10 best VPN services for MAC in 2024

At the same time, it is important to remember that there are not many VPN clients for Mac. This is due to the fact that the Apple company, which released the operating system, does not welcome the use of virtual private networks, considering them an illegal method of connecting to the Internet.

In its efforts to fight with them, Apple regularly develops various ways to interfere with the use of VPN programs. Nevertheless, VPNs for Mac still exist, and not just one. Below is an overview of the 9 most popular VPNs for this OS in 2021.

What are the advantages of the best VPN for Mac?

The application of VPN programs helps to achieve complete security and anonymity when using the Internet. This is made possible by the built-in software and information encryption technologies that reliably protect your traffic from hacks and data leaks. The best VPN client for Mac often provides encryption at the military level, so even a regional provider will not be able to track your activity on the Internet.

In addition to security and privacy, virtual private networks provide a number of additional benefits, such as:

• blocking ads and recognizing malware on the websites you visit;
• removing locks by making prohibited web-resources available;
• making your real IP address anonymous;
• making it possible to download torrents at high speed and without traffic limits;
• providing anonymity when using Wi-Fi networks.

The majority of these features come with the best VPN connections provided in this review, and are regularly praised by Internet users around the world.

Norton

The developer of the private VPN Norton for OS Mac is the American company Symantec. Symantec sets reasonable prices for its services – you can use their virtual network for $3.33 per month with an annual subscription. This is much more profitable than purchasing a monthly subscription for $7.99.

The paid account will allow you to connect up to 10 gadgets, and refunds are guaranteed within the first 60 days of using the program.

Incorporated Technologies 

Norton takes user safety seriously. To protect personal data, it uses AES-256 military-grade encryption to provide exceptional protection for your information. Additionally, OpenVPN and IPSec protocols are included that hide your IP address and increase your anonymity.

Another useful feature is Kill Switch. It automatically turns off the Internet if the VPN signal is interrupted. This prevents your data from leaking into the network at the time of signal loss.

Other Features of the Program

Before using Apple VPN Norton, you need to take into account that it is not compatible with Netflix and others streaming websites. Symantec has refused to provide these services in order to provide increased safety for its users.

Other features of this private network include:

• inability to download torrents (not available for the same reason as streaming);
• absence of tools like DNS and IPv6. This increases the likelihood of data leakage, especially if you use servers that are not in the United States;
• you can only pay via bank cards and the e-wallet Pay Pal –  the provider doesn’t work with cryptocurrency.

Among the advantages, it is worth mentioning Norton’s responsive technical support (which operates 24/7) and no logging. A pleasant bonus for many clients will be the built-in software and ad blocker that will prevent ads from appearing of banners on your display.

Install Norton VPN

Nord

To take full advantage of the program’s many features, all you need to do is initiate a VPN download for Mac from the company’s official website, and then install it following the simple instructions. After completing the installation, you will have access to over 5,000 servers in 60 countries around the world. This will allow you to connect to the network from all continents (except Antarctica).

Service Cost

The provider offers 4 pricing plans to choose from. The most profitable is the 2-year membership with a monthly payment of $3.99. For example, if you pay separately for each month, the price tag will be $11.95. There are also pricing plans for six months ($9 per month) and for a year ($6.99).

After purchasing a subscription, you will be able to connect up to 6 devices to your account simultaneously. Before purchasing a paid subscription, you can also try a 3-day free Nord VPN for Mac.

Privacy and Security

Nord is regularly included in ratings of the best VPN for Macbook due to the fact that it provides incredible protection for user data. In addition to the use of military 256-bit AES-encryption, it incorporates a number of efficient protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. All these technologies not only encrypt your data, but also hide the fact that you’re using a VPN.

Users can also manually set up their VPN for Mac with the DoubleVPN and CyberSec functions. DoubleVPN will encrypt all of your traffic twice by opening 2 servers at the same time. CyberSec makes pop-up ads a thing of the past and will not allow you to visit websites that are infected with malware.

Main Advantages of the Software

In addition to a high level of security and anonymity, Nord offers a number of other awesome features:

• unimpeded access to torrents;
• good compatibility with Netflix (available from 6 servers);
• high connection speed (only American servers can freeze);
• no Internet traffic limits.

Sophisticated functionality and a high level of data protection have allowed Nord to rightfully become one of the best VPN in reviews of the most analytical web-portals.

Hide.ME

Using this VPN connection for Mac, you will get access to more than 1,400 servers in more than 50 countries around the world. This will allow you to visit websites that are blocked in your region without any problems. The connection speed on all servers is high – within 40-60 Mbps. Due to this feature, you can quickly download torrent files and watch streaming video without freezes.

Pricing Plans

You can use the Hide.ME VPN for free or choose a paid pricing plan, with paid plans obviously offering more functionality. For example, a subscription to an annual Plus account, which is priced at $5.42 per month, will allow you to use 75 GB of data and connect 1 device. Another paid pricing plan (“Premium”) costs $11.67 per month when buying a subscription for a year and will provide unlimited traffic and the ability to connect up to 5 gadgets to your Mac account.

The free version only allocates 2 GB of traffic on 3 servers and only 1 device can be connected to your account. As a result, Hide.ME cannot be called the best free Mac VPN. It is mainly suitable for getting acquainted with the service and its functions.

Security and Anonymity

Hide.ME VPN is equipped with OpenVPN, L2TP, IKEv2, and PPTP protocols. Each of them is capable of encrypting data, which makes it unreadable for unauthorized persons. In addition, the program has a built-in AES-256 tool by default, which provides military-grade encryption for all of your Internet traffic.

The provider also offers DNS and IPv6 functions to prevent data leakage, which are excellent protection tools that the user can configure through their VPN on Mac by going through the menu.

What else is notable about the private network?

The program Hide.ME is often chosen for the following benefits:

• opportunity to watch Netflix when connecting through Hong Kong servers;
• no traffic limits;
• Access to torrents download;
• many payment options, including using cryptocurrencies.

Work of the Malaysian VPN is built in such a way that it cannot account for and store user data. All information about customer activity is automatically anonymized and removed. Due to this approach, even your provider will not be able to find out what you are doing on the network.

Surfshark VPN

You have to pay in order to use this private network, but all of its rates are inexpensive. An annual subscription is priced at just $2.49 per month and comes with an additional year of free use. At the moment, Surfshark is the best value VPN on the market for Mac gadget owners.

If you choose a monthly payment, then the cost of the service will increase to $12.95. Within 30 days, you can also request funds back if you are not satisfied with the program’s work.

Personal Data Protection

Surfshark uses several tools to ensure security and confidentiality:

• AES-256 technology – encrypts traffic through secure servers;
• OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols – help unblock restricted websites, even in Asian countries;
• Kill Switch – closes off access to the network if VPN connection disappears, making it impossible for data to leak onto the Internet;
• CleanWeb – blocks ads, suppresses phishing and informs the user about the presence of malware on web resources.

While carrying out its work, the VPN provider Surfshark does not keep logs. The absence of logs has been confirmed by audits carried out by the company Cure53, which is known for its research in the field of cybersecurity.

Other Functionalities

Surfshark VPN succeeded in becoming a market leader thanks to many impressive technical characteristics. Here are just some of the benefits that are available to its users:

• Ability to connect to more than 3,200 servers in 60 countries;
• the ability to set a static IP address;
• unlimited Internet traffic;
• free use of torrents;
• compatibility with Netflix, HBO and other popular streaming services.

Surfshark has high Internet speed regardless of the connection region. VPN tests in different locations showed speeds around 40-60 Mbps. Therefore, if you need a private network to view and download video content at high speed, there is no better option on the market than Surfshark.

Install Surfshark VPN

Atlas

VPN Atlas is cheap software that doesn’t compromise on quality. The annual subscription is priced at just $2.49 per month. When you buy a 3-year subscription, the monthly payment is even less – $1.39.

For this low cost, users can connect to more than 500 servers in more than 20 countries around the world. All of them work quickly and securely using advanced data encryption technologies, including AES-256. It’s possible to use software on devices with most OS, and Mac is no exception.

Why is the program so popular?

The audience of this VPN for MacBooks has been steadily growing since 2020 when it first entered the market. Users often laud the service’s extensive functionality, including:

• the ability to unblock websites that are restricted by geography or censorship;
• ensuring security when using Wi-Fi networks (thanks to IPv6 and IPSec encryption protocols);
• the ability to download torrents with no traffic limits;
• the instant recognition of web-portals with malicious scripts thanks to the built-in SafeBrowse function.

Another useful feature is the Kill Switch, which prevents your data from leaking into the network by breaking the Internet connection in a timely manner when your VPN connection is interrupted for one reason or another.

Streaming and Speed 

When using Atlas VPN on Mac devices, you can easily visit popular streaming websites including Netflix, Prime, and HBO. Here you will have the opportunity to watch videos without restrictions. Content is also available in 4K format.

Video playback speed remains high even when connecting to American servers, which traditionally stall with other providers. With Atlas, your speeds won’t fall below 30-40 Mbps.

Comparison shoppers should take into account the fact that these features only become available after purchasing a paid plan. In the free version of Atlas, speeds are reduced to 3-10 Mbps, but all other functionality remains.

HMA

You can see what advantages HMA brings to the table after purchasing a paid subscription. The cheapest VPN plan costs $2.99 per month if you purchase a 3-year subscription. There is also an annual plan that costs $4.99 per month and individual monthly billing of $11.99. Refunds are available only within the first 30 days.

Features of the Program

In striving to make HMA software as safe as possible, the provider has included a number of effective tools:

• Kill Switch, which is responsible for instantly breaking your Internet connection when the VPN signal is lost. This protects your data from leakage to the network;
• Random IP. By activating this feature, you will regularly receive new IP-addresses, which will ensure you have 100% anonymity on the network;
• IPSec and IKEv2 protocols that encrypt all of your information, making your online experience safe and confidential;
• IPv4 and Ipv6 technologies to protect your data from any web threats.

Users can configure the necessary tools in the software’s settings and mix and match to suit your tastes. HMA also has a “Location Mode” that, when mastered, means you will know how to change VPNs on Mac. You will be offered hundreds of servers on different continents and be able to choose from a range of countries and cities.

What else is important to know about this private network?

The features listed above are not the only advantages of HMA. This program is also able to offer:

• connection to 1,000+ servers in 190 countries;
• unimpeded visits to websites blocked in your region;
• protection against hacking when using a Wi-Fi network;
• unlocked streaming services, including Netflix and Hulu;
• fast Internet speeds when connecting through the servers in EU countries.

Among the other advantages of this good VPN for Mac, it is also worth mentioning the simplified registration and download procedure. The user just needs to visit the official website and create a profile using an activation key, which is sent to the email you designate. After that, all that’s left to do is activate the subscription and download the software. If everything is done correctly, the HMA service will connect to y

our gadget on Mac every time as soon as you enter the Internet.

Rus

The service will be most useful for those who want safety when surfing the Internet and the ability to freely visit blocked websites. Rus VPN has everything you need, including advanced data encryption protocols (OpenVPN, PPTP, and AES-2048) and built-in ad blockers. The functionality of the program is fully available on gadgets with all operating systems, including Mac.

Prices and Plans

Rus VPN’s rates aren’t high or low. The 3-year subscription will cost $2.99 per month. If you pay on a monthly basis, the price tag will be more expensive – $9.99. There is also an annual plan available with a monthly rate of $4.99.

If you are not satisfied with the service, you can request a refund within 30 days. This rule only applies only if you have used less than 500 MB of traffic. These refund terms are far from the best on the market. Most other providers, for example, Express VPN for Mac, returns your money in full regardless of the amount of traffic you had.

Main Technical Characteristics

Rus VPN has several features that distinguish it from other providers:

• the program is fully developed in Russian;
• torrent downloads are available in unlimited quantities;
• popular streaming resources including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer;
• express VPN updates are downloaded automatically;
• high speed is provided on all 300+ servers of the company in 30 countries.

Before purchasing Rus’ VPN software for Mac, you can try a free version. Only 4 servers are available with it, but it provides almost all the functionality of a paid account.

Hola

The only catch is that Hola does not have its own servers. All network users connect to each other’s home Internet, exchanging personal IP addresses with each other. Accordingly, you can’t assume you will have any anonymity of here. All your information will be constantly available to other network users.

What other features does Hola have?

On top of the lack of anonymity, this VPN has some other drawbacks that are important for MacBooks owners to be aware of:

• Netflix and other websites for streaming video are not supported (they recognize peer-to-peer VPNs even if your IP address changes);
• no connection to torrent-trackers;
• leaks of user data often occur due to the lack of encryption protocols;
• almost all online customer activity is logged.

Therefore, if you are still looking for an answer to the question “what is the best VPN for your Mac device” – Hola is not the best choice. It does not guarantee security or anonymity on the Internet. The speed of the dedicated traffic will greatly depend on the network congestion.

Functionalities

Despite the obvious disadvantages, Hola still has a number of redeeming qualities:

• users can quickly change their IP address;
• software does not freeze the computer, since Hola has neither servers nor data encryption;
• many restricted websites are available.

It’s also possible to use Hola on Mac for free. In this case, you become a member of the general web network full of users sharing their private IP addresses with other users. To maintain anonymity, we recommend purchasing a paid account. The best-value plan costs $2.99 per month but requires a 3-year subscription.

VPN Unlimited

For users connected to VPN Unlimited, security and confidentiality are guaranteed through the use of reliable data encryption technologies. These include not only standard protocols such as AES-256 and IKEv2, but also a proprietary tool – KeepSolidWise.

KeepSolidWise encrypts all Internet traffic and hides the fact that you are using a private network. Therefore, this program is a frequent choice for users in China and other Asian countries where VPNs are prohibited.

Connection Cost

VPN Unlimited offers 4 pricing plans. The most affordable one costs $2.99 per month and requires a 3-year subscription. There is also a 1-month subscription for $5.00 per month and a 1-month subscription for $9.99. Alternatively, you can buy a lifetime license for $199.99, an offering that no other provider can boast.

After purchasing any plan, more than 1,200 servers in 80 countries will become available to you. You can connect up to 5 devices to one account. With a family account, you can connect up to 25 gadgets on Mac.

Main Advantages of the Software

VPN Unlimited has several outstanding features:

• high speed on all servers except American ones;
• unlocking of Netflix and others streaming services;
• no restrictions on Internet traffic;
• round-the-clock technical support provided in English and Russian;
• lack of accounting and registration of user activity.

As this software was invented in the USA, it allows access to a large number of servers within the country. There are many rare ones among them, located not only in New York, but also in other American cities and regions.

Install VPN Unlimited

Panda VPN

What are the Subscription Plans?

Panda VPN pricing comes in several dimensions and you only can pick the one that suits you best. With every plan, you are assured a 7-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their services which is less likely to happen.

If you want to go for only a month, you get it at $6.99 for that single month. However, if you would love to employ their services for a year, you can get it for $3.19 per month for the whole year. The best deal is the three-year plan that comes at $1.49 per month. If you are satisfied with the VPN, the three-year plan because it gives the best value for money.

Why does Panda VPN stand out for your Mac?

There are so many options and streams of VPNs that you could use for your mac but Panda becomes one of the best options for certain reasons:

• Inexpensive Cost
• No bandwidth restrictions
• Subscription covers up to five macs
• Uncrackable AES 256-Bit technology
• Torrent and website unblocking
• Unlimited traffic data

These features are more than enough to make you want Panda VPN. If you carefully analyze each of them and compare them to competitors, you will appreciate what panda offers.

Install Panda VPN