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Do I Need a VPN for My Mac?
When you use your Mac to browse the internet, you can’t be too careful with your personal information. These days, third party trackers wait for an opportunity to access your personal information and data about your online activity. Your internet service provider (ISP) may even sell your information to digital marketers.
A VPN for Mac encrypts your information and hides your internet traffic, protecting your data from prying eyes. If you use the internet on your Mac, a top VPN can protect your privacy and security.
How Does a VPN Work?
When you use the Internet without a VPN, your traffic goes through through a path provided by your internet service provider (ISP). Your ISP can see your physical location and may sell this information to marketers and other third parties. If you access the internet from an airport, library, or other public access point, your personal information becomes vulnerable.
A VPN protects your privacy by creating an encrypted tunnel that disguises your location and hides your online activity. A top VPN for Mac protects your information from unwanted third parties and hackers, giving you peace of mind.
What Should I Look for in a VPN for Mac?
When shopping for the best VPN for Mac, it’s important to know what features to look for. VPN brands offer a variety of security and privacy protection features. In the follow sections, we let you know which features are essential in a top Mac VPN. We explain why certain features are critical for your security so you can find a VPN for Mac that suits your online needs.
Privacy and Security Features
A top VPN for Mac will offer robust privacy protection features. Look for VPNs that undergo regular third-party security audits and include at least the following features:
- AES 256-bit encryption: the industry standard for encryption that is used by government and military organizations.
- Kill switch: blocks internet access if your VPN connection drops, protecting your data from prying eyes.
- DNS leak protection: the VPN runs its own DNS servers, protecting your information and providing an additional layer of security.
- No-logs policy: the VPN provider does not store information about your internet activity, such as your browsing history or IP.
If you have critical privacy concerns, look for VPNs that offer enhanced features, such as ad blockers, multihop connections, and RAM-only servers, which do not store user information. Also, the VPN provider should be located in a no-logs friendly location that does not require providers to store user information.
Number of Servers and Their Locations
When it comes to choosing the best VPN for Mac, the more servers the better. Many of the top VPN providers have servers in 100 countries or more. A large number of server locations lets you unblock international content and avoid slow, congested servers.
Mac VPN Provider Location
The location of your VPN provider is an important consideration. Some countries require VPN providers to keep records of their customers’ online activity. Make sure that your Mac VPN is based in a privacy-friendly region.
Compatibility and Multiple Device Capacity
How many devices do you plan to connect with the VPN for Mac? Chances are, you and your household will want to use a VPN with multiple devices, possibly with different operating systems. VPN device compatibility and capacity varies with each brand. Besides MacOS, VPNs are usually compatible with Windows and Linux. Apple and Android apps are available from most providers.
The number of devices that can connect with one VPN account depends on the VPN brand. Some have a 10-device capacity while others can be used with 10 devices.
VPN for Mac Speed
A VPN can slow down streaming, downloading, gaming, and even web browsing. Slower VPNs can drop speeds by as much as 50 percent. On the other hand, fast VPNs may result in speed drops of only 20 percent or even 10 percent. To get the most out of your online experience, look for a fast VPN for Mac.
Easy to Use
A top VPN for Mac should have a clean, uncluttered interface that complements the intuitive MacOS interface. Using the VPN should be easy for beginners as well as longtime VPN users. Ideally, the power button should be large and easy to find. Choosing a server location should be quick and straightforward. Installation should also be a straightforward process.
Split Tunneling Issues with Mac
Split tunneling is a popular VPN feature that lets you choose which internet traffic to send through the VPN. For example, you may want to use the VPN for online banking, shopping, and emails but not your wireless printer. However, split tunneling is generally not available in most cases for M-series Macs and newer versions of MacOS.
Subscription Plans and Payment Options
Top VPNs for Mac offer a variety of subscription plans. Usually, you can subscribe on a monthly, six-month, or annual basis. Generally, longer commitments cost less than a monthly plan. To avoid price increases at renewal time, look for Mac VPN providers that offer early renewal discounts at checkout.
Since you must pay for your VPN before using the service, your credit card information is not yet protected at the time of purchase. Consider subscribing to a provider that allows multiple payment methods, such as PayPal or the Mac App Store.
Customer Support
You want the best VPN for Mac protection around the clock, so reliable customer support is a must. You need answers to your internet privacy and security questions as soon as possible. Some VPN providers offer 24/7 live chat with an actual human. If this option is not available, look for extensive FAQ pages, help guides, or email support.
How Do I Find the Best VPN for Mac?
Finding the best Mac VPN is important for your internet privacy and security. With so many VPN brands on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. From product reviews to online shopping, we offer tips on how to find the best VPN for Mac.
Shop Online for Mac VPNs
The Internet provides a convenient way to shop for a top VPN for Mac. You can look up multiple VPN brands without leaving your chair. When you shop online for a Mac VPN, you don’t have to drive to a store or deal with high pressure sales. Browse VPN provider websites and read about products at your leisure. Look for renewal discounts, coupon codes, and other features that are important to you.
Look for Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantees
Choosing a top Mac VPN can be easier if you know that the company stands by their product. While you’re shopping for the best VPN for Mac, check for products that include money-back guarantees. Many Mac VPN brands offer 30-day guarantees to new subscribers. These guarantees typically offer a full refund within the first 30 days after purchase if you are not satisfied with the product.
Some VPN brands offer a free trial that typically lasts for 30 days after purchase. A free trial gives you time to use the features of the VPN for Mac and see if they work for you. If you are not satisfied with the VPN, contact customer service within the trial period for a refund.
Read Reviews of Top VPN for Mac Brands
Choosing the best VPN for Mac involves many considerations. Visiting multiple websites, comparing brands, and reading reviews takes time and can be downright overwhelming. We research top Mac VPN brands for you and post all our reviews on this website. At the top of this page, you’ll find links to our reviews of top VPNs for Mac. Just click one of the links to read the full review.
We’ve also made it easy for you to compare top Mac VPN brands. Just scroll down the page and check out our comparison table. Quickly find out which VPNs offer the features you want, from kill switch to ad-blockers.
Best VPN for Mac Reviews
Our reviews have helped more than 100,000 people shop for the best VPN for Mac. Check out our reviews of top Mac VPN brands for details about our recommendations for best VPN for Mac 2026. To help you in your search, here are a few of our recommended top Mac VPN reviews:
Total VPN
Surfshark VPN
NordVPN
