Overview
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ExpressVPN
Best for Frequent Travelers - Jump To Details
NordVPN
Best for Video Streaming - Jump To Details
Proton VPN
Best Overall - Jump To Details
Private Internet Access VPN
Best Interface - Jump To Details
Surfshark VPN
Best for Unlimited Connections - Jump To Details
TunnelBear VPN
Best for Novices - Jump To Details
CyberGhost VPN
Best Server Location Options - Jump To Details
Mullvad VPN
Best Affordable VPN
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Apple touts the security and privacy of its platforms, but not even Cupertino can stop snoops from monitoring your online activities. That's where a VPN can help. You can use these simple tools to help reclaim some privacy, with the added benefit of rerouting your web traffic nearly anywhere on Earth.
We've been testing VPNs for years, and these are our top choices for Mac users looking to protect their privacy, followed by what to look for in a Mac VPN client.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
ExpressVPN
Best for Frequent TravelersWhy We Picked It
On macOS, ExpressVPN uses its custom Lightway VPN protocol along with OpenVPN and L2TP. ExpressVPN has a significant global presence spanning 94 countries and operates very few virtual servers. We like that it also has split tunneling and multi-hop features.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Split tunneling
- Stylish interface
Cons
- Expensive compared with VPNs with similar feature sets
- No multi-hop connections
Learn MoreExpressVPN ReviewNordVPN
Best for Video StreamingWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
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.
Pros
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and Tor connections
- Excellent design
- Traffic routing and file-sharing with Meshnet
- Built-in antivirus tools
Cons
- Expensive
- Lackluster malware-blocking results
- Limited utility of free Meshnet traffic routing
Learn MoreNordVPN ReviewProton VPN
Best OverallWhy We Picked It
ProtonVPN is one of the few VPNs we've tested that provides Mac owners access to Tor and multi-hop VPN connections. ProtonVPN only supports the IKEv2 VPN protocol on macOS. The ProtonVPN 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, ProtonVPN offers the best free VPN subscription from a service we've reviewed.
Who It's For
Proton VPN is an all-around excellent VPN service well-suited to anyone using a Mac. Experienced users will find all the features they're looking for, and beginners will appreciate the straightforward experience.
Pros
- The best free VPN subscription
- Numerous advanced privacy tools
- Strong customer privacy stance
- Slick, accessible client
- Excellent speed test scores
Cons
- Awkward ChromeOS implementation
Learn MoreProton VPN ReviewPrivate Internet Access VPN
Best InterfaceWhy We Picked It
On macOS, Private Internet Access supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Private Internet Access has a snazzy interface that lets you customize the experience. It also has helpful privacy features, like multi-hop connections.
Who It's For
Private Internet Access should appeal to anyone who needs to have their workspace just so. Privacy wonks will appreciate its features, and its unlimited simultaneous connections mean it will cover every device in a household.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Split tunneling and multi-hop
- Numerous server locations
- Completed third-party audit
Cons
- Expensive
- No free version
Learn MorePrivate Internet Access VPN ReviewSurfshark VPN
Best for Unlimited ConnectionsWhy We Picked It
Surfshark offers Mac users multi-hop connections alongside a growing roster of privacy tools. Surfshark uses WireGuard protocol (the future of VPNs and our preferred protocol) as well as the IKEv2 VPN protocol on macOS. Furthermore, it gives customers access to a large, global fleet of servers and unlimited connections for the price of a single license.
Who It's For
Surfshark has a good collection of features, but its real value is that it places no limit on the number of devices you can use with a single subscription. Most VPNs limit you to just five. Large families and households with many devices will especially like the ability to protect everything with just one subscription.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Large global server presence
- Multi-hop and split tunneling tools
- Intriguing potential in Surfshark Nexus
Cons
- High monthly price
- Some issues with IP rotator feature in testing
- Privacy policy needs clarification
Learn MoreSurfshark VPN ReviewTunnelBear VPN
Best for NovicesWhy We Picked It
TunnelBear VPN is straightforward to sign up for and features a useful free subscription option. TunnelBear VPN also has one of the most transparent audit processes in the industry, making it a name you can trust. The app's charm (it's full of bears...tunneling!) and easy-to-use interface proves that security software doesn't have to be dour or scare you into using it. Using TunnelBear VPN on the Mac is a pleasure.
Who It's For
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 just need a general-purpose VPN app and aren't planning to change their network settings. Tinkerers should look elsewhere, however.
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Excellent privacy policies
- Annual independent audits
- Friendly, approachable design (with bears!)
Cons
- No multi-hop connections
- Split tunneling not available on all platforms
- Data limit on free subscription
Learn MoreTunnelBear VPN ReviewCyberGhost VPN
Best Server Location OptionsWhy We Picked It
CyberGhost is a pricey but extremely capable VPN service that boasts the largest collection of servers we've seen, widely distributed across the globe. This service provides Mac users with the WireGuard and IKEv2 VPN protocols. We like the fact that it has completed a third-party audit, too.
Who It's For
With its enormous server collection and widespread network, CyberGhost VPN is excellent for those looking to spoof their locations. It gives you the best chance of finding a nearby VPN server no matter where you go.
Pros
- Large, well-distributed server fleet
- Allows up to seven simultaneous connections
- Several add-ons, including antivirus
- Outstanding speed test scores
- Newly completed third-party audit
Cons
- Expensive
- Confusing privacy policies
Learn MoreCyberGhost VPN ReviewMullvad VPN
Best Affordable VPNWhy We Picked It
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.
Who It's For
All VPNs are for privacy-conscious consumers, but Mullvad is a particularly good option for buyers with a tight budget. You can pay for Mullvad using a monthly payment structure, 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.
Pros
- Affordable
- Requires no email or account information
- Radically transparent
- Multi-hop, split tunneling, and port forwarding
Cons
- Awkward desktop interface
- Servers in a small range of countries
- Pay-as-you-go system may confuse some customers
Learn MoreMullvad VPN Review
Buying Guide: The Best Mac VPNs for 2024
Why Do You Need a VPN on a Mac?
Using a VPN app creates an encrypted connection between your Mac and a remote server operated by the VPN company. All your web traffic is sent through this encrypted connection.
The encryption prevents anyone on the same local network as you—and even the person who runs the network—from seeing what you do online. A VPN also shields your online activity from internet service providers (ISPs). Most of us already fork over a hefty chunk of change to our ISPs, but now those same companies are trying to profit off their customers by selling anonymized user data.
There's a strong argument that the widespread adoption of HTTPS already protects your data, making VPNs overkill. It's true; HTTPS does prevent observers from intercepting your information. VPNs also protect your DNS requests, though, which denies ISPs insight into your activities.
VPNs help protect your privacy in other ways, too. A VPN will mask your true IP address with the IP address of the VPN server. That's handy since an IP address can be used to track your movements across the web and to discern your approximate location. Advertisers and anyone else interested in monitoring your online activities have a harder time tracking you while the VPN is active.
You can also use a VPN to spoof your location. For example, I live in Atlanta, but if I connect to a VPN server in Canada, it appears to anyone paying attention that I am located in Toronto. Journalists and activists have used this feature to bypass restrictions from repressive governments. PCMag does not evaluate VPNs on their ability to bypass censorship due to the dire consequences that could befall our readers if our test results are inaccurate.
Location spoofing with a VPN can be used for far more mundane purposes, too. You can access streaming content that's available in other countries using a VPN connection. If you live in the US and connect to a VPN server in London, you can watch Netflix content that is otherwise only available in the UK. For this reason, Netflix and other streaming services work hard to block access via VPN. Keep in mind, however, that VPNs and streaming services are locked in a cat-and-mouse struggle, so a VPN that works today may be blocked tomorrow.
What VPNs Can't Do on Mac
A VPN is, first and foremost, for protecting your privacy, not guarding against malicious sites or malware. Some VPNs watch for known malicious sites, but you should still protect your machine with antivirus software. The best antivirus provides some protection against novel attacks that simply aren't known yet and can guard against malware that sneaks onto your computer from sources other than dangerous websites.
Some attackers don't even bother with malware and, instead, craft ingenious phishing scams designed to trick you into voluntarily handing over personal information. When you enter your PayPal login information into a phishing site made to look like PayPal, someone else instantly has your credentials. Many VPNs offer phishing protection, but malicious sites are ephemeral and vanish as quickly as they appear. Antivirus apps can help block phishing attempts, but it also helps to pay close attention to web addresses to make sure you are browsing a legitimate site.
Beyond phishing, perhaps the most dangerous attack the average person might encounter is an account takeover. This happens when a bad guy has guessed or purchased your login information and can seize control of your account. 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. VPNs can't help much here, either. Instead, use a password manager to create 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, a VPN won't make you fully anonymous online. Changing your IP address and spoofing your location is great, but advertisers (and spies and law enforcement) have many other methods to keep tabs on you. We recommend using a tracker blocker such as the EFF's Privacy Badger and enabling the privacy protections available in most modern web browsers. You'll need to use the free Tor network to increase your anonymity, but this slows down your internet connection even more than a VPN.
What Features Should a Mac VPN Include?
At its most basic, a good VPN should allow you to connect five devices simultaneously. It needs to work on multiple platforms. Paying for a subscription for your Mac should get you iPhone VPN functionality. If a VPN forces you to jump through hoops and pay extra to secure all the devices in your home, it's not a good value.
When we review a VPN, we like to see services with excellent, easy-to-use clients. Frankly, far too many security companies give usability a back seat. You might have the most powerful, secure VPN ever, but it won't matter if the average person dreads using it. We test-drive each VPN on several devices to see if it's usable on every platform.
We notice when a VPN has features that take some of the pain out of VPN use. Split tunneling, for instance, lets you designate which apps send traffic through the tunnel and which do not. You might want to protect your browser traffic, but your favorite games may not need as much protection and would suffer from the increased latency.
Money shouldn't be an obstacle to security, and there are many worthy free VPNs. You can save a lot of money by opting for a long-term VPN subscription, but we highly recommend trying out a service on its shortest plan before taking that plunge.
Stay Safe and Private on Your Mac
While Apple has polished macOS to a shine, it has also given special attention to privacy and security. That's great; advertisers and ISPs don't care what kind of device you use on the web. They'll spy on you regardless. Using a VPN can help take back some privacy.
While you're thinking about privacy for your Mac, you should consider security as well. If you're not protected yet, you should read our roundup of Mac antivirus software.
(Editors’ Note: While they may not all appear in this story, IPVanish and StrongVPN are owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company. Max Eddy contributed to this article.)
