Best VPN for macOS - Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina

Want a reliable VPN for Mac? With a Mac VPN, you can mask your IP address, access regional streaming platforms, prevent surveillance, and gain privacy for your online activities.

Whether you're using the latest version of macOS Sonoma or an earlier version like Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur, it's essential to use a VPN on your Mac. As an Apple user, you probably already prioritize online privacy. But unless you also use a Mac VPN, your data is at risk of hackers and other eavesdroppers as it travels over local networks and the internet.

Using a VPN for macOS is your shield against ISP and government surveillance, ensuring robust online privacy for all your activities – including torrenting. In today's data-driven world, securing your personal information with a VPN is critical. Not only will it prevent your Mac data from being disseminated and sold to data brokers and advertisers, but also prevents websites from tracking your IP address.

A Mac VPN enhances your online freedom, granting you access to region-locked services and the ability to bypass website censorship. This is particularly useful when traveling to countries with restrictions on platforms like Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and VoIP services.

Whether you want to prevent ISP snooping, work remotely securely on public WiFi, bypass government censorship and surveillance, sidestep internet blocks at work, or access regional streaming platforms like Netflix US from abroad – you will need a reliable VPN for Mac.

There are dozens of VPNs available, but they do not all offer reliable apps and service for macOS. In this guide, we tested the market to find the most reliable Mac VPNs. Below, you can see our quick list of the best VPNs for secure browsing on Mac. Keep scrolling for in-depth summaries that provide additional information.

Best VPN for macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and Catalina:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for MacBook. NordVPN is the top VPN for Mac thanks to its blazing-fast Nordlynx protocol, watertight security, and impressive feature set. With diskless servers in 61+ countries, you will enjoy access to region-locked services like Netflix, Facebook, and VoIP apps. Kill switch and split tunneling for secure torrenting. Robust encryption. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: The most affordable Mac VPN. Allows you to connect unlimited devices, making it perfect for families. The Surfshark Mac app includes a kill switch and WireGuard connections. Includes a complimentary Smart DNS service. Works to stream Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, and HBO. Strong encryption.
3. ExpressVPN: Reliable VPN app for iMac and MacBook. ExpressVPN has a secure VPN app for macOS Sonoma and older versions. More than 3,000 servers in 100+ countries. Mac app includes a kill switch, obfuscation, and a strict zero-logs policy. Allows torrenting.  Effortlessly HD streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and more thanks to its Lightway protocol.
4. PrivateVPN: Best Mac VPN for torrenting. Based in Sweden, this VPN runs a proprietary network of services in 63+ countries. Provides obfuscation, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. In-app port forwarding for uTorrent or other popular Mac torrent clients. Excellent value for money and includes 24/7 live chat support.
5. CyberGhost VPN: Best Mac VPN for beginners. The CyberGhost macOS VPN is very easy to use. Strong encryption and a kill switch. Can access international streaming services like Netflix. 
6. Proton VPN: Best Mac VPN for advanced users. An advanced VPN that is packed with features for enhanced security and privacy on macOS. Mac VPN app comes with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, ad blocking, and Secure Core servers.

Summary Table

At BleepingComputer we are committed to recommending VPNs that offer world-class protection for your online activities. Our rigorous testing method focuses on identifying VPN providers capable of safeguarding you against hackers and online surveillance.

Our recommendation process involves thoroughly testing each VPN. We take a deep dive into the reliability of features such as the kill switch, DNS and IP leak prevention, encryption, and the wording of the privacy policy. Our priority is to ensure that these VPNs handle user data securely, and without retaining logs.

As part of our testing methodology, we inspect the VPN's performance to ensure it delivers the speeds Mac users need for activities like HD streaming, video calling, and gaming on your MacBook, iMac, or Power Mac. We test each VPN to check its compatibility with popular services like Netflix US, social media platforms, Twitch, Reddit, and VoIP apps.

If you want to know more about how we test Mac VPNs, scroll down to the methodology section.  For now, here are the main criteria we used to select the best VPNs for macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina.

• A reliable Mac VPN app.
• A global server network that lets you bypass censorship and access regional services.
• Servers that work to watch Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, iPlayer, and others.
• Fast servers and protocols for streaming, gaming, and videoconferencing.
• Reliable protocols with strong AES or ChaCha20 encryption.
• A solid kill switch for secure torrenting.
• Value for money.
• Reliable customer support.
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party.

For more information about the criteria we used, check out the testing methodology section later in this article.

Best VPNs MacBook and iMac: Detailed reviews

All the VPNs recommended in this guide were chosen because they offer high levels of privacy and security for any Macbook or iMac. They all offer fast speeds for engaging in data-intensive tasks like torrenting and streaming, and they include everything you need to prevent data theft and surveillance on your Mac. 

Each VPN is different. Some are cheaper, while others are better for specific online tasks. Read our summaries below to pick the best Mac VPN for all your needs.

NordVPN is our favorite VPN for Macs. The VPN is based in Panama, which is well out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the EU and the US. It has a solid no-logging policy, as well as apps and infrastructure that have been independently audited.

The NordVPN Mac app includes a choice of protocols, strong encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, ad and tracker blocking, Tor over VPN, MultiHop connections, and a free Smart DNS service.

NordVPN’s entire network of diskless servers runs in RAM. This increases security and means that the VPN server retains no data about what you do while connected.

In our latest tests, NordVPN posted an average global download speed of 196 Mbps. It’s quick enough for HD streaming, torrenting, video conferencing, and playing online multiplayer games. Torrenting is permitted throughout its network.

You can install NordVPN on up to six devices. It has apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Firesticks, and VPN-compatible routers. A subscription starts at just $3.49 per month, which makes it fantastic value for money for families who need a VPN for many devices.

NordVPN has servers in 60+ countries and more than 6,000 servers in total. Nord can bypass local network restrictions, government censorship, and location-based content restrictions. It works to watch Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and many other streaming services.

You can get help at any time of day by contacting NordVPN's live chat support.

BEST VPN FOR MAC: Fast, secure, and excellent value for money. The fully featured Mac VPN app comes with diskless servers, a no-logging policy, a kill switch, strong encryption, and the super fast NordLynx protocol. Works with Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and more. 24/7 live chat support and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee to test it yourself.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark is great choice if you want a low-cost VPN for Mac that performs better than VPNs up to four times more expensive. A Surfshark account allows you to install and use the VPN on an unlimited number of devices. This makes it a fantastic option for users who own many devices, or families who need a VPN for every device in the household.

Surfshark makes apps for Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux, and Firestick. Those apps all include superb privacy and security features, including a kill switch, AES encryption, split tunneling, MultiHop, smart DNS, obfuscation, auto-connect, and ad blocking. It boasts a no-logs policy, diskless servers, and independently audited apps.

Servers are available in over 100 countries. They work with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and other popular streaming platforms on your MacBook. Fast WireGuard connections make it a superb option for HD streaming, gaming, and making video calls. Plus, torrenting is permitted throughout its network.

Live chat support is available on Surfshark's website 24/7. The VPN has many useful setup guides and FAQs on its website.

BEST CHEAP MAC VPN: The Surfshark app supports macOS Catalina and later. Super-fast WireGuard protocol for streaming and torrenting. Works with over a dozen Netflix regions. Allows torrenting. No-logs policy and robust encryption. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN is a provider based in the British Virgin Islands; a location that is well-removed from invasive jurisdictions like the US and the UK. The VPN has fully audited apps, network infrastructure, and a no-logs policy. It also runs its entire network on diskless servers that run in RAM. This makes it a highly secure and reliable VPN that can be trusted to provide data privacy and security.

With servers in more than 100 countries, ExpressVPN is one of the finest VPNs for Mac users who want to bypass censorship and region locks. In our tests, the VPN worked to watch more than 20 different Netflix regions, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, and many others. It provides excellent speeds for streaming and torrenting thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol.

The Mac ExpressVPN app has plenty of useful security features, including DNS leak protection, AES encryption, a reliable kill switch, auto-connect, split tunneling, and OpenVPN with native obfuscation. Subscribers get access to apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and VPN-compatible routers. 

You can install and use the VPN on up to eight devices. ExpressVPN is a touch expensive compared to our top recommendations, but it’s a highly reliable VPN with watertight online privacy whether you connect at home, at work, or on public WiFi.

Live chat support is available 24/7 to help get you set up on MacBook, iMac, or Power Mac.

RELIABLE ALL-ROUNDER: ExpressVPN works with OS X El Capitan (10.11) and later. Super-fast Lightway protocol for torrenting, streaming, and VoIP calls. Works with Netflix, iPlayer, and other popular streaming platforms. Works in China. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full review of ExpressVPN.

PrivateVPN is an excellent choice if you regularly use uTorrent, qBittorrent, Transmission, or any other torrent client on your MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac. This Swedish VPN provider was launched with the backing of hacktivists, and it wholeheartedly supports consumer rights to torrent without being monitored by government agencies or other third parties.

This provider is the best VPN for torrenting on Mac because it supports port forwarding in its Mac VPN app. Although a few other VPNs support port forwarding, this feature is becoming quite rare (Mullvad, for example, has removed it), and some competing providers such as Proton VPN only allow port forwarding on Windows. That makes PrivateVPN especially enticing for anybody who seeds torrents on Mac.

The VPN has fantastic apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. You can install those apps on up to 10 devices at once. That said, PrivateVPN represents formidable value for money – starting at just $2.00 per month.

In our tests, PrivateVPN worked to access more than a dozen different Netflix regions, including the US. It also worked to watch Crunchyroll, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, YouTube TV, HBO Max, and iPlayer. One issue is that WireGuard is not yet available natively in the Mac app. If you want to use this protocol, you will need to use the official third-party WireGuard client. 

The main drawback? This VPN is a touch slower than our other recommendations, but it worked without issues for HD streaming. You can ask questions at any time of day using its live chat support, and compare it to any other VPN using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST MAC VPN FOR TORRENTING: PrivateVPN is a reliable VPN with a solid no-logging policy. The VPN runs a self-owned network of servers in 63+ countries. Works to access Netflix and many other streaming services. 24/7 live chat support. Mac app includes a kill switch, port forwarding, and obfuscation. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our full review of PrivateVPN.

CyberGhost VPN is a solid pick for casual Mac users who want a basic VPN that provides solid online privacy, data security, and high levels of online freedom. 

Despite being easy to use and suitable for beginners, CyberGhost packs in solid encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and built-in ad and tracker blocking.

CyberGhost VPN is super-fast for HD streaming, gaming, and streaming thanks to the WireGuard protocol. Although its app doesn't support split tunneling or port forwarding, it does allow peer-to-peer connections for torrenting.

Its Mac VPN app is available for macOS High Sierra and later. CyberGhost also has apps for iOS, Windows, and Android. A single subscription allows you to install and use the VPN on up to seven devices. 

CyberGhost VPN has more than 9,000 servers across 100+ countries worldwide, and it clearly labels streaming servers for each country in its app. This allows you to quickly find a server optimized for streaming Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, and hundreds of other international streaming platforms. 

You can get help at any time of day through Cyberghost’s live chat support.

BEST MAC VPN FOR BEGINNERS: CyberGhost VPN works with a wide range of streaming services and spans more than 100 countries. Strong encryption protects your data against eavesdroppers and hackers. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Proton VPN was developed by the team behind Proton Mail, a reputable private email service. It has servers in 66+ countries that give you plenty of options to bypass censorship and location blocks.

Proton VPN comes with obfuscation, DNS leak protection, split tunneling, Tor over VPN, MultiHop connections, a choice of protocols, and ad blocking. It has a solid no-logs policy and is based in Switzerland; a superb location in terms of privacy thanks to its lack of mandatory data retention.

At first glance, you might assume it's a better option for torrenting on a MacBook because of its port forwarding feature. In reality, however, Mac users have been complaining that port forwarding is only available on Windows. Thus, while it allows torrenting throughout its network – it isn’t quite as good for torrenting on Mac as PrivateVPN.

If you are in the market for a free VPN for Mac, ProtonVPN has you covered with a basic service that lets you connect to servers in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands. It does not skimp on any privacy or security settings and allows you to get privacy and data security no matter where you travel. 

The free plan is much slower than the premium version and does not work with Netflix or other streaming services. A paid account, by contrast, provides access to 300+ Mbps connections and access to multiple Netflix regions, iPlayer, Hulu, and other popular streaming services.

ADVANCED FEATURES: Fast and reliable VPN with rock-solid privacy. No-logs policy and based in Switzerland. Allows 10 simultaneous connections. Limited free plan. Works to watch Netflix on premium only. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

Best VPN for Mac: Our testing methodology

Choosing the right VPN for your Mac can be a daunting task due to the hundreds of competing services available. To help you make an informed decision, we employ a rigorous evaluation process that scrutinizes each Mac-compatible VPN service. 

You can read our full methodology guide to learn more about how we test and recommend VPNs. Below, we summarized what features we looked for when recommending Mac VPNs:

• VPN app for Mac: The VPN must make an app macOS app that’s compatible with most Macbooks, iMacs, and Power Macs.
• Global server network: A wide choice of servers worldwide allows you to get an IP address in various countries, facilitating location changes and bypassing online censorship and geo-restrictions.
• Security: We assess VPNs for essential features such as encryption, a kill switch, obfuscation, split tunneling, port forwarding, MultiHop connections, auto-connect functionality, malware scanning, and ad-blocking capabilities.
• Strict no-logs policy: We only recommend Mac VPNs that take user privacy seriously. All our recommendations adhere to a zero-logs policy. They never monitor your traffic or retain records of the servers you use.
• Censorship circumvention: The VPN prevents surveillance and allows you to use social media, VoIP apps, new websites, and any other important internet services that have been blocked by authoritarian governments.
• Global streaming access: Each Mac VPN seamlessly works with a wide array of popular streaming platforms, ensuring uninterrupted access to your favorite content on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, YouTube, and other services.
• Reliable connection speeds: Sufficient speeds to stream, game, torrent, and video call without lag, buffering, or disruptions. Our recommendations have Tier 1 server networks and fast tunneling protocols like WireGuard to ensure the best possible speeds.
• P2P connections: All of the VPNs in this guide allow you to torrent over their servers, and some have additional features that are good for torrenting such as split tunneling and port forwarding.
• Customer support: All our recommendations provide email and live chat support so that you can ask questions and get help whenever you need it.

In addition to these criteria, our top three selections must use entirely diskless server infrastructure. This guarantees the VPN's ability to uphold its no-logging commitment. It also empowers the VPN provider to instantly erase all data passing through a server in the event of a raid or some other emergency.

Furthermore, our top three choices have successfully undergone comprehensive third-party security audits of their services. This underscores trust in these providers and allows you to use the VPN confident that it is free of any potential vulnerabilities, and with the knowledge that it lives up to its privacy and security promises. 

How do I use a Mac VPN?

Getting a VPN on a Mac computer is easy. We have explained the entire process below to make things as easy as possible.

How to use a Mac VPN:

1. Choose a VPN for Mac: Select a VPN service that suits your needs. We offer various recommendations, but NordVPN is a top choice known for its speed, reliability, and security.
2. Visit the VPN's website and subscribe: Go to the VPN provider's website and choose a subscription plan that fits your requirements. Most VPNs offer flexible subscription lengths, and many provide a risk-free trial period with a money-back guarantee.
3. Subscribe and provide payment: Sign up for the chosen VPN service and provide your payment details. You can use various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, or even Bitcoin for added anonymity.
4. Download and install the VPN app for Mac: Download the VPN software from the provider's website and follow the installation instructions for your Mac computer.
5. Log in to the VPN: Launch the VPN software and log in using the credentials you created during the subscription process.
6. Choose a VPN server from the list and click Connect. As soon as the VPN connects you will gain the benefit of added privacy and accessibility. 

Mac VPNs FAQs

Can I use a free VPN for Mac?

Choosing a free VPN can seem attractive, but the reality is they lack features, have slower servers, and do not work to access many popular services. This can give users the false impression that VPNs aren't useful when in reality premium VPNs are very different.

Although a few secure free VPNs are available online, they only offer a limited free plan to advertise their service. This free version will lack servers, limit downloads, have slower speeds, and purposefully block access to popular services like Netflix. 

Below, we have included some of the main reasons we recommend avoiding free VPNs on your Mac computer:

• Insecure apps: Free VPNs often have insecure apps that don't adequately protect your data. They often have server vulnerabilities, weak encryption, or other application flaws that negatively affect your Mac's security. These apps may include spyware that facilitates data capture and helps to track you around the web.
• Data leaks: Studies have revealed that free VPNs often suffer IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, allowing your ISP, local networks, and government agencies to monitor your online activities.
• Invasive privacy policies: Free VPNs track your online actions, harvest your data for profiling purposes, and sell your information to advertisers and third parties, undermining your privacy and spreading your data further afield.

Why do I need a VPN for Mac?

Although Mac computers are known to be more secure than their Windows counterparts, that trend has changed. The surge in cyberattacks, malware, spyware, and other threats targeting Apple devices has heightened the need for security tools, including antiviruses, password managers, and VPNs.

Even if your Mac is free from malware and functions flawlessly, it doesn't inherently protect your data in transit. Your data could be at risk when it passes over WiFi networks and the internet.

A VPN provides effective protection against surveillance by encrypting your data before it leaves your Mac computer (or any other device that you install a VPN on). This allows you to use the internet without your ISP monitoring you.

A VPN also prevents websites from detecting your home IP address, which removes a significant means of tracking, and provides you with the opportunity to bypass local blocks, censorship, and annoying geo-restrictions.

What are the different versions of macOS?

macOS Version	Version Number
macOS Sonoma	14.2.1
macOS Ventura	13.6.3
macOS Monterey	12.7.2
macOS Big Sur	11.7.10
macOS Catalina	10.15.7
macOS Mojave	10.14.6
macOS High Sierra	10.13.6
macOS Sierra	10.12.6
OS X El Capitan	10.11.6
OS X Yosemite	10.10.5
OS X Mavericks	10.9.5
OS X Mountain Lion	10.8.5
OS X Lion	10.7.5
Mac OS X Snow Leopard	10.6.8
Mac OS X Leopard	10.5.8
Mac OS X Tiger	10.4.11
Mac OS X Panther	10.3.9
Mac OS X Jaguar	10.2.8
Mac OS X Puma	10.1.5
Mac OS X Cheetah	10.0.4

Will a Mac VPN work with older versions of macOS?

Most consumer-facing VPNs support Mac users with versions of Mac OS X 10.15 and above. You should be fine to use any of our recommendations as long as you are using macOS Catalina or later. 

Support for older versions of macOS varies depending on your VPN provider. If you are using an older version of macOS it is definitely worth checking with the VPN’s support to clarify whether it supports your version.

Can I get a VPN extension for Safari?

Although many VPNs offer browser extensions for Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, finding a VPN with an extension for Safari is much rarer. In this guide, just one VPN that has a browser extension for Safari: ExpressVPN. However, ExpressVPN’s Safari extension still requires you to install the native Mac app before you can use it.

The absence of a Safari extension is not a significant drawback. Typically, VPN browser extensions function as proxies, offering a level of security that falls short of the full VPN tunnel. For this reason, we generally recommend sticking to a full Mac VPN client anyway, as this will protect all the data coming and going from your MacBook with reliable encryption.

Can I bypass internet restrictions at work with a MacBook VPN?

Yes. You can bypass workplace blocks using a VPN on any MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, or Power Mac. When you connect to a VPN, your internet traffic is routed through a remote server, which allows you to access blocked websites. The VPN encrypts your data, which prevents your employer from knowing that you are bypassing these blocks.

Do I need a fast VPN for Mac?

Yes. Many VPNs have outdated or badly implemented servers, slow tunneling protocols, or badly designed apps. This makes those VPNs sluggish and causes issues when you try to stream, download, play games, or make video calls.

The VPNs in this guide have been tried and tested for use on Macs. They all have fast servers and their apps use the latest and greatest VPN protocols. You can gain privacy and security while still using the internet at full speed.

Can I watch Netflix US with a VPN for Mac?

Yes. The VPNs in this guide work to watch Netflix and other popular international streaming services on your Mac. When you connect to a VPN, you conceal your IP address from the websites you visit. This allows you to spoof your location and access streaming services on vacation abroad.