Best Mac VPN for 2024
If you're a MacOS user, your virtual private network should be as smart as your machine. Here are the VPNs we recommend based on our latest testing.
Our Experts
Best Overall VPN
ExpressVPN
- Strong commitment to privacy and transparency
- Forward-thinking security enhancements
- Excellent for streaming
- Streamlined, easy-to-use app across platforms
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (British Virgin Islands)
- DNS leaks detected (but immediately addressed)
- Expensive
- Only eight simultaneous connections
- Apple TV app needs work
ExpressVPN remains our Editors' Choice for best overall VPN in 2024. One of the largest VPN providers globally, the industry titan has been in business since 2009 and is consistently raising the bar for service transparency year after year. In 2022, the company underwent a total of 12 independent security audits.
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPN services we've tested. While most VPNs will cause you to lose half or more of your normal internet speeds, ExpressVPN caused our speeds to dip just 18% in our March and April 2023 speed tests. It also unblocks Netflix and other streaming services more reliably than most other VPNs, and seamlessly surpasses geo-blocking for access to international gaming servers and torrenting sites. A single button on its landing screen allows you to connect quickly, with the only accompanying options being two server location selector buttons to connect to a Smart Location or a Recent Location. ExpressVPN's other options are all kept neatly tucked away under a garden-variety three-bar icon in the corner of the app's main screen.
While you can get a better month-to-dollar bargain with ExpressVPN's two-year subscription, we don't recommend anyone purchase any two-year VPN subscriptions, due to overall market volatility. ExpressVPN's best plan offers five simultaneous connections for $100 a year (which includes three extra months, for a limited-time deal totaling 15 months of service). You can also opt for a $13 monthly plan, or pay $60 for six months.
Best Cheap VPN
Surfshark
- Lots of unique security features
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- RAM-only server network
- Inconsistent speed performance
- 14 Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands)
- No transparency reports
Surfshark boasts an impressive suite of privacy and security features, unlimited simultaneous connections, an easy-to-use interface and an expansive global network. And it's still significantly cheaper than most of its competitors. That's what has helped Surfshark earn CNET's Editors' Choice for Best Value VPN in 2022. Along with standard VPN features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection, some of the more notable Surfshark features include camouflage mode (which hides the fact you're using a VPN), split-tunneling, NoBorders mode (which lets you use Surfshark in regions where VPNs are restricted) and multihop VPN connections. You'll also get access to Surfshark's CleanWeb technology, which blocks ads and malware and helps you avoid phishing attacks. With its Dynamic MultiHop, IP Randomizer and IP Rotator functions, Surfshark's Nexus network can give you a few extra layers of protection while you use the VPN -- which can be particularly beneficial to people with critical privacy needs.
In our tests, Surfshark had no problems unblocking Netflix and Amazon Prime Video content, but we did run into a fair bit of trouble accessing Disney Plus. After testing various servers in the US and other countries where Disney Plus is available, we were finally able to access the content when we connected to a server in Boston. You may need to test a few servers yourself before gaining access to Disney Plus content with Surfshark.
Surfshark offers cheaper introductory prices that jump after the first billing cycle. Even so, Surfshark manages to keep its prices lower than most other VPNs -- helping it earn CNET's Editors' Choice for Best Value. The yearly plan starts out at $48 for the first year, then jumps to $60 for any additional years of service. If you opt for the two-year plan, you'll pay $60 up front for the initial two years combined, then $60 a year for any additional years. Surfshark's monthly plan stays constant at $13 a month. If you're not satisfied with the service for any reason, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Best VPN for Speed
NordVPN
- Blazing-fast internet speeds
- Strong privacy and transparency
- Great for streaming service unblocking
- User-friendly apps
- Inconsistent pricing structure
- Not as transparent as other VPN rivals
NordVPN is one of the most recognized brands in the VPN field. It offers six simultaneous connections in addition to the ability to VPN into Tor and a dedicated IP option for those looking for a different level of VPN connection. More than half of Nord's 5,000-plus server fleet is optimized for peer-to-peer sharing, though Nord has blocked torrenting in 14 countries.
In our latest test rounds, we noticed a few hiccups in Nord's killswitch when using its iOS app, which could be a concern for torrenters. However, Nord has a sideloaded iOS available on its website that it recommends to its users. In our most recent speed tests, NordVPN claimed the top spot as the fastest VPN we tested in 2024, dropping our speeds by only 10%.
NordVPN doesn't accept PayPal payments, but you can purchase a subscription with any major credit or debit card, AmazonPay, Google Pay or ACH transfer. If you'd rather pay anonymously, you can pay with a variety of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ethereum, tether and dogecoin. NordVPN has also partnered with a handful of retail stores like Staples, Best Buy and Walmart -- where you can even purchase your VPN with cash.
The best Mac VPN in 2024
As a Mac user, you know full well that Apple has your security in mind. The company's developed a sturdy reputation surrounding its continued devotion to keeping each of their devices safe. Mac computers are near the top of that list. For years, the notion that a VPN would be needed on any Mac laptop or desktop computer has been laughable. Viruses and other potential dangers mainly targeted Windows users, but in recent years that has changed. Simply put, if you're a Mac user, investing in a VPN can level up your online safety in numerous ways. Deciding to not have a VPN on your Mac can leave your private information open for websites and third party apps to collect, including your IP address. Your browsing behavior on MacOS and iOS can also be trackable by your internet service provider. As strong as Mac's operating system is, it is ill equipped to block threats like these. The best Mac VPNs can help maintain the safety of your sensitive information and protect your privacy. Basically, picking one of the vetted VPN providers we've highlighted below is a no brainer.
ExpressVPN -- which has secured the top ranking by CNET as the best VPN provider -- was also named by our experts as the best VPN for Mac computers. The elite accolade has been given to ExpressVPN for many reasons, including the service's quick connection speeds, dedication to privacy and transparency and its excellent Mac app. We put close to a dozen popular consumer VPN providers to the test to see how they perform on MacOS devices. If ExpressVPN isn't for you, we went ahead and highlighted a collection of great VPN services for Mac users below. Each provider has its own unique set of features and characteristics -- allowing you the ability to choose the one that would work best for your particular needs.
Other VPNs we tested
Of the numerous other VPNs we've tested, the three providers outlined below are the most notable alternative choices. Though none are the best of the best, each is a capable option for anyone looking for something other than what the top three Mac VPNs offer.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based open-source VPN provider that offers excellent privacy features for Mac users. While Proton VPN's primary focus is on privacy and transparency, its Mac app is easy to use and it does a decent job unblocking content on various streaming platforms. And if you're looking for a free VPN, Proton VPN's free tier is the only one that CNET recommends.
While Proton VPN's free tier doesn't include access to all of its servers, its ad-blocker tool or advanced privacy features (which include its Secure Core servers or Tor over VPN function) there are no usage limits and the encryption, obfuscation and leak protection is all the same for free users as they are for paid users. Premium plans are priced at $10 a month or $72 a year, with a 30-day money-back guarantee included.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is one of the most budget-friendly VPNs in the business if you opt for the annual plan at $40 a year. And like Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN, its apps are all open-source. It's a US-based VPN, which may be a deal-breaker if you have heightened or critical online privacy needs. That said, PIA issues semi-annual transparency reports, has been independently audited and is one of the only VPNs that has had its no-logs claims tested in the wild. PIA's Mac app is highly customizable, so it's great for anyone who likes to tinker with their VPN connection or have a dashboard with a lot of information at hand. PIA has decent speeds, but has issues unblocking streaming services. In addition to the $40 annual plan, PIA offers a $12 monthly subscription and a three-year plan at $79 every three years.
IPVanish
IPVanish is another US-based VPN provider that's a decent option for VPN newbies or casual users. Its Mac app is relatively simple to navigate once you get accustomed to a few minor quirks. Speeds are on the slower end of the spectrum, but IPVanish is still serviceable for activities like streaming or videoconferencing. The kill switch feature on Mac is currently limited to the OpenVPN protocol -- which means you could be sacrificing your connection speeds if you want to enable IPVanish's kill switch on your Mac. However, the company says that it is working on expanding its kill switch functionality to WireGuard and other protocols on Mac.
How we test Mac VPNs
When we determine the best Mac VPN for our readers, we address a number of factors that are fundamental to being a Mac user: First, if you're a MacOS user, you're used to a clean, intuitive user interface with a minimal learning curve and a well-organized set of digital tools. That's why we thoroughly test each VPN's features and overall usability. In addition, though not all Apple products are faster than a Windows or PC device, we test each VPN's connection speeds to see how it complements MacOS machines' reputation for being fast.
We also know that for a lot of Mac users, a broad resistance to app-borne viruses and malware is a big reason for choosing that ecosystem over Windows. To that end, we assess a VPN's antitracker capacity and its general compatibility with Apple's increasingly bolstered privacy policies. We test for leaks and we test each service's kill switch functionality to ensure it's working as it should. We test each VPN's ability to circumvent geographical restrictions, and we evaluate each provider's pricing to determine the service's overall value.
Factors to consider in a Mac VPN
Most VPN providers offer an app for Mac computers, but it can be difficult to choose the right provider with so many options available. Based on our extensive research and hands-on testing of VPNs over the years, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN:
Privacy
The primary consideration for any VPN -- including a Mac VPN -- should be privacy. If your Mac VPN is unable to sufficiently protect your online privacy, then your VPN is useless. At a minimum, your VPN should employ industry standard AES 256-bit encryption along with offering basic privacy protections like a kill switch, DNS leak protection and a no-logs policy. For critical privacy needs, you'll also want a VPN provider that's based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, offers obfuscation and has a RAM-only server architecture. Additional privacy features to look out for include Tor over VPN capabilities, ad and tracker blockers and multihop connections. Also, look for a VPN that undergoes regular third-party security audits, as audits can help bolster trust in the VPN's ability to protect its users' privacy.
Speed
Mac computers are generally known to be pretty fast, so you'll probably want a fast VPN that can deliver excellent speeds. The speed of your VPN can have a major effect on activities like streaming, downloading, video conferencing, gaming and general web browsing. To keep things running as smoothly as possible, you'll want to look for a VPN that will have as minimal an impact on your regular internet speeds as possible.
Usability
MacOS is designed to be clean and intuitive, so if you're used to the feel of the operating system, you'd probably want a similar experience with the VPN software you use. A good Mac VPN should run smoothly and have a decluttered user interface that's easy to use regardless of your technical expertise. It should have a large network of servers around the world so you can connect easily and reliably from wherever you are, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from various regions.
Cost
VPN pricing varies greatly from provider to provider, so if you're on a budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of your MacOS VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend about $5 to $13 a month for a monthly VPN subscription plan. If you want to save money, you can opt for an annual subscription, where prices can range from roughly $30 to $100 a year. Be careful with free VPNs, though, because you may end up putting your privacy at risk instead of protecting it if you go with a free option. Proton VPN is currently the only free VPN that CNET recommends. However, most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee that can be anywhere from a week to 45 days. You can also get a seven-day free trial with many VPNs if you sign up through Apple's App Store. So you'll most likely have options to try various Mac VPNs risk-free before you decide whether to fully invest in one.