Mac users have high standards for their apps, and that is doubly true of VPNs. After all, the best Mac VPNs are extremely easy to use, highly secure, and can even speed up your Internet connection. Today, we review our favorite VPN apps compatible with MacOS to boost your security without hassle.

Mac users are used to the best: sleek design, smooth performance, and ultimate utility. While most would tout security as another main benefit of the platform, unfortunately, Macs are not as impregnable as they once were. That’s where VPNs come in, to shore up the defenses of Apple’s “walled garden”. So, which VPN apps are best for Mac OS? Today, that’s exactly what we’ll discuss.

In our research, we’ve put tens of VPN services to the test to find the best VPN app for your Mac. Below we’ll give you our suggestions, and show you how to get setup and started.

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Ask yourself these questions when choosing a VPN app

Trying to sort through and choose the best VPN app for your Mac can seem tough — impossible, even — at times. There are a lot of apps in the App Store, and most seem to say all the same things: “Fastest in the world”, “Most secure”, etc. So to determine which one is going to work best for you, ask yourself some questions, like:

Do they have a Mac OS app?

If they do, it’ll be much easier to get started. If they don’t, move on — there are great providers that support Mac apps.

If they do, it’ll be much easier to get started. If they don’t, move on — there are great providers that support Mac apps. What security protocols do they support?

You want 256-bit AES encryption through OpenVPN — it’s fast, secure, and the best around. But you also want other options available to you, like TCP alongside UDP, L2TP, IPSec, and L2TP, in case you need extra security or speed at any point.

You want 256-bit AES encryption through OpenVPN — it’s fast, secure, and the best around. But you also want other options available to you, like TCP alongside UDP, L2TP, IPSec, and L2TP, in case you need extra security or speed at any point. How many servers do they have, and where?

The bigger the network, the better — especially if you want to unblock restricted content around the globe or travel often. The more servers, the more options, and the greater the chance of one being close to where you’re located — giving you better speeds.

The bigger the network, the better — especially if you want to unblock restricted content around the globe or travel often. The more servers, the more options, and the greater the chance of one being close to where you’re located — giving you better speeds. Do they keep user logs?

You want to make sure the VPN you’re evaluating does not keep logs on your activity — if they do, your online activity isn’t really being kept private. Make sure the VPN has a strict zero-logging policy.

You want to make sure the VPN you’re evaluating does not keep logs on your activity — if they do, your online activity isn’t really being kept private. Make sure the VPN has a strict zero-logging policy. Are there any restrictions on speed, bandwidth, or otherwise?

The best VPN apps don’t restrict your usage; lesser apps often do.

The best VPN apps don’t restrict your usage; lesser apps often do. Are they able to do [insert use-case you’ll be using them for most often]?

If you have a specific use in mind for your VPN app, then make sure that it’s capable of doing so. For example, accessing other countries’ Netflix libraries (particularly the U.S. catalog) while abroad is difficult, and only some VPNs can manage it consistently.

Ask yourself these questions, and any others that arise from their asking — and choosing the best VPN app for your Mac doesn’t have to be hard. Keep these questions in mind, and you’ll be well on your way toward finding the best one for you.

The best VPN apps for Mac

You can find out a lot about a VPN app by asking informed questions like those, but there are still certain things you won’t know until you subscribe and test the VPN app out. We did just that with a large number of the market’s leading providers, and came up with this list of the best VPN apps for Mac:

ExpressVPN comes out as our top choice for Mac. Unlimited bandwidth, no speed caps or throttling, and access to a large network of 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, you’ll get fast speeds no matter your use-case. Plus, it doesn’t get in your way, with lightweight, easy-to-use software that connects in as little as one click. 256-bit AES encryption with an automatic kill switch ensures your data is wrapped in protection immediately cuts you off from the internet in case of an accidental drop.

ExpressVPN is also based out of the British Virgin Islands, so it lies outside of U.K. jurisdiction — and thus the major surveillance agreements between large governments. So that means you don’t have to worry about secret logs or 3rd-party sales: ExpressVPN has a strong zero-logging policy, keeping you completely private online.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

Pros Unblocks US Netflix

Unblocks US Netflix Reliable and fast connections

Reliable and fast connections Supports ALL devices

Supports ALL devices Keeps no logs of personal data

Keeps no logs of personal data Great support (24/7 chat). Cons Priced slightly higher.

When you subscribe to NordVPN, you’re granted access to one of the biggest server networks in the industry — and at well over 5,800 servers in 59 countries, this provider is showing no signs of slowing down. The security suite features 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, plus a wealth of advanced features. These include a range of specialty servers, which include: Onion over VPN, Anti-DDoS, Double VPN, P2P, Dedicated IP addresses, and Obfuscated servers — all preconfigured with the best settings for those use-cases, and all with the intention of making your experience more private and secure.

NordVPN also has one of the best no-logging policies around and fast speed to boot. The addition of custom DNS settings and an optional security toggle that blocks malware and ads are great features they include, too.

Read our full NordVPN review.

Pros Best Budget Choice

Best Budget Choice No bandwidth caps

No bandwidth caps Allows multiple connections (6 devices)

Allows multiple connections (6 devices) Extra-secure Double VPN for data encryption

Extra-secure Double VPN for data encryption Great support (24/7 chat). Cons Very little

Very little Can't specify City or Province in App.

BEST BUDGET VPN: Get a huge 70% discount for signing up for the 3-year plan, taking the monthly price down to only $3.49 . Also note that all plans come with a “no hassle” 30-day money-back guarantee.

With CyberGhost’s app for Mac you get streamlined security embodied. Everything this provider does comes back to making things easy for the user. Whether it’s the profiles, preconfigured with the best settings for common use-cases; or the simple toggles that provide extra security, speed, and other performance boosters; or their immaculate logging policy, which makes it clear that your data isn’t being logged.

CyberGhost backs up their ease-of-use with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a massive network of 6,000+ servers in 87 countries, and extra privacy features for the desktop: connection guard, kill switch, and ad and online tracking blockers.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

Pros Works with Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu

Works with Netflix, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu Torrenting allowed

Torrenting allowed Versatile and user-friendly

Versatile and user-friendly Private: Strong no logs policy

Private: Strong no logs policy 45-day money-back guarantee. Cons Doesn’t unblock all streaming services.

PrivateVPN offers a balanced VPN experience for everyday use. While the server network isn’t as extensive as some other providers on this list (around 150 servers in 60+ countries), PrivateVPN works to ensure that every one of them delivers your money’s work in terms of performance. Indeed, we ran into zero throttling or speed caps in our testing, and they advertise unlimited VPN bandwidth for all subscribers. Even better, they specifically label their servers which are specially tailored to specific use-cases; for example, if you want to unblock Netflix from a foreign country, just look for the corresponding node in the server list.

And when it comes to security, PrivateVPN offers top-shelf 256-bit AES encryption and many protocols to help increase security or speed at your whim. The provider’s simple app keeps things easy to use and customize, allowing you to easily find servers, toggle reconnects, and have the app connect automatically on starting, or simply launch whenever you start up your Mac.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

PureVPN is one of the longest-running VPN provider out there — and they’ve managed to stick around for good reason. With more than 2,000 servers in over 140 countries, they’ve got the network to back up their solid speeds and 256-bit AES encryption. And they include all security protocols on all servers — from UDP and TCP via OpenVPN, to IKE, SSTP, L2TP, and more — so you’ll have total privacy, regardless of where you connect.

But PureVPN’s biggest claim to fame is their fully-internal security suite. This includes app filtering, DDoS protection, Dedicated IP addresses, NAT firewall, Anti-spam filtering, and antivirus software — all built right into the Mac app, and ready to use out the box. While other providers may offer a handful of extra features, PureVPN includes the entire range within their standard offering.

Read our full PureVPN review.

How to set up a VPN app for your Mac

Once you choose an app to subscribe to, it’s a simple process to get started. Here’s how to…

1. Sign up

Visit your chosen provider’s website and go to their ‘plans’ page if you haven’t be redirected there already. Pick your plan and fill in the information they request (name, email, payment method, etc.). Finally, create a username and password.

Before going any further, open another tab on your web browser and visit ipleak.net. The page automatically runs an IP and DNS address lookup, the former of which is displayed in a box near the top of the screen. Take note of your IP address and, if wanting to change your virtual location for your use-case, country of origin. Exit out of the tab.

2. Install, launch and sign in

Next, back at your provider’s website, you’ll either be taken to a download page, or a “Welcome” email will be sent to you containing a link that takes you to the download page. In either case, download the application; some providers (like ExpressVPN) will have a button saying something like “Download for Mac” or iOS. Click through all the small windows and provider-specific instructions to complete the download, then click “Install.”

If your VPN app doesn’t launch automatically after completing the installation, launch it now. Sign in, and you’ll be automatically connected to the fastests server available. If you want to change the location you appear to be coming from, simply visit the server list and pick a server in the region you want.

3. Troubleshoot if necessary

If you find yourself having trouble — connecting, accessing various websites, or otherwise — try a few different things out before contacting support.

Connection problems

If you didn’t already, or are experiencing problems later on, visit ipleak.net again. Make sure the IP address and/or country of origin showed by the webpage match your VPN server — not your true one. If there are any DNS or WebRTC leaks, ipleak.net should show them, as well. If you find your VPN is leaking, try disconnecting from your current server and reconnecting to a different one. You can also restart the VPN app completely, clear your browser cookies, and check on your browser’s geo-location data — all things that could be resulting in a glitch or leak.

If you didn’t already, or are experiencing problems later on, visit ipleak.net again. Make sure the IP address and/or country of origin showed by the webpage match your VPN server — not your true one. If there are any DNS or WebRTC leaks, ipleak.net should show them, as well. If you find your VPN is leaking, try disconnecting from your current server and reconnecting to a different one. You can also restart the VPN app completely, clear your browser cookies, and check on your browser’s geo-location data — all things that could be resulting in a glitch or leak. For specific websites

If you’re having trouble accessing specific geoblocked or censored websites, first try different servers. If it’s a commonly-blocked website (i.e. Netflix), look to see if your provider has any recommended servers, settings, or otherwise. In the case of Netflix, some offer labelled servers, speed tests, or lists of servers that work best for certain content libraries.

If you’re having trouble accessing specific geoblocked or censored websites, first try different servers. If it’s a commonly-blocked website (i.e. Netflix), look to see if your provider has any recommended servers, settings, or otherwise. In the case of Netflix, some offer labelled servers, speed tests, or lists of servers that work best for certain content libraries. If no progress on the above

If all your troubleshooting efforts fail, toss in the towel: contact support. If you chose one of our suggested VPN providers, you’ll get a great response time and service, no matter which app.

Why you need a VPN for your Mac

Some people might read this far and think, “But I thought my Mac was secure? Didn’t even the FBI have trouble breaking into a terrorist’s phone a while back?” While that may be true, your Mac isn’t a perfect device — it’s not 100% secure. You need a VPN.

The problem doesn’t lie with your Mac itself — the encryption and security helps protect your device directly from hackers and even some malware (although you should still invest in antivirus and antimalware programs), and Windows devices may be a bigger target for the same individuals. The issue happens when you connect your Mac to the internet.

RELATED READING: How to recognize malware links

The original intent of the internet was to make information-sharing faster and easier — great. But security and privacy were secondary concerns, and even now, several decades forward, that hasn’t changed — but what we send via the internet has. We now send more than just academic papers: we send documents filled with personal information, money to and from friends, and even incriminating emails and compromising photos — all over a network that makes it very easy for someone with only a little know-how to find and intercept this information.

Who wants your data?

Everyone does. But to break the people down who most often do:

Hackers, scammers, and other criminals

Your personal information can be sold and resold on the Dark Web. It can be used to perpetuate fraud in your name.

Your personal information can be sold and resold on the Dark Web. It can be used to perpetuate fraud in your name. Advertisers

Advertisers also take what users do so they can better target you with advertisements online. When you visit a website, a tracker monitors what you look at and takes notes. When you go to a website that hosts a tracker from the same advertising company, that information is shared and their knowledge of your online activity spreads.

Advertisers also take what users do so they can better target you with advertisements online. When you visit a website, a tracker monitors what you look at and takes notes. When you go to a website that hosts a tracker from the same advertising company, that information is shared and their knowledge of your online activity spreads. ISPs

Your ISP is required by law to keep logs on their users’ data. And in the U.S., ISPs can sell this data to 3rd-parties (like those advertisers) — and who knows that will become of your information then.

Your ISP is required by law to keep logs on their users’ data. And in the U.S., ISPs can sell this data to 3rd-parties (like those advertisers) — and who knows that will become of your information then. Government agencies and spies

Government agencies around the world spy on your activity. Whether it be in China or Saudi Arabia, France, Canada, or the United States — it happens. In the more oppressive countries, if you’re caught bypassing censorship to access or spread content deemed “inappropriate” or otherwise, you could face serious consequences. In countries like the U.S., it’s (currently) an uncomfortable thought to know that the NSA could be watching everything you do online.

Get protected

All the people and entities listed above don’t care that you’re using a Mac — you could just as easily be using a PC, Linux, or your Samsung TV. They don’t care — you’re just an internet user with data to exploit. So get a VPN to protect your privacy. A VPN works like a protected tunnel from your Mac to the server and website you want to visit, and back again. It makes your activity look scrambled and unreadable from the outside — so your ISP, government agency, advertisers, and other criminals are unable to see what you’re doing online — keeping you private. The way it should be.

Other uses for a VPN

That said, there are a handful of other reasons to get a VPN app for your Mac. Alongside encrypting your data, you can access geoblocked content, remotely connect to work networks from the road, and slip past censorship firewalls.

Access geoblocked content

If you want to view content that’s blocked in your present country, just use a VPN to connect to a server that’s located in a country where that content is available. Accessing Netflix or Hulu libraries you can’t otherwise is one example; accessing Facebook, Twitter, or VoIP services when in oppressive countries like China is another.

If you want to view content that’s blocked in your present country, just use a VPN to connect to a server that’s located in a country where that content is available. Accessing Netflix or Hulu libraries you can’t otherwise is one example; accessing Facebook, Twitter, or VoIP services when in oppressive countries like China is another. Spoof elsewhere

In the same vein, if you’re traveling, but want to keep up on local shows, news, or simply check your bank account without setting off fraud alerts, use a VPN. Choose a server back in your home region and make it look like you’re sitting back there in a coffee shop. Stream, surf, and check home accounts to your heart’s content.

In the same vein, if you’re traveling, but want to keep up on local shows, news, or simply check your bank account without setting off fraud alerts, use a VPN. Choose a server back in your home region and make it look like you’re sitting back there in a coffee shop. Stream, surf, and check home accounts to your heart’s content. Remotely connect to work

Likewise, if you’re on the road and need to get some work done — but have to connect to a work network — you can use a VPN to do so. Access files you need from anywhere.

Conclusion

Choosing the best VPN app for Mac doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We showed you the questions to run every provider through, gave you some providers that fit most people, and showed you why you should get a VPN for your Mac. You’ve got the tools and the know-how now — get after it and get your Mac secured.

Have you used a VPN app with your Mac before? What were your thoughts? Did you feel more secure online? Share your thoughts and experiences on VPN apps for Mac with us in the comments section.