There are numerous VPNs on the App Store, and it is easy to become overwhelmed when you’re trying to decide which one to choose. To help, we have put together this guide to highlight the best VPNs to use on MacOS and why.
The Best Mac VPNs at a glance
Below, you’ll find a quick summary of our 5 top picks for MacOS VPNs. For more information on any of these providers, or for some alternative choices, click here.
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ExpressVPN
– The best VPN for Mac. ExpressVPN offers IKEv2 & WireGuard for fast speeds and secure connections, as well as great security features. -
NordVPN
– A great VPN for Mac and iOS devices. If you own more than one Apple product, NordVPN might be an attractive choice for you. -
CyberGhost VPN
– An easy to use Mac VPN. You get IKEv2 support, which is fast and secure, and works just as well on iPhones and iPads as well. -
Private Internet Access
– A secure Mac VPN option. This macOS VPN app keeps no logs, supports WireGuard & is packed with privacy features. -
Surfshark
– A cheap VPN for Mac. From just $2.49 a month this VPN app has excellent features, unblocking power & fast speeds.
Get ExpressVPN the best VPN for Mac users
Using a VPN on your Mac will give you privacy, security, and freedom online. It’s interesting to note, however, that only about half of the VPN providers on the market today have compatible software for Macs. This is partly because Apple’s strict developer guidelines rule out the use of the open-source OpenVPN protocol on all Apple devices. VPN developers, therefore, opt for alternative encryption protocols such as IKEv2 – we’ll discuss this in more detail further on.
The scarcity of Mac VPNs can make it tricky to find a service that will work with your Mac. This is annoying (to say the least) because a VPN is an essential online privacy tool that will prevent your ISP from tracking your web history on behalf of the government. Not just that, but it will let you unblock geo-restricted content like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, or Netflix US. A VPN can also help you access government censored or ISP blocked websites; such as BitTorrent sites.
Luckily though, there are a few outstanding VPNs for Mac that you can download today! In this guide, our experts have carefully analyzed the market to pinpoint the 10 best VPNs for Mac in 2021.
To evaluate VPNs and find the best services, our experts use a wide range of criteria. For a VPN to be considered good for Mac, it must meet the following specifications:
- A dedicated Apple Mac VPN app
- Strong privacy & security
- Robust encryption
- VPN features such as a kill-switch & DNS leak protection
- Plenty of servers
- Lightning-fast servers
- Great customer service
All of our recommended VPNs are subjected to full reviews and have been found to be trustworthy services that work perfectly on MacOS. And, if you are an Apple user with an iPhone, you will be happy to know that all of our recommendations also provide excellent iOS VPN apps.
What are the best VPNs for Mac?
Below, you will find our in-depth list of the best VPNs for Mac. Based on the criteria above, they all have superb Mac VPN software, strong security, and high-speed servers. All of our recommendations use the IKEV2 protocol and some also support WireGuard.
ExpressVPN offers great features for security & unblocking, as well as fast speeds. It also supports WireGuard, IKEv2 and a Safari extension is in development.
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Pricing
From
$6.67 –
$12.95 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
- Firefox
- Chrome
ExpressVPN is quite a bit more expensive than the others on this list. However, you’re truly getting what you pay for here, and it has an OpenVPN Mac app, perfect for privacy and unblocking. ExpressVPN has a zero-logs policy, ensuring that it always protects its subscriber’s privacy. And, thanks to OpenVPN encryption, Mac users never need to worry about having their data tracked by their ISP or the government.
ExpressVPN protects you against hackers on public WiFi, and when it comes to accessing more content, it is exceptional. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, and those servers are lightning-fast for HD streaming.
This VPN unblocks important services such as US Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Sadly, Express only lets you use the VPN on 5 simultaneous devices, but it is fully compatible with router setups, which will allow you to connect all your devices at once. We think ExpressVPN is worth the extra money if you can afford it because it is truly world-class. Definitely worth comparing thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee!
NordVPN is a great VPN for multiple Apple devices. It combines security, unblocking and speed to make it a great all-round choice for Mac, iPad or iPhone alike.
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Pricing
From
$3.71 –
$11.95 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
- Firefox
- Chrome
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OpenVPN available?
NordVPN is a well-established VPN provider based in Panama. It is a no-logs service that is perfectly suited to macOS users in need of advanced VPN features. With NordVPN, you get a service that comes with a ton of awesome security features like a kill-switch, obfuscated servers, DNS leak protection, double-hop encryption, OpenVPN, split tunneling, VPN over Tor, and browser extensions. This makes the VPN great for concealing your online habits from your ISP, the government, local network administrators, and WiFi hotspot providers.
NordVPN permits P2P connections, which means that this VPN is suitable for torrenting without being tracked. However, please bear in mind that it doesn’t have port forwarding, which may be a deal-breaker for some. NordVPN is also super fast, which makes it good for downloading or streaming in HD. And it can unblock popular services such as Netflix, iPlayer, and Hulu. With hundreds of servers in over 60 countries, you can always unblock any content that you desire from around the web.
Well worth comparing to our other recommendations using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost is a great cheap choice & supports IKEv2. The Mac app is super slick, fast & easy to use, it just works.
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Pricing
From
$2.81 –
$13.47 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
- Firefox
- Chrome
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OpenVPN available?
CyberGhost is a top-class VPN provider that also provides an excellent macOS VPN app. The company is based in Romania, which puts it well out of reach of invasive legislation such as the UK and the US. CyberGhost is cheap and its Mac app provides everything you need to gain privacy while accessing websites and services from all over the world. The software is also ideal for protecting your MacBook from hackers on public WiFi.
CyberGhost has servers in 90 countries, which means that you can pretend to be just about anywhere in the world. Admittedly, the Mac client is quite stripped back compared to its Windows counterpart. However, if you want something that is perfect for beginners, and you mainly want to unblock content – this VPN will do the trick at an affordable rate. Plus, you can test it for 45 days to ensure it does what you need!
Private Internet Access is a no-logs VPN with the option for WireGuard servers with great privacy features. This means it’s both fast and secure, giving you the best of both worlds.
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Pricing
From
$2.84 –
$11.00 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
- Firefox
- Chrome
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OpenVPN available?
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a US-based VPN that provides a watertight no-logs policy. This ensures that even if it is served a warrant by the government, it never has any records of what its users do while connected to the VPN. And it is worth noting that PIA has proved its zero-logs claims in court on multiple occasions. With PIA you get a versatile service that has superb apps for both macOS and iOS. And those apps have excellent customizability to let you either weaken the encryption to gain better speeds or tighten the encryption to maximize security.
That VPN also has obfuscation and a kill-switch, which means that it is good for torrenting. We like this VPN because it can unblock Netflix US and other popular streaming services around the world. And it is a VPN that provides an excellent features-to-cost ratio. With a single subscription to PIA, you can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. And the VPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service. One of Reddit users’ favorite VPNs.
Surfshark is a cheap VPN for Mac, but don’t be fooled by the price. This VPN offers excellent features, solid speeds and unblocking capabilities.
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Pricing
From
$2.21 –
$12.95 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
- Firefox
- Chrome
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OpenVPN available?
Surfshark VPN has only been around for a couple of years, but in that short time, it has taken the VPN market by storm with blazing fast speed performance and 1700 servers in over 63 countries.
As is to be expected from today’s top VPN providers, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support. What is unusual is that it allows you to connect as many devices as you want to the service at the same time!
Throw in split tunneling so you can choose which apps routes through the VPN and which don’t, a full Smart DNS service, and the fact that Surfshark unlocked every service we threw at it, and you can see why it won our coveted Newcomer Award.
Surfshark is registered in the British Virgin Islands and easily meets our requirements for a no-logs VPN. Technical security is also top-notch, and we appreciate the wealth of extra privacy and security features on offer. These include double-hop VPN, and DNS-based adblocking, and malware protection.
VyprVPN is the cheapest VPN with WireGuard support. The service runs its own network of servers, perfect if you’re security conscious.
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Pricing
From
$1.66 –
$12.95 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
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OpenVPN available?
VyprVPN is based in Switzerland, a location that is particularly good for privacy because the Swiss government does not tend to snoop on data for no reason. The VPN runs on a completely proprietary network of servers and this VPN keeps no logs, which means that your privacy is assured and your connection speeds will be quick. VyprVPN has servers in over 70 countries, and it can reliably unblock anything and everything you might want to unblock from around the web. Due to its Tier 1 network, which belongs to the internet conglomerate Golden Frog, this VPN can provide fantastic speeds for streaming.
As is the case with the other VPNs in this guide, VyprVPN is ideal for downloading from BitTorrent websites in privacy. VyprVPN has above par customer service, and its macOS app has all the features you need to keep your data secure. You can give this VPN a try using its 30-day money-back guarantee. And, if you want a VPN for Mac that has a kill-switch and DNS leak protection built-in, this VPN has what you need!
IPVanish is a feature packed VPN for Mac. It’s equipped with a kill-switch, OpenVPN encryption, obfuscation and a SOCKS5 proxy to name a few.
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Pricing
From
$6.49 –
$10.00 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
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OpenVPN available?
IPVanish is a US-based VPN provider with a watertight no-logs policy. This ensures that the company never has any records about what its users do online on its network. This makes it perfect for any Mac user looking for string levels of digital privacy both now and in the future. IPVanish has superb apps for all platforms, which means that you can install it on all of your devices. Its macOS client is a fully-featured app that comes with a kill-switch, DNS leak protection, OpenVPN encryption, obfuscation, and a SOCKS5 proxy. This makes the VPN suitable for torrenting and other sensitive online tasks that require complete privacy.
We enjoy using IPVanish because it has a wide choice of servers in over 75 countries. This allows you to get good speeds no matter where you happen to live. It also means that you can easily unblock all kinds of geo-restricted content from around the world. With IPVanish you can gain privacy and security on your Mac both at home and when connecting to public WiFi. And this VPN is ideal for bypassing local network restrictions in school or at work. Plus, this VPN can unblock Netflix US and other sought-after streaming services. And IPVanish is one of the rare VPNs that permits unlimited simultaneous connections to its servers – which makes it ideal for families and for people who own a lot of devices.
Test it using its 30-day money-back guarantee, and you’ll see what all the fuss is about.
Ivacy is the cheapest VPN for Mac on our list. From just $1.50 a month, this VPN can take care of all of your unblocking and streaming needs. But if you want to torrent, you’re out of luck.
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Pricing
From
$0.99 –
$9.95 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
- Firefox
- Chrome
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OpenVPN available?
Ivacy is a VPN service based in Singapore that is often recommended because it represents excellent value for money. The VPN is very cheap considering the level of features you get in its apps. The macOS app, unfortunately, does not come with a kill-switch, however. So if you do intend to torrent, you may want to look elsewhere. It does have DNS leak protection and L2TP/IPsec, though, to keep your data secure. For those who want to connect using OpenVPN, Ivacy provides the config files so that you can connect using the third party Tunnelblick client.
With Ivacy, you get servers in over 100 countries that are ideal for unblocking streams, game servers, and anything else you can think of. And this VPN works with Netflix US, iPlayer, and many other streaming services from around the world.
Overall, it’s an excellent budget-friendly option for your Mac.
ProtonVPN is a trusted VPN for Mac. It reliably protects privacy thanks to an arsenal of features and IKEV2 encryption. If privacy is a concern – this pick has pedigree.
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Free option
Yes
Pricing
From
$3.29 –
$5.00 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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Browser extensions
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OpenVPN available?
ProtonVPN is a reliable, and trustworthy VPN service based in Switzerland. It is a VPN service brought to you by the developers of the popular secure email provider ProtonMail, which makes it a highly respected service. The VPN has a superb reputation among Reddit users, who praise it for its dedication to privacy and excellent apps. With ProtonVPN you get apps for all platforms, including macOS. And, users are permitted to use the VPN on up to 5 simultaneous devices.
The macOS client has a kill-switch, which makes this VPN suitable for torrenting on a Mac computer. It also provides strong IKEv2 encryption to protect your online habits from being tracked. While ProtonVPN does have a free plan, it is very limited. However, it does allow you to try it out, and if you like it you can upgrade to get access to all 50+ countries. Once you pay for an account, you will be able to unblock Netflix US on your Mac, and access all manner of restricted content from around the world.
An excellent VPN for users who want a VPN from an established privacy service provider.
PrivateVPN is the Mac VPN of choice for streaming fans. Thanks to a handy set of features it works with most major streaming services, and it has speeds for streaming HD with ease.
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Pricing
From
$1.89 –
$7.12 -
Also available for
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Linux
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OpenVPN available?
PrivateVPN has a superb reputation among consumers. It is a no-logs VPN with apps for all platforms – including excellent apps for macOS and iOS. The macOS client comes with a kill-switch, port forwarding, obfuscation, a choice of encryption settings for OpenVPN, and DNS leak protection. This makes it perfect for engaging in sensitive online tasks like torrenting. It also makes it ideal for bypassing government restrictions and accessing geo-restricted content privately.
We enjoy using PrivateVPN on all platforms, and the apps are definitely good for beginners. Because PrivateVPN has fast servers in over 60 countries, you can easily use it for streaming HD content. And this VPN can unblock a variety of Netflix catalogs, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and many other popular international streaming services. If you need help, you can rely on this VPN’s live chat support. And, if you own other devices, one subscription is fine, because you can install and use the VPN on up to 6 devices at the same time.
A superb service that you can test yourself using its money-back guarantee.
Which is the fastest Mac VPN on the list?
Many consumers want a VPN that is capable of streaming in HD and video conferencing without lag. Unfortunately, the vast majority of VPNs cut corners by renting inferior servers, which means that they will massively slow down your internet.
In this article, we have only recommended reliable VPNs that invest heavily in their infrastructure. This ensures that our recommended VPNs for MacOS are suitable for gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
Although all of our recommendations are fast, some readers may wonder which is the fastest. To help those consumers, we test VPNs three times a day under scientific conditions. The table below updates automatically to show you our latest results, so you can see which VPN for Mac is quickest in real-time.
Can I use a VPN to improve my internet speeds?
There are very few circumstances in which a VPN will speed up your internet. This is because of how a VPN works. A VPN must encrypt your data and route it via the VPN server on its way to its final destination (the websites and services you choose to use). This extra journey adds some latency, which will inevitably affect your internet speeds.
It is important to always remember that your internet speeds are decided by your ISP and how much you pay them. If your internet speeds are slow, using a fast VPN will result in the same slow speeds. The only time that a VPN can physically speed up your internet is when your ISP is purposefully throttling your bandwidth. (If you believe this is happening, try a VPN to see if it improves your speeds!)
Always bear in mind that unless you pay for fast internet, a VPN cannot provide you with the fastest possible connections available. Click on the link to find out more about the fastest VPNs in the world. To learn more about how a VPN affects your connection speeds, check out our VPN speed test guide.
What can I do with a VPN on Mac?
If you are new to VPNs, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. The privacy that a VPN provides can sometimes seem like an existential benefit, however, it is extremely important if you want to protect your digital footprint. The good news is that other VPN benefits are much more observable (which is why VPNs are so versatile and popular). Below we have listed what a VPN can do:
Want to know more? If you’re new to the world of VPNs and privacy, find all the information you need with our handy guides:
How to set up a VPN on Mac
Once you’ve picked out your favorite Mac VPN from our list, getting it set up is quick and easy.
- Download the VPN for MacOS. The software is available on your VPN’s website once you have subscribed.
- Install the VPN for MacOS and log in with your credentials.
- Select a server from the VPN list and click connect.
As soon as your VPN for MacOS connects to a server, your real IP address is concealed and you can go ahead and access content from that country in privacy.
A note on IKEv2 VPN encryption
IKEv2 is made up of various cryptographic primitives. It primarily leverages IPSec to ensure traffic is secure. Thus it is actually correct to refer to it as IKEv2/IPsec. (If you see a VPN advertising IPSec for Mac it is usually referring to the older IKEv1 standard).
MacOS is designed to support IKEv2 connections within its native VPN client. Custom Mac VPN clients just auto-configure the built-in client. However, they also implement additional security features such as a kill-switch and firewall-based IP leak protection, which are not available in the Mac VPN client by default.
Although most Mac VPN apps support IKEv2 by default (because of the ease of implementation), many also include a full OpenVPN client. Some Mac VPN apps support the outdated PPTP protocol, and L2TP (/IPsec). However, there there is no reason to choose these when IKEv2 is available – because IKEv2 is much more robust and provides excellent speeds.
We are now also beginning to see some VPN apps support the new WireGuard protocol, which many consider the future of VPN encryption. Mac users who like groundbreaking tech may want to try WireGuard instead of IKEv2. However, we recommend sticking to tried and tested protocols (like OpenVPN and IKEv2) if you want proven data security.
But, which is better IKEv2 or OpenVPN?
IKEv2 vs OpenVPN on Mac
Unfortunately, there is no real straightforward answer here. It ultimately depends on what you need and what you are using your VPN for.
OpenVPN is a widely used VPN protocol favored by most non-Apple apps. It is less efficient than IKEv2, so requires more processing power – which usually translates to slower connection speeds.
Although OpenVPN isn’t usually supported by MacOS VPN apps, you can configure OpenVPN with software such as Tunnelblick.
Documents leaked by Edward Snowden, however, strongly suggest that, when implemented well, even the NSA cannot crack OpenVPN. IKEv2 is believed by experts to be cryptographically secure, but then again, most encryption protocols are… until someone proves otherwise.
IKEv2 is a relatively new protocol that was not in widespread use at the time of Snowden’s revelations and is, therefore, not addressed in any of the documents he leaked. So, while it is thought to be secure, it has simply not proved itself in the way OpenVPN has.
One strength of IKEv2 is its ability to re-establish a VPN connection when it is temporarily lost, like when going through a tunnel. It also supports the Mobility and Multi-homing (MOBIKE) protocol, which makes it particularly adept at switching between networks (for example, switching between your WiFi and mobile networks when leaving your home).
VPN extensions for Safari and other browsers
While most VPNs offer extensions for Chrome and Firefox users, it’s rare to find a provider that offers a similar browser extension for Safari. Of the VPNs we’ve highlighted in this guide, only ExpressVPN has plans to roll out a Safari browser extension. However, the timeline for this release has still not been confirmed.
But, before you make your choice based on whether your favorite browser is supported by a VPN, you should consider the implications of using a browser extension instead of using a standalone app.
When using a VPN browser extension, only your activity within the browser is protected. This means any external processes running in the background as still using your real IP address. Because of this, we strongly recommend that when using a VPN you get into the habit of booting up and using the dedicated app before you begin browsing, rather than relying solely on a browser extension.
Top-tip: Get ExpressVPN for Free!
Did you know you can experience ExpressVPN’s fully featured service without limitation… for free!
If you’re finding free VPNs too restrictive, why not test ExpressVPN premium service? Simply purchase a subscription using the button below and take advantage of the no-nonsense money-back-guarantee. Enjoy the service for up to 30-days, and when you cancel, you will receive a complete refund!
VPNs MacOS users should avoid
While there are many VPN providers that are compatible and work with Mac, there are a few that we recommend you avoid outright for the reasons listed below.
Does the Big Sur update effect Mac VPN users?
Big Sur was released on November 14th and has already started causing some concerns over privacy and VPN use. According to initial reports, some of Apple’s native apps can now bypass firewalls and VPNs to send back telemetry data to Apple.
The new firewall and VPN bypassing system allows more than 50 Apple apps to Apple snoop on its users by bypassing user-defined internet routing rules – potentially revealing your IP address. According to reports, it allows the firm to track which applications Mac customers use on their machine.
The GateKeeper program, specifically, is designed to check the certificate of any program running on your Mac and it sends that data back to Apple alongside a timestamp and your IP address. This creates privacy concerns, because it could allow Apple to begin tracking what apps you use, when, and from where.
Can I trust Apple?
Apple claims that it does not intend to use this telemetry to track the programs that Mac owners use. The firm has stated:
Gatekeeper performs online checks to verify if an app contains known malware and whether the developer’s signing certificate is revoked. (…) We have never combined data from these checks with information about Apple users or their devices. We do not use data from these checks to learn what individual users are launching or running on their devices.
Despite these claims, the data collected by Apple is a real concern, and we remain unconvinced.
Can the Big Sur update expose me to malware?
The reality is that the GateKeeper app and the new updates in Big Sur are meant to protect MacOS users against malware. It allows Apple to check the program’s developer ID certificate for authenticity, which should prevent the user from becoming infected with malware.
However, some security experts are warning that the ability to bypass the Firewall installed on MacOS could be exploited by hackers. Thus, anybody that does become infected by malware (and there are many exploits for MacOS nowadays) could potentially end up having their data forwarded to servers controlled by the cybercriminal.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that you can do about this as a user. And the onus will now be on apple to ensure that its systems are not causing vulnerabilities for its users.
FAQs
Conclusion
Now that you have all the information you need to pick a VPN for your Mac, let’s review our top picks:
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ExpressVPN
– The best VPN for Mac. ExpressVPN offers IKEv2 & WireGuard for fast speeds and secure connections, as well as great security features. -
NordVPN
– A great VPN for Mac and iOS devices. If you own more than one Apple product, NordVPN might be an attractive choice for you. -
CyberGhost VPN
– An easy to use Mac VPN. You get IKEv2 support, which is fast and secure, and works just as well on iPhones and iPads as well. -
Private Internet Access
– A secure Mac VPN option. This macOS VPN app keeps no logs, supports WireGuard & is packed with privacy features. -
Surfshark
– A cheap VPN for Mac. From just $2.49 a month this VPN app has excellent features, unblocking power & fast speeds.