Best VPN For Mac Devices 2022
Many Mac users believe that their systems are secure especially as the operating system is not used by many people. For this reason, they think a VPN will not be important for their device. But this is not necessarily true.
Mac and Apple devices are now increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals. As a result, it is important that you give yourself extra online protection and not let your guard down. What’s more, VPNs are designed to do much more than just secure your device and online activity.
If you usually connect your Mac device to an unsecured public network or you have concerns about your internet service provider logging your browser history, you need a VPN. You may have also tried without success to access certain online content; a VPN allows you bypass geographic restrictions by changing your location to a choice country or city.
But, of course, there are lots of options when it comes to VPNs. That is why we conducted rigorous tests to determine the best for Mac devices. ExpressVPN is our top pick, but there are other great options too.
Here’s our top three VPNs of Best VPN For Mac:
How to Select the Best VPN for Mac
Given the vast number of VPNs in the market today, selecting a VPN can be a daunting task. Even then, selecting a VPN for MacOS comes with its own peculiarities. Consider some of these: PC.
The factors include:
Security
As secure as your Mac PC might be, it simply can’t protect you from an insecure VPN. Your selected VPN should boast a solid encryption protocol, with no data or DNS leaks.
Privacy
There’s no need using a VPN if it collects all of the data you intend keeping away from your ISP and government. A no logging policy is a must for any VPN to assure of true privacy.
Device support
The MacOS simply doesn’t have as many users as Windows. This means you’re likely to find VPNs without Mac support. Your desired VPN should have a native, pre-configured Mac client. It should also have one for iOS, if you use both devices. Thankfully, the best VPNs do.
Performance
If you’re looking to use your VPN for activities like streaming and torrenting, you’ll need a really fast VPN. You’d also need it to have solid unblocking capabilities in order to lift geo-blocks for your desired websites and streaming services.
Support
A critical feature in your selection of any VPN should be customer support. You want a team that’s on hand to handle any issues you may come against as they come.
Best VPN For Mac Devices 2022
1. CyberGhost
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Top Speed
54Mbps
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Servers
90 Countries
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Available on
The Bottom Line
CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN that always ranks highly on our best VPN lists. It is super easy to set up, and boasts an interface that makes lightwork of the heavy tech upon which it’s built. And with over 6500 servers spread out over 90 countries, it boasts a huge server network.
CyberGhost runs on a military-grade 256-bit AES encryption. This is used in combination with the IKEv2 protocol on Mac, although it can be manually configured to use the OpenVPN protocol. Further security measures include an auto kill switch and DNS/IP leak protection which ensures your data is always secure.
All of the above plus a guaranteed no-logs policy make for a great VPN for Mac. But there’s more. An ad blocker protects against online trackers, malware, and adware, maximizing your online privacy. The Smart Rules feature helps you identify apps to launch immediately the VPN is connected. And, a smart server selection system picks the best server for your favorite streaming platforms.
Everything else combines perfectly. It isn’t the fastest VPN we’ve tested, but it does well enough for HD streaming. At $2.25 per month, it’s also quite cheap; while a 45-day money-back guarantee keeps your money secure should you need an out.
2. ExpressVPN
- One of the fastest VPNs with same-country speeds
- Strict logging policy and no IP, WebRTC, DNS leaks
- A vast network of servers across 160 cities in 94 countries as well as great privacy features
- User-friendly apps compatible with IOS, Mac, Android, and PC
- Allows file sharing and unrestricted torrenting
- More expensive than other VPN services
- Fires Stick TV can be improved
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Top Speed
85Mbps
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Servers
160 Countries
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Available on
The Bottom Line
ExpressVPN is our top pick for Mac devices, as it ticks the right boxes for pretty much everything. That is thanks to its intuitive app and user-friendly app, excellent speeds, extensive compatibility across devices.
By default, the VPN uses a 256-encryption over OpenVPN UDP, and its app comes with features like kill switch and split tunneling. But there’s much more. ExpressVPN is especially amazing for Mac users as it has a good iOS app and Safari browser extension. What’s more, the VPN offers advanced features exclusive to Mac users. For instance, if your Mac device is connected to the internet via a wired network, you can set the device up as a wireless hotspot for other devices; these devices can connect to your network through the VPN on your Mac device without having to set up ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN has a wide server network reach, with fast servers spread across 94 countries. This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to stream content online, bypass geographic blocking or use VPN for P2P traffic.
3. Hotspot Shield
- Fast VPN speeds
- Compatible with Netflix, iPlayer, and supports torrenting
- Incredibly user-friendly
- Decent VPN server network
- Provides real-time malware protection
- No IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks
- Questionable privacy policies
- Past accusations and controversies around the VPN app
- Unreliable for bypassing censorship in China
- Cannot be installed on routers
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Top Speed
90.63Mbps
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Servers
75 Countries
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Available on
The Bottom Line
Hotspot Shield is a great choice for Mac devices as a result of its speed, functionality, and affordability. The VPN has about 2,500 servers across 25 countries which provides pretty good coverage. There is also a 7-day free trial, 45-day money back guarantee and excellent customer service for your support needs.
But there’s more about the attraction of Hotspot Shield. It comes with the Catapult Hydra protocol – a wizardry protocol that makes the VPN offer one of the fastest speeds right now. This means that Mac users will experience no lag while gaming or streaming, in addition to the VPN’s excellent security features.
4. NordVPN
- Fast average VPN speeds
- Great VPN server network covering 60 countries
- Dedicated servers for torrenting and P2P traffic
- Strict logging policy
- Unlocks streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- User-friendly apps for Android, iOS, Mac and PC
- Does not allow torrenting in the US and Australia
- Does not work in countries with high censorship
- Not recommended for Kodi
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Top Speed
90.51Mbps
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Servers
60 Countries
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Available on
The Bottom Line
NordVPN is one of the most respectable VPN brands in the market, and this is for good reason. When it comes to security, it is second to none. The VPN has its own ‘Double VPN’ technology which encrypts data by passing it through two separate servers.
NordVPN also gives Mac users more options than the average VPN service: there is an IKEv2 version of its client available on App store as well as an OpenVPN version which you can get directly from the NordVPN website. What’s more, OpenVPN can actually be set up and used without installing either client.
This provider is also one of the most affordable VPN options for Mac devices. If you subscribe to its three-year deal, you can get it for as low as £2.68 per month. Other subscription options include a six-month plan, one-year plan, and a two-year plan.
Mac VPN FAQs
Here’s a selection of the most critical questions you could have about using a VPN on Mac, and our answers to those questions:
Do I Need a VPN for Mac?
The short answer: Yes.
MacOS boasts impressive security features. But it isn’t completely airtight. Your online activity can still be seen by your ISP, surveillance agencies, and even hackers. A VPN provides you with end-to-end encryption that ensures you leave no trail of information as you surf the internet.
When you browse with a VPN, you access the internet through a secure tunnel. This blocks out every other person from seeing the websites you visit or the information you deposit online. This is particularly important if you wish to torrent anonymously on your Mac device.
A VPN also provides you with secure access to geo-blocked websites. This is critical for streaming geo-blocked content on your device. By connecting to a server in the locality of your desired content, you trick the website into thinking you’re in that location. This is why VPNs successfully unblock services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Netflix.
Are VPNs Legal?
The short answer: Mostly.
VPNs are legal in most countries around the world. however, countries like Russia, China, Oman, Iran, Iraq, and a few others have laws that either put VPN in a legal grey area or make it completely illegal.
How does a Mac VPN Work?
VPNs tend to work the same way on any device. A VPN protects your device by routing your internet traffic through its own secure servers. You can think of these servers like a secure tunnel with heavy security.
With your VPN turned on, your data is passed through this tunnel before it is sent to the requesting website. This keeps hackers, your ISP, the government, and any surveillance firm out of your web traffic and activities.
How do I set up and use a VPN on Mac?
Because most VPNs have dedicated Mac clients, setting up a VPN on your Mac device isn’t a very complex process. Although the process differs marginally based on your choice of VPN, it generally looks like this:
- Step 1: Identify your preferred VPN provider from our list of top Mac VPNs above; Our top pick is NordVPN
- Step 2: Visit the website of the VPN, register, subscribe, and click to download the VPN client for your device; Be sure to identify the particular client for Mac
- Step 3: Double click to install and follow the prompts from the installation wizard
- Step 4: Open the app, log in with your personal details, select your desired server location, and click to connect; You may also let the VPN auto-select a server for you by clicking connect directly
- Step 5: Sit back and surf the internet safely and securely
What is the Best Free VPN for Mac?
Deciding you need a VPN is only the first step on your way to improving your PC security. Sadly, the bulk of VPNs you find with premium features will require you to part with some cash. However, this may not be possible at the moment. Or you may simply wish to test any VPN before parting with cash.
This is why we’ve put together this list of the best free VPNs for you. These VPNs – while mostly paid for – offer you premium features with some limitations (mostly to bandwidth). As a result, they are safe, secure, maintain your privacy, and offer top download speeds, despite being freebies. What’s more, they all have native Mac clients that make them easy to install and use on your Mac device.
