Mac VPNs are vital bits of kit. After all, Mac machines aren't totally immune to online threats and digital snoops. Luckily, today's best VPNs are jam-packed with the tools you need to ensure that your data stays safe while you do your thing online – whether that's streaming, gaming, or scrolling through social media.
NordVPN currently leads the pack as the best Mac VPN on the market. Surfshark and ExpressVPN aren't too far behind, either, and all of our shortlisted services come with sleek Mac apps that only take a click (or two) to set up. Plus, the TechRadar team has spent over 11 years testing, reviewing, and getting hands-on with VPNs, and have trialed our shortlisted services ourselves on a Mac Mini. Ultimately, we're certain you can trust our top picks.
We've compared the features, speed, and unblocking power of the five best VPNs for Mac, as well as their overall value for money. So, let's start!
5 Best Mac VPNs: quick overview
The five best VPNs for Mac in 2025
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The best VPN for Mac overall
NordVPN is our top-rated Mac VPN for a whole heap of reasons – whether it's the overall quality of its macOS features, its blistering performance, or its ability to unblock popular streaming platforms, few VPNs perform as consistently across the board as NordVPN.
Mac loyalists will appreciate that NordVPN is compatible with pretty much every Mac device out there, including the Mac Pro, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Mini. Its apps support macOS 11 Big Sur and macOS 12 Monterey, macOS 13 Ventura, or macOS 14 Sonoma, and legacy support is available for even older versions.
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Ease of Use
NordVPN couldn't be simpler to set up, and you don't need to be familiar with VPNs to install and use the Mac app. Once you've picked and paid for your plan, download the Mac app from the NordVPN site and give the download the permission it needs to do its thing. Once complete, the app proper will open before you can blink, and you'll be asked whether you're comfortable sharing analytics data.
The Mac app homepage makes an instant impact. NordVPN's interactive map looks fantastic on larger screens, and we had no trouble clicking and dragging our way around the 2D canvas. Still, if you prefer a more traditional list of VPN servers, NordVPN has your back. To the left of the map, you'll see the full range of available locations as well as the specialty servers (Onion over VPN, Double VPN, and P2P) and recent connection points. To choose a server, click it, wait a moment, and you'll be connected – and it's the same for disconnecting.
NordVPN has a whole host of other tools which, fortunately, are tidied up into their own tabs. On the left-hand side, you'll see a vertical toolbar where you can select Threat Protection, Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor, statistics, and, of course, the main VPN homepage. We appreciate this approach to organization, as it ensures that newbies aren't immediately overwhelmed by tools they may not need or use, while keeping them close at hand for users who rely on them for an extra layer of digital protection.
We found the settings menu just as easy to parse, too. The icon is tucked away at the bottom of the screen, and once opened, most settings are contained within their own tab, which means you don't need to endlessly scroll through a lengthy list to find kill switch settings, as they have their own sub-menu. Most items in the settings are on/off toggles or multiple-choice via a dropdown menu, making it nice and easy to pick your protocol, enable auto-connect, or fire up post-quantum encryption.
Streaming
NordVPN is often our first recommendation to folks on the hunt for a reliable streaming VPN, and during our hands-on testing, we found that it works like a charm on Mac devices, too. NordVPN accessed Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer without any hiccups, first time.
Tuning in to US Netflix, we didn't encounter any pesky buffering, either, even three episodes deep into the latest season of Ginny & Georgia. That's primarily thanks to its impressive speeds (which we'll explore a little later), and means you'll enjoy crisp HD-quality playback when streaming movies, shows, and live sports.
When it comes to torrenting, NordVPN is a solid pick, though its selection of P2P-friendly servers is limited. There's no port forwarding, either, which could negatively impact the speed of your torrents by limiting the number of peers in a P2P network you can communicate with. If that's a deal breaker, you'll want to check out Private Internet Access instead.
Privacy & Security
Macs have a sterling reputation for security, and NordVPN's arsenal of tools supplements it fantastically. The VPN uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption on its OpenVPN protocol, protecting your data as it travels from your Mac to the internet. Go for NordLynx, NordVPN's proprietary protocol based on WireGuard, and you're covered by ChaCha20.
Both of these options are techniques considered among today's most trustworthy choices, and will keep even the most determined snoopers at bay. Plus, NordVPN continues to prove its commitment to being a champion of digital privacy, having introduced post-quantum encryption to NordLynx in September 2024.
NordVPN is no stranger to third-party audits of its privacy policy, server infrastructure, and apps, either. Towards the end of 2024, the VPN invited auditing firm Deloitte to comb through its no logs policy – its fifth audit overall – and the results confirmed that NordVPN doesn't keep hold of any identifiable user details that could be linked to activity.
In terms of features, NordVPN doesn't neglect its Mac following, offering core basics like a kill switch that'll leap into action and cut your internet connection if the VPN drops out, preventing leaks.
There's also the Double VPN tool, a multihop solution that routes your connection through an extra server for an additional layer of security. When we tried this tool for ourselves, we were pleasantly surprised to see that it didn't add any noticeable delay to our browsing experience.
Speed & Performance
A pesky, yet enduring, myth about VPNs is that they'll all slow your internet speeds to a crawl. That can certainly be the case for some less-than-trustworthy free services, but not when it comes to NordVPN. In fact, it consistently lands at the top of our in-house speed tests.
That's great news for anyone who uses their Mac to stream HD content and live sports, hop into online games, or torrent. Clocking in at over 950+ Mbps when using the NordLynx VPN protocol (and remaining consistent even when we repeated our testing when connected to servers on opposite ends of the globe), you can rest assured that it can keep up with the most demanding tasks without slamming on the brakes.
The best Mac VPN for beginners
ExpressVPN narrowly misses out on the top spot in our Mac VPN rankings, but it's still a stellar pick. We often recommend it to folks who are new to the world of VPNs. Its Mac app is sleek and unintrusive with a distinct style that's not sterile or overly techy. Plus, during setup, all of the complicated configurations are handled for you. It's why ExpressVPN is our favorite VPN for beginners.
ExpressVPN is compatible with MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, iMac Pro, and Mac mini. You're bound to find support for your version of macOS, too, as ExpressVPN works like a charm for macOS 15 Sequoia down to macOS 10.13 High Sierra.
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Ease of Use
ExpressVPN has boiled the Mac installation process down to a fine science. It took us about three minutes in total to go from downloading the app from the ExpressVPN site to connecting to a server. First, though, you'll need to give the installer permission, then sit back and let it run. When prompted, log in (or pick up a subscription if you haven't already) – but remember that you'll need to input your activation code at this point, too. You'll find it on your account page.
At this point, you'll be asked whether you want to enable auto-connect and agree to share diagnostic info, then you'll have full access to the petite Mac app. It's a small tab in the corner of the screen with an unmissable "Connect" button. Give it a tap, and ExpressVPN will pair you up with a server, and you can tap it again when you're ready to disconnect. All in all, we find the process to be foolproof.
We also like that you can add site shortcuts to the initial ExpressVPN home tab. If you primarily use the VPN to check out streaming services, like Netflix, for example, you can pin it for quick and easy access. It's a neat little quality-of-life feature that shows ExpressVPN's attention to detail.
Wondering where the full list of ExpressVPN servers is? Click on the triple-dot icon to open up a traditional list, grouped by region, recommended and recent servers, as well as a search bar that makes hunting down servers in specific locations that much easier.
Pivoting back to the main ExpressVPN home tab, click on the icon with three lines, then preferences, to check out the Mac app settings. ExpressVPN's built-in ad-blocking tool is kept under Advanced protection, protocols have their own tab, and so do the advanced options, which cover diagnostics and IPv6 leak protection.
Streaming
ExpressVPN achieved a perfect score when we put its unblocking power to the test. We didn't encounter any obstacles when checking out content on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more – and smaller regional services loaded on our Mac instantly, too, including ITVX.
It's a close call, but NordVPN edges out ExpressVPN when it comes to overall streaming performance, as it's slightly more stable. We encountered a few dropouts when tuning in to US content on Prime Video, though the issue resolved when we selected another server in the same (or nearby) location. Still, if you're an avid streamer with plans for an upcoming movie marathon, it's worth keeping in mind.
ExpressVPN does, however, hold its own as a torrenting VPN. Its entire server network supports P2P traffic, so you don't have to pinpoint a specific torrenting-friendly server to join. Still, as ExpressVPN lacks port forwarding, it's not the total package for committed torrenters.
Privacy & Security
ExpressVPN earns its spot at the top of our secure VPN rankings with rock-solid encryption. Your connection is secured with AES-256 encryption as well as Perfect Forward Secrecy. In a nutshell, this means that, even if a third-party snooper captured your data, it'd take thousands of years to chip through ExpressVPN's encryption.
Mac users can take their pick of industry-leading protocols, too, including OpenVPN and IKEv2. If you'd prefer a blend of speed and security, however, Lightway is a proprietary option built to deliver blistering speeds. Plus, it's open source and frequently audited, which is the sort of transparency we like to see.
On that note, ExpressVPN is a real trailblazer when it comes to independent third-party audits of its apps, privacy policy, and server network. The provider currently has 18 under its belt, with the most recent published in May 2024 courtesy of KPMG.
ExpressVPN doesn't boast the same amount of bells and whistles as NordVPN in terms of extra privacy-boosting features available to Mac users, though its core VPN offering is superb. There's a kill switch, called Network Lock, that prevents your IP address from leaking in the event of a VPN dropout, which pairs nicely with the DNS leak protection that securely routes your DNS queries to their servers.
The Shuffle IP tool is something of an unsung hero, too. It assigns a random IP address to each site you visit, preventing snoops and third parties from monitoring your activity and identifying patterns and correlations, making it way harder to track you as you do your thing online.
Speed & Performance
Express in name and nature, ExpressVPN recorded an impressive performance during our most recent round of in-house speed testing. The service clocked in at 898 Mbps via Lightway – and while it's not chart-topping, it's still blisteringly fast when you consider that Netflix recommends 25 Mbps to enjoy 4K content.
Put simply, ExpressVPN has the legs to keep up with anything you and your Mac get up to, including file sharing and competitive online play.
The best cheap VPN for Mac
Surfshark is, put simply, a steal of a VPN, and the current king atop our best cheap VPN shortlist. In fact, it's half the price of ExpressVPN. The good news keeps coming, too, with Mac apps that might be plain, but work like a charm, so if you're a minimalist, you'll be pleased.
As you'd expect from such a big name in the VPN sphere, Surfshark is compatible with Mac Pro, iMac, MacBook, Mac Mini, and Mac Studio, and offers support for a number of versions, from macOS 15 Sequoia to macOS 11 Big Sur. No matter your Mac configuration, Surfshark is ready to play ball.
READ MORE ABOUT SURFSHARK▼
Ease of Use
The Surfshark download and install process is similar to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, which is to say, pretty straightforward. The only difference we noticed in our experience was that we were required to drag the Surfshark file we downloaded from the site into the application folder. Once installation is complete, it's a simple case of punching in your login credentials.
You'll be greeted by a server list and connection status icon, as well as the usual quick connect button. On the left, however, you have more granular control over the server you join, including a list of recommended locations and the full roster of options. We like that you can favorite servers to curate a personalized list, and that options for multi-hop, static IP, and dedicated IP are all contained in this tab.
Like NordVPN, Surfshark displays icons on the left-hand side that'll take you to its additional features. Newbies probably won't need to navigate to these options that often, but if you've invested in Alternative ID, data breach monitoring, or Surfshark Search tools, this is where you'll find them. It's a simple setup that's nice and easy to navigate, and it keeps clutter to a minimum.
Surfshark's settings are split into separate menus, too, and all of the most important options are listed under VPN settings. This UI is similar to NordVPN, though we generally find NordVPN easier to parse as it makes better use of the screen space.
Streaming
Surfshark is undeniably one of the best Netflix VPNs on the block. Our testing process involves accessing content across multiple regional libraries, and Surfshark excelled each time, with no dropouts or instances of endless buffering. In fact, Surfshark worked just as well when we investigated Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime – as my mini-marathon of Good Omens can attest to.
When it comes to torrenting, Surfshark doesn't quite rise to the same heights. Engaging in P2P activity is possible, mind, as all Surfshark servers are torrent-friendly, but the lack of port forwarding might be a deal breaker for folks who want to maximize the performance of their seeding and leaching.
Privacy & Security
Surfshark works hard to keep your Mac and your data secure with industry-standard AES-256 encryption. Mac users can choose between the WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols, too. The fact that OpenVPN is missing from the spread is a little disappointing, especially if you're looking to prioritize your privacy over performance, but WireGuard balances both factors superbly, even if it's not quite as battle-tested as OpenVPN. If you'd rather not part with OpenVPN, you'll be glad to know that NordVPN and ExpressVPN's Mac offerings include the protocol.
A sturdy no-logs policy is a must for any VPN we recommend, and Surfshark doesn't disappoint. Simply put, it isn't interested in keeping tabs on what you do while connected to a server or retaining identifiable information. In 2023, the provider invited Deloitte to audit its no-logs policy, and the firm acknowledged that Surfshark never stores a scrap that could link you to your internet activity.
Surfshark's privacy tools are designed to give your online security a significant boost, too. Starting with the kill switch, which prevents IP leaks, though you'll need to manually enable it in the settings menu first. The CleanWeb tool is a built-in ad and malware blocker that shooes threats away from your Mac device and, paired with the CleanWeb 2 browser add-on, works quietly in the background to make the web a safer place to be.
We were most impressed by the Alternative ID feature, however, which spins up an entirely new online persona you can use to sign up for sites, services, or apps, without parting with your real details. Alternative ID generates a new name, email address, and phone number in a click, allowing you to be choosier about when and where you share your real details, and reducing the likelihood of being involved in data breaches.
Speed & Performance
Surfshark is the fastest VPN on our books. It blew us away during our last round of performance tests, coming in hot at 950+ Mbps via WireGuard, maxing out our line.
That's way more than you need for even the most resource-intensive online tasks. Think gaming and streaming, torrenting, and hours-long video calls with friends and family via your Mac.
The best secure Mac VPN
Private Internet Access (PIA) has carved out an impressive niche for itself as a Reddit sweetheart and the VPN veteran's choice. Why? Well, it's largely thanks to the flexibility of its apps and sheer amount of features, and this extends to its Mac app, too.
You'll be able to use PIA on any MacBook, MacBook Pro or Air, iMac, or Mac Mini, and the VPN supports macOS versions from macOS 15 Sequoia to macOS 10.13 High Sierra.
READ MORE ABOUT PIA▼
Ease of Use
Private Internet Access might be more suited to experts in a general sense, but its installation and setup process is a breeze on any Mac device. Once you've downloaded the file and given it the permissions it politely requests, a login window (with an extremely cute extraterrestrial mascot) will pop up and prompt you to punch in your details.
Once you're in the app proper, you'll see that it resembles ExpressVPN, taking the form of a small tab rather than a full window. The majority of this tab is taken up by a big ol' Connect button – and connecting to a server is as easy as hitting it once.
Alternatively, clicking Location opens up a larger list of PIA servers, as well as their latency, and this is also where you can add them to your list of favorites.
Back on the main PIA tab, expand it downwards with the arrow to see more widgets and information, like the server you're currently connected to, download speeds, and access to quick settings. We like that you can add any of these widgets to the home tab with a click.
PIA's settings are hidden behind the triple-dot icon. Give it a tap, and the settings menu will open up in its own, separate window, which we're a fan of. Some of these settings are quite techy, so having extra space to parse descriptions and choices is a lot better than trying to cram it into a tiny tab.
Just like NordVPN and Surfshark, PIA's settings are grouped by function and mostly consist of check boxes. Some options, however, like the available protocols, give you multiple choices to consider.
Streaming
PIA performed pretty well during our hands-on testing. We had no trouble with playback on the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ – though we did have to switch servers (to another location in the UK) to reliably access BBC iPlayer, as our first attempt to do so fell short.
Whereas NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are all decent picks as far as torrenting goes, PIA really excels, and it's a stellar choice for P2P enthusiasts. It's quick enough to handle bulk downloads, and the inclusion of port forwarding allows you to connect to more seeders in a network, improving the overall performance of your torrents.
Privacy & Security
PIA doesn't take any chances when it comes to your Mac's security, utilizing AES-256 encryption. We were also glad to see that the popular OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols were readily available, allowing you to choose between all-out security or speed, respectively. PIA earns extra brownie points by making its VPN source code available for anyone to take a look at. That means, should you have the inclination, you could audit it yourself on GitHub.
There isn't another VPN on the block that can match PIA when it comes to living up to a no-logs policy, either. The VPN has proven it in court on two separate occasions when it had no user logs to hand over – despite the pressure from authorities. Plus, this policy has been scrutinized twice by Deloitte, most recently in April 2024.
We're always impressed by PIA's roster of extra tools, too. Let's take obfuscation - a nifty feature that disguises VPN traffic as regular traffic, allowing users to thwart bans. PIA uses Shadowsocks and a SOCKS 5 proxy to achieve this, and you'll have your pick of the two. The PIA MACE feature makes short work of any ads, trackers, and malware, preventing them from wreaking havoc on your Mac, and even helping pages load faster, which is a nice cherry on top.
Speed & Performance
First thing's first, PIA is no slouch – but it's not a blisteringly fast provider, either. It recorded speeds of 436 Mbps using the WireGuard protocol when we put it to the test, and these results are middle-of-the-pack at best.
Compared to the limit-breaking performances of NordVPN and Surfshark, these results might seem grim, but PIA is still quick enough to ensure a smooth experience for pretty much anything you get up to on your Mac. Plus, we noticed that PIA's speeds are particularly stable, as they didn't fluctuate across different points of the day.
The best free Mac VPN
Windscribe rounds out our list with a jaunty Mac app that's totally unique – and a suite of features that'll keep snoopers, ads, and other digital nasties at bay. Plus, if you'd rather try Windscribe before committing to a premium plan, its free VPN tier is one of the best around.
As with the rest of our shortlisted VPNs, Windscribe is compatible with most Mac devices, and works with versions of macOS 11 Big Sur up to macOS 15 Sequoia.
Read more about Windscribe▼
Ease of Use
Once you've downloaded the Windscribe files from the provider's site, you'll find a nifty little installation pop-up on your screen. We took a moment to admire the Matrix-chic of the art before continuing the process and inputting our login details.
The actual Windscribe Mac app is seriously tiny – it opens up as a small tab and, to us, it felt somewhat cramped upon first glance. It does open up if you click on the server list, however, giving you more room to scroll through the available locations without squinting. The home tab also has a quick connect button and areas for your favorite servers, static IPs, configurations, and a search bar you can use to locate a specific server in a specific country.
While the Mac app is perfectly usable and responsive, we have a few quibbles with its UI. For a start, the firewall (kill switch) text floats way above the actual toggle, leaving us to wonder if the two were connected for a moment. Windscribe's settings can be tricky to sift through, too, though the majority of them are simple on/off toggles, like enabling launch on start up.
Streaming
Windscribe impressed us when we put its streaming and unblocking power under the microscope. In fact, it scored full marks across the board, seamlessly getting us into the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and even Channel 4 – great news for us, as we streamed about 2 hours of Kitchen Nightmares without a single drop out or buffering issue.
Unfortunately, Windscribe isn't as viable as a torrenting VPN as PIA. Most of its servers support P2P activity, but a handful don't, like those in India, Russia, and South Africa, so it's always worth double-checking before leaping into any file sharing.
Privacy & Security
Windscribe has an impressive security cocktail mixed up, using AES-256 encryption to keep your Mac privacy under lock and key. It also utilizes WSTunnel on restricted networks. On Mac, you'll be able to choose between popular protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, which is a solid spread that'll cover all of your use cases.
We're also glad to see that, back in 2024, Windscribe invested in a third-party audit of its VPN infrastructure and no-logs policy. PacketLabs gave both factors the thumbs up, confirming that Windscribe doesn't retain identifiable details thanks to its RAM-only servers.
Where Windscribe really shines, however, is with its roster of security-boosting tools. The MAC address spoofing is especially nifty. It makes you look like a new user each time you connect to a public Wi-Fi hotspot, preventing snoopers from identifying trends or correlations based on your browsing activity, which is especially handy if you frequent a particular café, hotel, or train station.
The R.O.B.E.R.T. suite blocks ads, malware, and trackers, keeping the web nice and clean, and you can even filter away certain types of content, like gambling and porn sites, clickbait, and fake news. This kind of customizability makes Windscribe a pretty serious contender to PIA and its impressive customizability, which will no doubt appeal to power users who want to tailor their VPN experience down to the nth degree.
Speed & Performance
Windscribe more than holds its own in terms of speed. Using the WireGuard protocol, it clocked in at a wickedly quick 950+ Mbps when we last tested it, maxing out our connection line, just like Surfshark.
So, whether you plan on using your Mac to binge-watch that one series you've always meant to tune into, join friends in online play, or whittle the day away on social media, Windscribe ensures that you don't have to trade speed for security.
How we test
There are a lot of VPNs on the market and, luckily, almost all of them have apps for Mac and iOS devices. We put all of these services to the test ourselves with the help of our in-depth VPN methodology, and re-test VPNs at least twice a year to ensure that our results are always up to date.
So, to put together our shortlist of the best Mac VPNs, we focused on the following categories:
- Feature analysis: we compare the full roster of tools available to Mac users and determine if anything is missing (and available on the Windows version, for example). We'll also investigate the VPN's server network size, spread of locations, and the supported protocols.
- Privacy and security: in addition to combing through a VPN's privacy policy, we'll also look into the service's auditing history. This is also where we inspect the VPN's encryption methods and add-ons - like ad and malware protection, password managers, and dark web monitoring.
- Performance testing: using our 1 GB internet connection, we routinely test and retest the performance of our top-rated Mac VPNs. We'll see how these speeds vary between protocols and determine if there's a significant difference between results recorded on our Windows test machine.
- Unblocking abilities: we test VPNs with over 20 of the most popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, to name a few. If we encounter constant buffering or anti-VPN pop-ups, we'll let you know.
- Support and reliability: naturally, a Mac VPN needs an intuitive Mac app, and we take the time to evaluate the overall ease of use - and compare it to the Windows equivalent. We'll also contact live chat and email support.
You can read more about our full VPN testing methodology here.
Mac VPN FAQs
Do Macs have a built-in VPN?
No, Macs don't come with their own built-in VPNs, but today's best VPNs have apps designed specifically for the platform. Plus, if you're on the hunt for an iPhone VPN, you'll be glad to learn that most VPNs are compatible with iPhones and iPads, too.
Should I get a VPN for my Mac?
You should absolutely get a VPN for your Mac! While Macs have a reputation for rock-solid security, it's still worth taking a proactive approach to your digital privacy with a VPN, and preventing third-party snoopers and governments from keeping tabs on your browsing history.
Do VPNs hide Mac addresses?
Yes, a VPN will hide the IP address assigned to your Mac – the MAC (Media Access Control) address. By connecting to a VPN server, you'll be issued a temporary IP address based in the same location as the server, and the sites and apps you use will see this new address instead of your original one. This is also how a VPN can bypass pesky geo-restrictions.
