Best VPN for Mac in 2021

Users of Macs often think that their devices are totally secure and therefore safe from being hacked or infected with a virus.

This, sadly, is not the case. Here we discuss ways to protect your computer, and other devices, using a specially made VPN for Mac users; so that you can be certain of your online security at all times.

What is a VPN and Why I Need One?

A Mac VPN is a way of securing connections through encryption and connecting to another host server.

This connection, sometimes known as tunneling, is key, as it provides users with another IP address. With this alternative IP address, users look like they are based somewhere that they are not. This new location allows users to access content that they may have originally found restricted. Additionally, this connection to the host server is encrypted, which is how surfing the internet using a VPN becomes safe and secure.

A secure connection is necessary, especially nowadays, to limit the ability of hackers and online criminals to access a user’s personal data while they are online. To this end, an VPN that works on Apple devices doesn’t only make your connection more secure and allow you to access geographically-restricted content, but it also guarantees full anonymity while surfing the web.

The Best Mac VPNs

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is always a reliable VPN for Mac users. We recommend it time and time again owing to the whole host of excellent features it offers.

For example, Mac users usually own more than one device and ExpressVPN allows up to three devices to be used at the same time. It also guarantees that all of these connections will be quick. There is nothing more infuriating than waiting for your Apple VPN to connect, only to then experience buffering issues. ExpressVPN helps avoid this problem with their fast connectivity servers.

One of the main reasons we love ExpressVPN is its approachability. This VPN for Mac users is extremely easy to use with fantastic 24/7 customer support. Through its live chat function, ExpressVPN provides continual support to answer any questions you may have.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it is also extremely safe and secure. By employing military grade security protocols, ExpressVPN maintains full user anonymity and protection. However, if for some reason you are unhappy you can get your money back, no questions asked, within the first 30 days of use.

Price: As low as $6.67 per month

Sign up with ExpressVPN here.

Cyberghost

CyberGhost is an exceptionally well-priced VPN for Apple. It can be used anywhere in the world and is very, very quick. It also has a great deal of other top-notch features as well as a no logs policy. And now it can even be used to unblock Netflix content.

CyberGhost is a fantastic purchase because of its wide network. In fact, it has over 1,000 servers available which are located all over the world. Additionally, with its watertight privacy settings, your data is always private. CyberGhost encrypts all of your data using a military-strength AES 256-BIT encryption which uses a 2048-BIT RSA Key; so you can rest assured that you are safe and secure when surfing the net.

Price:

• For a 2-year subscription, CyberGhost charges only $2.90 a month
• A monthly subscription costs $10.99
• 6-months costs $7.99 a month
• A year’s subscription costs $4.99 a month

Every plan you sign up for comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Sign up with Cyberghost here.

NordVPN

NordVPN is a super user-friendly VPN for Mac customers. In addition, and arguably most importantly, it has watertight security. NordVPN uses several encryption techniques at one time, making it one of the safest VPNs for Mac users on the market.

In fact, NordVPN maintains user anonymity by not retaining any logs of their online activity and it is one of the few Apple VPN providers to employ double data encryption technology to further protect its users against hacking. Its kill switch is also a super important feature. It means that the provider automatically stops the entire internet connection on the device should the VPN itself drop out.

In addition to all of the above, NordVPN also owns one of the largest networks out there, with over 1000 servers around the globe. This means that connections are not only always available, but are quick too.

Finally, NordVPN offers excellent customer service with its live chat feature allowing customers to ask questions and get answers on the spot. And all of these come at the very affordable price of just $3.99 a month over two years.

Price:

• $11.95 a month
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Sign up with NordVPN here.

HideMyAss

HideMyAss remains a popular Apple VPN owing to its whole range of features, such as being compatible with other operating systems. So if you come from a household or business that needs a VPN which is suitable for other, non-Apple devices, this is really helpful. HideMyAss is also able to provide fast connections due to its abundance of servers in many locations, meaning that this Apple VPN opens up restricted content from any country. In addition to its multi-system compatibility, HideMyAss also allows for simultaneous connections. But, if despite all of these features, users don’t like HideMyAss, and they have used less than 10GB of data, they can ask for their money back within 30 days of purchase.

Price: One month: $9.99

Sign up with HideMyAss here.

IPVanish

This is one of the cheapest VPNs for Mac users on the market, yet it still packs a punch in terms of features. For example, it now has compatibility with many different operating systems. And yet, it also has a brand spanking new iOS app support function making it a great VPN for Mac users.

IPVanish servers are located in many different countries making for easy access to geo-restricted content. And, if you have more than one Apple device, IPVanish allows two simultaneous connections all at a fair price. And yet, despite being one of the cheapest Apple VPN options out there, they still have a money back guarantee policy. So if IPVanish and its VPN for Mac devices don’t work for you, you can get your money back within the first week of usage.

Price: One month: $7.50

Sign up with IPVanish here.

PrivateVPN

Private VPN is one of the safest Apple VPN options on the market, helping users surf the net safely and securely. One of its biggest draws is its low price point, despite the whole raft of features it offers. This Apple VPN is especially well priced over a 13 month period.

Importantly, like most of our top picks, it is compatible with other operating systems so if you need more than a VPN for Mac devices, this VPN is compatible with the majority of other devices too.

One of its most appealing features is its ‘no-log policy’, meaning that PrivateVPN maintains customer privacy by not keeping records of their online antics. So while it has quite a small network in comparison to other Apple VPN providers, it still offers a reliable connection along with a whole load of other important features.

Price:

• $8.21 a month
• 30-day money back guarantee

Sign up with PrivateVPN here.

How We Evaluated the VPNs

We have researched the Apple VPN market to come up with a list of the best six VPNs for Macs and/or other Apple devices. These are the main features to look out for when choosing the best VPN for Mac:

• Quick Connection – Whenever you use the internet, a quick connection is crucial for surfing the web efficiently and effectively. VPN providers shouldn’t slow you down. A good VPN provider will offer a quick connection too.
• Large and Wide Network – For content around the world to be accessible, Apple VPN providers need to have a large and wide network. This means a large number of servers for keeping up with demands, as well as server presence in as many regions as possible, so that geographically restricted content can be unblocked.
• Watertight Security Protocols – A VPN for Mac users must also offer secure connections that are upheld by stringent safety precautions, mainly in terms of encryption techniques.
• Excellent Customer Service – the best VPN for Mac users will provide such a good service that you would not need customer service support. But it is always good to know that any questions you may have can be answered quickly by an excellent customer service team.
• Value for Money – A reputable VPN won’t be free, but it still needs to offer value for money for it to be a good purchase.

Is An Apple VPN Legal?

Using a VPN on your Macbook and other Apple devices is legal in most countries. Nevertheless, It is always a good idea to check the laws of the specific country you’re visiting before using a VPN for Apple.

What you access with your VPN for Mac, however, is a different story. If you are in a country that has strict censorship laws, you are subject to the laws of that country and their corresponding punishments. Therefore, if you access restricted or banned content by using your Apple VPN, and are caught, you could be charged. Some countries have some extremely punitive punishments, so it pays to be cautious if you are ever unsure of the legality of what you are accessing.

Can I Use a Free VPN For Mac?

You absolutely can use a free VPN for Mac, but we don’t recommend it. Free VPNs simply do not compare to the ones we have listed here, none of which are excessively expensive anyway.

The two main reasons why free VPNs for Apple are poor performers in comparison to their subscription competition are: speed and security. To provide a service for nothing, free VPN providers have to cut corners and thus tend not to have enough servers to cope with demand. This results in slow connectivity, so users often experience buffering and suboptimal page-loading times.

In terms of security, a free Apple VPN is even worse. They not only never encrypt connections well enough to make them worthwhile, but providers also keep logs so that they can sell data to third parties. Users, therefore, have little chance of remaining anonymous.

Conclusion

We always advocate using ExpressVPN as your VPN for Apple. We rate it on its reliability of connection and its consistency in terms of security. It really is the best VPN for Mac users who won’t experience any diminishment inoperability on their machines and devices. We believe it offers excellent value for money with customer service that is second to none. Subscribers rarely regret signing up to any of their plans.