The best Mac VPN in 2024 (2024)

If you're a Mac user, a quality Mac VPN is an essential part of your online toolbox. From protecting your online privacy to getting round content blocks on Netflix and government censorship, the best VPNs of 2024 are remarkably versatile bits of software. With so many to choose from, though, it can be a tricky decision to make - especially when not every VPN has an equally compelling package for Mac devices.

While many top providers have relatively weak macOS offerings, my team of experts and I at Tom's Guide have sorted the wheat from the chaff to give you the best possible options for Mac VPNs.

We have reviewed dozens of VPNs across multiple criteria, including speed, privacy, unblocking, coverage, and price, to bring you this list of the top 5 VPNs for Mac.

My top three Mac VPN picks

On this page I've pulled together the 5 best Mac VPNs on the market. However, if you're short on time and just want the top three, simply look at my top choices below:

The best Mac VPNs today

ExpressVPN: The best VPN for Mac overall

In my hands-on ExpressVPN review, the British Virgin Islands-based provider came out on top as my favorite VPN overall, and my decision is no different when it comes to awarding the top VPN for Mac. With powerful encryption, a rock-solid kill switch and an auto-connect feature, you can rest assured that your browsing history or real location will never be left vulnerable.

Both ExpressVPN’s Windows and Mac apps are very similar in how they look and function. However, the Mac version doesn’t have split tunneling. On the bright side, it provides the Threat Manager and the malware and tracking blocker, both of which are offerings omitted from its Windows app. It's also the best iPhone VPN on the market, so if you have multiple Apple devices, it's well worth considering.

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The Threat Manager is a unique ExpressVPN feature that blocks apps and websites on your Mac from tracking your activity, let alone relaying it to third parties. A strict no-logs policy and class-leading encryption with secure DNS and P2P support on all servers make ExpressVPN one of the most secure VPNs on the market right now.

For even more protection, ExpressVPN employs TrustedServer technology that includes RAM-only servers and the entire software stack being reinstalled on every server at boot. ExpressVPN servers do not store any of your data, and once your session comes to an end, there’s virtually no record of it whatsoever.

ExpressVPN is also killer when it comes to streaming. It's able to unblock a wide range of global Netflix libraries, as well as BBC iPlayer outside the UK, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and tons more.

In my recent round of testing, ExpressVPN reached a maximum download speed of 560 Mbps. Now, you really only need a 25 Mbps connection to stream your favorite content in 4K Ultra HD, so Express does more than just a decent job here. That said, it can't quite match the likes of Surfshark and NordVPN when it comes to sheer speed.

You can now log in with the same ExpressVPN account on 8 devices simultaneously. This number was previously 5, so the jump is commendable, but rivals like Surfshark and PIA come with unlimited simultaneous connections, and at a lower price point. However, I'm glad to see ExpressVPN pushing to offer more value to customers.

The introduction of ExpressVPN Keys, however, is very welcome and shows that the premium provider is focused on improving its wider range of security and privacy products – one of the few areas in which it falls behind the rivals listed just below on this page.

Overall, ExpressVPN is an ideal pick for those looking for class leading privacy, and while on the pricier side, it’s quite simply the best Mac VPN money can buy. Plus, it’s beginner-friendly with a simple interface and 24/7 responsive customer support available for any trouble you may run into. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so try it out and see how it works for you.

The best budget Mac VPN

Surfshark is an excellent cheap VPN that stands tall as a capable Mac VPN thanks to its recent upgrades to be Apple M1 compatible. Plus, like Nord, Surfshark proved itself to be one of the fastest VPNs I've tested, maxing out at an impressive 950 Mbps.

With full support for WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, industry-standard AES-256 encryption, and a few extra features like split tunneling and Double Hop, along with Clean Web 2.0 ad and malware blocking, it's a complete package. The simple, friendly Mac interface also makes these features easy to use, and just like ExpressVPN, it's a great option for first-timers.

However, the app window isn’t resizable, nor is the kill switch status shown on the home screen, both of which are a little annoying, especially when you consider that it’s not the case on Surfshark’s Windows app. But the Mac app shines through with its auto-connect functionality – something the Windows app doesn’t have. You can rest assured that you’ll be connected to a secure Surfshark server at all times.

Surfshark also provides another layer on anonymity via its Incogni service. This sees the company request data brokers, such as those dealing in marketing data, recruitment data, people search sites, and more, to delete any data they have on you. All you have to do is fill out a form and give Incogni permission to reach out to data brokers on your behalf. This shows how dedicated Surfshark is to user privacy – although you will have to sign up separately.

Surfshark sets itself apart from its competition with its unlimited simultaneous connections, making it an ideal pick for those who want to cover all the devices in their family plus share the same VPN subscription with their friends and coworkers.

On the streaming front, the service is at par with industry leaders like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, unblocking everything I threw at it, from UK US Netflix libraries and BBC iPlayer to the more obscure platforms like 10Play.

All in all, Surfshark offers excellent encryption with the fastest speeds and a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience – and at $1.99 a month, it's an absolute bargain as well.

The fastest Mac VPN

As quite possibly the best-known VPN on the market, it's no surprise to see NordVPN crop up as one of the best Mac VPNs.Alongside a full security suite, it comes with its own super-fast encryption protocol, that topped my speed tests at over 950 Mbps.

In my hands-on NordVPN review, I found that it offers all the basics, like powerful encryption and multiple protocols, but it also delivers a few features that aren't available with rivals ExpressVPN and Surfshark. The unique 'Onion over VPN' setting routes you through the Tor network, which sacrifices speed for unrivaled privacy.

You'll also get two kill switches and a nifty Double VPN feature which encrypts your data twice by routing your Internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, as is the standard.

The unique Meshnet feature works like a LAN network, allowing you to securely connect up to 60 devices directly. This eliminates the need to ever send files to the server cloud, making gaming or collaborating with your buddies and file sharing more secure. This, coupled with an independently audited no-logs policy and in-built antivirus, makes NordVPN a complete security suite adept on all counts.

On its Mac app, NordVPN has a Presets feature that allows you to combine a set of VPN settings and a server location to operate the VPN in the best possible manner as per your use case.

For example, you can have a browsing preset that maximizes security while browsing, with ad and malware blocking. On other occasions, you can prioritize download speeds and then have a different preset to go along with those settings – lots to play around with and is much welcome.

As the best Netflix VPN, NordVPN gives you unrestricted access to every Netflix library in the world, including niche locations like Japan. Not just that, it runs smoothly with all other popular streaming sites as well, including Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer.

NordVPN's 6 simultaneous connections and servers in 60 countries mean that it's off the mark compared to Surfshark and ExpressVPN – the former offers unlimited simultaneous connections and the latter has servers in as many as 105 countries. Overall though, NordVPN does offer more in terms of extra features, so may well offer more value to you.

The best of the rest

Well known as a very private VPN, Proton VPN delivers excellent protection for its users across the board. Fully audited apps, an excellent no-logging policy and full AES-256 encryption alongside more unusual features like Tor over VPN and its rock-solid Secure Core servers make it a good choice for anyone looking for a properly secure Mac VPN.

It doesn't sacrifice any usability for that though, and it's also a very powerful streaming VPN. It unblocks all popular Netflix libraries, including some hard-to-crack countries like Japan, and tons of other streaming sites too.

Unlike its rivals, Proton VPN doesn't hold back on its Mac version and the only thing it misses out on here is split tunneling (available on the Windows app), but it makes up for that by providing support for an extra protocol – IKEv2, besides the usual WireGuard and OpenVPN.

In my ProtonVPN review, it impressed with its proprietary VPN accelerator technology that claims to amp up your speeds by up to 400%. However, when tested first hand, I didn't notice much difference in speed when compared to the standard connection, but nevertheless, it's a nifty feature to have. As for speed, ProtonVPN is sufficiently quick but not as fast as some of the other providers, like Surfshark or NordVPN.

A unique ad blocker that goes by the name of NetShield protects your Mac from malware found in images, scripts, and other resources on the world wide web. That said, this feature is only available to users of the paid plans. If you’re on the free plan, the standard no-ads policy of ProtonVPN will have to make do.

ProtonVPN is also a top choice for Mac users looking for a free VPN – you get 100+ server options in 3 countries with unlimited bandwidth and customer support. However, note that ProtonVPN’s free plan does not come with unblocking capabilities.

Overall, a Swiss-based provider doesn't leave much scope for skepticism in terms of security, but Proton’s 10 simultaneous connections and moderately premium pricing make it a bittersweet choice – cheaper than ExpressVPN but certainly not as welcoming as Surfshark.

TorGuard isn't a regular on my lists, but its impressive performance for Mac puts it close to some of the bigger names in the industry. Unlike much of the competition, in my TorGuard review, I found that the German provider offers almost all of the functionality of its Windows VPN app on Mac as well.

The Mac app is a delight for technical experts as the configuration provided is better than most Mac apps. However, beginners may find it difficult to use since many options in the settings do not come with any explanation as to how and why would you want to turn it on or off. But as far as basic usage is concerned, it’s smooth sailing.

With speeds of up to 950 Mbps, it was the joint-fastest out of all the providers we tested, right beside Surfshark. Plus, while it's not the very best for streaming, it's able to unblock US Netflix and BBC iPlayer from around the world – not Disney+ or Prime Video, though. For a clean sweep of streaming providers, consider ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

It's not that TorGuard doesn't come with unblocking abilities, but if you want to access them, you will have to purchase a separate add-on dedicated to streaming. Now, given that TorGuard is already among the more expensive options on my list today, the added purchase is definitely a little galling.

On the privacy front, I’ve had no complaints with TorGuard, as its Stealth VPN servers do a good job masking your real IP address and presenting your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic to safeguard you from trackers and ISPs. This comes in extremely handy in privacy-unfriendly countries like China, for which TorGuard has dedicated servers under the “Asia Optimized” heading on its app.

While the 3,000+ servers are decent enough, they are not as widespread (present in only 55 locations) as some of the top providers like ExpressVPN and Surfshark, both of which are present in over 140 locations.

Concluding, TorGuard has specific use cases, such as China unblocking and a feature-loaded Mac app, so if that’s you, it’s a great pick. There are some definite downsides of the service, however, starting from its premium pricing to its underwhelming streaming performance on the standard pack. It’s worth a try, but note that you’ll only have a 7-day money-back guarantee if it's not for you.

Head over to the TorGuard website to sign up.

How to choose a Mac VPN

When making your choice, privacy should always come first – even if you're only planning on streaming overseas Netflix. There are many great services that have been audited and offer zero-logging policies, so there's no need to make sacrifices in this area.

Then, consider what you'll be using your Mac VPN for. Do you torrent a lot? Make sure your chosen provider allows P2P on a good range of servers. Love TV? Ensure that your VPN has a flawless unblocking record. Good speeds are also a priority, but recent advances in VPN protocol tech means almost all VPNs are capable of delivering speeds far faster than the average domestic internet line.

Ticking all those boxes, along with well-designed apps and a stellar support service is ExpressVPN, our top VPN for Mac. In our hands-on testing it covered all the bases, it's super simple to use, and works great on just about any device you own – especially Macs. However, there are a few rivals also worth considering, so read on to find to discover our top five Mac VPNs.

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