We tested more VPN services than we care to count. This means you don’t have to test all of them to find the one that is best suited for Mac OS.
With a VPN app running on Mac OS, you will be able to hide your online activity, stream Disney+ and Netflix from virtually anywhere, torrent files anonymously, encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals, bypass censorship, and much more. So yes, you should sign-up for a VPN service and get your privacy back.
Out of many, many VPN services we’ve tried – we came with the following list of best VPN services for Mac OS:
Pros
Cons
- 5,000+ servers in the network
- Easy to use - install it and forget it
- One license is good for up to 6 devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Chrome extension is just a proxy
- You can't pay with PayPal
Summary
Its network includes more than 5,000 servers spread across 60 countries, which directly translates into faster speeds. NordVPN is also very secure, relying on the strong 256-bit encryption combined with secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec). But as a user, you get a seamless experience with all this technology "doing its thing" in the background.
NordVPN is well suited to pretty much every task you throw at it — whether it's accessing a banned site from some country that filters out the internet, torrenting, accessing streaming services, or just wanting to keep a low profile on the web. It also doesn't keep any logs.
We highly recommend NordVPN to anyone looking for reliable service.
Pros
Cons
- Feature-rich yet easy to use
- One of the best VPNs around
- Strong no-logging policy
- Reliable support you can reach 24/7
- Limited number of servers in Africa and the Middle East
- Kinda pricey
Summary
ExpressVPN has great desktop apps for Windows and Mac, mobile apps and browser extensions. Also, it is well suited for video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and others.
However, what makes it stand out is its ease of use. We can't emphasize this enough. One could tell a lot of time has been spent making sure even the advanced features are easily accessible. And we love it for that. Plus, let's not forget ExpressVPN's speed which tends to leave other services in the dust.
Pros
Cons
- It's super fast!
- Works with Netflix, BBC and others
- Easy to use apps, browser extensions
- You can try it for free!
- Some advanced features are not configurable
- Not the best for high-censorship countries
Summary
Furthermore, thanks to the availability of browser extensions - Hotspot Shield is also one of our top choices for Chrome and Firefox VPNs.
Your privacy is equally well protected, with the software only collecting some anonymized that help continually improve its service.
There is one caveat though - it won't work in high-censorship countries like China. If you don't need that in the first place, we highly recommend Hotspot Shield.
As that's typically the case with most VPN services out there, the longer you commit - the better deal you get. However, what makes Hotspot Shield even better is the fact that it offers a 7-day free trial of its service. A few other top VPN providers do the same. Plus, its money-back guarantee lasts for 45 days, making for a risk-free purchase. Cause, you can always get your money back. Sweet and just the way we like it.
Pros
Cons
- One the best VPNs for torrenting
- Works well with Netflix
- Simple setup on all popular devices
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Doesn't work with BBC iPlayer
- Doesn't work in China
Summary
Its desktop apps are not among the prettiest ones, but they get the job done. The important thing is that installation is easy and straightforward, and that no logs are kept by the company.
When it comes to pricing, IPVanish is somewhere in the middle — it's not the most affordable option but also not the most expensive one. As noted, it will be most appreciated by heavy BitTorrent users, and — related — Kodi fans.
Pros
Cons
- Reliable download and upload speeds
- Works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- Strict zero-logs policy
- Lets you use it on unlimited number of devices
- Low number of servers in Africa and Australia
Summary
You can rely on it for streaming and torrenting, with included extra features like CleanWeb and MultiHop, delivering a that much better — and more secure — experience.
Surfshark, the company, is based in the British Virgin Islands and with its zero-logs policy makes for a powerful combo to anyone looking to keep its web whereabouts under the radar.
The service is easy to use and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What makes the best VPN for Mac OS?
It is rather simple – those are the same things that make the best VPNs, period. There could be some nuances here and there — in terms of the design of the app — but generally speaking, a good VPN is a good VPN – no matter the platform it runs on.
And so in determining which are the Best VPNs for Mac OS — as well as the best overall VPNs — we defined several criteria, including:
Streaming
What we wanted to find are VPNs that work perfectly with all the popular streaming services — including Netflix, HBO, Disney+, Hulu and so on. And by “working perfectly,” we mean that a VPN delivers a buffer-free experience even when we’re watching some video in 4K. Glitches, even temporary, are not allowed — or so we think. After all, why settle for less when you can get a better service for the same amount of money.
Torrenting
In a similar fashion, we tested a few BitTorrent clients with a VPN to determine how it affects the speed of downloads and uploads. We have found that some VPNs offer dedicated torrenting (P2P) servers while some others let you use any server you want. We’re fine with both approaches as long as the performance is great.
Bypassing censorship
What you want is a VPN that can work all around the world and that would include high-censorship countries such as China, North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and so on. The infamous Great Firewall of China is arguably the hardest nut to crack, but the best VPNs can do it – and we love ’em for that.
Unlimited access
Aside from high-censorship countries, there are other restrictions you may stumble upon. For instance, IT admins in some workplaces, schools and universities tend to block access to websites and services they deem unsuitable. The reason they give for taking these steps is that those (affected) sites affect productivity and restrictions are, therefore, introduced in the user’s own interest. We don’t buy that.
Speed & reliability
These are two factors that can be a dealbreaker for most users. If you turn on a VPN and your connection’s speed goes south big time, you’ll want to turn it off — or get a different VPN. And we understand that — as the idea of a good VPN is to deliver fast and reliable Internet speeds. Heck, sometimes we would even take reliability over speed — as long as we’re talking about decent speeds.
Good for all your needs
Finally, a good VPN should work for all your needs. Whether you want it for streaming, torrenting, bypassing censorship or… whatever — you should get a VPN that will work under all conditions and for all scenarios. You don’t want to visit some other country only to realize that your VPN doesn’t let you access YouTube or Facebook — so get the one that is all-round awesome.
What about free VPNs?
This is one of the questions we get asked a lot. And yes, we know there are some free VPNs out there but we can’t suggest them — quite the contrary, we advise you NOT to use them.
You see, building a solid server network requires a lot of money, which is something free services don’t have. And if they do, they are likely getting that cash from selling their users’ data — i.e. YOUR data. This isn’t the compromise we’re willing to take as it effectively kills the point of getting a VPN in the first place.
Instead, get a VPN with a proven track record to work from everywhere, and that’s what this list of Best VPNs for Mac OS is all about.
You should, however, go for a VPN with a money-back guarantee. So, if you determine that the service doesn’t work for you, there is an option to ask for a refund and try some other VPN. No one should be throwing away money just like that. It’s your money and you should demand to get a solid service. Cause prices of all VPNs are rather similar — at max, we’re talking about differences of a few dollars per month. Your privacy and unlimited access to the Internet are worth much more than that.
Get a VPN for everything!
You (all of us, really) need a VPN for many things. In that sense, a good VPN will:
- Protect your privacy from the government and big corporations
- Bypass restrictions imposed by the government or various organizations
- Change your IP address so you get unrestricted access to Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer, HULU, and other video streaming services
- Encrypt and protect private data from cybercriminals
The top contenders that check all these boxes include the following:
