Mac users have in the past considered their laptops or desktops impregnable, but this has changed in recent years. Cybercriminals are now increasingly targeting Mac users aiming to steal data, infect their machines, or scam them. And though antivirus software is considered the primary line of defense, VPNs have become the ultimate online protection tools.
A VPN offers more than just security, as it will also let you unblock geo-restricted content, browse privately and anonymous, torrent safely, and so much more.
To ease you from the headache of trial and error, we’ve tested, selected and reviewed the best VPNs for Mac.
1. ExpressVPN
Download NowEditors’ choice 2020
tekcompareExpressVPN is the industry leader, and it’s the best VPN for Mac. This is thanks to its excellent app that is intuitive and very user-friendly. The VPN’s performance and reliability also make it standout, as you can get the best speeds and unblock almost any streaming service.
ExpressVPN offers 3,000+ servers across 160 locations in 94 countries, which is quite impressive. With these servers, you can connect anywhere with the best of speeds.
Privacy & Security
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a region that does not force ISPs to keep any data. The VPN takes full advantage of this and promises not to keep any connection or usage logs. As for security, ExpressVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, and that encryption is complimented with a network lock (kill switch) and DNS & IP Leak protection.
Compatibility
ExpressVPN’s Mac client is nothing short of excellent. Apart from that, you can also install the VPN on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. One VPN account gives you up to 3 simultaneous connections.
Pricing
ExpressVPN’s monthly plan will set you back $12.95, but you can lower that with a longer subscription. Even better, you can take advantage of our special deal and get $49% off the yearly plan! This includes an extra 3 months, and so you’ll use it for 15 months. All plans are covered with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
With so many fantastic features, we ranked ExpressVPN above all of the competition for the best VPN providers available.
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Super-fast
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Excellent client apps
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Zero logs & solid security
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Works with Netflix, iPlayer, and other streaming services
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24/7 Live chat support
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30-day money back guarantee
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Relatively costly
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Only 3 simultaneous connection
Tekcompare has scanned and tested this software for malware
All plans are covered by a 30-day money back guarantee
2. NordVPN
Download NowNordVPN is another superb option for Mac users. The VPN is known for its excellent security and for having the largest server network. Though a top VPN, NordVPN presents a cheaper option than ExpressVPN, especially if you go for a longer subscription.
The VPN is however not as fast as ExpressVPN, but with 5,050+ servers in 62 countries, you can expect stable and fast connections.
Privacy & Security
NordVPN is based in Panama, a country that promotes digital privacy. This helps NordVPN in keeping its promise of absolute zero connection and activity logs. Their security is also top-notch, as they offer AES 256-bit encryption and very many security features. These include Kill Switch, CyberSec, double VPN, Anti-DDoS, Onion over VPN, and DNS & IP Leak protection.
Compatibility
NordVPN has a superb client for Mac which is quite easy to use. You can also install the VPN’s other clients on MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Browser extensions are also available for Chrome and Firefox, and each account can be used to connect up to 6 devices simultaneously.
Pricing & Plans
NordVPN’s monthly plan is priced slightly below that of ExpressVPN at $11.95. The good thing with the VPN though it’s that it offers longer subscription periods that get you bigger discounts. With our special discount, you can get 75% off NordVPN and use the VPN at just $2.99 a month!
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Zero usage and connection logs
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Super-fast
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Up to 6 simultaneous connections
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Biggest server network
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24/7 Customer Care
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30-day money back guarantee
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High cost for month-to-month users
3. CyberGhost VPN
Download NowCyberGhost VPN is one of the best VPNs at the moment thanks to its exponential growth since being acquired by a new firm. The VPN now boasts sleek clients and a network of 3,700+ servers in 60 countries. All these servers offer unlimited bandwidth and great speeds.
CyberGhost VPN will let you stream from almost any service, and the client has a various modes to use depending on the task.
Privacy & Security
CyberGhost VPN is based in Romania, a country that retracted its data retention laws way back in 2014. The VPN is therefore able to keep zero usage and connection logs. Security-wise, CyberGhost VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption which is quite secure and can’t be breached. This is then supplemented with features such as kill switch, DNS & IPv6 protection, ad blocker, and malware blocker.
Compatibility
The VPN’s new Clients (dubbed CyberGhost 7) are available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and Firestick/ Android Smart TVs. There are also applets that you can install on Chrome and Firefox. The VPN allows you to connect up to 7 simultaneous devices.
Pricing
CyberGhost VPN upped its prices recently, and the monthly package costs $12.95. This can be attributed to the recent upgrades which include a tripled server network, but we have a 79% discount that will let you use the VPN at just $2.75 a month. All plans are covered with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
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1-day free premium trial
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Zero connection and activity logs
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Superb clients
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Works with all streaming services
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7 simultaneous connections
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45-day money back guarantee
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Relatively costly
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Live Chat not available 24/7
4. Hotspot Shield
Download NowHotspot Shield is one of the fastest VPNs for Mac. The VPN is one of the few top VPNs that offer a free plan, but you have to get the premium version to get a real taste of it. It’s easy to use, connects in just a few seconds, and it offers 2,500+ super-fast servers in 29 countries.
Privacy & Security
Hotspot Shield VPN is based in the US which is not an ideal VPN location. However, the VPN still promises not to keep logs of any of your activities, and they state that your IP address is deleted once you end your session. In terms of security, Hotspot Shield uses AES 128-bit encryption as they think that it’s secure enough. They complement it with a VPN kill switch.
Compatibility
Hotspot Shield boasts an excellent VPN client for Mac as well as other platforms. These include Windows, Android, iOS, and Chrome. The VPN can also be manually installed on routers and other devices. You can use one account on 5 simultaneous devices.
Pricing
Hotspot Shield’s monthly plan is highly priced, and it costs $12.99. This is even higher than that of ExpressVPN, but you can also get the best deal so far with our special 76% discount on the 2 year plan. This will let you use the super-fast VPN at just $2.99 a month! All plans are covered with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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Fastest VPN
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Excellent clients
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Huge discount
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Works with Netflix and other streaming services
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5 simultaneous connections
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45-day money-back guarantee
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Relatively costly
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Relative few server locations
5. IPVanish
Download NowIPVanish is another of the fastest VPNs for Mac, and generally one of the best. The VPN in the only tier-1 service in this list due to the fact that the firm owns and operates its entire servers network. This network consists of 1000+ servers distributed across 60 countries.
IPVanish Mac client is superb and easy to use. You can select a country, city, and even the server you want, or just let the app choose the best for you.
Privacy & Security
IPVanish promises users not to keep any connection or activity logs, which is quite impressive. However, the VPN is based in the US which is not the ideal location for a VPN. In terms of security, IPVanish is quite solid. The VPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, and it also has a Kill Switch and IPv6 & DNS Leak Protection.
Compatibility
Besides the Mac VPN client, IPVanish also offers apps for Windows, Android, iOS, Linux, Windows Phone, Fire TV, and Chromebook. You can also configure the VPN on routers and various other devices. The VPN will allow you to use up to 10 devices simultaneously.
Pricing
IPVanish is the best-priced VPN in this list, with the monthly plan going for just $5. You can even save 73% more on the yearly plan with our special discount. The VPN updated the refund policy and is effective on the 1st of May 2020. All your subscriptions will be eligible to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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Zero logs
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Excellent speeds
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10 simultaneous connections
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Super apps
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Own their network
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30-day money-back guarantee
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Based in the US
Benefits of using a VPN on PC
If you are not sure whether you really need a VPN for Mac, here’s why you should get one:
Privacy
Your ISP and government are always monitoring your online activities. They know the websites you visit, the files you stream or download, etc. To keep your activities private, you will need to use a VPN. It will encrypt your data such that no third-party will make sense of it.
Security
With Mac users facing more and more threats from hackers and other malicious individuals by the day, it’s important to secure your data. This is even more crucial if you use public hotspot to access anything on the internet. With a private and encrypted connection, you’ll no longer have to worry about losing your data to the wrong hands.
Access Blocked Content
Almost all streaming services nowadays have geo-restrictions that limit content to only users in certain regions. With a VPN for Mac, you won’t have to worry about restrictions, as the VPNs work with services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc.
Torrent Anonymously
If you love streaming or downloading torrents, you definitely need a VPN. Copyright trolls usually monitor files, and if you use your real IP address, you will have put yourself at the risk of receiving a DMCA notice. With a logless VPN, you can become anonymous and torrent safely.
Wrap Up
With the growth in internet monitoring, cybercrime and geo-restrictions, you need to get a VPN for your Mac.
Choosing the right VPN is however important, and you won’t go wrong with any of the above VPNs. Just choose the one that suits your needs!