Best VPN For Mac: Secure Your Internet Privacy Today

“Is my Mac really secure without a VPN?” It is a common question and it is for good reason. Macs are secure but they are not completely immune to cyberattacks. VPNs add an extra layer of protection by creating a private route for your internet traffic. They are used to provide safety and fast connection in the constantly shifting online environment.

We have tested a lot of virtual private networks and are excited to share our findings with you. VPN.com has named NordVPN the top choice for Mac due to its vast server network and powerful security system.

We will explore why VPNs for Mac are important for Mac users, what features to look for in a Mac and how to choose the best virtual private network for mac according to your macOS version. We will cover great options because we know everyone’s needs are different. So, are you ready to boost the security of your Mac? Let us discuss it and find your perfect virtual private network match.

Getting A VPN Is Easy, Affordable, And Full Of Benefits

Choosing the best VPN for Mac can feel like passing through a maze, but don’t worry. We have got your back! We have spent countless hours testing and playing around with various virtual private networks for Mac, and we have noted down the must-have features that will separate the champions from the chumps for you.

Think of this as your VPN shopping list whether you are a privacy lover, a streaming freak or just someone who wants to browse safely. These key features will make sure that you get the best for your money. You should always look for:

Strong Encryption (AES-256)

When it comes to VPNs for Macbook, encryption is your best friend. We always look for AES-256 encryption which is the gold standard used by governments and military organizations as well. We call it an unbreakable code that breaks your data into small chunks. Even if someone tries to detect your information, they would see nothing but nonsense. This means your online activities, private and sensitive data always stay safe from cybercriminals. 

No-Logs Policy

This is something we can’t deny. It is very important. It means that your provider doesn’t keep any record of your online activities. No browsing history, no connection timestamps, nada. Why is this important? Well, imagine if someone demanded to see your internet history. With a no-logs policy there is simply nothing to show at all. It is like having a personal bodyguard who instantly forgets everything they see. This feature makes sure that your privacy remains intact even if the virtual private network company itself were to be compromised.

Kill Switch

The VPN kill switch feature is like your emergency brake. If your connection drops unexpectedly (which mostly happens), the kill switch immediately cuts off your internet connection. This stops your real IP address from being exposed, even for a second. We have found this feature to be perfect for maintaining privacy especially when we use public Wi-Fi or handle sensitive information over an unsecured network. 

Large Server Network

A big server network is important for an amazing VPN experience. More servers mean very less crowding. They provide faster speeds and more options for bypassing any geo-restrictions. You should always look for virtual private networks with servers spread across numerous nations. It is like having a global network of secret passageways at your fingertips. 

Fast Connection Speeds

Let’s admit it! We all hate slow internet. A good provider should minimize speed loss. We always test them for their speed because nobody wants to wait ages for a website to load or deal with buffering videos. The best virtual private network for mac use advanced protocols and optimized servers to keep your connection zippy. It is like having a sports car for your internet so that you get to your online destinations way faster and smoother.

User-Friendly macOS App

A great VPN is useless if you cannot figure out how to use it. We prioritize them with inherent and easy-to-use macOS apps. You should also look for clean interfaces, one-tap connections and easy server switching. Also look for Mac compatibility and its integration with macOS firewall and support for native Apple VPN protocols only. The best app makes managing your VPN as simple as checking your email. It is like having a personal tech guru in your pocket to make sure that you are always protected without any stress.

Simultaneous Device Connections

We love virtual private networks that allow simultaneous connections because almost all of us use more than 1 device. This means you can protect your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook and maybe even share with family members. All with just one subscription. It is like having a digital security blanket that stretches to cover all of your devices. No need to handle multiple accounts or worry about which device is protected. 

Customer Support

Last but not least is the reliable customer support. It is so important because even the best virtual private networks can have issues and when they do, you want help as fast as it can be. We always check for 24/7 live chat support, a complete knowledge base and responsive email support. Now whether you are solving an issue or just have a question, good customer support makes sure that you are never left in the dark.

The FBI Recommends Always Using A VPN For Internet Security

So, breaking it down on your virtual private networks may no longer work for older versions of macOS for several reasons. The logical thoughts are:

• Lack of Software Updates: As older macOS versions no longer receive security and compatibility updates from Apple this can lead to many weaknesses and also compatibility issues with modern protocols and encryption standards.
• Outdated Protocols: VPN protocols have evolved very much over time and have become more secure and well organized. Older macOS versions don’t support the latest protocols like WireGuard or updated versions of OpenVPN. This leads to connectivity issues. However, you can get in-depth details about old and latest VPN protocols by visiting our guide.
• Compatibility Issues: Newer virtual private network software is designed to work with the latest operating systems. So that is why providers stop supporting older macOS versions. This leads to lack of updates and possible bugs.
• Security Risks: Using outdated macOS versions can expose you to security vulnerabilities. Providers also choose to discontinue support for older macOS versions so that they can encourage you to update to more secure systems, which is for your own benefit.

Release and Update Details of macOS Versions

Let us also tell you about the older macOS updates so that you can get a better idea of why they are no longer supported:

Mountain Lion (10.8)

• Release Date: July 25, 2012
• Last Update: August 13, 2015 (10.8.5)

Mavericks (10.9)

• Release Date: October 22, 2013
• Last Update: July 18, 2016 (10.9.5)

El Capitan (10.11)

• Release Date: September 30, 2015
• Last Update: July 9, 2018 (10.11.6)

Sierra (10.12)

• Release Date: September 20, 2016
• Last Update: September 26, 2019 (10.12.6)

High Sierra (10.13)

• Release Date: September 25, 2017
• Last Update: November 12, 2020 (10.13.6) 

As you know , technology is advancing. It is highly recommended to always keep your OS and software up-to-date. This makes sure that you get compatibility, security and best performance.

VPNs That Were Compatible With Older macOS 

As we have told you about the update details of macOS and why they are no longer supported, why not also share a list of some VPN for macOS that were known to work on older macOS versions? These were:

NordVPN

• macOS Compatibility: Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra
• Last Update: They gave updates until around 2021 for compatibility with macOS High Sierra, after that they moved towards newer macOS. 

ExpressVPN

• macOS Compatibility: Mountain Lion (2012), Mavericks (2013), El Capitan (2015), Sierra (2016), High Sierra (2017)
• Last Update: They continued regular updates until the mid-2020s before phasing out to older macOS versions.

CyberGhost

• macOS Compatibility: Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra
• Last Update: They continued updates until 2021 and then started phasing out older versions.

TunnelBear

• macOS Compatibility: Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra
• Last Update: Last major updates for older versions were around 2020.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

• macOS Compatibility: Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra
• Last Update: They Continued support until around 2020-2021.

Hotspot Shield

• macOS Compatibility: Mountain Lion, Mavericks, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra
• Last Update: Updates until early 2020s before they started focusing on the newer macOS version.

What VPNs Are Compatible With The Latest MacOS? 

Now that we have covered the key features to look for and what virtual private networks no longer support older Mac OS. Are you ready to discover which VPNs are now good with the latest macOS? Now we will discuss our top picks for the best VPN for Mac of 2024. So you can choose the best virtual private network for mac. Let us then break it down for you, starting with:

NordVPN

NordVPN offers a great balance of security, speed and price to you. It supports advanced features like obfuscation and Meshnet. It has a very strong focus on privacy because of its no-logs policy.

• Special Feature: It has Double VPN and CyberSec which is best for ad-blocking and protection from malware.
• Server Network: Has about 6,400+ servers in 111 nations. 
• Compatibility: It works with macOS Big Sur (11.0) along with some older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about NordVPN

ExpressVPN

It is very well known for its speed and security. It is very excellent for streaming and it has solid Mac compatibility. Its lightning-fast speeds and reliable connections are major pros. That makes it one of the best choices if you use macOS. 

• Special Feature: Split tunneling and advanced protection features like ad blocking, obfuscation, and a kill switch.
• Server Network: Over 3,000 servers in 105 worldwide.
• Compatibility: Support macOS Big Sur (11.0) and later. But also works on older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about ExpressVPN

CyberGhost

CyberGhost provides a very user-friendly app. It is quite ideal for streaming and torrenting as well. It has specialized servers to give you strong privacy protection from threats.

• Special Feature: NoSpy servers to increase privacy and special servers for streaming and torrenting.
• Server Network: Offers over 11,500 servers in 100 locations.
• Compatibility: macOS Big Sur (11.0) and later, also older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about CyberGhost

SurfShark

Surfshark is a very pocket-friendly option for you. But it doesn’t compromise on features. For its users it offers solid security and privacy with the ability to connect unlimited devices at the same time. They also offer an easy-to-use GPS faking feature for macOS.

• Special Feature: Unlimited simultaneous connections and CleanWeb, along with ad and malware blocking.
• Server Network: It has 3,200 servers in 100 nations.
• Compatibility: It works with macOS Big Sur (11.0) along with some older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about SurfShark

Private Internet Access (PIA)

PIA is often called a veteran in the virtual private network world, and this is evident in its powerful service. PIA is recognized for its strong security features. And it has very customization options too. That alone makes it a solid choice for you if you are privacy-conscious.

• Special Feature: It has very customizable encryption settings and PIA MACE, along with ad, tracker and malware blocking.
• Server Network: Over 35,000 servers in 91 worldwide.
• Compatibility: Support macOS Big Sur (11.0) and later. But also works on older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about PIA VPN

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN gives you very strong security features and privacy-focused services, which include support for Tor over VPN. Their transparency reports are worth considering too.

• Special Feature: Secure Core servers route traffic through multiple servers for extra security.
• Server Network: Offers over 9,000+ servers in 112 locations.
• Compatibility: macOS Big Sur (11.0) and later, also older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about ProtonVPN

VyprVPN

VyprVPN is a solid choice for you if you are looking to bypass any kind of censorship or VPN block. They even have their Chameleon protocol, which is their own.

• Special Feature: Chameleon protocol to bypass any virtual private network blocking and censorship too.
• Server Network: It has about 700 servers in 70 nations.
• Compatibility: It works with macOS Big Sur (11.0) along with some older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about VyprVPN

IPVanish

IPVanish gives you advanced configuration options along with secure cloud storage. This is what makes it a flexible choice for you. It also offers unlimited multiple connections and a variety of protocols from which you can choose.

• Special Feature: Very advanced VPN settings and secure storage for SugarSync.
• Server Network: Over 2,400 servers in 130 locations.
• Compatibility: Support macOS Big Sur (11.0) and later. But also works on older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about IPVanish

Hotspot Shield

Another provider that is known for its speed. Hotspot Shield is a great option if you are into streaming. Also good for general use thanks to its own Hydra protocol.

• Special Feature: Hydra protocol for faster connections and built-in malware protection.
• Server Network: Over 1,800 servers are located in 80+ countries worldwide.
• Compatibility: macOS Big Sur (11.0) and later, also older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about Hotspot Sheild

TunnelBear

TunnelBear offers you a very simple and quite user-friendly experience. It mainly focuses on making virtual private network traffic undetectable for you. It is quite an ideal option for beginners.

• Special Feature: GhostBear mode to disguise VPN traffic and make it less detectable.
• Server Network: There are about 8,000 servers in 45 nations.
• Compatibility: It works with macOS Big Sur (11.0) along with some older versions like macOS Catalina (10.15), Mojave (10.14) and High Sierra (10.13).

📌 Check out our guide to learn about TunnelBear

All of these virtual private networks offer quite a wide range of features. All these features are for different needs. Some are for streaming, and some are for privacy or for bypassing any censorship. 

Best VPN Comparison for Mac In 2024

Best Mac VPN For US Users

NordVPN is highly regarded as one of the best VPN services that is available for macOS users in the USA. It offers a powerful combination of security, speed and usability for its users. And that makes it a top choice for many. You can enjoy significant discounts and extra support by purchasing a NordVPN subscription through vpn.com.

Features and Server Network

Server Network

• Global Reach: Has over 6,400 servers in 111 nations.
• USA Servers: Many servers which are located across all major cities in the USA. Providing fast and reliable connections for all American users.
• Specialty Servers: P2P servers which are for torrenting. Onion over VPN servers to combine the privacy of Tor with the security of a virtual private network. And their Obfuscated servers which are designed just to work in environments where VPNs are blocked.

Security and Privacy

• Encryption: Uses AES-256 encryption.
• Protocols: Supports protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec and NordLynx which is based on WireGuard and it offers a balance between security and speed.
• Kill Switch: Automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops without warning.
• No-Logs Policy: Keep no log of the user.

Additional Features

• Meshnet: It lets you make your own private network for sharing files and routing traffic.
• CyberSec: Blocks ads and other malicious websites.
• Double VPN: Routes traffic through two different servers to increase security.
• Split Tunneling: It allows you to route some traffic through the virtual private network while other traffic uses your regular internet connection.
• SmartPlay: Gives you smooth streaming by automatically connecting you to the best server for accessing content.

Pros of NordVPN 

• Fastest VPN on the market.
• Meshnet feature for remote device access.
• Unblocks geo-restricted streaming websites.
• Affordable price.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Strong security.
• Works with sites like Netflix that cause problems for most virtual private networks.
• Extremely fast.
• Up to ten simultaneous connections.
• Huge global server network.
• User-friendly and reliable apps.

Cons of NordVPN 

• Torrenting is only supported on some servers.
• Streaming servers are not labeled.
• No unlimited free plan.
• Best discounts are only available with 2-year plans.

Billionaire Shark Kevin O’Leary Recommends VPN.com

“VPNs allow you to browse securely. By using a VPN service, you can stay protected from prying eyes. You don’t want people to know what you have been doing online, and that’s why you want to use the best VPN. Find your very best VPN at VPN.com.”

Billionaire Investor Kevin O’Leary

How To Install A VPN On Mac?

In order to install a VPN on a Mac there are two very simple ways. You can either install it through an app that is available on the App Store, or you can just manually set up a VPN on a Mac. You don’t have too much as we are here for you. We will guide you through both ways, and the only thing you have to do is to just keep on reading. 

Dedicated Mac VPN App

Installing a VPN on a Mac with a dedicated app is a pretty straightforward process. You don’t have to do much. Just follow along by: 

• First, you have to choose a provider. For that, select a reliable provider like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or whichever you like the best.
• After that, you have to visit the provider’s website to sign up for a plan. 
• After that download the macOS app through the App Store.
• After downloading and installing the app, open it.
• Then log in with your login details and follow any setup prompts that will be given to you.
• Then that is about it just connecting to a server location by selecting it and clicking the connect button. Your internet connection will now be routed through the VPN server.

Manual Way to Install a VPN on a macOS

Installing a VPN manually on macOS involves some configuring the virtual private network settings directly in the system. Let us show you a step-by-step guide so that it will help you through the process:

Step 1: Gather VPN Configuration Details

Just before you start everything, you might need some information from your provider. Like:

• VPN server address.
• Protocol like L2TP/IPSec or IKEv2 (PPTP is not recommended due to its security issues).
• Username and password.
• Shared secret if you go with using L2TP/IPSec.
• Any additional VPN settings that are provided by your service.

Step 2: Open Network Preferences

• Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
• Then select System Preferences.
• Click on Network.

Step 3: Add a New VPN Configuration

• In the Network window, click on the + button at the bottom left to create a new network connection in your Mac.
• From the drop-down menu that will appear, select the VPN as the interface.
• Then choose the VPN type from the Type drop-down menu.
• After that enter a Service Name for your VPN connection, it could be “My VPN”.

Step 4: Enter VPN Server Information

• Just click on Create.
• And in the new VPN interface, put the Server Address, which is given by your provider.
• Then, enter your Account Name, which is your VPN username.
• After that click on Authentication Settings.

Step 5: Configure Authentication Settings

It basically depends on the VPN type. You will need to enter the following:

• For L2TP/IPSec: Enter the Password and the Shared Secret.
• For IKEv2: Enter the Username and Password. The shared secret might be required if given by your provider.
• Now just Click OK to save the settings.

Step 6: Apply and Connect

• Now you are almost done just click on Apply in the Network preferences window to save everything you configured.
• And to connect to the virtual private network select the service from the list on the left and click Connect.
• Once you are connected the VPN status will show as Connected.

By just following these steps you can set up a VPN on a macOS and make sure that you get a secure and private browsing experience without using a dedicated virtual private network app. If you still do not understand and are facing difficulty in setting up a VPN, you can visit our helpful guide.

Pro Tip:

If you use VPN every time you use your device then you might want to save your credentials. So that you can access it much quicker. All you have to do is to enable the “Show VPN status in menu bar” option in the VPN settings to quickly connect or disconnect from the VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line 

When it comes to securing your online presence on macOS, VPNs are an excellent tool that you should consider. Among the top choices, NordVPN stands out with its high-speed connections, robust security features, and extensive server network, making it a great option for Mac users in the US. Although some virtual private network services might not properly work on the older version of macOS. But we recommend updating your OS to get the latest security updated for best vpn for mac. 

Installing a VPN on a Mac increases your privacy which helps bypass restrictions and protects your data as well, especially on public Wi-Fi. If you prefer a manual setup, macOS provides built-in support for protocols like L2TP/IPSec and IKEv2. While macOS does have some built-in VPN capabilities but third-party services like NordVPN offer a more complete and user-friendly experience.

Overall, we have talked about all the features that you should be looking for and what are the best VPN for mac. Now with all the information you are good to go. Now all you have to do is choose the best Mac VPN which fits best with your needs and which secure your online doings. Thank you for joining us on this ride through the world of VPNs for Macbook. Stay safe out there and happy browsing.