Servers and Locations
When it comes to VPN servers, the general rule is the more the merrier. A large number of servers gives you more options to find a fast, stable connection and maintain high speeds. Many top VPNs for Mac have thousands of servers in 100 or more countries.
The Mac VPN provider itself should be located in a privacy-friendly region that allows no-logs policies. Avoid brands that are based in countries that require VPNs to keep records of user activity.
SurfShark Official
Robust Security and Privacy Features
Of course, a leading VPN for Mac should have strong and reliable security and privacy features. Look for AES-256 encryption, the top-tier encryption used by the government and military. Another important feature is a no-logs policy, which means that the VPN provider does not keep records of your browsing history, IP, or other Internet activity.
Other valuable security features include kill switch, which shuts down internet access if you lose your VPN connection, and enhanced privacy features such as RAM-only servers, ad-blockers, and multihop connections.
Device Compatibility and Capacity
Even if you are looking for the best VPN for Mac, consider the other types of devices you have. A VPN for Mac should be compatible with the devices in your household. Most VPN brands work with Windows and Linux and offer Apple and Android apps.
Also check how many devices you can connect to a single VPN account. Depending on the VPN brand, multiple device capacity ranges from less than 10 devices to unlimited devices.
Surfshark and NordVPN: Our Picks for Best VPNs for Mac
We have researched and reviewed many leading VPN brands. In our opinion, Surfshark VPN and NordVPN are top VPNs for Mac. We will now share why Surfshark and Nord are our picks for your search for the best Mac VPNs.
Top-Tier Security and Privacy Features
The best VPNs for Mac should offer top-of-the line protection. Below we compare security and privacy features of NordVPN and Surfshark VPN.
Large Number of Server Locations
Both VPN brands offer Mac users a large number of server locations. Surfshark has more than 3000 servers in more than 100 countries in most continents and regions. Nord offers an impressive 6000 servers in 61 countries.
Surfshark VPN is based in the Netherlands, and Nord VPN is based in Panama. Both locations are privacy-friendly and do not require VPN providers to store user data.
Encryption and VPN Protocols
We’re impressed with the encryption algorithms and VPN protocols used by Surfshark and Nord VPNs. Both providers use industry-standard AES-256 encryption, as well as the reliable OpenVPN protocol.
Nord users can opt for NordLynx, which ensures high-speed connection and is based on the top-notch WireGuard® protocol. Nord and Surfshark both offer the IKEv2 protocol, which can rapidly switch networks and is ideal for mobile devices.
No-Logs Policy and RAM-Only Servers
When browsing the internet on your Mac, you can rest easy knowing that NordVPN and Surfshark VPN both maintain no-logs policies. Neither provider keeps records of user browsing activity, IP location, or other online data. Even better, independent third parties have verified the no-logs policies of Nord and Surfshark.
Both Surfshark and Nord use RAM-only servers, which remove data from the Mac hard drive every time you reboot.
Kill Switch
If your VPN connection is disrupted, you don’t want your internet activity to become vulnerable. Fortunately, Surfshark and Nord both offer a kill switch feature that automatically shuts down your internet access if you lose your Mac VPN connection.
Split Tunneling
You may not want to send all internet traffic through your Mac VPN. Split tunneling is a feature that lets you choose which activity to send through the VPN and which to send directly to the internet. For example, your browsing and online banking could go through the VPN while your Wi-Fi printer bypasses the VPN. By reducing VPN tunnel traffic, this feature helps maintain faster speed.
Surfshark VPN offers a split tunneling feature called VPN Tunnel Bypasser, which is available for Mac. Unfortunately, NordVPN only offers split tunneling for Windows and Android devices at this time, but not for Mac.
Double VPN or Multihop
Both Nord and Surfshark offer an extra layer of protection with double VPN or multihop features. By sending internet traffic through servers and encrypting your data twice, this feature makes it even more difficult for prying eyes to track your activity. Surfshark’s Dynamic Multihop feature goes a step further and lets you choose the two server locations.
Private DNS
A private DNS further encrypts your data by sending it through a VPN provider’s DNS instead of your IP’s DNS. Surfshark and Nord both offer this feature, which is available for Mac.
Surfshark Smart DNS
Maybe you’re a Mac user who wants to stream movies on your TV, but your TV doesn’t support Surfshark VPN. To get around this issue, Surfshark’s Smart DNS changes your DNS to match Surfshark’s servers. Since the Smart DNS servers are only based in the US, not all VPN security features are available.
NordVPN Meshnet
NordVPN’s free Meshnet feature provides an encrypted network that lets you connect up to 60 devices. Powered by NordLynx — NordVPN’s version of WireGuard® — Meshnet lets you share files, play games, and access remote devices over a secured network.
Surfshark and NordVPN: Additional Security Features for Mac
Mac users can take advantage of additional Surfshark and NordVPN security features. For example, both brands offer a dedicated IP that is yours alone and stays the same every time you log on. We also like Surfshark’s IP Rotator, which changes the IP address of your server location.
Other impressive Mac VPN features include NordVPN’s Threat Protection, which scans and deletes malware and other threats. Surfshark offers Clean Web Ad Blocker, which protects against phishing and other malicious activity. Both brands provide obfuscated servers, which hide the fact that you are using a VPN.
Best VPNs for Mac: Ease of Use and Customer Support
Whether you’re new to VPNs or an experienced user, we think you’ll find NordVPN and Surfshark VPN easy to use. Both brands have straightforward installation and setup processes, as well as simple and uncluttered interfaces. Surfshark lets you choose the fastest or closest server. NordVPN automatically connects to a server, but you have the option of manually connecting from a list of locations. Additionally, NordVPN’s Security Score helps you decide which security features will best serve your needs.
Mac users will appreciate the 24/7 live chat offered by both Surfshark and NordVPN. Anytime a question or issue arises, there’s an actual human available to help. You can also contact Surfshark by email, or NordVPN through their ticketed support. Both brands offer helpful, detailed product guides.
Device Compatibility
Besides MacOS, NordVPN and Surfshark work with most platforms and devices, including Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, and routers. NordVPN also offers browser extensions for Chrome, ChromeOS, and Firefox.
Nord VPN lets you connect up to 6 devices with one account. With Surfshark, you can connect unlimited devices.
NordVPN and Surfshark VPN Subscription Plans and Guarantees
Mac users can choose from a variety of subscription plans from NordVPN and Surfshark. NordVPN offers Standard, Plus, or Ultimate Plans, while Surfshark offers Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. Both brands offer monthly, 1-year, and 2-year subscription plans, with the longest plans costing the least per month. Both providers offer 30-day money-back guarantees, similar to most VPN providers.
Best VPNs for Mac: Concluding Thoughts
After our research and review, we believe that NordVPN and Surfshark are top choices in the search for best VPNs for Mac. Both brands offer top-notch encryption and VPN protocols, along with an impressive lineup of security features. From kill switch to private DNS, NordVPN and Surfshark VPN protect Mac users from third party threats. We wish that NordVPN offered split tunneling for MacOS, but we’re still impressed with the brand overall.
We like that both VPN providers are easy to set up and have simple and straightforward user interfaces. are based in no-logs friendly countries and let Mac users choose from thousands of servers in dozens of locations.
Surfshark and NordVPN offer monthly, 1-year, and 2-year subscription plans, as well as 30-day money-back guarantees. Live chat is available 24/7, along with detailed user guides and email or ticketed message support.
Our team has researched and reviewed NordVPN and Surfshark VPN. We recommend both products in the search for best VPNs for Mac.
