Head-to-head · VPNs for Mac
Surfshark vs Mullvad VPN
Surfshark leads on 1 check, Mullvad VPN on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreSurfshark · 9.1/10
Surfshark scores higher on our rubric for vpns for mac: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.
Surfshark leads on server countries: 100 versus 50.
Surfshark is the better fit for households with many devices. Mullvad VPN is the better fit for privacy-focused Mac users.
- Surfshark fits best
Households with many devices
- Mullvad VPN fits best
Privacy-focused Mac users
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Side by side
| Feature | Surfshark 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Mullvad VPN 8.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.9 |
| Ranking | #4 in VPNs for Mac | #6 in VPNs for Mac |
| Best for | Households with many devices | Privacy-focused Mac users |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Docs |
| Compliance | GDPR, 2FA | GDPR |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Surfshark 1/4 · Mullvad VPN 1/4 | ||
| macOS app | Not published | Not published |
| Apple Silicon support | Not published | Not published |
| Kill switch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Menu-bar client | Not published | Not published |
| Specs | ||
| Simultaneous connections | Not published | Not published |
| Server countries | 100 (best) | 50 |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Surfshark is a paid VPN service for people who want encrypted internet traffic across Mac and other devices. Its applications support macOS, and its unlimited simultaneous connections make it a fit for households with many devices. The… Read the review → |
Mullvad VPN provides encrypted internet access, IP-address masking, and censorship-circumvention options for people who want more privacy while browsing on a Mac. Its apps also cover Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, and one account can be… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Surfshark — where it wins
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Supports streaming, peer-to-peer traffic and WireGuard
- Kill switch and apps for macOS, iOS and other platforms
Where it doesn't
- No free plan
- Starter plan pricing is not specified here
- Feature list is less extensive than some VPN alternatives
Mullvad VPN — where it wins
- Create numbered accounts without providing an email address
- Kill switch is enabled by default; WireGuard and multihop are supported
- Censorship-circumvention options include QUIC, Shadowsocks, and UDP-over-TCP
Where it doesn't
- Use is limited to five devices at a time
- The network spans 50 countries, narrower than some VPN alternatives
- Netflix traffic is excluded from the VPN tunnel when using split tunneling
- Surfshark9.1/10 · 7-day trial
A Mac-compatible VPN with unlimited connections and support for streaming and torrent traffic.
Visit SurfsharkFull verdict → - Mullvad VPN8.9/10 · From €5/mo
A privacy-focused Mac VPN with anonymous accounts, multihop routing, and a flat €5 monthly price.
Visit Mullvad VPNFull verdict →
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All VPNs for mac comparisons → · Full ranking →
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
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





