Note (September 2026): Two services on this list have closed: SaferVPN ended service on December 15, 2023, and ZenMate moved its subscribers to CyberGhost VPN in 2023. Outdated macOS compatibility and server figures for ExpressVPN, IPVanish, PIA and others have been corrected below.
The best VPNs for Mac as of September 2026 are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost and Private Internet Access (PIA), with IPVanish, VyprVPN and PrivateVPN as further options. Each offers a native macOS app, AES-256 or WireGuard-based encryption and a kill switch. SaferVPN and ZenMate, once popular Mac picks, no longer operate as standalone services.
Key Takeaways
- Eight of the ten VPNs originally on this list are still available for Mac; SaferVPN shut down in December 2023 and ZenMate users were moved to CyberGhost in 2023.
- Check macOS compatibility first: NordVPN’s current app needs macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, ExpressVPN supports macOS 11 to macOS 26 (Tahoe), and Surfshark needs macOS 12 or later, according to each provider.
- Modern protocols matter: WireGuard-based protocols (NordLynx, WireGuard) and ExpressVPN’s Lightway have largely replaced older options such as PPTP and L2TP.
- Device limits differ: Surfshark, PIA and IPVanish do not cap simultaneous connections, while NordVPN allows 10 and ExpressVPN 10 to 14 depending on the plan.
- No VPN gives 100% security or privacy; look for independent no-logs audits, a kill switch and a money-back guarantee.
With the hundreds of VPNs that saturate the market and where almost everyone claims to be the best VPN company for Mac, which one should you opt for in order to get the best experience? VPNs are gradually becoming imperative for Mac-OS users who keep giving utmost value to their online freedom and privacy.
Best VPNs for Mac Users
For the Mac OS users who want to get easy access to geo-blocked content, VPNs are a must. Macs are less vulnerable to malware as compared to PCs but when it comes to online threats, they’re equally at risk.
Once you seek help of Virtual Private Network or VPN, you can allow the VPN connection to encrypt all the internet traffic of a device and route it via an intermediary server in a location of your choice. Here are the features and strengths of the 10 well-known VPNs for Mac, eight of which are still available.
Nord VPN
The first on our list is Nord VPN because it combines an easy-to-use Mac app, a large server network and no-logs claims that have been independently audited by PwC and Deloitte. No VPN, NordVPN included, can offer 100% security. It can eliminate the toughest and most stringent geo-restrictions. NordVPN offers its macOS app both through the Mac App Store and as a download from its own website. According to NordVPN, the current app requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, with a legacy version for macOS 12 and 13 (as of September 2026).
Both versions have a straightforward set-up process that takes a handful of steps. For performance, NordVPN’s own NordLynx protocol, which is built on WireGuard, is the main choice; IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN remain available as manual setup options. OpenVPN is useful on networks where NordLynx is blocked, though speeds vary by server and connection. The website version of the Mac app adds an App Kill Switch that quits selected apps if the VPN connection drops, and NordVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections per account.
ExpressVPN
The second on the list has to be the ExpressVPN as it is a fast, flexible and secure VPN provider. As of September 2026, ExpressVPN says its Mac app supports macOS 11 (Big Sur), 12 (Monterey), 13 (Ventura), 14 (Sonoma), 15 (Sequoia) and 26 (Tahoe); the old Yosemite-to-Catalina range no longer applies.
ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption and its own Lightway protocol, which it launched in 2020 and open-sourced in 2021, in its Mac app. It has a Network Lock feature that works as an automatic kill switch. ExpressVPN has been owned by Kape Technologies since 2021 and lists locations in 113 countries. This feature not only works seamlessly but also reconnects automatically.
Surfshark
Surfshark is popular with many Mac users because it has additional features that help against stringent geoblocks and make VPN traffic harder to detect.
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so one subscription can cover a Mac and every other device in a household. As of September 2026, Surfshark says its Mac app runs on macOS 12 (Monterey) and later, supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and its own Dausos protocol, and connects to more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries. It has the highest security standard, the AES 256-bit encryption. You will also get an automated kill switch and private DNS on each server. This means that Surfshark will tackle all your DNS requests.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is high on the list of recommended VPNs for the beginners due to its user-friendliness. This VPN has added features that make it perfect for the novices and this includes a fast set-up process and optimized streaming servers for definite platforms.
According to CyberGhost, its Mac app supports WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN, runs on macOS 10.13 and later, and covers up to 7 devices at once with servers in 100 countries. It offers tough and sturdy 256-bit AES encryption and also has an automatic kill switch that is vital to keep you hidden on your Mac device.
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA), founded in 2010 and owned by Kape Technologies since 2019, offers tight security measures and the ability to get through tough geoblocks. Users prefer this VPN provider as it is reliable for a wide variety of online activities and hence it is also best for Mac.
PIA utilizes 256-bit AES encryption and this shields your traffic and data. Its macOS app offers WireGuard and OpenVPN and requires macOS 11 or later. As of September 2026, PIA says it has servers in 91 countries, including every US state, and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Its desktop apps are open source.
IPVanish
IPVanish is a veteran provider, now owned by Ziff Davis, that lists more than 3,400 servers in more than 150 locations (as of September 2026). The speed of the connection is fast enough and they are reliable too. It offers a 256-bit AES encryption and perfect secrecy.
Traffic obfuscation, an automatic kill switch, protection of DNS leak and IPv6 leak protection can be handled within the settings. IPVanish says it keeps no activity logs, a claim checked by independent audits from Leviathan Security Group in 2022 and Schellman in 2025. Under earlier ownership, in 2016, it handed customer information to US Homeland Security investigators, as TorrentFreak reported in 2018.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN, now made by Certida, is known for reliability and speed, though its network is smaller, with servers in nearly 70 countries. Unblocking results vary by streaming service and change over time. Its own security protocol is engineered for better performance.
VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol is available in the macOS app at no extra cost. According to VyprVPN, Chameleon scrambles OpenVPN packet metadata so deep packet inspection cannot recognize it, while the data itself is encrypted with 256-bit OpenVPN encryption. The Mac app also includes a kill switch.
SaferVPN
SaferVPN is no longer available. It was acquired by J2 Global in 2019, merged into StrongVPN (now owned by Ziff Davis), and ended service on December 15, 2023. While it operated, it was known as affordable and user-friendly, and was used to reach streaming sites such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
SaferVPN came with AES-256 encryption and several protocols including PPTP, IKEv2, L2TP and OpenVPN. It offered automatic Wi-Fi protection and connected users to the best server automatically.
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN happens to be a favorite among the users although it has a comparatively smaller network. The connections are reliable, fast and secure with bulletproof encryption. For macOS, it offers 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection and OpenVPN support.
PrivateVPN’s Mac app previously lacked an automatic kill switch. PrivateVPN now says it includes a kill switch but does not specify which platforms, so Mac users should confirm the setting exists in the current macOS app, because a dropped connection without one can expose internet traffic. With its Stealth Mode, it can bypass even the toughest VPN blocks. As of September 2026, PrivateVPN says it has servers in 63 countries and allows up to 10 devices at once, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ZenMate
ZenMate no longer runs its own VPN apps. According to ZenMate’s announcement, it stopped selling new ZenMate VPN subscriptions on March 16, 2023, and after May 1, 2023 paying subscribers had to log in to CyberGhost VPN’s apps instead. Both brands belong to Kape Technologies. Before the change, users liked ZenMate because it permitted P2P sharing on most of its servers. It offered AES encryption and an automatic kill switch for macOS.
ZenMate offered a no-logs policy, although no VPN can guarantee 100% privacy. Former ZenMate subscribers now use CyberGhost’s network, which ZenMate said covers 91 countries and 117 server cities at the time of the switch, so streaming access for sites like Hulu, Netflix and BBC iPlayer now depends on CyberGhost’s servers.
A VPN protects you and wraps your traffic through an encrypted tunnel as and when it leaves your Mac. Choose from the eight providers above that still operate; SaferVPN and ZenMate have closed, so the comparison table below covers the active options.
Best VPNs for Mac Compared
The table below summarizes what each active provider states on its own website as of September 2026. Features and limits change, so confirm details before subscribing.
| VPN | Mac protocols | Minimum macOS | Simultaneous devices | Network (provider figures) | Money-back guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | NordLynx (WireGuard-based); OpenVPN and IKEv2 manual | macOS 14 (legacy app for 12-13) | 10 | 225 locations | 30 days |
| ExpressVPN | Lightway | macOS 11 | 10 to 14, by plan | 113 countries | 30 days (new users) |
| Surfshark | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos | macOS 12 | Unlimited | 4,500+ servers, 100 countries | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN | macOS 10.13 | 7 | 100 countries | Up to 45 days |
| Private Internet Access | WireGuard, OpenVPN | macOS 11 | Unlimited | 91 countries | 30 days |
| IPVanish | WireGuard and others | Not stated | Unlimited | 3,400+ servers, 150+ locations | 30 days (yearly plans) |
| VyprVPN | Chameleon and others | Not stated | Check provider | Nearly 70 countries | 30 days |
| PrivateVPN | OpenVPN; Stealth VPN | Not stated | 10 | 63 countries | 30 days |
SaferVPN (closed December 2023) and ZenMate (moved to CyberGhost in 2023) are left out because they can no longer be purchased as standalone services.
Does a Mac Need a VPN?
A Mac does not need a VPN to run safely, but a VPN adds a layer of privacy that macOS security features do not provide. A VPN encrypts traffic between the Mac and the VPN server, hides the Mac’s IP address from the websites it visits, and makes it harder for others on public Wi-Fi to see what the user is doing.
A VPN does not stop phishing, malware downloaded by the user, or tracking through accounts a user is logged in to. It works best alongside software updates, strong unique passwords and careful browsing. The benefits and trade-offs are covered in more detail in this guide to the pros and cons of using a VPN.
How to Choose a VPN for Your Mac
The right VPN for a Mac depends on the macOS version, the number of devices to cover and what the VPN is used for. These checks narrow the choice quickly:
- macOS compatibility: Confirm the app supports the Mac’s current macOS version. Minimum versions range from macOS 10.13 (CyberGhost) to macOS 14 (NordVPN’s current app).
- Protocol: Prefer WireGuard-based protocols or Lightway for speed, and OpenVPN or an obfuscated protocol such as Chameleon or Stealth VPN on networks that block VPNs.
- Kill switch: A kill switch blocks traffic if the VPN drops. Check that it is available in the macOS app itself, not only on Windows.
- Independent audits: Look for a no-logs policy that an outside firm has audited, as NordVPN, IPVanish and PIA report.
- Device limit: Households with many devices benefit from providers with unlimited connections. This guide on VPNs and multiple devices explains how limits work.
- Streaming needs: Unblocking results change often; see this roundup of the best VPNs for streaming and use the money-back period to test the services you need.
How to Set Up a VPN on a Mac
Most users install the provider’s own macOS app, which handles protocols and settings automatically. macOS can also connect to a VPN without an app: according to Apple, macOS natively supports L2TP over IPSec, IPSec and IKEv2 connections.
To add a VPN manually on a Mac, Apple lists these steps:
- Open System Settings and select Network in the sidebar.
- Click the Action menu and choose Add VPN Configuration, then choose the VPN type.
- Enter a display name for the VPN service.
- Enter the server address, account name, password and authentication settings supplied by the VPN provider.
- Adjust optional settings such as DNS or proxies if the provider requires them, then click Create.
Once created, the VPN can be connected from the VPN status menu in the menu bar. Use a strong, unique password for the VPN account; a secure password generator can create one.
Are Free VPNs Safe on a Mac?
Free VPNs can be used safely only with care. Free services typically limit data, speed or server choice, and a VPN that is not funded by subscriptions has to pay for its servers some other way, so its privacy policy deserves a close read. Paid providers on this list offer 30-day or longer money-back guarantees, which let users try a full service at low risk. Anyone who still prefers a free option should read this guide to using free VPNs safely first.
Common Mistakes When Using a VPN on a Mac
- Keeping an outdated app: Providers drop support for older macOS versions, as NordVPN and Surfshark have done, so update both macOS and the VPN app.
- Leaving the kill switch off: On many apps the kill switch must be switched on in settings.
- Relying on a closed service: Apps from shut-down providers such as SaferVPN and ZenMate no longer receive updates and should be removed.
- Treating a VPN as antivirus: A VPN encrypts traffic but does not scan files or block phishing pages on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best VPN for Mac?
NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark are strong all-round choices for Mac as of September 2026, each with a native macOS app, a modern protocol and a kill switch. Surfshark and PIA suit households that need unlimited devices, while CyberGhost supports the oldest Macs, back to macOS 10.13.
Is SaferVPN still available for Mac?
No. SaferVPN ended its service on December 15, 2023, after being merged into StrongVPN, which is owned by Ziff Davis. Former SaferVPN users need a different provider.
What happened to ZenMate VPN?
ZenMate stopped selling new VPN subscriptions on March 16, 2023, and its VPN apps were supported only until May 1, 2023. Paying ZenMate subscribers now log in to CyberGhost VPN’s apps with their existing ZenMate credentials, according to ZenMate.
Can a Mac use a VPN without installing an app?
Yes. According to Apple, macOS supports L2TP over IPSec, IPSec and IKEv2 VPN connections, which can be added under System Settings, Network, Add VPN Configuration. Most commercial VPNs still recommend their own app for features such as a kill switch.
Does a VPN slow down a Mac?
A VPN can reduce internet speed because traffic is encrypted and routed through another server. The effect depends on the protocol, server distance and connection; WireGuard-based protocols and Lightway are designed to limit the slowdown.
Is a VPN the same as a Smart DNS proxy?
No. A VPN encrypts all of a device’s traffic, while a Smart DNS service only reroutes certain requests to change apparent location and does not encrypt data. This comparison of Smart DNS proxy vs. free VPN explains the difference.
