The Best VPN for Mac in 2023

Are you looking for the best VPN for your Mac devices?

Mac comes packed with inbuilt features like improved OS and Safari security and the Gatekeeper feature, but that just doesn’t suffice. However, with the help of the best and most reliable VPN services for Mac, things will get safer for you.

Before we head down to finding out why using a macOS is important, here’s a quick look at the best VPN for Mac in 2023.

Why Is Using a Mac VPN Important?

Using a VPN on all your Mac devices acts as a second protective laminate. Not every device is strong enough to protect your data or online presence, and that is the case for Mac devices. A VPN will add end-to-end encryption, protecting your device and data from external and internal threats and more.

Let’s say you’re headed to a public place and accidentally connect to a public WiFi. A Mac VPN immediately detects the threat and secures your connection. There are circumstances when an ISP or the government is actively monitoring your activities. In worst-case scenarios, steal and sell your data.

Secondly, most MacBook Pro users at some point, feel the need to binge on favorite/famous TV shows, etc. What happens when you’re traveling to a country that actively restricts access to certain services and apps? A VPN will be able to unblock most of these platforms from anywhere in the world.

The VPN providers chosen for mac, support Mac/MacBook on macOS X versions 10.15 and later (Catalina, Mojave, Sierra, El Capitan, and Yosemite).

The Best VPN for Mac in 2023

1. Surfshark
2. ExpressVPN
3. NordVPN
4. IPVanish
5. CyberGhost
6. StrongVPN
7. PrivateVPN
8. Windscribe
9. TunnelBear
10. VyprVPN

According to statistics, the macOS is the second most used operating system globally, and no matter how heavily equipped Apple managed to construct it, it’s still not enough. However, with the help of a macOS VPN, the security system is sure to be taken up a notch.

1. Surfshark

Next, we have Surfshark, which is neither old nor new in the industry. With this app on your macOS and a 4.5-star rating on the Mac Apple Store, you should expect great speeds for streaming, good security, and a smart server network. Surfshark also happens to be one of the more inexpensive VPN providers.

Surfshark is also one of the more affordable choices with superlative performance. Meaning you’ll be investing in the best VPN services at an affordable price for your MacBook Pro. This VPN is compatible with macOS Sierra 10.12 or later and numerous other devices and operating systems. The best part about Surfshark is that along with an affordable price, it allows unlimited device connections.

This VPN is born and bred in the British Virgin Islands, which basically means added anonymity and security for you and your mac device. It doesn’t store any logs, which are mentioned with complete directness on its website.

Apart from privacy, Surfshark delivers great security features. It uses AES 256-bit encryption. It offers the IKEv2 protocol by default on macOS and the option to configure OpenVPN. IKEv2 is usually faster as compared to OpenVPN, however, the switch is available according to your preference.

There’s an active Kill Switch, GPS Spoofing, CleanWeb, Multi-Hop servers, a Camouflage Mode for bypassing restricted zones or websites, and so much more.

Speaking of bypassing restricted or geo-blocked zones, using all of Surfshark’s 3200+ servers in 65 countries, you’ll be able to unblock multiple local and international streaming services or more.

A few of the services we tested its capabilities on were the US Netflix library, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and others. We also tested out the Surfshark NoBorders Mode to see if certain websites or services were accessible within countries like China or Russia.

The app is available on the App Store, you can buy it using Apple Pay. If you’re not willing to dive in, there’s a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS smartphones. If the subscription and services aren’t all you hoped for, Surfshark offers a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee. You can read our full review of Surfshark to learn more about this VPN.

Get Started With Surfshark Now!

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is always on the top for a number of reasons, but what separates this provider from the rest is its speed. It has managed to score some impressive speeds after multiple tests.

It definitely is one of the best for macOS devices, with a 4.5-star rating on the macOS App Store. First, let’s talk about its device support.

ExpressVPN supports a variety of mac platforms like MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, and Mac mini. You’ll find its VPN compatibility stretched to macOS clients: Catalina 10.15, Mojave 10.14, High Sierra 10.13, Sierra 10.12, El Capitan 10.11, and Yosemite 10.10 along with all the later versions.

Also, even if you plan on using the app for a device that ExpressVPN doesn’t support, you’ll be able to tweak a few settings on your Mac, sharing the VPN connection to more devices over WiFi.

Along with this, you’ll also be able to secure multiple other operating systems and devices since ExpressVPN allows 5 multi-device simultaneous connections.

Now, let’s jump to the security and privacy aspects of the VPN. ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands, which is marked as a safe jurisdiction. Its logging policies are strict. This provider offers AES 256-bit encryption and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, IPsec/L2TP, which are the best for security and speedy surfing. The Mac client has a Kill Switch and a split-tunneling feature.

The app was also tested for DNS and IP leaks, which came out clear. This means you wouldn’t have to worry too much about your physical IP/location being exposed.

When it comes to unblocking capabilities, NordVPN never disappoints you. It enables you to unblock Disney Plus in Philippines, Hulu in the UK, etc. During testing, speeds weren’t the only successful outcome. We managed to unblock Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, Apple TV+, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and others. The app comes with 3000+ servers in 94 countries, all optimized for streaming and torrenting.

ExpressVPN makes a great VPN client for macOS, and you’ll even have the chance to run a few tests of your own. Either go for the 7-day ExpressVPN free trial for smartphones or use the 30-day money-back guarantee for all devices. ExpressVPN also accepts Apple Pay, which is the safest and quickest for online transactions. We have covered a comprehensive review of ExpressVPN before purchasing it.

Get Started With ExpressVPN Now!

3. NordVPN

NordVPN is known for the best security and has also managed to pull through with some great speeds during testing, especially on its US and UK servers.

It’s located in Panama and is rated a 4.5 on the Mac App Store. NordVPN earned its spot on the top 10 list for your macOS devices, providing a safe experience online.

Speaking of devices, there have been a few changes to the NordVPN macOS support since the release of the updated app. It now offers compatibility with macOS Sierra 10.12 or later. Also, there’s a distinction in the NordVPN mac support compared to other providers on this list. Did you know that NordVPN has two versions of the macOS app? – OpenVPN and IKEv2.

On the website, you’ll find an OpenVPN macOS version with an app and system-level Kill Switch that supports OpenVPN protocols (TCP, UDP). The IKEv2 version is available on the App Store, offers only a system-level Kill Switch feature, and supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and NordLynx protocols.

The difference between the two is that the IKEv2 app is recommended, offering stronger encryption and faster speeds. The OpenVPN version is preferred only within restricted locations, like China.

There are other supported devices to that you can also add VPN protection since NordVPN allows simultaneous connections up to 5 devices.

Apart from this, you’ll find other advanced features like AES 256-bit encryption, a CyberSec feature for blocking ads, DoubleVPN and DNS/IP leak protection, and more! Apart from that, NordVPN is strict on the no-logging policy.

NordVPN provides extensive coverage of 5200+ servers in 59+ countries, all of which are optimized for streaming and P2P activities. Using its advanced obfuscation settings, we managed to bypass blocks in restricted locations like China. A few of the services we managed to unblock BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Showtime, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime, and others.

To put this VPN to the test, you could always go for the 30-day refund period and buy a subscription package. NordVPN supports in-app purchases using the safer option of Apple Pay. However, if you’re looking for a limited-time thing, there’s a 7-day free trial only for Android and iOS smartphones. Before purchasing this VPN you can read our complete NordVPN review.

Get Started With NordVPN Now!

4. IPVanish

IPVanish might be a US-based VPN, but it also happens to have a very strict grasp on its no-logging policies. Besides that, it’s one of the best for unblocking multiple streaming services and delivering high-speed results.

But what makes IPVanish good for macOS devices? Let’s first talk about its device compatibility. It supports all macOS devices that are 10.10 or higher. IPVanish also allows payment methods via Apple Pay, which is much safer than the other choices or for those who aren’t interested in providing Credit Card details.

Since we’re on the device trail, there’s also the latest IPVanish update. It is also the top-listed VPN for multiple devices. It now offers unlimited device connections per subscription. So, you’ll be able to secure more than one device along with your macOS.

Mac devices come with robust security but it’s not enough. IPVanish, however, does make up for that fact. Its security suite is pretty impressive, offering way more in comparison to other client apps. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, has a Kill Switch for macOS, and offers a selection of VPN protocol choices between OpenVPN, IPsec, IKEv2, and L2TP.

There are other in-app features like the Scramble OpenVPN traffic option that lets you bypass geo-blocks undetected, and IP/DNS leak protection.

Remember the part where I mentioned that IPVanish is a US-based provider? That also means that within its list of 2000+ servers in 75+ locations, it covers 1239 servers in the USA. You’ll be able to unblock as many US streaming services on your MacBook Pro as you like.

To get an idea, during testing, we tested a few servers and unblocked the US Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and others.

There’s no definite free trial available and is usually offered by choice by the Apple team, but IPVanish does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on top of any subscription purchased through the website. Check out our review of IPVanish if you wish to buy it.

Get Started With IPVanish Now!

5. CyberGhost

After running CyberGhost through some tests, it turns out that it makes a great app for anonymity on your macOS. It delivered reasonably steady speeds for streaming and more. But first, let’s talk about its device compatibility with the macOS.

CyberGhost supports macOS devices MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, and Mac mini and is compatible with versions Mojave (10.14), High Sierra (10.13), and Sierra (10.12). This VPN is one of the best VPN services for Nvidia shield and allows you to make up to 7 multi-device connections, so along with your Mac, you’ll be able to protect other supported devices.

For macOS, you’ll be able to buy the app from the Apple Store. CyberGhost allows payments through Apple Pay, and this method is recommended before the others, especially if you’re a little unsure about providing credit card details.

This provider is known for scoring a reliable and private online experience. With that said, CyberGhost is located in Romania, free from prying eyes, and doesn’t store user data.

Besides privacy, it makes not the best but a reliable app for security. Your device will be secured with AES 256-bit encryption, with IKEv2 by default and manually switching to OpenVPN. The macOS client also has a Kill Switch and Ad-blocking feature and is DNS/IPv6 leak protected.

The CyberGhost app comes with 7700+ servers in 90+ countries, all of which are optimized for streaming and torrenting. On the app, you’ll even find each server labeled according to the platform it unblocks. We tested out a couple of them and gained access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, HBO, ESPN, and more.

If you’re thinking of a free trial just to get a feel of the VPN, you could first test CyberGhost using its 24-hour free trial for desktops, or its 7-day trial for Android and iOS smartphones. CyberGhost also offers a huge 45-day money-back guarantee for purchases made over one-month packages and from the website. Check out our review of CyberGhost if you’re thinking to get this VPN.

Get Started With CyberGhost Now!

6. StrongVPN

Next on the list. We have StrongVPN, another US-based VPN having a 3.6-star rating on the App Store. It makes the cut for both iOS and macOS devices. However, the macOS client seems to be a little better than iOS.

StrongVPN macOS compatibility requires a 10.15 and higher and supports Yosemite (OS X 10.10), El Capitan (OS X 10.11), Sierra (macOS 10.12), High Sierra (macOS 10.13), Mojave (macOS 10.14) and Catalina (Jazz) (macOS 10.15). If you’re not too keen on making in-app purchases by providing Credit details, StrongVPN allows secure payments throughout Apple Pay.

The StrongVPN security doesn’t have much to offer compared to the others on the list but is safe and reliable enough for primary usage. It offers AES 256-bit encryption and a variety of protocols to choose from. You’ll find WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP, SSTP, IPsec, and OpenVPN. However, if you’re banking on OpenVPN and WireGuard, you’re going to need a higher version of the macOS app (10.15.4).

To conclude our division on app support, you’ll be able to connect up to multiple devices apart from your Mac, since there’s an allowance up to 12 devices.

StrongVPN doesn’t really have a large server coverage. You’ll find around 950+ servers in 30+ countries. However, we unblocked a couple of streaming services, some of which include Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. The speeds were neither good nor bad; decent enough.

The only thing we disagree with is the StrongVPN logging policy. Firstly, they’re a US provider and secondly their policies state not logging any important information, but will comply with requests made by legal forces.

There’s no free trial, but StrongVPN does provide a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get Started With StrongVPN Now!

7. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a Swedish provider, which is located within the 14-eyes jurisdiction. However, we’ve extensively gone through their privacy policies, and it doesn’t store user data. It’s a simple VPN service for basic usage on your Mac devices if unblocking a few streaming platforms is what you’re looking for.

When talking about device support, PrivateVPN is compatible with macOS devices. With each VPN subscription, you’ll be able to protect your macOS along with other operating systems. This is because PrivateVPN allows simultaneous connections to up to 6 devices.

The PrivateVPN security features are very basic compared to the other macOS VPN providers on the list. It’s powered using AES 256-bit encryption, supports OpenVPN on the macOS client, and is DNS protected. There’s, however, no Kill Switch for the macOS app.

This provider has a small coverage of 200+ servers in 60+ countries. The streaming services that were successfully unblocked include Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and a few more, using its Stealth Mode. We hope that PrivateVPN plans on expanding its server list in the future.

PrivateVPN doesn’t offer a free trial, but it does have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get Started With PrivateVPN Now!

8. Windscribe

Windscribe is known as one of the best free and premium VPN services and works smoothly on macOS. It’s a Canadian provider but is pretty stern about abiding by its no-logging policies.

This VPN supports macOS, as long as they’re OS X version 10.9 or higher. It used to support older versions but due to some setbacks in the features and performance, they discontinued it. With every Windscribe subscription, you’ll be able to protect unlimited devices in one go.

The Windscribe security, operates using 256-bit AES encryption and uses IKEv2 protocol by default on the macOS app and has OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols that you can enable manually. Other features include a Kill Switch feature on the macOS client and DNS protection.

This VPN service includes very limited server coverage; with around 400+ servers in 63+ countries. However, these were able enough to bypass certain geo-blocked websites. We were able to unblock Netflix, HBO, and more at decent speeds.

Windscribe happens to be one of the best free VPN services too for your Mac, with an allowance of 10BG data per month and access to 10 server locations. If you need access to Pro features and plans, it includes a 3-day money-back guarantee.

Get Started With Windscribe Now!

9 TunnelBear

Another VPN that offers both free and paid versions of its app for macOS and other operating systems is TunnelBear. It strikes a good 4.4 rating on the Mac Store, unblocks websites, and delivers decent speeds.

TunnelBear is compatible with macOS Sierra 10.12 and later. The support chat mentioned that they discontinued macOS 10.11 El Capitan and older. With a TunnelBear subscription, you’ll be able to secure up to 5 devices in a go.

Compared to the other providers, TunnelBear is very simple where its security suite is concerned. It does operate using bank-grade AES 256-bit encryption with OpenVPN by default on the macOS app, but there don’t seem to be other advanced features added to its list.

TunnelBear is a Canadian provider but doesn’t store any user data, and was a part of an independent audit to prove its reliability.

It has servers covering 49 countries, and shouldn’t be used if you’re planning on unblocking many websites or streaming services. A few that we managed to get access to include US Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime. It didn’t work with BBC iPlayer, UK Netflix, nor Disney Plus.

There is a free trial in the form of TunnelBear’s free version of the app. However, you’ll be restricted to using only 500MB a month. There’s no mention of a money-back policy.

Get Started With TunnelBear Now!

10. VyprVPN

Last on the list of the best VPN services for macOS, we have VyprVPN. This VPN provider is rated at 4.4 on the Mac Apple store, delivers good speeds, and has a user-friendly app for Mac devices.

VyprVPN is compatible with macOS devices running Mac OSX 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), 10.14 (Mojave), or 10.15 (Catalina). You’ll simultaneously be able to connect to other operating systems/devices since VyprVPN allows connections up to 5 devices.

This VPN provider offers good security protection for all its apps. For the macOS client, it uses AES 256-bit encryption with Chameleon, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols, has a Kill Switch, and is DNS protected. There are other features included like WiFi protection and Automatic Troubleshooting.

VyprVPN is located in Switzerland, which is considered a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. It covers around 700+ servers in 50+ countries. During testing, we unblocked Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others.

There’s no free trial for VyprVPN but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. In case you’re planning on investing, and don’t feel comfortable providing any Credit Card details or payment methods you’re not familiar with, VyprVPN allows Apple Pay, which is the safer option.

Get Started With VyprVPN Now!

How We Chose the Top Mac VPN Providers

Of course, not all VPN software are the same, and neither are all equally capable of fulfilling every task successfully, let alone on your macOS. We’ve carefully handpicked only the best, tested each extensively, and selected only the top VPN providers with the best results.

They all were able to unblock multiple streaming services like Netflix, offered P2P dedicated servers, delivered great speeds, and provided staunch security features.

If you take a look at the macOS VPN list above, you’ve probably noticed them on most websites and rating charts. This is because these providers among a few others are the best for all-around purposes.

However, to choose the best for your Mac device, we selected them based on:

Security features & privacy policies

A Mac VPN needs to be able to have the highest security features, even more than the device offers. We looked for the best encryption standards, and other advanced features like a Kill Switch, split-tunneling, a good selection of protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard) , an Ad-blocker, and more.

Although some VPN services are based in the 14-eyes regions, each of them follows stringent no-logging policies.

Compatibility with all the macOS devices / user-interface

Regardless of you using a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air, the VPN providers chosen are compatible with every version. They all make user-friendly apps, easy for even beginners to navigate through.

Unblocking abilities/ speed & bandwidth

Streaming and torrenting are the ultimate sources of entertainment, but not every platform is accessible within every country. The best VPN services chosen for macOS managed to unblock multiple international and local streaming services, apps, torrenting platforms, and more. When tested, each delivered great speeds and offered unlimited bandwidth.

Server coverage

To be able to access most content from various locations around the world, the top 10 macOS VPN lists were picked based on the number and quality of servers they provided. They’re all compatible with streaming and P2P file sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions for Mac VPN

Is there a best free VPN for Mac?

Yes and no. There are quite a few VPN providers mentioned on the App Store that might advertise the best speeds or security for your macOS devices, but fail to deliver anything in comparison.

They usually come with many security vulnerabilities, slow speeds, and viruses. FreeVPNs steal user data and sell them to third-party websites etc. If you really need a free VPN for Mac, it’s better to go for a premium provider, one that’s been tested and recommended by other users.

Windscribe is the best to use on your Mac. Its free version comes with ample security features, unblocking abilities, a limited data cap, and more.

What is the best VPN for Mac according to Reddit?

Besides VPN reviews, it’s always wise to go through multiple other user reviews for precise results based on their experiences with a VPN. In this case, Reddit is a great platform where multiple users share their favorites and experiences with VPN software for mac and other devices.

After scouting Reddit for various user reviews combining preferences for the best VPN for Mac, here’s what the top Mac VPN according to Reddit list looks like:

1. Surfshark
2. NordVPN
3. ExpressVPN

Other Reddit users recommended CyberGhost, IPVanish, but ExpressVPN and NordVPN won by the most votes.

To Conclude

As mentioned above, macOS might come with good in-built security, but that might not be enough for the ultimate experience. Using the best VPN for mac means double security, heavy encryption, and the opportunity to unblock many geo-restricted services from anywhere in the world.

The top 10 providers for Mac mentioned on the list (ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, IPVanish, CyberGhost, and others) have been tested and thoroughly reviewed, producing great results.