but we do not review it here.
Which VPN works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs?
Surfshark states support for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and requires macOS 12 or later. ExpressVPN supports macOS 11 through macOS 26.
Which VPN has the longest money back guarantee?
NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN each offer 30 days, though NordVPN’s comes from third party sources. CyberGhost advertises longer terms on longer plans, but sources disagree on the exact details.
Which is the best VPN for Mac if I want to torrent?
Security.org recommends Surfshark for torrenting. Read each provider’s policy on file sharing before you rely on it.
Why do Mac reviews disagree on features like split tunneling?
Providers often ship separate apps for their website and the App Store, and the two can differ. Reviewers testing different versions report different results, so confirm which version you install.
Will a VPN slow down my Mac?
Any VPN adds some overhead. Choosing WireGuard and a nearby server usually keeps it small.
