Table of Contents
Apple’s closed ecosystem lets the company control more consumer data and privacy aspects than alternative platforms. Even so, Apple can’t control what data you decide to put on the internet, knowingly or not. That's where a VPN comes in. VPNs help reclaim your privacy by rerouting your internet traffic and encrypting your data. This practice obfuscates your location and disconnects your identity from the data sent out. Proton VPN is our top pick for Apple users and an Editors' Choice winner that excels across the board, but it isn't your only option. Read on for more of the best Mac VPNs we've tested, followed by our buying guide that explains everything you need to look for when choosing the right service for you.
Our Top Tested Picks
Our experts have tested this product and selected it for this story. Its inclusion and description here solely reflect findings from our independent review. The company has paid for highlighted placement on this page.
Proton VPN
Best Early Prime Day VPN Deals This Week*
- Surfshark VPN — $1.99 Per Month + 3 Months Free (87% Off 2 Years Starter Plan)
- McAfee — Total Protection Essential for $3.33 Per Month, Includes Anti-Virus and Scam Detector
- ExpressVPN — $3.49 Per Month + 4 Months Free (73% Off 2 Years Basic Plan)
- Norton VPN Standard — $3.33 Per Month for 5 Devices (50% Off 1 Year Plan)
- RELATED:
- Best VPNs
- Best iPhone VPNs
- Best Free VPNs
- Best free VPN subscription yet
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Large server network
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent upload speed scores
- High latency scores
Proton VPN is one of the few services we've tested that provides Mac owners access to Tor and multi-hop VPN connections. The Proton VPN app for macOS also has an attractive and easy-to-navigate user interface. While the core paid VPN service has a dead-on average price, Proton VPN offers the best free VPN subscription from a service we've reviewed.
Proton VPN is an excellent VPN service that is well-suited to anyone using a Mac. Experienced users will find all the features they want, and beginners will appreciate the straightforward experience.
- Support for multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent speed results
- Global server coverage
- Wealth of available features and add-ons
- Built-in antivirus tools
- Expensive, and annual pricing could be clearer
- Antivirus component could be better
NordVPN has been one of our top VPNs for many years, during which time it has maintained a consistent and modern design across all its platforms and impressive scores in our tests. All this comes at a price, though, as NordVPN charges quite a bit above the average monthly price we've seen across the industry. You get your money's worth and more, however. NordVPN uses a custom implementation of the WireGuard VPN protocol called NordLynx on macOS, as well as OpenVPN and IKEv2. It also provides access to Tor and multi-hop connections.
People looking to access location-locked streaming content will appreciate NordVPN's extensive selection of servers. NordVPN's user interface on all of its apps is user-friendly, too.
- Large, diverse, widely distributed fleet of servers
- Fast speed test results
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Support for post-quantum encryption protocols
- Expensive monthly and annual plans
- No multi-hop connections
- Ad blocking is spotty
- Ownership with a sketchy past
On macOS, ExpressVPN uses its custom Lightway VPN protocol along with OpenVPN and L2TP. It has a significant global presence spanning 105 countries and operates very few virtual servers. We also like that it has split tunneling and multi-hop features available.
With numerous server locations, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for anyone living or traveling outside the US. Anyone keen on spoofing their location should be well served, too.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent privacy policy
- Annual independent audits
- Friendly, approachable design
- No multi-hop connections
- Unimpressive customer support
TunnelBear VPN is straightforward to sign up for and features a useful free subscription option. It also has one of the most transparent audit processes in the industry, making it a name you can trust. The app's charm and easy-to-use interface prove that security software doesn't have to be dour or scare you into using it.
Thanks to its simple and friendly interface, TunnelBear VPN is an excellent choice for anyone new to VPNs. It's also a strong option for people who need a general-purpose VPN app and aren't planning to change their network settings.
Best Payment Model
Mullvad VPN
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparency
- Open Netflix access in all regions tested
- Awkward desktop interface
- No transparency report or warrant canary
- Servers in a small range of countries
Mullvad VPN is radically transparent, giving customers copious information about how its service works. We like that the company accepts many forms of payment, including cash and some cryptocurrencies.
All VPNs are for privacy-conscious consumers, but Mullvad is a particularly good option for buyers looking for a simple way to pay for service. You can pay for Mullvad using monthly payments, or you can pay for a year all at once. The pricing model is easy to understand, and the company runs no sales or promotions, so customers know they're always paying the lowest rate.
Best Transparency Policy
Windscribe VPN
- Industry-leading company transparency and communication
- Large number of payment options
- Best free plan of any VPN we've tested
- Anonymous signup allowed
- Unlimited number of simultaneous connections and devices
- Helpful AI support bot
- Short refund window
Windscribe VPN excels in all metrics it competes in. We appreciate the company's principled approach to providing an open and transparent VPN that functions on macOS excellently, as well as on all the other platforms we tested.
Windscribe VPN is purpose-built for anyone who values personal privacy and a transparent logging policy above all else. It offers a nearly unparalleled experience in the VPN space and should be a top consideration for both privacy- and feature-obsessed users.
Best Affordable VPN
Hide.me VPN
- Ten simultaneous connections
- Reliable Netflix access
- Privacy-first policies
- Affordable
- Full-featured free plan
- Average server numbers
The Hide.me macOS VPN app has all of the features in the iOS version but adds split tunneling to the mix. There's also a macOS-exclusive feature called StealthGuard, which allows you to let your computer connect to the internet even when a VPN is not active, only connect to the internet when a VPN connection is active, or you can block certain apps from the internet while a VPN is inactive.
If you're looking for an inexpensive VPN app, try Hide.me. You get all of the features mentioned above for about $1 less than the average price per month, with much deeper savings with longer subscriptions.
Love All Things Apple?
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
The Best VPNs for Mac in 2025 Compare Specs
Mullvad VPN
Windscribe VPN
Hide.me VPN
Mullvad VPN
Windscribe VPN
Hide.me VPN
Why Do You Need a VPN on a Mac?
Macs are secure, right? A common notion is that you don’t need any additional security tools when browsing on a Mac or an iPhone. It’s true that Apple pays keen attention to user privacy concerns and secures its devices as best it can. Still, Apple can’t protect you from yourself. If you’re using online banking, plugging your personal data into forms, or downloading files, your data has likely been (or is being) tracked.
There's a strong argument that the widespread adoption of HTTPS protects your data, making VPNs overkill. While HTTPS does prevent observers from intercepting your information on public networks, it doesn’t block your ISP (or worse) from viewing your activity. ISPs already charge obscene prices that consumers are often forced to put up with because of local monopolies. Those same companies are trying to profit off their customers by selling anonymized user data.
A VPN prevents the free supply of information you transmit from being readable by any snoopers. It protects your data by establishing an encrypted connection between your Mac and a remote server operated by the VPN. This method also obfuscates your location, making it appear as though your traffic is coming from a different place entirely.
The best VPNs have servers worldwide, and routing your traffic to one can allow you to spoof your location. A user in the United States could connect to a VPN server in Canada, making it appear their traffic originated in Canada. VPNs are also a common tool for journalists, as they can avoid local restrictions on media and ensure voices are not silenced. However, governments constantly change their detection algorithms, making even the newest tests irrelevant overnight. The consequences for a VPN being detected in those cases aren’t as minor as Netflix blocking access to its content library. Such an event can lead to real-life danger and prosecution.
Location obfuscation is becoming even more critical in the United States and the UK. Pornhub has pulled out of a growing list of states over overreaching privacy breaches. TikTok is technically banned, and it is only accessible currently due to an extension on enforcement. The UK has followed suit with similar age verification laws. If this trend continues, it could become increasingly difficult to access the content you are used to.
You can also access streaming content in other countries using a VPN. Many VPNs market themselves as being able to consistently access streaming content, but the truth isn’t so simple. In theory, a US resident could connect to a VPN server in London to watch Netflix content that is otherwise only available in the UK. In practice, blocks happen. Streaming services work hard to block access via VPN, while VPNs always work to get around these restrictions. What is accessible today could be blocked tomorrow, and then unblocked again next week. We evaluate every VPN to assess its Netflix unblocking capabilities. The chart below shows our findings:
What VPNs Can't Do on Macs
A VPN protects your privacy. Its limitations are the same across platforms, not just on the Mac. It can’t block malware, prevent phishing attacks, or prevent your passwords from being leaked in a data breach.
Some VPNs watch for known malicious sites, but they can’t protect your Mac like antivirus software does. The best antivirus for your Mac will also safeguard your computer against malware from malicious websites, downloads, and programs, and even keep your Mac from being an unwitting carrier of Windows malware.
Some attackers craft phishing scams to trick you into voluntarily handing over personal information. These scams come in the form of a fake email link or a fake website disguised as a trusted one. Most VPNs don’t come with phishing protection. If it does, it is usually an add-on feature. Antivirus apps are better at detecting phishing attacks, but neither tool is foolproof. The best means of defence is to pay close attention to web addresses to ensure you are browsing a legitimate site.
A VPN won’t prevent an account takeover. This sort of attack occurs when a hacker or, more commonly, an online buyer gets hold of your passwords. This is particularly dire if it's an email account. An attacker can then use the password recovery feature on other sites to access more of your accounts. A VPN encrypts your data, but it can’t do anything about passwords you input that are saved and stored by a website. Instead, use a password manager to create and store unique and complex passwords for your online accounts. Lastly, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA or 2FA) wherever available. When your account is protected with MFA, an attacker can't access it even when they know your password.
Finally, it's important to note that a VPN alone won't keep you fully anonymous online. Changing your IP address and spoofing your location are great steps to keep your ISP from tracking your activity, but advertisers (and spies and law enforcement) have many other methods to keep tabs on you. We recommend using a tracker blocker and enabling the privacy protections available in most modern web browsers to round out your privacy protection.
What Features Should a Mac VPN Include?
A good VPN for Mac should interface well with the Apple ecosystem. The best options support unlimited simultaneous device connections, which allows you to extend your VPN’s protection to your iPhone and MacBook. It should also be affordable. While Apple devices tend to come at a premium, your VPN doesn’t need to break the bank. We assess the price of every VPN we test, and you can view our results in the chart below:
A VPN should be easy to use and understand from the moment you launch the app for the first time. We test-drive each VPN on several devices to see if it's usable on every platform. Each VPN on this list has a user-friendly interface and clear explanations for its security features.
Aside from Apple compatibility, the features we look for in a Mac VPN are the same as on other platforms. It should have a robust privacy policy (preferably backed by a third-party audit), a strong server network in key global locations, and speeds comparable with the competition.
Chris Stobing contributed to this article.
