Best VPN for Mac: Here’s Our Top 5 in 2026

While macOS is more secure than its Windows counterpart, you can’t fully rely on its security measures, which is where the best VPN for Mac comes in. Once you venture online, security is quickly compromised, and you’re left at the mercy of your ISP, hackers, and snoopers. As said, the best VPN for Mac is of great help.

With its ability to encrypt your connection and hide your IP, you can browse the internet anonymously. Moreover, a VPN for Mac is great for bypassing online geo-blocks. It provides you with limitless streaming and lets you get the most out of the internet. This all sounds great, but not every provider is this good.

Our top five best Mac VPN services in 2026 are: pay close attention.

Best VPN for macOS – The Top 5 Choices Reviewed

Before we move on to the list, we’ll clarify that today’s choices will be premium. We won’t discuss the best free VPN for Mac. Because of their limits, they won’t provide the best experience, and we suggest avoiding them. However, the providers we’ll give you are really affordable for pretty much anyone.

So, for a few dollars a month, you can get the best VPN for Mac in 2026 that includes:

1. NordVPN

Our favorite Mac VPN in 2026 is NordVPN, for many reasons. The VPN is easy to use on macOS, with a beautiful-looking application. Its world map lets you connect to a specific server quickly, while its server list resides on the left-hand side for easier access.

Speaking of which, NordVPN packs 8,800+ servers in 130 countries, with dedicated servers. You get Double VPN servers to solidify your encryption, and obfuscated servers, which makes it an excellent VPN to bypass Chinese censorship. Its Onion Over VPN servers are noteworthy for their use with the Tor Browser.

NordVPN secures your connection with 256-bit encryption. It also uses a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and malware protection. NordLynx, a proprietary protocol, makes NordVPN blazing-fast, offering stronger security and more stable connections. Mac users will like its certified no-logs policy, which provides ironclad privacy.

NordVPN works with Netflix US and other popular streamers, highlighting its craftsmanship. Plus, it allows 10 simultaneous connections, along with 24/7 live chat support. This VPN doesn’t have any noticeable downsides. You may occasionally experience longer connection times, but that’s extremely rare.

On the good side, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, but we suggest its biennial plans for the best savings. This highly rated VPN for Mac shows its true power in its Plus plan, at about $3.89 per month, with all the security and privacy extras. Get it risk-free and save big through the button below.

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2. ExpressVPN

If you need a reliable VPN for macOS in 2026, ExpressVPN is here. This VPN has the easiest-to-use app for Mac that the most hardcore beginners will love, thanks to its minimalistic design. It also has 3,000 servers in 105 countries. ExpressVPN is known for the fastest speeds as well, but not as much as its privacy and security.

Mac users can enjoy 256-bit AES encryption, a reliable kill switch, and IPv6 leak protection. Moreover, ExpressVPN lets you use split tunneling and its Lightway  Turbo protocol, which delivers much faster speeds and rock-solid security. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, the most privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

It also has a no-logging policy verified by top-level security auditors, which is no surprise. Apart from its security, macOS users can enjoy streaming; this is one of the best choices on the list. It works with at least 15 Netflix libraries and lets you unblock BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Disney+, and Hotstar if you want.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN supports all platforms, so you aren’t locked to your Mac computer. While 10 to 14 simultaneous connections aren’t anything to write home about, you’ll surely appreciate its round-the-clock 24/7 live chat support. Love discounts? Take advantage of the latest promotions at ExpressVPN and save today!

Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN has no noticeable downsides. After all, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so you can test it out risk-free and get its cheapest deal through the button below. We advise the Basic plan at 73% off with four free months if you want to pay the least for this outstanding macOS VPN.

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3. CyberGhost

A much more affordable Mac VPN in 2026 is CyberGhost. Unsurprisingly, it’s among the best VPNs for macOS due to its good-looking app relatively easy to use once you get used to it. Despite being among the cheapest providers on this list, it packs 12,000+ servers in 100 countries.

CyberGhost isn’t faster than NordVPN, but saying that its performance is bad would be a complete lie. This VPN has bank-grade encryption with DNS leak protection, an ad-blocker, and a kill switch. WireGuard support is here, but if you want, you can use OpenVPN as your main protocol.

Since the VPN is based in Romania, privacy is pretty much guaranteed. CyberGhost stores no logs, and its privacy-friendly jurisdiction will never force it to do so. This is proven by its transparency reports published every three months anda recent audit from Deloitte, which makes CyberGhost trustworthy.

One of its highlights is streaming servers for unblocking various platforms. CyberGhost works with Netflix and BBC iPlayer, letting you unblock other restricted platforms and TV channels in the process. With that, you’ll enjoy smooth Full HD streaming with no excessive buffering. For this reason, it is a good VPN for travel.

You can use it on seven devices simultaneously and install it on all major devices. It’s also one of the best VPNs for Apple TV.  It offers pretty much the lowest prices on the market, and a 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans. If you’re interested, you can test it out for 45 days and claim its cheapest deal below.

Get CyberGhost for macOS

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4. Proton VPN

If safety and security are your priorities, Proton VPN is one of the top VPNs for Mac in 2026. We must praise its Mac app that looks and functions phenomenally. It’s also feature-rich and offers easy access to its functionalities. You’ll agree that its server fleet of 16,900+ servers in 125+ countries is impressive.

However, Proton VPN’s forte lies in rock-solid encryption that protects your connection from prying eyes. Furthermore, the VPN offers a surprisingly decent kill switch that will prevent your IP and DNS from leaking. An ad-blocker (NetShield) is here, and you can enjoy its WireGuard/OpenVPN support.

Proton VPN offers Secure Core servers for routing your traffic through multiple servers for added encryption. Being in Switzerland, Proton VPN is under strict Swiss privacy laws. As a result, it has a no-logging policy verified by SEC Consult, proving that Proton VPN is a true no-logs provider, akin to others.

In its paid plans, it works with Netflix, offering a decent Full HD streaming experience. The same goes for P2P, which works like a charm. Proton VPN also offers a free plan with unlimited data. It’s a bit limited overall, especially if you want 10 concurrent connections, which you can get in the paid plan.

Proton VPN has cut down its prices so much in the last few years. You can capitalize on this through the button below. Click it, unlock the discount, and test Proton VPN for 30 days risk-free today.

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5. Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the top-rated VPNs for Mac in 2026, given its easy-to-use app for Mac that works flawlessly. On top of that, you can switch from a dark and light theme to further customize its look and feel. Should you get it, you’ll be able to enjoy 4,500 servers in 100 countries that offer solid speeds.

Similar to others, it’s based in a privacy-friendly country: the Netherlands. As a result, it has an audited no-logs policy, only the tip of the iceberg. Underneath, Surfshark offers 256-bit encryption, a reliable kill switch, and a CleanWeb ad-blocker. We especially like its WireGuard support on macOS,

If you get the Surfshark One plan, you can even add an antivirus for your Mac. MultiHop servers are here as standard, routing your traffic through multiple servers for added security. You’ll also love that this VPN is capable of streaming. It unblocks over 30 Netflix libraries effortlessly.

Despite its affordable price, Surfshark offers carefully crafted apps for all platforms. The highlight of Surfshark is the unlimited number of simultaneous connections. Not to mention its premium 24/7 live chat support that works day and night and fixes any potential issues in no time.

This is officially the cheapest Mac VPN, with the starter plan at $1.99 per month. We advise the Surfshark One plan, which costs marginally more but provides advanced security tools essential for top-to-bottom online safety. Let’s not forget the 30-day refund policy that we mentioned a million times now.

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How Did We Choose the Best Mac VPNs?

Our list of the five best-rated Mac VPNs wasn’t randomly generated. 01net’s team of experts tested each carefully, and through the process, we used several criteria that include:

• Mac support. All VPNs work on macOS, no matter the system version you’re on. Their optimization is top-notch, and all will work on any other system as well.
• Privacy and security. None of the VPNs store logs, making you private amidst government and ISP surveillance. Their security features are ubiquitous, and Mac VPN users will enjoy a kill switch, Private DNS, IP leak protection, and modern protocols.
• Streaming. We know macOS users love watching Netflix and Hulu, and many other platforms. Our VPNs can unblock geo-restricted content in a split second. Connect to a corresponding server and start watching.
• Affordability. Have you noticed how cheap our VPNs are? That’s because they offer special discounts through our site that will lower their prices significantly. CyberGhost, one of the most attractive VPNs, costs just below $2.20 a month.
• Ease of use. We all want easy-to-use VPNs, and our team knew that from the get-go. That’s why we included VPNs with one-click apps that provide privacy from the moment you connect. Their simultaneous connections go from 10 to unlimited for added convenience.

Why You Should Use the Best VPN for Mac?

A Virtual Private Network offers many benefits to a user, regardless of the platform. But if you’re using a Mac computer, how can you utilize the best VPN for Mac in 2026? Well, here are some of our favorite use cases:

Staying Safe & Secure Online

The first and most important thing about a VPN for macOS is security. This tool will encrypt your connection, change your original IP, and make your online activities invisible to your ISP, authorities, and hackers. As a result, you can browse the web anonymously and do whatever you want online, with no limits.

Remember that your ISP monitors your activities all the time, and with your IP address exposed, it can always see precisely what you’re doing. These privacy-intrusive practices are not pleasant once you discover them. Thankfully, with our VPN services for Mac, you can avoid them by connecting to one of many servers.

Enjoying Unlimited Streaming

By connecting to some servers, you can also enjoy unlimited streaming on your MacBook. Geo-restrictions are common online, and they prevent you from accessing content based on your geographical location. This is the case with Netflix. It offers different libraries in different countries, so not all users get the same experience.

Usually, the best catalogs are Netflix US, Japan, and Canada. If you use the best macOS VPN, you can get an IP address from any of these countries, and you can access these libraries wherever you’re located legally. Users can use a VPN to watch BBC outside the UK, Hotstar outside of India, and so on.

The same applies to foreign TV channels that are easily accessible through a VPN, despite the geo-restrictions that you would usually encounter. This allows, for example, to watch MotoGP on a free TV channel.

Saving Money on Online Purchases

Online purchases make the process of getting digital and physical goods easier. Sometimes, you can save a lot of money, and sometimes, everything’s so expensive. How can a VPN for Mac help you in this case? You first must know that the prices of flight tickets, services, and other goods usually depend on your location.

If we take flight tickets, they cost more in more developed countries and way less in less developed countries. In that case, you can get an IP address from a less-developed country and buy the same flight ticket at a significantly lower price. We tested this out and managed to save a couple of hundred dollars.

Bypassing Censorship

If you live in China, Russia, Iran, or Turkey, you’ll find it hard to access your favorite websites. China is the most notorious censored country where you can’t access Instagram, Facebook, Google, and many other popular sites. Many VPN providers also won’t work, making it increasingly difficult to enjoy the internet.

While not all providers will work in China, you can use NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark to bypass censorship successfully. By doing so, you can unblock all blocked websites. This applies not only to Mac users but also to users on other supported platforms that our top five macOS VPNs support.

Protecting Your Privacy on Public WiFi

If you’re carrying around your MacBook and you’re often visiting cafes, restaurants, and hotels, a VPN for Mac is a welcome addition. Public WiFi hotspots aren’t safe and secure, and with no encryption, hackers can intercept your connection and steal your sensitive data. A VPN and its encryption will save you.

Once your IP is hidden and replaced with a new IP from the VPN, you’re anonymous online. This means hackers can’t track your activities or see what you do online, which boosts your privacy even more. Next time you’re connecting to a public WiFi hotspot, make sure you enable a VPN – better safe than sorry!

How to Use a Mac VPN Application – Tutorial

Already made up your choice? In that case, you’re probably wondering how to use the best VPN for Mac in 2026. Don’t fret. It’s very easy, and the whole setup lasts no more than five minutes.

1. Purchasing a Subscription

Once you’ve decided on which VPN you want, you need to use one of the buttons above to get the cheapest deal. For this example, we’ll use NordVPN, but the same process applies to all other VPNs on the list.

We recommend going for the biennial Basic plan on NordVPN to save the most. Once you purchase a subscription, NordVPN sends you an email that you need to set up a password and activate your account.

Get NordVPN’s Subscription

2. Downloading and Installing a VPN

Once you complete this step, you can download the application from NordVPN’s website. Logically, you’ll choose the app for Mac, and after a few seconds, the setup file will be downloaded to your computer. Open the setup file and follow the instructions to install NordVPN.

This takes circa 10 to 20 seconds, so you’ll be done pretty quickly, and you don’t have to be tech-savvy. With two or three clicks of a mouse, the setup will start and end before you blink. After the installation, you can open NordVPN and sign in with the email and password you used when activating your account in Step 1.

3. Using a VPN

And from here, it’s a smooth sail. You can use the Quick Connect feature to connect to the fastest server. Or, you can click on the server location you want on the left-hand side and establish a connection to the VPN server. When the connection is established, you’ll get a notification with the word Connected on the screen.

Conclusion

Despite macOS’ security measures, venturing online is still not safe enough. However, with all the best VPNs for Mac in 2026 we presented, you don’t need to worry. Our choices provide much-needed security at a fairly affordable price. On top of that, our favorite macOS VPN apps let you bypass geo-restrictions anywhere.

With thousands of servers and their no-logs policies, these are the absolute best options for Mac. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee that all providers have, you can test them out without losing any money. So what are you waiting for? Get your subscription today and enjoy a whole new world of safe and secure internet!

Try NordVPN Risk-Free Today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does macOS have a built-in VPN?

No, macOS doesn’t have a built-in VPN. How come? Well, if you take a look at the Settings menu, you will find the option called VPN. Here, you’ll see that Mac has two protocols – IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec. You can turn them on or off to get additional protection. However, this is by no means a full-fledged VPN.

You don’t connect to a VPN server or change your IP address. Also, turning on any of these protocols won’t help you bypass geo-restrictions, avoid censorship, or anything else. For that reason, it’s important to be aware that Mac computers do NOT offer VPN functionality out of the box.

You still need a third-party VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN to achieve the results we described.

What is the best free VPN for Mac?

The best free VPN for Mac is NordVPN. If you think that NordVPN cannot be free, just think about its 30-day money-back guarantee for a second. Should you take advantage of it, you can use NordVPN for 30 days straight and get your money back. Find more information on how to test NordVPN for free here.

You can apply this trick to ExpressVPN or CyberGhost if you want a 45-day testing period. We don’t recommend 100% free Mac VPN services. They offer limited data, very slow speeds, and weak security. Providers like Hola VPN and Betternet even store and sell your personal info to third parties, violating your privacy.

Not only are the free VPNs inferior to paid ones, but they’re also dangerous to use. Just think about it – for less than $2 per month, you can get some of the best VPNs for Mac and get more compared to free providers.

Do I really need a Mac VPN?

Now that you know that Macs don’t have a VPN built in, you probably need one. My opinion is that all online users need a Virtual Private Network to secure their connection. Given their affordability these days, getting a subscription shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of people.

However, it’s up to you to decide whether you really need it. If you care about security, you often watch Netflix, and want to save money on online purchases, a VPN for Mac will be useful. Remember that you can use it on other devices too, so don’t hesitate to test them and take advantage.

Is Mac safer than Windows?

Yes, it’s safer than Windows and less prone to viruses and malware thanks to built-in security measures. However, it doesn’t matter much once you go online. When talking about geo-blocks, tracking, DDoS attacks, and other dangers online, there’s virtually no difference. Both platforms will benefit from a VPN.

It’s a great tool for ensuring online privacy and avoiding annoyances like hacker attacks, geo-restrictions, ISP throttling, and others. In other words, you need a VPN for macOS as much as you need it for Windows!