The Best VPNs for Mac in 2026
We researched VPNs for Mac using information from vendors’ official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features relevant to macOS users comparing privacy protection, server access, and Mac app support.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
NordVPN#1 of 349.4/10A broad VPN with streaming, P2P and privacy tools, plus extras in higher plans.
3-day trial
-
Runner-up
Proton VPN#2 of 349.3/10Proton VPN pairs unlimited free data with paid streaming and broader device support.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
Avira Phantom VPN Free#8 of 348.6/10A free Mac VPN for occasional browsing, constrained by its 500 MB monthly cap.
Free plan · 7-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
The full ranking 34 tools, best first
-
Best forMac users wanting a broad, established VPN
A broad VPN with streaming, P2P and privacy tools, plus extras in higher plans.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit NordVPN -
Best forMac users who want a capable free plan
Proton VPN pairs unlimited free data with paid streaming and broader device support.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Proton VPN -
Best forMac users who want one VPN for many devices
A feature-rich VPN with 91-country coverage and annual pricing from $3.99 per month.
From $3.99/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Our Private Internet Access verdict → Visit siteFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forHouseholds with many devices
A Mac-compatible VPN with unlimited connections and support for streaming and torrent traffic.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Surfshark -
Best forMac users prioritizing audited privacy and coverage
A Mac-compatible VPN with an audited no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries.
From $2.99/mo (annual) Our ExpressVPN verdict → Visit ExpressVPNFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #5 · $59/mo →9.0/10★★★★☆Visit ExpressVPN -
Best forPrivacy-focused Mac users
A privacy-focused Mac VPN with anonymous accounts, multihop routing, and a flat €5 monthly price.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Mullvad VPN -
Best forMac users focused on streaming and server choice
A Mac-compatible VPN with broad server choice, streaming options and up to seven connections.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit CyberGhost -
Best forMac users who want a free VPN for light use
A free Mac VPN for occasional browsing, constrained by its 500 MB monthly cap.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Avira -
Best forMac users wanting simple VPN protection
A straightforward Mac VPN with broad server coverage and practical privacy features.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Kaspersky -
Best forMac users seeking a flexible free or low-cost plan
A flexible Mac VPN with a free plan, configurable pricing, and unlimited connections.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Windscribe -
Best forMac users who want an audited, easy-to-try VPN
An audited VPN for Mac with a free tier, split tunneling, and obfuscation.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit TunnelBear -
Best forMac users wanting a VPN plus security extras
A Mac-compatible VPN with privacy controls and tiered add-ons for broader protection.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit PureVPN -
Best forFirefox users who want an open-source VPN
An open-source VPN with WireGuard, multi-hop routing and Firefox controls.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Mozilla VPN -
Best forMac users seeking a free VPN with audited no-logs privacy
A Mac-compatible VPN with a no-logs free tier, WireGuard, streaming and torrent support.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit hide.me -
Best forAdGuard users wanting a free VPN allowance
A flexible VPN for AdGuard users, with a traffic-limited free tier and broad platform support.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit AdGuard VPN -
Best forMac users needing streaming and app-level routing
A Mac-capable VPN with app-level routing, streaming support, and multiple protocols.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit VyprVPN -
Best forBudget-minded Mac users wanting broad protocol choice
A low-cost Mac VPN with broad protocol choice and up to 10 connections.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit FastestVPN -
Best forMac users wanting streaming and P2P servers
A paid VPN with streaming and P2P servers, WireGuard, and apps across major platforms.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit VPN Unlimited -
Best forPrivacy-minded Mac users seeking advanced routing
A privacy-focused Mac VPN with advanced routing, but no dedicated streaming support.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit IVPN -
Best forMac users who value a long refund window
A feature-rich Mac VPN, though its annual entry price is high.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Norton VPN -
Best forMac users seeking a very low-cost paid upgrade
A Mac-compatible VPN with a useful free tier and low annual pricing, but no verified no-logs audit.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit PrivadoVPN -
Best forMac users interested in residential IP options
A paid VPN with residential IPs and city-level choices on higher tiers.
- macOS app
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Mysterium VPN -
Best forUsers needing many connections and protocol options
CactusVPN pairs broad protocol choice and unlimited devices with a 25-country network.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit CactusVPN -
Best forMac users prioritizing native Apple Silicon controls
A Mac-focused VPN with native Apple Silicon support and useful menu-bar controls.
- Apple Silicon support
- Menu-bar client
- macOS app
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Horizon VPN -
Best forMac users needing up to 12 connections
StrongVPN pairs Mac controls and StrongDNS with a network spanning 35 countries.
- Menu-bar client
- macOS app
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit StrongVPN -
Best forMac users needing port forwarding and P2P
A protocol-flexible VPN with port forwarding, P2P support, and up to 10 connections.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit PrivateVPN -
Best forMac users wanting multihop and diskless servers
A Mac-compatible VPN with multihop, diskless servers, and streaming support.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit OVPN -
Best forTechnical users wanting double-hop and obfuscation
A paid, multi-platform VPN with technical controls and up to 12 connections.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit VPN.ac -
Best forMac users wanting a short trial and P2P support
A Mac-compatible VPN with WireGuard, P2P support, and a three-day trial without a card.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Trust.Zone -
Best forMac users who prioritize audited server infrastructure
A privacy-oriented VPN with audited no-logs infrastructure and WireGuard support.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit AzireVPN -
Best forMac users wanting uncapped free VPN data
A no-account free tier with unlimited data; premium adds broader server access and tools.
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit X-VPN -
Best forOrganizations needing secure browser access, not a VPN
A managed enterprise browser for Mac, not a general-purpose VPN.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit NordLayer -
Best forMac users focused on server selection and P2P
A Mac-compatible VPN with P2P and streaming servers, split tunneling and a kill switch.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit HMA VPN -
Best foriOS users who want VPN and threat protection
A feature-rich iOS VPN, but Mac support is not verified.
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit IPVanish
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | macOS app | Apple Silicon support | Simultaneous connections | Server countries | Kill switch | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 167 | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Proton VPN | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 9.3 |
| 3 | Private Internet Access | No | — | — | — | — | 91 | Yes | 9.2 |
| 4 | Surfshark | No | — | — | — | — | 100 | Yes | 9.1 |
| 5 | ExpressVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 113 | Yes | 9.0 |
| 6 | Mullvad VPN | No | — | — | — | — | 50 | Yes | 8.9 |
| 7 | CyberGhost VPN | No | — | — | — | — | 100 | Yes | 8.8 |
| 8 | Avira Phantom VPN Free | Yes | — | — | — | — | 36 | No | 8.6 |
| 9 | Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection | No | — | — | — | — | 93 | Yes | 8.5 |
| 10 | Windscribe | Yes | — | — | — | — | 69 | Yes | 8.4 |
| 11 | TunnelBear | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 8.3 |
| 12 | PureVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 65 | Yes | 8.2 |
| 13 | Mozilla VPN | No | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 8.1 |
| 14 | hide.me | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 8.0 |
| 15 | AdGuard VPN | Yes | — | — | — | — | 62 | Yes | 7.9 |
| 16 | VyprVPN | — | — | — | — | — | 70 | Yes | 7.8 |
| 17 | FastestVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 49 | Yes | 7.7 |
| 18 | VPN Unlimited | No | $5/user/mo | — | — | — | 80 | Yes | 7.6 |
| 19 | IVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 41 | Yes | 7.5 |
| 20 | Norton VPN | No | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 7.4 |
| 21 | PrivadoVPN | Yes | — | — | — | — | 45 | Yes | 7.2 |
| 22 | Mysterium VPN | No | — | Yes | — | 6 | 57 | Yes | 7.1 |
| 23 | CactusVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 25 | Yes | 7.0 |
| 24 | Horizon VPN | No | — | Yes | Yes | 10 | 85 | Yes | 6.9 |
| 25 | StrongVPN | No | — | Yes | — | 12 | 35 | Yes | 6.8 |
| 26 | PrivateVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 43 | Yes | 6.7 |
| 27 | OVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 20 | Yes | 6.6 |
| 28 | VPN.ac | No | — | — | — | — | 21 | Yes | 6.5 |
| 29 | Trust.Zone VPN | No | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 6.4 |
| 30 | AzireVPN | No | — | — | — | — | 62 | Yes | 6.3 |
| 31 | X-VPN | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6.2 |
| 32 | NordLayer Browser | No | $4/user/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 6.1 |
| 33 | HMA VPN | No | — | — | — | — | 210 | Yes | 6.0 |
| 34 | IPVanish | No | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 5.9 |
Head-to-head All 13 comparisons →
- NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
- NordVPN vs Mullvad VPN
- NordVPN vs Avira Phantom VPN Free
- Proton VPN vs Avira Phantom VPN Free
- Private Internet Access vs Mullvad VPN
- Private Internet Access vs Avira Phantom VPN Free
- Surfshark vs Mullvad VPN
- Surfshark vs Avira Phantom VPN Free
- ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN
Guides on VPNs for mac
- Best Free VPNs for Mac in 2026: Tested Picks and Honest LimitsAug 2026
- Best VPNs for Mac in 2026: Fast, Safe Picks for Every Mac UserAug 2026
Explore other topics All topics →
- AI Tools 293 directories · 7,946 tools ranked AI Writing Tools · AI Video Generators · Text-to-Speech Software
- Web Hosting & Domains 256 directories · 5,807 tools ranked Shared Web Hosting · Managed Cloud Hosting · Dedicated Server Hosting
- Productivity 146 directories · 4,518 tools ranked Note-Taking Apps · Calendar Apps · Project Management Software
- Marketing 113 directories · 3,472 tools ranked SEO Tools · Email Marketing Software · Influencer Marketing Platforms
- Sales & CRM 146 directories · 3,990 tools ranked Real Estate CRM Software · CRM Software · Proposal Software
- Customer Service 46 directories · 1,372 tools ranked Chatbot Builders · Knowledge Base Software · Call Center Software
How we rank VPNs for mac
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update