The Best VPN Services for Mac Users in 2022
Mac OS users are often forgotten by VPN services. That said in this article we reveal the best VPNs for Mac users in 2021 and why.
Last Update: March 3, 2022
Mac OS users are often forgotten by VPN services. That said in this article we reveal the best VPNs for Mac users in 2021 and why.
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Macs are widely used by content creators due to their well-deserved reputation for being secure and easy to work with. Unfortunately, a long list of security and privacy flaws discovered recently in the Mac operating system suggests that this is not the case.
One method of ensuring your safety while using the Mac operating system is to use a virtual private network (VPN). A good VPN service can also help you gain access to streaming services like Netflix that are otherwise restricted to a specific geographical region.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are not a new concept for Mac users, but many are unaware that they are the best option for their needs.
As with our Best VPNs for Windows and VPNs for Android articles, our goal is to level the playing field for all top VPN providers.
The MacBook Pro running Mac OS X Lion – 10.7 was our test system (the latest version). Unfortunately, there are no out-of-market upgrades for the MacBook.
Compared to Windows, the beauty of using a Mac is that the systems are uniform, making the operating system feel consistent. It also makes it easier to run tests like ours for valuable reviews that you find helpful.
As with everything else, it's critical to start by defining the rules. According to the rule, any VPN that meets the criteria listed below is worth considering or, at the very least, checking out, even if it isn't at the very top. Unfortunately, only a few of the dozens of VPNs we tested passed because all of the following boxes were checked.
Easy to Use:
Because everything is simplified and hassle-free, most Mac users are familiar with the operating system. As a result, it's only natural that the VPN app for Mac is equally straightforward.
Supports Unlocking Popular Streaming Services:
A VPN should do more than just mask your IP address; it should also be capable of granting you access to content that is otherwise geo-locked or blocked. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming services, for example, should be available to Mac users.
Connection Speed:
Streaming will be possible only if the VPN server's resulting connection is fast. The speed of your connection is also important when uploading and downloading files. As a result, the faster you get there, the better! However, many, if not all, VPNs throttle internet speeds depending on the server you choose. Premium VPNs, on the other hand, have significantly lower throttling.
Supports P2P File Sharing Protocols:
P2P, or peer-to-peer, is a file-sharing system that allows users to download and upload files through the use of Torrent and other protocols.
Has a Large Number of Servers:
The more servers there are, the better. After all, the more servers you have, the more likely it is that you will connect to one that is not overloaded.
No-Logging Policy:
A high-quality VPN should not keep logs. Logs can be easily traced back to the user, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN service in the first place. As a result, we strongly recommend VPNs with strict no-logging policies.
Advanced Features:
Advanced features enable tech-savvy users to customize the settings of the VPN app. Mac users, for example, may want to enable double encryption when visiting an unsecured website.
Encryption:
All data sent to and received from the VPN server is encrypted, rendering it unreadable. Man-in-the-middle attacks have been known to target Mac users, so encryption is strongly advised.
Competitively Priced:
Despite the fact that Mac users come from a higher socioeconomic class, competitive pricing is still a selling point.
According to our research, ExpressVPN is the best or best overall VPN for Mac OS. We did not, however, reach this conclusion solely on the basis of their well-designed user interface. ExpressVPN's dedicated Mac VPN app is simple to use, with a one-click connection option and a number of advanced features.
There is also 256-bit encryption over OpenVPN UDP, which is widely regarded as the best encryption type for VPN services. It also includes the kill switch feature and split tunneling pre-configured.
ExpressVPN has a Safari browser extension as well as a well-designed standalone Mac app, demonstrating the company's dedication to the platform. We also like that, when compared to the competition, the speed is excellent and that customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Connecting to servers in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and India was used to test ExpressVPN. Our speeds remained generally good, with slowdowns ranging from 4% to 10%.
This is the best VPN for P2P users because of its excellent P2P support, and it has successfully blocked streaming content on Netflix and BBC iPlayer. The kill switch function also effectively prevented data leakage. The only drawback is the price, as ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than some of the other VPNs we tested for this review.
NordVPN is one of the safest VPNs for Mac users, and it also supports streaming. This is mainly due to its proprietary Double VPN technology, which encrypts data twice. In other words, your data is encrypted twice before passing through two different servers.
Web proxy extensions, a kill switch, and encrypted chat are among the additional security features available to Mac VPN users, as is the ability to turn the kill switch on and off.
Another great feature, at least in our experience, is that you can use the Mac OS app on both iOS and macOS with a single subscription.
However, the only disadvantage is that Nord's Mac app is, at best basic. Sure, it's P2P friendly and has a no-logs policy, but it lacks some of the more advanced features found in the other competitors we evaluated.
The one thing that set CyberGhost apart from the rest of the top VPNs during our testing for this review was its functionality. CyberGhost has many more features than the competition, including 3000 servers in over 94 countries, no torrent restrictions, a kill switch feature that you can activate, and live chat support.
In addition, CyberGhost guarantees that no logs are kept; they also provide excellent encryption and a kill switch, among other features. While in the United States, we were able to unblock Netflix in the United Kingdom successfully.
The same is true for Hulu and iPlayer streaming. Furthermore, users of the Mac app do not need to be networking experts because the app automatically connects them to the best server. It also blocks malicious websites, ads, and trackers automatically.
The only criticism of CyberGhost VPN's Mac app is that the interface is a little confusing. As a result, getting used to it may take some time. However, if you're looking for features in a VPN provider, CyberGhost VPN is an excellent choice.
PIA, or Private Internet Access, is one of our top VPN recommendations. It stands out from the crowd in part due to its cost. However, at $9.99 per month for the monthly subscription, it isn't as cheap as the others we've reviewed.
However, no competitor comes close to matching PIA's monthly, annual, and 2-year pricing when checking all the boxes we mentioned earlier at the lowest possible price. In addition, it includes double encryption and a kill switch, putting it on par with industry leaders.
Getting a long-term subscription makes sense because you'll save money this way. However, the initial monthly subscription is necessary because it allows Mac app users to feel how the VPN works before committing to a long-term plan that saves them money for upwards of $40.
The only disadvantage of using PIA on the Mac is that the user interface isn't intuitive. Furthermore, some servers are slower than others, making it a mixed bag to use.
Moreover, streaming can be hit-or-miss. But, apart from that, we have no complaints about the service or the app in general.
Now that we've talked about the best VPN, it's time to talk about the worst one. In our experience, Hotspot Shield is one of the most popular, or should we say notorious, VPNs that any Mac app user can use.
Unfortunately, unlike top VPNs that do not, many reputable websites recommend or at the very least give the service a clean chit when they blatantly collect and sell user data. Ads support the free Mac app, just like they support other free things in life.
However, while their so-called Elite Plan is mostly ad-free, it still collects data from users. Privacy advocates took the company to the FTC because of this. It was recently discovered that the company not only collects user data, but also intercepts traffic.
Furthermore, they inject JavaScript and redirect users' web pages to related domains. However, aside from the above, the service is missing features like a kill switch and many others that have become industry standards.
Even if HotSpot Shield claims not to sell your data or log sessions, it has been proven that they do. You'll be met with mediocre speeds and a godawful user interface if you get past the controversy and use the service anyway.
This VPN provider will charge Mac VPN users for exposing their computers to adware, hackers, interception, and redirects, which are all reasons why people use a VPN in the first place. So if you value your wallet, sanity, privacy, or security, stay away from this one.
As VPNs gain popularity, so does the number of VPN providers. Whether you use a Mac, Windows, Linux, or another OS, you can choose a VPN. Some VPN providers have managed to stand out due to their superior service. Let's look at two of the best VPNs for Macs available today. NordVPN is a popular choice among Mac users.
NordVPN protects users' data with military-grade encryption and multiple VPN protocols. NordVPN has over 5,000 servers in over 59 countries, allowing you to avoid server congestion. NordVPN has an above-average performance.
One-click unblocking of 400 streaming services and diskless RAM servers for superior speed are some of the other features offered by this VPN provider. ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for Mac.
ExpressVPN is the way to go for fast VPN servers in the US. Access geo-blocked content and bypass censorship restrictions with this company are over 3000 servers, advanced encryption, multiple VPN protocols, and other security features.
ExpressVPN works with all Mac OS versions, so you don't need to worry about updating. There's also advanced IP and DNS leak protection, zero logging, and P2P support.
The best part is that there are no annoying ads. Both VPNs promise fast internet without ads. They also allow you to connect your laptop, smartphone, and other devices simultaneously.
Following the pandemic, many companies are encouraging their employees to work remotely. However, regardless of which app or website you’re using to connect to your workstation remotely, it is advisable to use a VPN connection.
Using a VPN on Mac, Microsoft, or any other operating system, provides high-level security, so your confidential files and sensitive information aren’t accessed by any unauthorized third parties. When choosing a VPN for working remotely, the main things to look out for are security and connection speed.
All the VPNs we’ve looked at above fit these criteria. However, the best options are NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
We’ve talked extensively about the security features of these VPNs. But, to recap briefly, you get military-grade encryption, multiple VPN protocols (including advanced options), ad and malware blocker, zero logging, IP and DNS leak protection, kill switch, and so much more.
In addition, NordVPN and ExpressVPN come with a massive network of servers, so you can get a good connection no matter where you are or which location you want to connect to.
Another advantage of these VPNs is speed. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two of the fastest VPN available today. Test results may vary depending on the server location and VPN protocol that you choose.
However, in our tests, NordVPN posted an average speed of 401Mbps, and ExpressVPN posted an average speed of 250Mbps. These speeds should suffice even if you depend on heavy traffic for your work.
Many people believe that antivirus software is not required on Macs, but this is not the case with VPNs. There are numerous benefits to using a VPN with a MacBook. A VPN protects your online identity and activities by routing your data through an encrypted tunnel and changing your IP address.
This ensures your online anonymity. In addition, there are numerous other advantages to using a VPN on your Apple Mac computer, including the ability to access blocked websites and stream content from around the world.
One of the primary functions of a VPN is to mask your IP address and internet traffic. A VPN prevents your internet service provider (ISP) and other third parties from tracking your online activity by masking your digital fingerprints.
As a result, any attempt to throttle your internet connection will fail, and you will be safe from hackers and the government.
Premium VPNs with many server locations allow you to watch TV shows, movies, and listen to music that isn't available in your country. Finally, when using public Wi-Fi or any other untrusted network, a VPN ensures your safety, allowing you to bank and shop online more safely.
Great and free VPN software is complicated to come by, but it does exist. In general, security experts advise paying for a VPN service rather than using a free one. There are various reasons for this, including that some free VPN providers have limitations or functionality.
You may, for example, have a limited number of servers to choose from and a bandwidth limit. Although this may not be explicitly stated in their privacy policy, some free VPN companies sell users' personal information (such as IP addresses) to companies for profit.
With that said, if you're on a budget and only need a VPN for a short time, you'll be pleased to learn that many premium VPN providers offer a free trial period. The free trial period can last anywhere from 24 hours to 14 days.
If you don't want to sign up for a free trial, some VPN providers have a money-back guarantee window where you can get a refund if you cancel the service within a specific time frame. Besides, almost all of the VPNs we've looked at so far are very inexpensive.
You can pay as little as $2.5 per month. We recommend signing up for one-year or two-year plans to get the best deal. You can afford to use the best VPN software for Mac, regardless of your budget.
After you've decided on a VPN for Macbook Pro, all that's left is to set it up and start taking advantage of its many benefits and features. The first step is to set up your VPN on your computer or mobile device.
The software is available on the company's website or in the App Store. After setting up the Mac VPN client, you must enter the configuration settings in Network options (VPN) to connect to the virtual private network.
The VPN server location, account name, and any authentication parameters, such as a password or a certificate obtained from the network administrator, are all included in these settings. There are two ways to set up this configuration on your Mac client.
First, you can import a VPN settings file sent to you by your network administrator to set up your connection. You can also manually enter the settings if you prefer.
To import, follow this guide:
To manually input the settings, follow this guide:
If you are experiencing any issues setting up your VPN on a Mac device or connecting to the internet, get in touch with your VPN provider’s customer support team.
We tested dozens of VPN providers on our Macs to find the best VPN. Regrettably, not all, if not the majority, Mac VPNs are secure. We selected five apps and VPNs based on their speed, ease of use, features, privacy, and security.
These apps are ranked and eliminated based on their utility! Simply put, ExpressVPN is the best VPN service on the market today. NordVPN and CyberGhost are the second and third options.
Despite having a more comprehensive feature set than CyberGhost, NordVPN offers excellent security and privacy features that Mac VPN users will appreciate.
We like that both items are reasonably priced. More information and pros and cons for each service can be found in our top 5 best VPN lists above.
We've reviewed the best VPN services if you're looking for a specific VPN. At the very least, assist you in determining which service best meets your needs and budget.
