We tested 30+ VPNs on macOS Sequoia and Sonoma. Here are the top 6 — ranked by speed, privacy, and overall value.
Side-by-side look at our top picks for Mac users.
| VPN | Rating | Price from | Servers | Devices | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | ★★★★★ | $6.67/mo | 3,000+ | 8 | 30 days |
| NordVPN | ★★★★★ | $3.39/mo | 6,000+ | 10 | 30 days |
| Surfshark | ★★★★☆ | $2.19/mo | 3,200+ | ∞ | 30 days |
| ProtonVPN | ★★★★☆ | $4.99/mo | 3,000+ | 10 | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | ★★★★☆ | $2.19/mo | 11,500+ | 7 | 45 days |
| PIA | ★★★★☆ | $2.19/mo | 35,000+ | ∞ | 30 days |
Best overall VPN for Mac — consistently fast, dead-simple macOS app, and a proven no-logs policy audited by PwC and Cure53.
Best value for Mac users — top-tier speeds, NordLynx protocol, and Threat Protection built into the native macOS app.
Best budget VPN for Mac — unlimited simultaneous devices means your entire Apple ecosystem is covered for one low price.
Best for privacy purists — Swiss-based, open-source macOS app, created by the scientists behind Proton Mail.
Best for beginners — the most intuitive Mac app we tested, with one-click streaming and torrenting-optimized servers.
Best for power users — 35,000+ servers, deep customization, and a no-logs track record confirmed in US federal court.
No. macOS includes a VPN client that can connect to VPN servers, but it does not include a VPN service itself. You still need a subscription to a VPN provider. Apple's iCloud+ Private Relay only works in Safari and does not provide full-device VPN protection.
All VPNs add encryption overhead, but the best ones (ExpressVPN, NordVPN) typically reduce speeds by less than 5% on modern Apple Silicon Macs. Budget VPNs may reduce speeds by 10-20%. Your actual impact depends on server distance and your baseline connection speed.
Yes, VPNs are legal in most countries including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. A few countries (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea) restrict or ban VPN usage. Always check local regulations when traveling.
ProtonVPN's free tier is the only one we recommend — it has no data caps and is run by a reputable company. Most "free" VPNs make money by logging and selling your browsing data, which defeats the purpose. For serious privacy, a paid VPN is always better.
Safari's privacy features (Intelligent Tracking Prevention, Private Browsing) are useful but limited. A VPN encrypts all your Mac's traffic, hides your IP from all websites and apps, and protects you on public Wi-Fi networks — something Safari alone cannot do.
Yes. Every VPN on this list supports multiple simultaneous connections — ProtonVPN and NordVPN allow 10, Surfshark and PIA allow unlimited. ExpressVPN allows 8 simultaneous connections, which covers a typical Mac + iPhone + iPad setup.
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Best for readers who are already comparing tools in this category and want to check the official plan or offer.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only place links where the tool matches the article intent.
Best for readers who are already comparing tools in this category and want to check the official plan or offer.