5 Best VPN for Mac in 2023 (Free & Premium Services)

In a hurry?
The best VPN for Mac in 2023, as found in our independent testing, is NordVPN!

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Mac devices are known to be less susceptible to malware and viruses, but that is not entirely because they come with an inherent defense mechanism.

Rather, it is primarily because there are fewer Mac devices for the bad actors to target. But that is changing rapidly.

With a market share of approximately 16%, Macs are becoming more and more popular while Windows usage is falling.

This means Mac users now run the same danger of having their online activity and sensitive information compromised as users of any other OS.

Luckily, the days of developers ignoring MacOS in favor of Windows are over.

Nowadays, almost all of the top VPN service providers support the Apple OS, and this is large because the demand for VPNs is increasing by the minute.

Users worldwide have realized that with a good VPN, they can achieve complete anonymity online via encryption of their internet traffic, and it can also assist them in avoiding tracking.

Best VPN for Mac in 2023

For Mac users who still don’t think they require a VPN, it is noteworthy that a VPN offers more than just online security.

Since all of your communication is routed through a different VPN server, it helps you spoof your real IP address to give the impression that you are in a different country.

This is what makes a VPN an ideal solution for getting around restrictions placed on websites and apps by your workplace, government, or school.

It also implies that you can continue watching your preferred TV programs or sports while traveling.

Now, if you are convinced of its usefulness, let us have a look at some of our top picks for the best VPN for Mac:

1. NordVPN – 🏆 Winner!
2. Surfshark
3. Atlas VPN
4. Mullvad
5. Hide.me

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is one of our favorite names that we frequently recommend as the best VPN for Mac devices.

It has all the qualities and features that anyone would require from a VPN and then more.

The service provider is renowned for its massive network of more than 5200 reliable servers dispersed globally to cover 60 different countries.

The large size of its network works in the interest of users in several ways.

Owing to its size, no matter where NordVPN users are located, they can easily find a nearby server to connect to.

The lesser the distance between their device and the VPN server they are connected to, the better their connection speed will be.

Alongside better speeds, this network empowers NordVPN users to get around region locks conveniently.

With this VPN by their side, all Mac users can now enjoy using every app and website that may otherwise have been out of bounds for them.

Unblocking streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Netflix are also a piece of cake.

Moreover, thanks to the handy “Quick connect” feature, which selects the server perfectly suited to your needs, you won’t have to dedicate any time or effort to decide which server to use.

👉 Get NordVPN Here

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Your experience of gaming, streaming, or other data-intensive activities with your Macbook or iMac is further enhanced by the exemplary speeds of the NordLynx VPN protocol.

Although this unique protocol was developed on the foundations of the famous Wireguard technology, it provides consistently faster speeds and much more reliable connections.

A reliable VPN is also expected to boost the online safety of the users of these already secure devices.

NordVPN fulfils those criteria, too, with several advanced features in its security toolkit.

First of all, using strong military-grade encryption protects your online activities from all watchful eyes.

Then it goes one step further to provide you with built-in DNS leak protection and a two-way kill switch to alleviate the chances of accidentally leaking any data.

But these features have now become an industry standard.

NordVPN has risen to be the best VPN in the industry by superseding these standards and providing many other advanced features, including the Double VPN for an added layer of encryption, the Onion over VPN feature for an ultra-private and secure experience, and the Threat Protection feature to keep your Macs protected against all malware and viruses.

Currently, there are two separate NordVPN macOS apps available.

One employs the OpenVPN protocol and can be downloaded from NordVPN’s official website.

This is referred to as its “classic” app.

The other version uses IKEv2, which is not an open source protocol but is generally regarded as a quicker and more secure protocol.

This one is available for download on the Apple App Store. With both options at your disposal, you are free to pick the option that suits you best.

However, NordVPN advises Mac users to download the Mac client from Apple’s App Store for convenience and a safer online experience.

If you have more than one Mac or other compatible device, you should be glad to know that you are allowed o connect up to six devices concurrently with every subscription bought.

2. Surfshark

Since its Mac client has been specially tailored to blend in with the whole macOS user interface, Surfshark is also undeniably a great VPN.

Its looks, however, are not the only reason for Surfshark’s inclusion in our list.

Balancing top-notch performance with affordable pricing, Surfshark offers a greater value than you’d expect for the price.

It provides you with a variety of security options, including the incredibly fast WireGuard protocol and OpenVPN.

AES-256 encryption is employed to ensure that no one can see the websites you’ve been visiting, even if you have connected your MacBook to a public Wifi network.

An integrated kill switch will also safeguard your data in case your connection suddenly fails.

Surfshark offers other features too for added security, such as its Multi-hop feature.

By paying a small additional amount, users can also enjoy using the Surfshark One bundle.

With features like a data breach detector, a strong antivirus, a private search engine, etc., you can secure your Mac devices like never before.

👉 Try Surfshark FREE

Implementing the WireGuard technology, Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs you could use with your Mac devices.

If you have WireGuard selected and aren’t accessing servers very far away, you won’t notice any particular reduction in your internet speed.

Surfshark will not let you down if you’re searching for a strong VPN for streaming. It is a great VPN for users with an obsession with streaming.

It successfully opens international libraries on all the main streaming services, including Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Such remarkable unblocking abilities are the courtesy of a large fleet of 3200 servers dispersed globally across 65 countries.

Surfshark offers several other admirable features too. Our favorite feature is the one that lets you white list specific websites and apps to use without the VPN.

This may be extremely significant for some business applications.

But let’s be honest, the primary reason Surfshark wins over the majority of Mac users is that it offers pricing that is about half that of its competitors while allowing you to protect an unlimited number of devices at once.

3. Atlas VPN

Next up is a service provider that we found to have the best free VPN for Mac, called Atlas VPN.

It provides a fully-loaded macOS version with some great tools for safe and anonymous browsing online.

Although Atlas VPN doesn’t have a large number of servers, its users still encounter no trouble accessing all the major streaming services or torrenting, thanks to a fleet of 750+ servers spread across 37 countries.

Users rarely experience any problems with high-definition content, owing to the quick and secure WireGuard protocol, which provides exceptional speeds.

So, if you are using your MacBook largely for torrenting and streaming, Atlas VPN lives up to all your expectations.

However, broadening your online entertainment options doesn’t skimp on the essential security features.

👉 Get Atlas VPN FREE

Atlas VPN takes solid measures to protect all your online activities and data from any prying eyes.

It utilizes military-grade data encryption, offers a reliable kill switch, and provides protection against DNS leaks.

Moreover, giving tough competition to all the seasoned players of the VPN industry, Atlas VPN offers some rarely found security features, too, such as the Tracker Blocker, data breach monitor, and the highly sought-after SafeSwap.

The Tracker Blocker is useful for protecting your Mac device by blocking away all malware and trackers.

Whereas the SafeSwap is an IP rotation feature to make you virtually untraceable regardless of your online activities.

The cherry on top of it all is Atlas VPN’s free version. That’s right. Atlas VPN comes with a free as well as a paid version.

While the paid version allows access to the entire set of premium features mentioned above, the free version has its limitations.

A very limited number of server locations, relatively slow speeds, and data caps make it insufficient and unsuitable for streamers and gamers.

However, if securing your Mac from cyber threats (while casual browsing) is your only concern, the free version has all the premium security features (hence, known as ‘freemium’) that you require.

Atlas VPN supports an unlimited number of concurrent connections and is compatible with virtually all VPN-enabled devices, including Macs. 

Lastly, even the paid premium Atlas VPN is inexpensive.

4. Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN is another option for users which is simple and affordable. Mullvad is one of the lesser-known VPNs.

Yet, the provider thrives because of their rigid adherence to user privacy. You’ll adore Mullvad if privacy and anonymity are your top priorities.

With a reliable network of 844 servers located across 39 countries, your personal data is admirably protected by the VPN provider.

Mullvad appears to have done everything possible to protect the privacy and anonymity of its users, from not requiring anything to register an account to allow users to pay only with cash.

The company’s reliability and credibility only grow when the open-source applications and audits are taken into consideration.

Additionally, performance and connection speed are really good—among the best.

However, you won’t be able to unblock anything with Mullvad since its apps are rudimentary and lack some of the capabilities offered by most competitors.

So, if you want to watch Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other services, you may want to search elsewhere.

But if privacy and anonymity are your sole concern and you prioritize them over everything else, Mullvad is a fantastic option and worth a try.

5. Hide.me

Hide.me is a secure, quick, and P2P-friendly VPN.

It has a strong security suite and excellent customer service. It comes with both a free and a paid version.

The free edition of the VPN only provides five VPN servers and has a monthly data use cap of 10GB. This is roughly equivalent to ten hours of streaming.

The paid subscription, on the other hand, offers access to a vast server network of 2000 servers spread across 46 countries.

Streamers using Mac devices will love the fact that some of the servers in its network have been configured to work best with US streaming providers.

It can easily unblock Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and many other streaming services.

The free and premium versions both, however, are better than average and will successfully mask your Ip address, reliably encrypt your internet browsing traffic, and safeguard your data when your Mac device is connected to a public Wi-Fi network.

How to Choose the Best VPN for Mac

Naturally, the first thing you should verify before spending money on a new VPN to use with your Mac device is that the software genuinely supports macOS.

But don’t worry, practically all services these days are compatible with Apple devices, including all of those listed above.

Then, think about what your Mac VPN’s primary purposes will be.

If increasing your online privacy is what you desire, you should keep an eye out for strong security measures and a transparent no-logging policy to guarantee your online anonymity.

Are you a huge torrent user?

Make sure the VPN you select permits torrenting on a wide variety of servers.

If you love streaming, make sure the VPN has an excellent history and reputation for unblocking.

Fast connection speeds are equally important. However, the new developments in VPN protocol technology have practically made all VPNs capable of giving rates that are much quicker than the typical domestic internet line.

Choose a company that also offers an excellent client for iPhone if you want to protect all of the Apple devices you own with a single subscription.

Additionally, you might want to think about a provider that permits numerous devices to be connected simultaneously with a single account if you want to utilize your new software to secure the devices of your entire family.

FAQs

In Summary, the best VPNs in 2023 are;

Conclusion

Even though the selection isn’t as large as it is for Windows, there are several excellent VPNs to pick the best VPN Mac service from.

There is something for everyone, regardless of your preferences for privacy, streaming, or finding the best deal.

👉 Get NordVPN’s FREE Trial

Whether you’re using an iMac or a MacBook Air, you must use a reliable VPN service like NordVPN.

This particular VPN service is our top choice because it helps you bypass Internet restrictions and become anonymous whenever you want.

It is an all-rounder VPN with features and performance that outshines the most competition.

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