If you care about internet privacy, a VPN is an important component in keeping you safe online. A virtual private network (VPN) ensures that you remain anonymous online and stops your internet provider, or more malicious entities, from tracking your internet activity.
Perhaps even more important, the best VPNs work cross-platform and worldwide, allowing you to bypass geo-blocking to watch international content. However, choosing a VPN isn’t always easy so we’ve collected some of the best VPNs for your Mac, so you can protect your privacy while you browse like a local in almost any country.
The best VPNs for Mac at a glance
Surfshark
Why should you buy this? It’s affordable and extremely simple to use.
Who’s it for? People on a budget or those with lots of devices.
Why we picked Surfshark:
Surfshark is a straightforward and affordable VPN for people looking for something super simple. It isn’t as robust as some of the other options on this list, but the VPN more than makes up for that with its low price and solid speed across the board. The annual plan will only cost you $60 per year.
While many VPNs limit you to a certain number of devices, Surfshark gives users unlimited devices in its subscription plan. That’s huge if you own a ton of devices in your household. Surfshark also has a no-log policy, so your internet activity is never logged. Furthering their security features is the Kill Switch, which stops your data from being exposed even if the VPN connection goes down.
This and other security and privacy features are what make Surfshark an incredible option for most people. The price is hard to beat, too. Check our Surfshark review for more information.
AdGuard VPN Shield
Why should you buy this? AdGuard VPN delivers ultra-fast speeds and built-in blocking for a seamless Mac experience.
Who’s it for? It’s perfect for Mac users who want robust privacy with minimal fuss.
Why we picked AdGuard VPN:
I was genuinely impressed by AdGuard VPN’s blend of performance, security, and user-friendly design. I reviewed it on a Windows PC, but I’ve found the Mac version is equally impressive. It not only delivers blazing-fast connection speeds, comparable to native speeds but also integrates a powerful blocking function that reduces clutter and helps protect me from malware.
AdGuard wasn’t satisfied with standard encryption and anonymizing features, so it made its own VPN protocol to minimize latency, even when connected to distant servers. This makes streaming, downloading, and even casual browsing fast and reliable. The interface is straightforward and inviting, with an intuitive layout that makes server selection and settings adjustments effortless.
Prices are competitive, as low as $3 per month if you pay upfront for a two-year subscription. The annual plan increases the average monthly cost to $4, and a month-to-month plan is $12. Those prices are in line with other leading VPN services.
Whether you’re a casual user who only needs a VPN occasionally or someone who requires an always-on solution, AdGuard VPN works well.
The only downside is the lack of quick answers if you run into any issues. I tested email support and was disappointed that the reply took more than a day. That said, the help center can help with common questions and problems and AdGuard’s VPN service is quite easy to use. I had no trouble installing and connecting to servers around the world.
For anyone seeking a VPN for their Mac that’s easy to use and very fast, AdGuard VPN is an excellent choice. You can read more details on its performance and pricing in my full AdGuard VPN review.
ProtonVPN
Why should you buy this? It has extra security features to protect your privacy.
Who’s it for? Journalists and other users who handle sensitive data that needs extra protection.
Why we picked ProtonVPN:
ProtonVPN is another strong contender if privacy is a top priority for you. This is particularly true if you’re a journalist or anyone who handles sensitive data as part of your job.
What makes ProtonVPN stand out among its competitors is its Secure Core servers. VPNs can be easily compromised if the servers they route to are being spied on, and that is exactly why all traffic from ProtonVPN users is routed to one of its Secure Core servers first. These servers are placed in privacy-friendly countries, that way if another server is compromised your original IP is still not exposed. It’s an extra layer of protection that adds a lot of peace of mind.
ProtonVPN is also trustworthy thanks to the transparency of its open-source apps and the independent audits the company subjects itself to. When we reviewed ProtonVPN, we found it’s also pretty affordable, depending on the tier you opt for. ProtonVPN has a free version and paid versions ranging from $5 to $10 monthly, depending of the subscription term.
If you handle a lot of data or plan on torrenting or file sharing in any way, ProtonVPN is definitely one of the best options out there.
Mullad VPN
Why should you buy this? Mullvad VPN offers uncompromised anonymity and straightforward pricing that keeps things simple.
Who’s it for? It’s ideal for Mac users who demand total privacy and consistent pricing.
Why we picked Mullvad VPN:
I was immediately struck by Mullvad’s commitment to privacy and super simple pricing. You can enjoy the protection of total anonymity by using an account number instead of an email address when signing up. Mullvad offers full VPN service at a fixed cost of 5 euros per month (about $5.17), without any hidden fees or increases to worry about when it comes time to renew.
I’m just a number to Mullvad, which is a critical detail if I require complete privacy from my VPN. Mullvad hid my location with no leaks and maintained good speeds overall. I experienced some variability when connecting to Canadian servers but performance was still fine for streaming, browsing, and downloading.
The interface, while smaller than I like, made it easy to select from a wide array of servers across multiple countries, allowing me to tailor my connection based on my needs at any given moment. I also like the fact that Mullvad supports various payment methods, including cryptocurrency and cash, which further enhances the appeal to privacy-conscious shoppers.
While Mullvad’s support is limited to email, I found it to be relatively quick. I received an answer to my question in about eight hours. An online help center provides articles to assist with common questions.
I tried Mullvad VPN on my MacBook and performance was good. Overall, this privacy-focused VPN strikes the perfect balance between affordability, performance, and uncompromised privacy. You can dive deeper into performance and pricing details in my in-depth Mullvad VPN review.
NordVPN
Why should you buy this? NordVPN has a lot of excellent features, a browser extension, and a great price.
Who’s it for? Anyone looking for a VPN that balances performance and value.
Why we picked NordVPN:
NordVPN is probably the most well-known VPN out there, thanks in no small part to its massive marketing efforts and partnerships with popular influencers. However, marketing aside, NordVPN is also an excellent VPN in its own right.
It has the same support for standard VPN protocols, no activity logs, and support for multiple devices (up to six). NordVPN also has some other excellent security features like multi-factor authentication, a dedicated IP as well as IP masking, and browser extensions. That last one in particular is a great option for Chromebook users or anyone who doesn’t want to take up precious hard drive space.
You’ve probably heard of NordVPN already, but now you know it’s certainly worth the money and you can get a crazy good deal on it right now. NordVPN is $60 for the first year or $81 for two.
ExpressVPN
Why should you buy this? It’s the best VPN around by far.
Who’s it for? Those who are looking for plenty of security features and great customer service.
Why we picked Express VPN:
ExpressVPN tops many VPN lists, and there are plenty of good reasons for that. At $13 a month, $100 annually, or $140 for a two-year plan, it certainly isn’t the cheapest option, but for that price, buyers get one of the fastest VPNs on the market and a solid customer support service.
An annual subscription plan comes with three free months, and a two-year plan includes four free months for new subscribers. That makes the average monthly cost as low as $5, but you won’t get bonus months when you renew.
ExpressVPN is supported across five devices, which is a little limited, especially compared to Surfshark’s unlimited devices. However, the service does have a dedicated router app, which is a great workaround to get all the devices on your network connected to the VPN.
With over 3,000 servers in almost 100 countries, we found that ExpressVPN is an excellent option for those looking for the speediest private connection possible.
