5 Best VPNs for Mac You Can Trust for Speed and Privacy

Last Updated on October 14, 2025 by Editorial

NordVPN is the best VPN for Mac. It’s compatible with all versions of macOS from Yosemite, is one of the most secure VPNs, can unblock restricted content and is fast enough for streaming. Try NordVPN today and enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.

MacBooks are fast, secure, and sleek. However, that doesn’t mean you’re fully protected when browsing online. The best VPNs for Mac can keep your data safe, block trackers, and even let you stream shows that aren’t available in your country. 

Whether you’re working from a café or streaming at home, a good VPN gives your Mac the privacy it deserves.

This guide examines five VPNs that are compatible with macOS. These include NordVPN, PureVPN, PrivadoVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost. Each of them has strong features in terms of privacy, speed, and streaming. 

It’s simple and clear, so you don’t have to guess what works best for you. By the end, you’ll know which VPN fits your Mac and how to make the most of it. Let’s get straight into the details.

Best VPNs for Mac You Can Try Today

I tested dozens of VPNs on my MacBook Air to save you the trouble of checking them all out manually. Here are the five that impressed me the most.

1. NordVPN – Best Overall with Reliable Security

NordVPN tops the list of the best VPNs for Mac for multiple reasons. The VPN service works on macOS Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, and earlier versions going back to Yosemite. Plus, you can connect up to ten devices at once.

This is great for Mac users who also use iPhones, iPads, or even Apple TVs. It means you can protect your entire Apple setup without buying extra plans.

NordVPN also happens to be one of the fastest VPNs on the market. It runs on a large network of speed-optimized servers built to keep your connection stable and quick.

It also supports P2P traffic on many servers, which makes it perfect for large downloads and streaming.

Another reason NordVPN is reliably fast is because of the proprietary NordLynx protocol. It’s built around WireGuard, which gives you better speed without sacrificing security. You’ll notice almost no lag, even when switching servers or streaming HD video on your Mac.

Privacy is also a good reason why people get VPNs with a Mac, and NordVPN doesn’t disappoint. It has passed multiple independent audits that confirm its no-logs policy. That means it doesn’t track or store what you do online.

Read more on that in our NordVPN review.

Plus, NordVPN is based in Panama, which doesn’t fall under surveillance alliances like the Five Eyes. This is a big plus for privacy-focused Mac users who don’t want their data handed over to governments or companies.

You can also rest easy knowing that all your online activities through your Mac are completely secure.

NordVPN uses AES-256 encryption, the same standard trusted by security agencies. It scrambles your data so that even if someone intercepts it, they can’t read it. 

You also get Threat Protection Pro, which blocks malware, trackers, and unsafe websites. There’s also a feature called Dark Web Monitor that alerts you if your email shows up in a data leak on the dark web. 

And if you want even more protection, use Double VPN to route your traffic through two servers or Obfuscated servers to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN at all. All these are great tools for anyone serious about online safety.

Moving on, NordVPN has a network of over 7,400 servers across 118 countries. This gives you a strong chance of finding a fast and reliable server near any location. It’s one of the best VPNs for Mac users who want to unblock geo-restricted content.

You can stream Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Max, and Amazon Prime Video easily on your MacBook or iMac. NordVPN makes it look like you’re browsing from another country, so you can enjoy shows that aren’t available in your region.

Other features you can take advantage of include split tunneling on macOS, letting you choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t.

It also has a kill switch that cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops, ensuring you maintain your anonymity.

2. PureVPN – Reliable Privacy for Mac Computers

PureVPN stands out for its mix of speed, privacy, and user-friendly features. It’s built to work smoothly on all major macOS versions, including Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma. Additionally, you can connect up to 10 devices at once with a single account.

Speed is where PureVPN steps up. It uses fast tunneling protocols like WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. WireGuard, in particular, is known for delivering better speeds with less battery drain, which is great for MacBook users. 

These protocols make streaming, video gaming, or large downloads smooth, without freezing or lag.

On privacy, PureVPN keeps things strict. It has passed multiple independent audits by KPMG to prove it doesn’t log your activity. These audits give peace of mind, especially for Mac users concerned about online privacy. 

PureVPN also moved its operations from Hong Kong to the British Virgin Islands, a location with no data retention laws, which boosts its privacy strength even more.

The security features available for macOS users are also top of the range. PureVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, the same level banks use, which scrambles your data so nobody can read it. On macOS, this keeps your online activity hidden, even on public Wi-Fi.

It also includes an internet kill switch, PureEncrypt for file protection, and Dark Web Monitoring to alert you if your data appears in risky places. These features add strong protection without slowing down your Mac.

For those who need to unblock any restricted content, PureVPN comes with 6,500+ servers spread out across 65 countries. You can stream platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+ without errors or buffering. 

For special needs, it offers servers for P2P sharing, Quantum Resistance (for future-ready security), Virtual servers, and Port Forwarding.

Mac users also get a clean and easy-to-use app that doesn’t take up much space or battery.

Whether you’re using it for work, travel, or privacy, this VPN program for Mac keeps things simple but effective.

3. PrivadoVPN – Best Free VPN for Mac Users

PrivadoVPN has always been my go-to option whenever I need a reliable free VPN. The VPN service works on macOS Monterey, Ventura, and newer versions. The free version lets you use it on one device, but the premium plan allows up to 10 connections at once.

That’s helpful if you’re using a MacBook, iPhone, and iPad all under the same account. It’s one of the best Mac VPNs for users who want flexibility without switching apps.

Free or not, both Premium versions offer reliable speeds through modern VPN protocols like WireGuard. This particular protocol improves speed without draining battery life on your MacBook.

Privacy is where things get a bit mixed. PrivadoVPN is based in Zug, Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws and no mandatory data retention. That’s good news for Mac users who care about privacy.

However, it hasn’t gone through independent audits yet, which might leave some users wanting more reassurance.

On the security side, PrivadoVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, which scrambles your data so no one can see it. The Mac app also includes a kill switch.

If your VPN drops, the kill switch blocks internet access until it’s safe again. This feature helps protect your Mac from sudden data leaks.

PrivadoVPN also works well for unblocking. It has servers in over 67 countries and covers 50+ locations. The free version gives you access to 13 servers, including in the US, UK, and Europe. 

You can stream Netflix, Hulu, and other restricted platforms without major issues, especially if you’re using the premium version.

Plus, it comes with a split tunneling feature called Smart Route. You can use this to exclude from the encrypted tunnel any app that’s incompatible with VPNs.

4. Surfshark – Most Affordable Mac VPN

If you want one of the best VPNs for Mac without spending much, Surfshark gives you great value. It’s one of the cheapest VPNs that’s packed with features, and works smoothly on all Apple devices. 

Surfshark supports macOS 11 and all later versions, so it’s ready for the latest MacBooks and iMacs.

It also offers unlimited simultaneous device connections with one account, which makes it perfect for users with multiple Apple products. That alone sets it apart from many other good VPNs for Mac.

This Mac VPN is also one of the fastest options on this list as it runs on 10 Gbps servers. These servers handle more traffic without slowing down, even during peak hours.

With WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols, Mac users get fast, secure connections that don’t eat battery or lag during streaming.

You can also use the split tunneling feature called the Bypasser to choose the apps that get included in or excluded from the VPN connection. This can potentially boost your speeds.

When it comes to privacy, Surfshark keeps your data safe with a strict no-logs policy. It’s based in Amsterdam, which is part of the surveillance alliances, but Surfshark doesn’t store anything that can be traced back to you. 

Multiple independent audits by Deloitte confirmed that no user data is logged or leaked.

For security, Surfshark uses AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. These make sure no one can read your traffic. The kill switch on macOS blocks internet access if the VPN disconnects.

You also get CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware. There’s also a NoBorders Mode that helps you stay connected even in places with internet restrictions.

For the streamers, Surfshark has 3,200+ servers across 100 countries. It unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other popular platforms.

There’s the bonus of using the MultiHop servers that route your traffic through two servers for extra privacy. 

Finally, Surfshark for macOS is equipped with Rotating IP. It works by changing your IP every few minutes without interrupting your connection to make it harder for anyone to track your Mac.

On top of all this, you get tools like Surfshark Alert, which notifies you of data breaches linked to your email.

Surfshark Antivirus protects your Mac from viruses in real-time. Surfshark Alternative lets you reroute your traffic around restrictions using different connection paths.

The bottom line is that Surfshark is a full VPN program Mac users can count on, whether they’re at home, traveling, or working remotely. 

5. ExpressVPN – Fast and Automatic Obfuscation

Wrapping up our list of the best VPNs for Mac is ExpressVPN. This VPN service supports macOS 10.13 and later, including all Apple silicon devices. It runs smoothly on Ventura and Sonoma and supports up to 8 devices at the same time. 

That makes it one of the most flexible VPNs for a Mac, especially for users who switch between Apple devices often.

Speed is one of ExpressVPN’s best features. It uses 10-Gbps servers that handle high-speed traffic with no data limits.

With the Lightway protocol, macOS users get fast, stable connections that don’t drain the battery. It connects quickly and handles streaming, downloading, and browsing with ease.

ExpressVPN takes privacy seriously. It uses RAM-only servers and is based in the British Virgin Islands, a location with no data retention laws.

This gives users strong legal protection. It’s also one of the most audited VPNs on the market. Firms like PwC and Cure53 have reviewed it, and no privacy issues have ever been found.

For security, ExpressVPN for macOS uses AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. These scramble your data so it can’t be read or traced.

There’s a Network Lock kill switch that blocks internet traffic if the VPN drops. This protects your Mac from leaks during unexpected disconnects.

ExpressVPN also offers Advanced Protection. This includes Threat Manager, which blocks apps from sending tracking data.

The ad blocker removes unwanted ads, while Parental Controls help filter adult content. All three work on macOS and improve both privacy and control.

With over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN makes it easy to unblock platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

Its automatic obfuscation helps users access content in countries that block VPN traffic. You don’t have to toggle anything. It just works in the background.

How to Use a VPN on Mac

Using a VPN on a Mac computer is easy. Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Subscribe to a VPN

Choose and purchase a VPN that fits your budget and offers all the features you need for your Mac computer. I highly recommend NordVPN, and you can get it for these cheap discounts today.

2. Install the VPN

Open the VPN’s website and download and install a Mac-compatible app.

3. Sign In

Enter the username and password you used when subscribing to the VPN service.

4. Launch VPN and Connect

Now launch the VPN and connect to a server of your choice. You can now access any restricted streaming service on your MacBook.

How We Chose Our Best VPNs for Mac

With so many VPNs to choose from, finding the one that hits the right sports is hard. I did the legwork for you, and here are the factors I considered when making this list.

• macOS Compatibility: Make sure the VPN works with your macOS version, especially if you’re using newer Apple silicon chips. Some providers only support macOS 11 or later. The best VPNs for Mac offer native apps that run smoothly without slowing your system. A clean user interface also helps you connect quickly.

• Speed and Performance: Speed matters whether you’re streaming, downloading, or just browsing. The best VPNs for Mac use 10 Gbps servers and fast protocols like WireGuard or Lightway. These help maintain fast connections without draining your MacBook battery. Always check for unlimited bandwidth and low latency.

• Privacy: A VPN should never store your activity or personal data. The best VPNs for Mac follow a strict no-logs policy and have passed independent audits. Privacy-friendly headquarters also matter since they’re not subject to invasive data laws. Choose a VPN that’s been tested and proven safe.

• Security Features: Strong encryption protects your Mac from dangerous hackers and trackers. The best VPNs for Mac use AES-256 or ChaCha20 to keep your traffic private. Look for a kill switch, ad blocker, and extras like malware protection. These features should work seamlessly on macOS without needing extra setup.

• Unblocking Capability: If you want access to global content, pick a VPN with a wide server network. The best VPNs for Mac unblock platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Features like automatic obfuscation or MultiHop help you stay secure in restricted regions. Always check if the VPN works consistently with major streaming sites.

So What’s Your Pick?

That wraps up this detailed review of the 5 best VPNs for Mac PCs. Each is equipped with features you need to stay safe, private, and access whatever you want. NordVPN remains my top choice as it combines all the vital features–but it’s not the only one.

Other capable options include PureVPN, PrivadoVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. So find the one that gels well with your macOS needs and start securing yourself all the time. Good luck!

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