Best VPN for Mac: Secure & Fast VPN Apps
Set up a VPN on Mac in minutes. Compare the best VPNs with easy apps and strong security.
Top VPNs for Mac
Bottom Line: Mac users need a VPN built specifically for macOS. The best Mac VPNs offer native Apple Silicon support, a reliable kill switch, split tunneling, and fast speeds. Below, we rank the top VPN apps for Mac based on real-world performance, macOS integration, and value.
Your Mac already has solid built-in security, but it does not encrypt your internet traffic or hide your IP address from your ISP. A VPN fills that gap. The challenge is finding one that works seamlessly on macOS without slowing you down or missing key features.
We tested dozens of VPN apps on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, checking connection speeds, macOS-specific features, App Store availability, and ease of setup. Here are the results.
Top Mac VPN Apps Ranked
Below are our top picks. Each one offers a dedicated macOS app, strong encryption, and features that actually work on Mac.
| Rank | VPN Provider | Mac App Store | Apple Silicon Native | Kill Switch on Mac | Split Tunneling on Mac | Starting Price | Simultaneous Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $3.49/mo | 10 |
| 2 | ExpressVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $6.67/mo | 8 |
| 3 | Surfshark | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $2.19/mo | Unlimited |
| 4 | CyberGhost | No | Yes | Yes | No | $2.19/mo | 7 |
| 5 | ProtonVPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $4.99/mo (Plus) | 10 |
| 6 | Private Internet Access (PIA) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | $2.03/mo | Unlimited |
1. NordVPN: Best Overall VPN for Mac
NordVPN delivers the strongest combination of speed, security, and macOS integration. Its Mac app is native on Apple Silicon, averaging 850+ Mbps on M2 MacBooks in our speed tests. The kill switch works at the system level, and the Threat Protection feature blocks ads and trackers without a browser extension.
Pros:
- Fastest speeds we recorded on macOS (880 Mbps on WireGuard/NordLynx)
- Full-featured Mac App Store version
- Meshnet feature lets you route traffic through your own devices
- Audited no-logs policy (Deloitte, 2023)
Cons:
- Mac app occasionally requires re-authentication after sleep
- Premium price compared to Surfshark
Mac-specific note: Download from NordVPN’s official site for the full-featured version. The Mac App Store version works well but may lag behind on updates.
2. ExpressVPN: Easiest Mac VPN to Use
ExpressVPN is the most polished Mac VPN app we tested. It connects in under 2 seconds, the interface is clean, and it runs natively on M1, M2, and M3 chips. Lightway, its proprietary protocol, hit 780 Mbps on our test MacBook Pro.
Pros:
- One-click connect with smart server selection
- Lightway protocol built for speed and battery efficiency
- Split tunneling works reliably on macOS Sonoma and Sequoia
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons:
- More expensive than most competitors
- Limited to 8 simultaneous connections
Mac-specific note: ExpressVPN’s Mac app uses a system extension (not a kernel extension), so it stays compatible with the latest macOS security requirements.
3. Surfshark: Best Budget VPN for Mac
Surfshark gives you unlimited simultaneous devices at one of the lowest prices available. On Mac, the app is native for Apple Silicon and includes CleanWeb ad blocking, split tunneling (called Bypasser), and a kill switch. Speeds averaged 720 Mbps in our tests.
Pros:
- Unlimited devices per account
- Starts at $2.19/mo on a 2-year plan
- CleanWeb blocks trackers, ads, and malware domains
- Dynamic MultiHop for extra privacy
Cons:
- Speeds fluctuate more than NordVPN or ExpressVPN
- Some advanced settings are buried in the UI
Mac-specific note: The Bypasser (split tunneling) feature on Mac lets you exclude specific apps or websites from the VPN tunnel.
4. CyberGhost: Best for Streaming on Mac
CyberGhost labels its servers by streaming service (Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Disney+), making it dead simple to access content on your Mac. It runs natively on Apple Silicon and hit 690 Mbps in our tests. If you primarily want a VPN to stream content on your Mac, CyberGhost is a strong choice.
Pros:
- Dedicated streaming-optimized servers
- 45-day money-back guarantee (longest on this list)
- 9,700+ servers across 100 countries
- Automatic Wi-Fi protection on Mac
Cons:
- No Mac App Store version; must download from their site
- No split tunneling on the macOS app
- Slower on long-distance servers
Mac-specific note: CyberGhost’s kill switch on Mac blocks all traffic instantly if the VPN drops.
5. ProtonVPN: Best Free Option for Mac
ProtonVPN offers a genuinely free tier with no data limits and no ads. The free plan gives you servers in 5 countries and decent speeds for browsing. The paid Plus plan accesses streaming support, Secure Core servers, and speeds up to 740 Mbps on Mac. If you want a free VPN for Mac that you can trust, start here.
Pros:
- Free plan with unlimited data (rare and legitimate)
- Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws
- Open-source Mac app, independently audited
- Secure Core routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries
Cons:
- Free plan limited to servers in 5 countries
- Free plan does not support streaming or P2P
- Slightly slower than NordVPN and ExpressVPN on paid plan
Mac-specific note: ProtonVPN’s Mac app is available on the Mac App Store and supports IKEv2 and WireGuard natively.
6. Private Internet Access (PIA): Most Customizable Mac VPN
PIA gives power users full control. You can configure encryption levels, choose between WireGuard and OpenVPN, set per-app rules, and adjust DNS settings. On Mac, it averaged 650 Mbps and offers one of the most flexible kill switches available.
Pros:
- Granular control over encryption and protocol settings
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- MACE ad and tracker blocker built in
- Proven no-logs policy (verified in court twice)
Cons:
- Interface can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Not available on the Mac App Store
- Based in the US (Five Eyes jurisdiction)
Mac-specific note: PIA’s split tunneling on Mac works at the app level.
What to Look for in a Mac VPN
Not every VPN works equally well on macOS. Here are the features that matter most for Mac users:
Apple Silicon support. If you have an M1, M2, M3, or M4 Mac, choose a VPN with a native ARM app. Running an Intel app through Rosetta 2 drains battery faster and reduces speeds by 10-20% in our tests.
Kill switch behavior on macOS. macOS handles network interruptions differently than Windows. A good Mac VPN kill switch blocks all traffic at the firewall level, not just at the app level. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA all do this correctly.
Split tunneling. This lets you route some apps through the VPN and others through your regular connection. Useful when you want to stream foreign content while keeping local banking apps on your real IP. Not all Mac VPN apps support this; CyberGhost’s Mac app, for example, does not.
Network extension vs. kernel extension. Apple deprecated kernel extensions in macOS Big Sur. Modern VPN apps should use the Network Extension framework. All six VPNs above have migrated to this approach.
Mac App Store availability. Apps from the Mac App Store go through Apple’s review process and use sandboxing, which limits functionality. Some providers (CyberGhost, PIA) skip the App Store entirely to ship full-featured apps. Others (NordVPN, Surfshark) offer both versions. In most cases, the direct download version has more features.
How to Set Up a VPN on macOS
Setting up a VPN on your Mac takes less than 5 minutes. Here is the process:
- Choose a VPN provider from the list above and create an account on their website.
- Download the Mac app directly from the provider’s website (recommended) or from the Mac App Store.
- Open the installer and drag the app to your Applications folder. macOS may ask you to approve a system extension in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Log in with your account credentials.
- Click Connect. Most apps auto-select the fastest server. You can also choose a specific country.
- Verify your connection by visiting a site like ipleak.net to confirm your IP address has changed.
macOS tip: Dedicated VPN apps access features that the built-in VPN client cannot. Split tunneling lets you route specific apps through the VPN while others use your direct connection. A kill switch automatically blocks all traffic if the VPN drops. Neither feature is available through macOS System Settings manual configuration. Always download from the provider’s official website rather than the Mac App Store, where some providers ship stripped-down versions.
Optional: Manual IKEv2 setup. macOS has built-in IKEv2 VPN support in System Settings > VPN. This works if your provider supplies server addresses and certificates, but you lose split tunneling, kill switch, and auto-connect features. We recommend the dedicated app for most users.
Why Mac Users Need a VPN
Many Mac users assume macOS is secure enough on its own. It is more resistant to malware than Windows, but it does nothing to protect your internet traffic. Your ISP can see every site you visit. Public Wi-Fi networks expose your data to anyone on the same network. Content providers restrict access based on your location.
A VPN solves all three problems. It encrypts your traffic so your ISP and network snoops see nothing. It masks your IP so streaming services think you are in another country. It secures public Wi-Fi connections automatically.
If you also use an iPhone or iPad, the same VPN subscription usually covers those devices too.
Free vs. Paid VPNs for Mac
Free VPNs are tempting, but most come with serious trade-offs:
| Feature | Free VPNs | Paid VPNs |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Throttled (50-200 Mbps typical) | Full speed (650-880 Mbps in our tests) |
| Data caps | Common (500 MB-10 GB/month) | Unlimited |
| Server locations | 3-5 countries | 60-100+ countries |
| Streaming support | Rarely works | Reliably accesses Netflix, Hulu, etc. |
| Kill switch on Mac | Usually missing | Included |
| Split tunneling on Mac | Usually missing | Included on most apps |
| Logging policy | Often unclear or invasive | Audited no-logs policies |
Our recommendation: ProtonVPN’s free plan is the only free Mac VPN we trust. It has no data cap, no ads, and a clear no-logs policy. For anything beyond basic browsing, a paid plan from NordVPN or Surfshark is worth the $2-4/month investment.
Mac VPN FAQs
Do I need a VPN if I use a Mac?
Yes. macOS does not encrypt your internet traffic or hide your activity from your ISP. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for all traffic leaving your Mac and masks your real IP address. This protects you on public Wi-Fi and prevents your ISP from logging your browsing history.
Does a VPN slow down my Mac?
Expect a 5-15% speed reduction on nearby servers with NordVPN or ExpressVPN using WireGuard. Distant servers may drop speeds more. On Apple Silicon Macs running native VPN apps, the performance hit is smaller than on Intel Macs using Rosetta translation.
Can I use the same VPN on my Mac and iPhone?
Yes. Every VPN on our list offers both macOS and iOS apps under one subscription. NordVPN covers 10 devices, Surfshark and PIA cover unlimited devices.
Are VPNs legal to use on Mac?
VPNs are legal in most countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and all of the EU. A few countries like North Korea, Iraq, and Belarus ban VPNs outright, while Russia and China heavily restrict their use.
Should I use the Mac App Store version or download directly?
Download directly from the VPN provider’s website in most cases. Mac App Store versions use Apple’s sandboxing, which can limit features like kill switches and split tunneling. The direct download versions of NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all include features that their App Store counterparts may lack.
Final Verdict
For most Mac users, NordVPN is the best overall choice. It has the fastest speeds on macOS, a native Apple Silicon app, a system-level kill switch, and a full-featured Mac App Store version. If budget matters more, Surfshark gives you unlimited devices for around $2/month. And if you want a free starting point, ProtonVPN is the only free Mac VPN worth using.
No matter which provider you pick, download the app directly from the provider’s website for the best macOS experience.