Even if you think that your Mac is completely immune from online security threats (they're not, by the way, as ZombieLoad recently once again proved), there are loads of reasons why downloading and installing a Mac VPN is becoming an ever more popular thing to do on Apple computers.
Mac users can get somewhat complacent about security, but they shouldn’t – Apple’s desktop computers are being increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, and it never pays to let your guard down. 7 best VPN services for most people 2018 A virtual private network helps to keep your data private and your devices safe and secure - we've reviewed all of the best VPN services so you can be sure.
Whether it's because you're trying to use your Mac to access websites that are blocked by your office, school or ISP (or even your government!) or just want to watch foreign TV shows, getting a Virtual Private Network makes sense.
Best VPN for Mac Simon Migliano Updated November 19, 2018 If you don’t install a VPN on your Mac, you make yourself highly vulnerable to a ton of threats to your online privacy, such as unwanted surveillance from your ISP and even targeted advertising based on your browsing history. A virtual private network, or VPN, is one of the best and simplest ways to take control of your privacy online. We did the tests, and these are the best VPNs for your Mac.
And because Apple’s desktop computers and MacBooks are being increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, it never pays to let your guard down. Getting the best Mac VPN you can is a good option to help give you extra online security.
As well as competent antivirus, folks with a Mac need a quality VPN just as much as anyone on Windows – although not every one of the best-rated VPN options provides a client or satisfactory support for macOS users. However, if you’re stuck as to which provider to go with, help is at hand with TechRadar's dedicated best Mac VPN guide.
Check out our guide to the overall best VPN service of the year
The best Mac VPN 2019
1. ExpressVPN
Number of servers: 3000+ | Server locations: 160 | IP addresses: 30,000 | Maximum devices supported: 3
12 months
$6.67
6 months
$9.99
1 month
$12.95
Easy to use Mac app
Fantastic Mac-dedicated support
Only 3 simultaneous connections
ExpressVPN is our top choice for the best all-round VPN on the Mac. The firm's dedicated app is intuitive and very user-friendly, featuring a one-click option for connecting, as well as some advanced options.
It uses 256-bit encryption over OpenVPN UDP by default and the app comes with a kill switch and split tunnelling functionality.
There’s also a very good iOS app and Safari browser extension, so you get a complete Mac VPN experience. More than that, Express's advanced features (and their in-depth tutorials) are great for Apple users. For instance, if your Mac connects to the internet by a wired connection, you can set it up as a wireless hotspot for your local devices, allowing them to connect via the VPN without having to be set up for ExpressVPN themselves.
ExpressVPN includes fast VPN servers across 94 countries and unlimited bandwidth. That makes for a solid choice for anyone using the VPN for P2P traffic or unblocking content on streaming services like Netflix.
The provider is a tad pricier than most other VPNs, but may be a great fit for those who want the best experience for Mac. ExpressVPN doesn’t come with a free trial, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee for reassurance.
The company offers three price plans, with the 12-month plan offering the best value (you get an extra three months into the bargain). The packages available are:
Get the best Mac VPN 2019: $6.67 per month (with 3 months FREE) You can tell that we really rate Express - it's the VPN we'd choose if we were getting one and it's hard to argue with the provider's 30-day money-back guarantee. And the good news is that TechRadar readers can get a little perk when they sign up, too. ExpressVPN has agreed to give readers three months extra FREE when they sign up for a year.
2. CyberGhost
Number of servers: 3,600+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 7
36 months
$2.75
12 months
$5.99
1 month
$12.99
Clients have plenty of smart features
Torrents are supported
Slow connection from some servers
We found that Mac VPN provider CyberGhost certainly has the smarts to easily back up its claims. Let's start with the basics: more than 3,600 servers spread across 60 countries, no bar on torrents and some really handy live chat support if you ever run into difficulties.
Guaranteed no logs, rigorous encryption and a trigger-happy kill switch for any breaches in security mean it's certainly strong. But it's the added little extras that make CyberGhost stand out from the rest. Wanting to unlock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube or something else? No worries, as CyberGhost will automatically connect you to the server best poised for the purpose. It can also block ads, trackers and malicious websites.
CyberGhost has recently improved its interface - previously one of main gripes with this Mac VPN. Now that only gives us room to moan about the odd bit of clogging, which lead to reduced speeds from servers in the far reaches of the globe. There's still room for improvement on website-based support pages, too - an area where ExpressVPN has everybody else licked.
CyberGhost VPN subscription options:
3. NordVPN
Straightforward and secure
Number of servers: 5400+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 6
36 months
$2.99
12 months
$6.99
1 month
$11.95
Double data encryption
Looooads of servers
When it comes to security, NordVPN does it like no other. Its own ‘Double VPN’ technology encrypts data twice – in other words, it passes your data through two separate VPN servers to make things even more secure – while there are additional security extras such as encrypted chat, web proxy extensions and so on.
NordVPN’s clients for both macOS and iOS are rather basic compared to others, but keeping things simple can be advantageous for novices.
That's not to say that you don't have options...NordVPN gives Mac users more choice than the average provider, with an IVEv2 version of its client available on the App store, and an OpenVPN version available directly from the NordVPN website. And that's not all-- you can also manually set up to use OpenVPN without installing either of the clients.
This provider is also P2P-friendly and has a strict ‘zero logs’ policy. Performance was slightly above average in our testing.
There's a free 7-day trial, and otherwise NordVPN is one of the most affordable VPN options for your Mac. The packages available are:
NordVPN subscription options:
4. IPVanish
Brilliantly balanced Mac VPN
Number of servers: 1300+ | Server locations: 60+ | IP addresses: 40000+ | Maximum devices supported: 10
12 months
$4.87
3 months
$6.75
1 month
$7.50
Fantastic performance
Split-tunnelling function
The Mac app from IPVanish features a nifty design and a few welcome options like a kill switch and automatic IP switching. The US VPN is blazingly fast, and it’ll automatically hook you up to the fastest server available, a nice touch on the convenience front. Not only are download speeds fast with this VPN, it allows P2P.
OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP protocols are supported, and there’s also decent iOS support and a wide coverage of servers, with no logging of the user’s activities.
IPVanish doesn’t have a free trial, sadly, although there is a 7-day money-back guarantee with all three available plans. The 1-year subscription is clearly the best choice in terms of outright value. The packages available are:
IPVanish subscription options:
5. Hotspot Shield
A great option for online privacy
Number of servers: 2,500+ | Server locations: 50+ | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: 5
36 months
$2.99
12 months
$5.99
1 month
$12.99
Low price
Super-easy to use
Logging?
The premium offering from Hotspot Shield is a great mix of price and privacy. The prices start low and we found in our tests that its encryption was strict in ensuring your anonymity online will be protected.
Plus, thanks to its pretty cool sounding Catapult Hyrda protocol, it recorded some of the fastest times of any VPN as well. So if the main reason for installing a VPN on to your Mac is for gaming or streaming, then you shouldn't be dogged with laggy interruptions that some lesser Virtual Private Networks can cause.
And then there's the numbers. For a start, you can connect up to 5 devices simultaneously from one account - so that's your Mac, smartphone (iOS or Android), Smart TV and games console with room for something else on top. Hotspot Shield has access to more than 2,500 servers across 25 countries and offers 24/ 7 support. The 7-day trial and 45-day money back guarantee makes Hotspot even more attractive to try, and these are its current plans in full:
AnchorFree Hotspot Shield subscription options:
How to choose the best Mac VPN
It’s not always easy to find a Mac-friendly VPN. Obviously enough, it’s important to choose a provider that offers a pre-configured client for its service. Having a good Mac client is a huge boon in terms of simply making things as easy as possible. Solid iOS support is also a welcome feature if you’re heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and have an iPhone as well as a Mac.
Next, you need powerful security with strong encryption, which goes without saying, and an easily understandable privacy policy that makes it perfectly clear what data is kept by the provider. Good performance levels obviously don’t hurt, either.
Ready to make the switch from Mac? Check out the best 2-in-1 Windows laptops
Looking for a freebie? Then here's our pick of the best free VPN providers
Get more from your Mac - these are our pick of the best Mac apps in 2019
The best VPN services for Apple Macs
12 months
$6.67
at
36 months
$2.99
at
36 months
$2.75
at
36 months
$2.99
Vpn For Macbook
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55
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Balance of options and ease of use
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Dangers to your Online Privacy
When you browse the web, your traffic has to pass through your ISP’s servers before reaching the website you intended to visit. Wherever your online traffic goes and whichever routes it takes can be monitored by your Internet Service Provider. And it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that this data is often stored and shared with third-parties.
In 2012, the famous whistle-blower, Edward Snowden, leaked confidential CIA and FBI information to the public. It was revealed that both these agencies, as well as countless other intelligence organizations employ secret and illegal ways to hack into user devices and monitor whatever they do online. Some even go so far as to spy through webcam devices and keep their eyes on whatever is happening on your side of the screen.
Spying on web traffic is very common among surveillance agencies. But these agencies aren’t the only ones having fun at the expense of people’s privacy. Marketing agencies are also known to monitor online habits of web surfers so they can extract human behavior that would help them market their products. Through surveillance, they are able to create personalized ads for every user that would help them increase their number of sales.
Why Web Security is Necessary?
This is not all. While online privacy continues to be abused by multiple agencies, our online security is also at a risk. What happens when you go outdoors and connect to a public Wi-Fi network? These networks are mediums through which you can get hacked by a cybercriminal. Even if the network is from a trustworthy source, it’s not difficult for hackers to hack into the network and spy on whatever you’re doing online.
It is also dangerous to click on malicious links while you’re surfing on the web. These links can be found in click-bait forms on the web. They can hit your timeline while you’re shopping online. Or you may receive an email which may contain malicious links so the hacker can hack into your device and steal your private data.
How a VPN Helps?
Considering all these scenarios, it is necessary for you to maintain your online privacy and security. And this can only be done if you plan to buy VPN and start using a VPN service.
A VPN provides you additional security and privacy when you browse online. It provides you encrypted tunneling protocols that secure you from all kinds of external threats.
VPN companies host hundreds of servers, each equipped with the best online security and privacy features. Whenever you connect with a server, your IP address changes from your own location to the one where the VPN server is located. This guarantees additional anonymity while you are surfing online.
The encrypted tunnels that come with a VPN service help you avoid hacking attempts when you are connected to a public Wi-Fi network. VPN servers are also equipped with the right tools so you can avoid malware or spyware if you mistakenly click on a malicious link.
More Benefits of a VPN
Another major use case of a VPN service is that it allows you to stream your favorite content from anywhere. As mentioned above, VPNs have servers in many different locations across the globe. Connecting to any of these servers changes your IP location to that particular place. Because websites use your IP address to determine your physical location, changing your IP address allows you to bypass any online censorships in your country.
It also helps you avoid geo-blockages via the same method. Streaming websites have the habit of restricting access to their service in different countries. This is done to respect geo-licenses that these streaming services purchase from different studios. By changing your IP address, you can appear to be a citizen of another city, and therefore get access to any content available in that location.
Best VPN for Mac 2018
VPN is definitely the best tool for online security, privacy and digital freedom. There are several use-cases of using a VPN. Right now, there are dozens of VPN services available on the web. Not every service is worth buying if you’re looking for a VPN service for your Mac device.
The Best Vpn For China
Mac is already considered one of the most secure devices. Unlike Windows, it is generally difficult to hack inside a Mac device. But when it comes to online security, it becomes a different matter altogether.
To keep yourself self while you’re browsing on your Mac device, you’ll have to subscribe to a good VPN service. Not every VPN service is compatible with Mac. Some don’t even have apps for this Operating Platform. Others do not provide a proper fusion of both online security and digital freedom.
When choosing the best VPN for Mac, we’d always recommend PureVPN. We’ve reviewed this VPN service and can safely state that it is the best that you’ll find for the Mac platform.
PureVPN is renowned for providing users with the best online security and privacy features. The service offers online encryption to protect your web traffic. The service has 2,000+ servers in over 140 countries, making it the largest VPN server networks in the world. This guarantees the best online, freedom that you can get. You can also access popular streaming services like Netflix US, and Hulu with ease. PureVPN provides its users with the fastest VPN speeds so you can avoid buffering whenever you stream anything online.
If you want to subscribe to PureVPN, then now would be the best time to get your subscription. The service is offering the best deals thanks to the Holiday season. The VPN provider is offering a whopping 73% off on its yearly plan. So what are you waiting for? Get your PureVPN plan now and ensure your security and privacy on the web.
Author Bio An experienced content writer and digital evangelist. Patrick J. Burt has been writing for more than 3 years on various writing platforms all across the internet. He is an avid contributor and a part of the entire digital marketing team. Find him on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.