Greatest Mac VPN 2024-2025: Evaluations and shopping for recommendation

• 5,300 servers
• 10 simultaneous connections

NordVPN is likely one of the largest and best-known VPN providers. It’s a totally featured VPN possibility that’s safe, straightforward to make use of, and unbelievably quick in comparison with its opponents. There are cheaper choices, with limitless connections and extra in-depth VPN options, however NordVPN is our best choice proper now as a result of it stands out in so many areas, from velocity and privateness to unblocking and ease of use.

Nord has an up-to-date unbiased audit. It additionally has specialty servers for particular functions.

There are greater than 5,300 servers (none of that are digital) accessible throughout 60 international locations, which sounds nice. You in all probability solely care in regards to the servers the place you need to unblock content material, however the extra servers the higher because it means you could have a greater probability of discovering one which’s not overloaded. You received’t have to determine which one to decide on due to the useful ‘Fast join’ function that picks the server greatest suited to your wants.

Connections are quick and dependable, and NordVPN unblocks in style streaming providers all over the world together with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. You’ll be able to join as much as six gadgets concurrently together with your Apple TV.

Nord has added help for the sooner WireGuard protocol in NordLynx, making it one of many quickest VPN providers on the market. Nevertheless, it’s solely accessible on the ‘IKE’ model of the app, which solely gives a completely enabled kill swap. To have extra management, you’ll have to obtain the ‘OpenVPN’ model, albeit with barely slower speeds.

Nord often has offers on supply that get monetary savings on the standard month-to-month value if you happen to benefit from the two-year plan. NordVPN gives three tiers: Commonplace, Plus and Final. You will get Plus options (knowledge breach scanner and password supervisor) or the Final tier provides cloud storage and insurance coverage choices. Costs change on a regular basis, so check out the costs and plans at NordVPN.com.

• 2,000 servers
• 8 simultaneous connections

If you wish to circumnavigate geoblocking to get entry to content material not accessible the place you reside, shield your knowledge whereas searching the online from a public community, and hold your net searching habits non-public, ExpressVPN, with its server places throughout 105 international locations, can do nearly all of this with two or three clicks.

ExpressVPN is remarkably straightforward to make use of, however in case you have any difficulties the 24-hour reside chat means you might be related to an actual human to debate points inside minutes.

There are native apps on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android and Home windows. Plus you should use it on eight gadgets directly (the restrict was 5 beforehand).

Like all VPNs there may be some velocity loss since you are routing through a server in a foreign country, however ExpressVPN does effectively to mitigate this, dropping lower than 13% of obtain velocity in our testing. NordVPN stays sooner with a 12% loss in our checks, however ExpressVPN’s 13% remains to be higher than most.

ExpressVPN gives no fewer than six completely different decisions for protocol. Lightway, the corporate’s personal possibility, is speedy. For improved compatibility you possibly can swap to a different model of Lightway or OpenVPN – issues slowed down with  24% of velocity loss with the latter.

There’s no Malware safety with ExpressVPN, however you possibly can set up a password supervisor referred to as ExpressVPN Keys.

The corporate is headquartered within the British Virgin Islands, so it’s free from nearly all of intelligence-sharing businesses’ jurisdiction. Whereas it additionally operates a no-log coverage, it doesn’t have PureVPN’s “always-on” audit course of, but it surely undergoes audits every year.

ExpressVPN’s dearer than lots of its contemporaries and doesn’t permit entry from limitless gadgets (simply eight). However you get a strong, speedy reference to minimal fuss, and also you don’t should tie-in for a two-year deal to get the most effective worth. That latter level is essential as a result of VPN laws can change often.

See ExpressVPN subscription plans right here.

• 6,500+ servers in 100+ international locations (entry servers in 5 international locations on free plan, on one system)
• 10 simultaneous connections

ProtonVPN‘s free tier of membership helps to set Proton VPN aside from a few of its rivals. It’s naturally restricted, with US, Japan, and Netherlands because the server places and a few velocity drop – but it surely’s nonetheless fairly usable

In the event you pay for the service it gives a glossy interface, spectacular connection speeds and nearly sufficient options to enhance your day-to-day net expertise with out throwing too many advanced ideas at new customers. 

Proton VPN Plus gives a bunch of options, together with an advert and tracker blocker and velocity of as much as 10 Gbps, in addition to a 10-device restrict. There’s Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, in addition to a Kill Swap for disconnecting ought to the VPN drop out.

Some VPN providers supply options like darkish net knowledge notifications. Proton VPN sticks to the fundamentals – and does so very effectively. The firm’s “no-logs” coverage confirms it doesn’t monitor websites, IP addresses, communications, or session lengths, nor does it monitor location-based data. Proton is Swiss-based, and solely Swiss court docket orders can request knowledge from the corporate, however because it doesn’t log knowledge there’s little or no it may supply to legislation enforcement.

For the privacy-minded, Safe Core, routes visitors via one of many firm’s ‘Safe’ servers, minimizing the potential of an information leak. These safe servers are owned by Proton and are situated in additional than 90 international locations.

Proton VPN does improve latency, however solely by about 29% in our testing on a modest 60 Mbps broadband. In actual fact, it’s solely about 7% slower when downloading and 5.5% slower when importing, making it one of many slicker VPNs we’ve examined.

When it comes to included VPN protocols, Sensible shall be best for many customers, mechanically setting the precise protocol to your present utilization, however WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2 and Stealth are additionally provided.

Proton VPN is a straightforward advice each for brand new and skilled customers.

• 35,000+ servers, 91 international locations
• Limitless connections

Non-public Web Entry (PIA) is a strong VPN designed for savvy customers, providing “energy consumer” instruments and options similar to customized DNS, connection guidelines, break up tunnelling, and extra at a decrease value than many opponents. The PIA Mac app gives just about all the pieces its Microsoft counterpart does. 

The app can be utilized on any system and gives servers in 91 international locations. In my testing, the “auto” setting did a great job of selecting servers that balanced velocity and privateness.

The primary window offers data on efficiency graphs, obtain and add speeds, and fast settings for instruments like Mild Mode, Port Forwarding, and LAN connections.

Whereas you should use PIA for getting round geoblocked content material in your streaming providers, PIA is extra privacy-focused than different VPNs, with options just like the Superior Kill Swap, Break up Tunnelling, port forwarding, and Multi-Hop server obfuscation. PIA additionally gives customizable options like automation setup and DNS choices. 

Non-public Web Entry can’t beat the speeds of NordVPN and Surfshark, and its stablemate CyberGhost VPN gives extra spectacular speeds, however at the price of some energy options. In our testing, we noticed an affordable drop of round 8% on Mac whereas utilizing the PIA VPN. Add speeds dropped significantly– by round 25%, which can be a difficulty if you happen to do a whole lot of importing. 

Its zero-log coverage has been verified by Deloitte Audit Romania.

Regardless of inconsistent speeds, Non-public Web Entry is a superb VPN for all budgets with a wealth of options for privacy-inclined customers.

• 3,200 servers in 100 international locations
• Limitless simultaneous connections

Surfshark is a great-value VPN that provides rather a lot options past the core VPN service for a low month-to-month value. SurfShark has greater than 3,000 servers unfold throughout 100 international locations, making its community one of many widest and most assorted of any VPN,

Its apps are straightforward to make use of and it reliably unblocks streaming providers similar to Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It’s lacking the specialty servers provided by rivals similar to NordVPN, who shares the identical guardian firm, although.

Connection speeds are very spectacular, and that’s due to using the WireGuard protocol. You actually received’t discover any slowdown in your web velocity when Surfshark is operating, as long as you could have WireGuard chosen and aren’t utilizing servers the opposite aspect of the globe.

The corporate has upgraded all its servers so that they run fully in RAM, similar to NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Working servers on RAM is best for privateness as knowledge isn’t written to a tough drive. It’s additionally a member of the VPN Belief Initiative, whereas two-factor authentication (2FA) is a function few VPN providers supply. Being run from the Netherlands additionally means it is a privacy-friendly possibility.

The opposite purpose to contemplate Surfshark is as a result of it undercuts virtually all of its rivals on value, but doesn’t place any restrict on the variety of gadgets you should use concurrently. Sadly, it may be pricy to resume as soon as your preliminary contract runs out.

You’ll be able to set up and use it throughout many gadgets together with your Mac, PC, Android and iOS gadgets, in addition to browsers. It additionally helps a number of protocols (though OpenVPN is a little bit slower than we’d like) and glorious encryption, in addition to a privacy-minded no-logs coverage that’s often audited

There’s a kill swap and a Multi-Hop function that routes your connection through two VPN servers for an additional layer of safety. Nevertheless, there’s no GPS spoofing or break up tunneling on the Mac (the latter being very unusual on Macs anyway). 

SurfShark gives three tiers of options at various value factors. Probably the most primary possibility, aptly named SurfShark Starter, gives VPN performance in addition to an advert blocker and the choice to generate a proxy e-mail deal with and private particulars for websites you don’t really feel comfy about giving your data to. SurfShark One provides e-mail and fee element breach alerts, in addition to private knowledge safety stories, antivirus and different malware safety, whereas the One+ plan provides knowledge removing from firm databases and other people search websites. Along with the VPN there are Alert, Search or Antivirus packages, which might be accessible for an additional value.

Identical to most VPNs SurfShark gives discounted pricing if you happen to join two years, with the costs altering on a regular basis. Simply beware that on the finish of the interval the worth will improve until you cancel.

Signal as much as Surfshark right here.

• Greater than 50 servers
• Six system restrict

MacPaw’s ClearVPN service is a VPN that lacks many extra superior options provided by its rivals, however alternatively, it’s one of many best to make use of. With a pleasant UI and easy-to-use options it’s thoughtfully designed for VPN newcomers. It actually is so simple as hitting a button to attach.

Within the settings are choices to dam advertisements, hold ClearVPN within the dock, and a Kill Swap to be able to reduce visitors out of your system if the connection to the VPN is damaged.

It’s all fairly primary stuff, but it surely’s provided in such an easy-to-use means that it’s onerous to not respect the simplicity. There are additionally useful keyboard shortcuts to maneuver across the app.

There are greater than 50 servers, which seems like loads, but it surely’s dwarfed by many rivals to the tune of hundreds of servers. Which means your decisions are restricted, however not less than ClearVPN helps you to filter between Optimum Location or leaping straight to one thing like Disney Plus US or UK.

One of many extra widespread energy consumer options for VPNs is break up tunneling, which lets some visitors undergo the VPN whereas some goes round it. That’s not supported right here.

Sadly, MacPaw’s VPN speeds additionally want some work. We noticed appreciable velocity drops throughout a number of servers – even nearer ones. We noticed drops of round 20 to 30 p.c in obtain velocity, and round 50 p.c for add velocity. It’s nonetheless quick sufficient to make use of Netflix, but it surely’s slower than nearly all of options on the market.

Most VPN firms use exterior auditors to confirm that they’re not recording consumer or session knowledge, however ClearVPN hasn’t undergone one on the time of writing. This shouldn’t imply something untoward as the corporate is headquartered in Ukraine, which falls outdoors of varied surveillance alliances, so it may’t be requested to share your knowledge.

ClearVPN is priced affordably, however costs and the offers on supply change on a regular basis with VPNs. Look out for low month-to-month costs that don’t lock you in for too lengthy. There’s a six-device restrict.

In the event you’re new to utilizing a VPN service, ClearVPN makes a compelling case to be your first selection, and stress-free entry to Netflix across the globe, it’s an important starter possibility. Nonetheless, the velocity drop and lack of widespread options like break up tunneling probably imply energy customers ought to look elsewhere. It can save you cash by paying for the primary 12 months up entrance, however you can too pay month-to-month.

See full ClearVPN pricing right here.

• 6,500 servers, 78 international locations
• 10 simultaneous connections

In the event you’re on the lookout for a versatile VPN service that may get round geoblocking and is simple to make use of, PureVPN is effectively price a glance.

The fundamental plan contains the VPN service and nothing extra, however you possibly can add a Password Supervisor and File Encryption instruments within the Plus plan. The Max plan provides a Digital Privateness Supervisor that requests your information be scrubbed by knowledge brokers, blocks net trackers, and recommends methods to maximise your privateness.

Whichever plan you go for you’ll be capable to join 10 gadgets directly. PureVPN will run in your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, and is simple to make use of on every to allow you to hook up with over six thousand servers.

So far as getting round geo-blocks, we discovered PureVPN to be as straightforward as some other service to make use of. Choose a location, load your streaming service or app of selection, and also you’re off.

PureVPN is registered within the British Virgin Islands, which is extra privacy-friendly than Hong Kong the place it operated beforehand. PureVPN gives one of many extra spectacular no-logging insurance policies, with an ongoing “always-on” audit course of whereby an auditor can request affirmation of that coverage at any time.

PureVPN has been winding down its digital servers, of which it has much less management. There are nonetheless 23 such servers, however PureVPN is clear about which servers are digital and that are bodily – you possibly can see a small ‘v’ subsequent to every digital server on the PureVPN web site.

On the time of writing PureVPN is providing greater than a whopping 80% off its plans if you happen to join 24 months. Two years is a very long time on the planet of VPNs, however not less than means the total month-to-month pricing received’t kick in twelve months time. See PureVPN gives right here.

• 11,000+ servers in 100 international locations
• 7 simultaneous connections

CyberGhost is a user-friendly app that connects to quite a few servers worldwide, making it best for streaming Netflix from completely different international locations and routing visitors away from untrustworthy open Wi-Fi networks. 

It gives core options like kill swap help, break up tunnelling, and no bandwidth restrictions. CyberGhost’s no-logging audit historical past is thorough, and there’s a 45-day free trial accessible.

CyberGhost apps might be downloaded for varied platforms, together with Chrome extension and sport consoles (we examined on Mac and iPhone). The app gives a easy “click on and go” connection course of, with a listing of server nations and a number of places. Encryption is commonplace throughout servers, and break up tunnelling prioritizes visitors the place wanted. An automatic kill swap can reduce connections if the VPN drops out, whereas ‘Block content material’ blocks DNS domains for advertisements, trackers, and malware.

The app doesn’t supply something like Proton VPN’s Safe Core or extra options like a Password Supervisor, however subscription tiers are based mostly on including a devoted IP deal with. The VPN has over 9,000 servers situated in over 100 international locations, with plans to develop in South America and Asia in late 2023.

CyberGhost VPN has a formidable no-logs coverage, that means nobody can entry information of your exercise whereas related to the VPN. The app doesn’t supply the Darkish Internet monitor provided by NordVPN, but it surely does have an automatic kill swap to chop connections if the VPN drops out. The DNS blocking function is simple to make use of however doesn’t mean you can select what to dam.

CyberGhost gives a compelling bundle with only one principal plan and a 45-day money-back assure. It’s a wonderful VPN for newcomers, with spectacular audits, an array of servers, first rate speeds, and easy-to-use apps.

Norton has many years of expertise defending gadgets from cyber threats (learn our evaluate of Norton 360), however what or its VPN?

Norton’s VPN plans are, outdoors of the essential tier, tied into its safety software program to assist supply real-time safety from unhealthy actors. It comes with a password supervisor, darkish net monitor, and cloud storage, however the VPN aspect of issues is a little bit missing.

Maybe it’s from testing so most of the greatest VPN providers that we’ve grown used to a sure set of non-negotiables. Chief amongst them is browser extension choices to permit for fast switching, however on the time of writing, there’s no such providing from Norton.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re on the lookout for real-time safety it stays a great security-focused possibility, however with geoblocking being inconsistent in our testing, you may need to look elsewhere to your worldwide Netflix repair.

Norton’s VPN does embody loads of accoutrements that different VPNs both don’t have or cost further for. You’ll be able to set up the app in your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and all three platforms have apps that work effectively and run properly within the background.

Norton gives Browser Safety, which scans websites as you browse. Norton additionally scans recordsdata earlier than they land in your system. This labored effectively in testing, with barely added any extra time to the size of downloads. There’s a password supervisor, but it surely’s tied to the center subscription tier and above.

One factor that was attention-grabbing was the way it screens trackers on emails. As a journalist, I obtain a whole lot of press releases and pitches, and whereas I’ve all the time assumed lots of them use some sort of monitoring to see after they’re opened, Norton provided to quarantine so many who I used to be fairly shocked.

VPNs naturally lower your web speeds as your sign is fired throughout the globe, and Norton has servers in 32 international locations – a steep drop from the 111 in NordVPN’s portfolio – but it surely does supply 4 protocols to select from. IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard are fairly generally discovered throughout the board of rivals, however Norton has its personal Mimic protocol which is meant to be best for unblocking worldwide streaming providers. Sadly, testing on a 70 Mbps connection noticed a constant velocity drop-off. As for Mimic, Norton’s personal VPN protocol, I used to be upset to search out some worldwide streaming providers merely weren’t in a position to be unblocked with it. Norton clarified that Mimic is particularly designed for patrons with particular use circumstances who’re unable to make use of WireGuard. We did have extra luck with the extra standardized protocols.

VPNs price their salt ought to all the time deal with privateness as their main concern, and Norton does a great job, having undergone an audit from VerSprite, a safety agency.

It’s not a foul VPN, and if you happen to’re on the lookout for an possibility that packs an entire host of cyber-security instruments into one easy-to-use bundle, it’s an important possibility. It’s disappointing that there’s solely a pay yearly possibility, the place different VPNs have the choice to pay month-to-month. Added to that may be a steep leap in value for the second 12 months. 

See full Norton Extremely VPN pricing right here

• 800+ servers in 49+ international locations
• 10 simultaneous connections

This easy-to-use, engaging, and uncomplicated app is a superb possibility for VPN newbs. Along with its easy and uncluttered design, FastestVPN additionally gives good speeds and a sufficiently expansive community. It’s icing on the cake that its privateness coverage is simple to know and makes all the precise guarantees.

In our checks, FastestVPN maintained about 30 p.c of the bottom velocity throughout 5 places on a number of check days, though there have been some weak spots in Asia and Australia.

Regardless of it’s title it’s not the quickest VPN, however FastestVPN does make the precise privateness guarantees in a means that’s straightforward to know.

• 2,600+ servers in 90 international locations
• 10 simultaneous connections

Cover.me is one other VPN service that has improved significantly in recent times.

In addition to providing a very free model (which none of its rivals right here do), it has additionally added WireGuard, which is significantly sooner than different encryption protocols.

Different key options embody a customizable kill swap and break up tunneling. Cover.me is the one VPN to supply Break up Tunnelling in macOS. They state on their web site: “disguise.me VPN for macOS helps break up tunneling. You’ll be able to configure it within the shopper’s settings.”

Cover.me additionally gives Stealth Guard, which stops chosen apps from operating with out the safety of a VPN connection.

It may well unblock Netflix and means that you can entry BBC iPlayer from outdoors the UK. There’s additionally strong system help, with as much as 10 simultaneous connections permitted.

Malaysia-based, in recent times it has expanded the variety of servers and doubled the variety of international locations it covers. Sadly, the third-party audit hasn’t been up to date since 2015

Nevertheless, the consumer interface on Mac is a bit clunky, and we’re nonetheless ready for an replace to the 2015 no-logs coverage certification.

• 70 servers
• 5 simultaneous connection

VyprVPN gives all the pieces most individuals are on the lookout for in a VPN, while not having to spend a lot cash.

You get quick WireGuard speeds, alongside separate protocols targeted on reliability, anti-censorship and ease of use. It’s additionally glorious at unblocking geo-restricted content material, whether or not that’s native variations of Netflix or BBC iPlayer & ITV Hub from outdoors the UK. Premium options similar to break up tunneling and a kill swap are right here too, even when the latter can’t be customised. 

VyprVPN’s no-logs coverage has been independently audited, and the service adheres to a strict Privateness Coverage from guardian firm Golden Frog. Greater than 700 servers in over 70 international locations ought to be a lot for most individuals, though there’s usually just one per nation. It’s additionally not clear which of those are bodily and digital.

Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless speedy, dependable and inexpensive.

See full VyprVPN pricing right here

• Greater than 245 servers
• 32 international locations

Malwarebytes, in all probability greatest recognized for antivirus software program and recommendation, additionally gives a standalone VPN service referred to as Malwarebytes Privateness. It’s a straightforward to make use of app with the proper of privateness guarantees – as you’d count on from a revered title in safety based mostly within the U.S.

In our checks Malwarebytes was a mid-tier performer by way of speeds, but it surely ought to be adequate for many informal customers.

Malwarebytes Privateness VPN does a great job.

See full Maywarebytes pricing right here