Best VPN for Mac of 2024

Most VPN providers offer a VPN app for Mac computers, but it can be difficult to choose the right one 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 Mac VPN – should be privacy. If your Mac VPN is unable to adequately protect your online privacy, then your VPN is useless. At a minimum, your VPN should use industry standard AES 256-bit encryption (with OpenVPN or IKEv2 VPN protocols) or ChaCha20 (with WireGuard or IKEv2 VPN), as well as offering basic privacy protections like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a no-logs policy. For critical privacy needs, you’ll also need a VPN provider that’s located in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, offers obfuscation, and has a RAM-only server architecture. Additional privacy features to look for include Tor over-VPN capabilities, ad and tracking blockers, and multi-hop connections. Also look for a VPN that undergoes regular third-party security audits, as audits can help bolster confidence in a VPN’s ability to protect the privacy of its users.

speed

Mac computers are generally known to be very fast, so you may need to… Fast VPN Which can provide excellent speeds. The speed of your VPN can have a huge impact on activities such as My neighborDownloading, video conferencing, gaming, and general web browsing. All VPNs slow down your connection speed to some degree, so to keep things running as smoothly as possible, you’ll want to look for a VPN that will have as little impact on your normal internet speeds as possible. In general, the best VPNs only reduce your internet download speed by 25% or less, while the best performers – NordVPN, Mullvad, and Surfshark – experience less than 20% of the average download speed loss.

Ease of use

MacOS is designed to be clean and intuitive, so if you’re used to the feel of the operating system, you’ll probably want a similar experience with the VPN software you use. A good Mac VPN should run smoothly and have an organized, easy-to-use user interface regardless of your technical experience. It should have a large network of servers around the world so you can easily and reliably connect wherever you are, and it should be able to help you access geo-restricted content from different regions. You should also consider advanced features, such as specialized servers (e.g Tor via VPN and Mysterious servers), Double jump/multiple jumpDedicated IP address and split tunneling (allowing you to use a VPN connection for some VPN apps but not others).

It costs

The price of a VPN varies widely from one provider to another, so if you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider the cost and overall value of your MacOS VPN. Typically, you can expect to spend around $5 to $13 per 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 around $30 to $100 per year. Be careful with free VPNs, because you may end up compromising your privacy rather than protecting it if you choose a free option. Proton VPN is currently the only one Free VPN Recommended by CNET. However, most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee that can be anywhere from a week to 45 days. You can also get a free seven-day trial with many VPNs if you sign up through the Apple App Store. So, you’ll likely have options to try several risk-free Mac VPNs before deciding whether or not you want to invest fully in one.

Device support

You’ll need a VPN that works well on your Mac, such as a MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro. Additionally, if you’re heavily entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, you may want to consider a VPN that works well on your device. iPhoneAnd iPad and even Apple TV. Fortunately, most VPNs support MacOS and iOS/iPadOS, and compatibility with Apple TV is becoming increasingly popular. With the majority of VPN providers, you can install a VPN on all of your Mac devices, from MacBooks and Mac desktops to iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV streaming boxes.

My neighbor

VPNs can elevate your streaming experience thanks to their ability to mask your public IP address, making apps and websites think you’re in a different geographic location. For example, you can use a VPN to unblock region-restricted content, such as watching Max (formerly known as HBO Max) while traveling outside the US, or watching BBC iPlayer while on holiday outside the UK. Alternatively, you can access foreign Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video libraries. Think about the streaming services you want to use with a VPN, and make sure those apps work with the VPN service you want. If you want to install a VPN on your device Smart TVandroid tv device, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TVMake sure your VPN provider has a compatible app for this device.