Software & SaaS · Ranked by price to features
10 Best VPNs for Mac of 2026
By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 11, 2026 · Next review December 26, 2026
Proton VPN is the best VPN to use on a Mac in 2026 because its open-source macOS app has a free plan and VPN Plus costs $2.99 a month on the 1-year plan, billed $35.88, with 10 devices and servers up to 10 Gbps (prices checked as of November 2026). Surfshark suits Mac households with many Apple devices, since every plan covers unlimited devices and its Dausos protocol is available on macOS; PrivadoVPN is the cheapest paid option at $1.11 a month on its 24-month plan. Pick Mullvad or IVPN instead if you want account numbers without an email address and short terms.
- Tools ranked
- 10
- With free plan
- 3
- Cheapest paid plan
- PrivadoVPN, $1.11
- per month on the 27-month plan
By the numbers
- $308 billionIDC projects global security spending of $308 billion in 2026 and $430 billion by 2029.IDC
- $213 billionGartner estimates worldwide end-user spending on information security reached $213 billion in 2025.Gartner
- 4%Security budgets grew 4% on average in 2025, down from 8% in 2024 and the slowest growth in five years, based on a survey of 587 CISOs.IANS Research
- 10.9%Security budgets averaged 10.9% of IT spending in 2025, down from 11.9% in 2024, the first drop in five years, according to IANS Research.IANS Research
- $4.44 millionThe global average cost of a data breach fell to $4.44 million in IBM's 2025 study, the first decline in five years.IBM
- $10.22 millionThe average cost of a breach in the US reached a record $10.22 million in 2025.IBM
Comparison table
| Tool | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | 01 | 9.1 | 9.1 | $2.99per month, billed $35.88 for the first 12 months | Yes |
| Surfshark | 02 | 8.8 | 8.4 | Check price | No |
| Windscribe | 03 | 8.8 | 9.0 | $5.75per month, billed $69 a year | Yes |
| CyberGhost | 04 | 8.7 | 9.0 | $2.19per month, billed $61.32 for 28 months | No |
| NordVPN | 05 | 8.6 | 7.6 | Check price | No |
| Private Internet Access | 06 | 8.6 | 8.8 | Check price | No |
| PrivadoVPN | 07 | 8.4 | 9.0 | $1.11per month on the 27-month plan | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | 08 | 8.3 | 7.0 | Check price | No |
| Mullvad | 09 | 8.2 | 8.3 | $5.54per month (€5) | No |
| IVPN | 10 | 8.1 | 8.0 | $5per month, billed $60 a year (Standard) | No |
Click a column to sort. Prices are the cheapest paid plan quoted from each vendor's US pricing page; "Check price" means the US price check is pending.
How this ranking works
One method for every tool. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests. Value carries the most weight.
Full methodThis list is for Mac owners who want a VPN with a native macOS app, current macOS support and fast connections, at a price that holds up after the first term. We compared documented features and published prices on each vendor's own site in November 2026, including the macOS versions each app supports, whether it runs natively on Apple Silicon, device limits and refund windows. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. Starting prices are the cheapest paid personal plan per month in USD. Four vendors showed only euros or zloty from our location, so their prices are marked pending.
The verdict
Proton VPN is the best all-round Mac VPN: an open-source, audited macOS app, a free plan for one device, and VPN Plus at $2.99 a month for the first year with Secure Core, NetShield and 10 devices. Surfshark is the pick for Apple-heavy households because it covers unlimited devices and runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Windscribe gives the most useful free tier for a Mac, 10 GB a month with no credit card, in a universal binary app. NordVPN and ExpressVPN have large networks and polished apps but cost more after the intro term. Check the macOS version first: Mullvad needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later and NordVPN's current app needs macOS 14 Sonoma, while CyberGhost still supports macOS 10.13.
- 01Top value
Proton VPN
9.1/10Swiss VPN with an open-source, audited macOS app, a free plan and Secure Core routing on paid plans.
Price
$2.99per month, billed $35.88 for the first 12 months
Free plan; VPN Plus $2.99 per month on the 1-year plan, billed $35.88, then $83.88 every 12 months; $9.99 month to month
“70% off VPN Plus $9.99 $2.99 /month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Value (40%)
- 9.1
- Features (35%)
- 9.3
- Ease of use (25%)
- 9.0
Best forMost Mac users who want a free start and a cheap first year
Proton VPN is the strongest Mac pick because it combines a free tier, an inexpensive first year and features most rivals reserve for higher plans. The macOS download page lists a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, Tor-enabled servers and P2P support, and states that all apps are open source and audited. VPN Plus adds Secure Core, which routes traffic through hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden before it exits, and NetShield, which filters malware domains, ads and trackers. Proton says its VPN Accelerator technologies can raise speeds by over 400% and that its servers run at up to 10 Gbps. The pricing page shows VPN Plus at $2.99 a month on the 1-year plan, billed $35.88, then $83.88 every 12 months. The free plan secures one device with servers in 10 randomly selected countries and needs no credit card. The trade-off is the renewal, which is about $6.99 a month from year two.
- ✓Only top-tier Mac app here with a permanent free plan
- ✓Open-source apps with third-party audits
- ✓Servers up to 10 Gbps and the VPN Accelerator speed feature
- ✕VPN Plus renews at $83.88 a year after the first term
- ✕Free plan picks server countries at random and runs at medium speed
- ✕Streaming and P2P need a paid plan
- Free plan:
- Yes, 1 device, 10 countries
- Paid devices:
- 10
- Servers:
- 20,000+ in 140+ countries
- Refunds:
- 30 days
Bottom line: Proton VPN is the best choice for most Mac users because its audited, open-source macOS app is free to start and VPN Plus costs $2.99 a month for the first year. Plan for the $83.88 yearly renewal.
- 02
Surfshark
8.8/10VPN with a native Apple Silicon and Intel Mac app, unlimited devices and a macOS-only protocol.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.4
- Features (35%)
- 9.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.9
Best forApple households with many devices
Surfshark has the most Mac-specific engineering among the paid-only services here. Its macOS page says the app runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, supports macOS 12 Monterey and later, and is available from the App Store or Surfshark's website. Dausos, Surfshark's proprietary protocol, is currently offered on macOS, alongside WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. The network covers 4,500+ servers in 100 countries with 10 Gbps or faster ports, and Surfshark states every server is diskless and RAM-only. A kill switch and Multi Hop, which routes traffic through two servers, are part of the app. Every plan allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so one subscription covers a Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. The Starter plan includes Alternative ID, and the One tiers add antivirus, breach alerts and Incogni data removal. From our location the pricing page showed only zloty, so the USD price is pending; check it at checkout before you prepay 27 months.
- ✓No device cap for a Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
- ✓Available from the Mac App Store or Surfshark's website
- ✓Choice of Dausos, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2
- ✕USD price could not be confirmed from our location
- ✕No free plan
- ✕Antivirus and data removal need the One or One+ tiers
- Devices:
- Unlimited
- macOS:
- 12 Monterey or later
- Servers:
- 4,500+ in 100 countries
- Refunds:
- 30 days
Bottom line: Surfshark is the best choice for Apple households because every plan covers unlimited devices and the Mac app runs natively on Apple Silicon. Confirm the USD price at checkout.
- 03
Windscribe
8.8/10Open-source desktop VPN with a 10 GB free plan and a universal binary for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Price
$5.75per month, billed $69 a year
Free plan with 10 GB a month; Pro $5.75 per month billed $69 a year; $9 month to month
“Yearly Plan Billed $69 USD every 12 months $5.75 per month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Value (40%)
- 9.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.4
Best forMac users who want a free plan with no card
Windscribe is the best free option for a Mac and a solid paid one. Its macOS page says the app is a universal binary that runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs with no Rosetta translation, supports macOS Monterey and later, and uses native networking APIs. The free plan gives 10 GB a month in 10 countries, including the US, Canada, Germany and Switzerland, and keeps the firewall, all 6 protocols and split tunneling; you get 2 GB until you confirm an email. Pro removes the data cap and opens 69+ countries and 135+ cities. Both tiers allow unlimited devices. Mac-specific tools include per-network rules that connect, disconnect or switch protocols when you join a Wi-Fi network, and MAC address spoofing. The desktop apps are open source and the no-logs policy was tested in a court case. Pro costs $69 a year, or $5.75 a month, and the site advertised Pro at $29 a year for a sale ending November 30.
- ✓Free tier includes the firewall, split tunneling and all protocols
- ✓Unlimited devices on free and Pro
- ✓Open-source desktop apps with a court-tested no-logs policy
- ✕Free plan gives only 2 GB until you confirm an email
- ✕Pro network is 69+ countries, smaller than the largest rivals
- ✕Month to month Pro costs $9
- Free plan:
- Yes, 10 GB a month, 10 countries
- Devices:
- Unlimited
- macOS:
- Monterey or later, universal binary
- Pro network:
- 69+ countries, 135+ cities
Bottom line: Windscribe is the best choice for Mac users who want a free VPN because its free plan includes 10 GB a month and the full firewall with no credit card. Pro at $69 a year removes the cap.
- 04
CyberGhost
8.7/10Consumer VPN whose Mac app supports macOS 10.13 and later, with a 24-hour free trial and 45-day refunds.
Price
$2.19per month, billed $61.32 for 28 months
$2.19 per month on the 28-month plan, billed $61.32, then $61.32 a year; 6 months $6.99 per month
“$ 2.19 /mo Billed $61.32 for first 28 months, then autorenews at $61.32 annually” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 1 days
- Value (40%)
- 9.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.3
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.7
Best forOwners of older Macs on a budget
CyberGhost is the Mac VPN to pick if your Mac is several years old. Its macOS page lists support for every version from 26 Tahoe back to 10.13 High Sierra, and names MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini and Mac Studio. It is also the only service here that offers a 24-hour free trial on Mac. The same page prints prices in US dollars: $2.19 a month on the 28-month plan, billed $61.32, then autorenewing at $61.32 a year, which is about $5.11 a month after the first term. The 6-month plan costs $6.99 a month. The 28-month plan is refundable for 45 days, longer than the usual 30. Features include servers in 100 countries across 120+ locations, an automatic kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection and WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2. The limits are 7 devices at once and a long prepayment for the best rate.
- ✓Widest macOS support in this list
- ✓45-day money-back guarantee on the 28-month plan
- ✓Renews at $61.32 a year, about $5.11 a month
- ✕7 devices, fewer than most rivals here
- ✕Best price needs a 28-month prepayment
- ✕6-month plan costs $6.99 a month
- macOS:
- 10.13 High Sierra or later
- Devices:
- 7
- Free trial:
- 24 hours on Mac
- Refunds:
- 45 days on the 28-month plan
Bottom line: CyberGhost is the best choice for older Macs because its app supports macOS back to 10.13 High Sierra. At $2.19 a month for 28 months, it is also one of the cheapest verified prices here.
- 05
NordVPN
8.6/10Large VPN with the NordLynx protocol, servers in 225 locations and an optional antivirus suite.
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 7 days
- Value (40%)
- 7.6
- Features (35%)
- 9.4
- Ease of use (25%)
- 9.0
Best forMac users who want a VPN plus antivirus in one app
NordVPN has the largest feature set for a Mac, but it costs more than our top picks once the intro term ends. The macOS page lists servers covering 225 locations, the NordLynx protocol, custom DNS, unlimited bandwidth and an App Kill Switch that quits selected apps if the VPN drops; that kill switch works only in the version downloaded from NordVPN's website, not the App Store copy. The current app supports macOS 14 Sonoma and later, with a separate download for Monterey and Ventura. One account covers 10 devices. Next-gen antivirus scans downloads and blocks malicious sites, and the Complete plan adds ad and tracker blocking, a password manager and 1 TB of cloud storage. First-time users can get a 7-day free trial on select plans, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. From our location the pricing page showed only zloty, with each plan's yearly renewal well above its intro rate, so the USD price is pending.
- ✓Broadest security suite in one Mac subscription
- ✓7-day free trial for first-time users on select plans
- ✓Auto-connect when the Mac starts up
- ✕USD price could not be confirmed from our location
- ✕Renewal is far above the intro rate
- ✕App Kill Switch missing from the App Store build
- Devices:
- 10
- macOS:
- 14 Sonoma or later (legacy build for 12 and 13)
- Locations:
- 225
- Refunds:
- 30 days
Bottom line: NordVPN is the best choice for Mac users who want antivirus and a password manager in the same app, because the Complete plan bundles both with the VPN. Install the website build to get the App Kill Switch.
- 06
Private Internet Access
8.6/10Open-source VPN with unlimited devices and a Mac app that runs on macOS 10.15 and later.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.8
- Features (35%)
- 8.7
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.2
Best forMac users who want unlimited devices and open-source code
Private Internet Access gives Mac users unlimited devices and open-source code at a low long-term price. Its Mac page says the app installs on any 64-bit Mac running macOS 10.15 or higher, while the Mac App Store version needs macOS 12. You can choose WireGuard or OpenVPN and switch between 128-bit and 256-bit AES, a useful option on older MacBooks where battery life matters. Per-app split tunneling and an advanced kill switch are included, and PIA says it runs 10 Gbps server technology with unlimited bandwidth. The app code is open source, and PIA reports that Deloitte audits found its servers aligned with its no-logs policy. Qualifying subscriptions include PIA Mac Cleaner at no extra cost. One account covers unlimited devices, so a Mac, iPhone and Apple TV share one plan. The order page showed only euros from our location during a Black Friday sale, so the USD price is pending. The 30-day money-back guarantee is for new subscribers.
- ✓No device limit
- ✓Runs on macOS 10.15, older than most rivals allow
- ✓No-logs policy checked in Deloitte audits
- ✕USD price could not be confirmed from our location
- ✕Mac App Store version needs macOS 12
- ✕Refund guarantee applies to new subscribers only
- Devices:
- Unlimited
- macOS:
- 10.15 or later (App Store build 12 or later)
- Protocols:
- WireGuard, OpenVPN
- Refunds:
- 30 days for new subscribers
Bottom line: PIA is the best choice for Mac users who want no device cap and open-source apps, because one account covers unlimited devices. Check the USD price at checkout.
- 07
PrivadoVPN
8.4/10Low-cost VPN with a one-click Mac app, a 10 GB free tier and 10 connections on paid plans.
Price
$1.11per month on the 27-month plan
Free plan with 10 GB every 30 days; $1.11 per month on the 24-month plan plus 3 free months; 12-month plan $1.33 per month
“Add $ 1.99/mo Antivirus Select 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee 24 Month Plan 24 Month Unlimited VPN + 3 FREE Save 90 % 1.11 /mo” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Value (40%)
- 9.0
- Features (35%)
- 7.7
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.4
Best forMac users who want the lowest paid price
PrivadoVPN is the cheapest paid VPN we could verify for a Mac. Its pricing page lists the 24-month plan with 3 free months at $1.11 a month and the 12-month plan with 3 free months at $1.33 a month, and both include unlimited data, 10 connections, streaming support, an ad blocker, threat prevention and parental controls. An antivirus add-on costs $1.99 a month. The free tier gives 10 GB every 30 days, enough for occasional use on public Wi-Fi. The Mac app keeps setup short: sign in, then click the PrivadoVPN logo in the center of the window to connect to the fastest server for your location, or pick a country. A SOCKS5 proxy is included for apps that support it. Every plan has a 30-day money-back guarantee. The trade-offs are a smaller set of documented Mac features than the leaders and no stated minimum macOS version on the Mac page, so try the free tier on your Mac first.
- ✓Lowest verified paid price in this list
- ✓Free tier for light Mac use
- ✓30-day money-back guarantee
- ✕Smaller feature set than Proton VPN or Surfshark
- ✕Mac page does not state a minimum macOS version
- ✕Best price needs a 27-month prepayment
- Free plan:
- Yes, 10 GB every 30 days
- Devices:
- 10 connections
- Long plan:
- 24 months plus 3 free
- Refunds:
- 30 days
Bottom line: PrivadoVPN is the best choice for Mac users on the tightest budget because its 24-month plan costs $1.11 a month with 10 connections. Test the free tier on your Mac before you prepay.
- 08
ExpressVPN
8.3/10Premium VPN with the Lightway protocol, RAM-only servers and a Mac app for macOS 11 Big Sur and later.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.0
- Features (35%)
- 9.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 9.2
Best forMac users who want a dedicated IP and a premium suite
ExpressVPN has one of the most finished Mac apps, but it charges for it. The Mac page says the app runs on macOS 11 Big Sur through 26 Tahoe, which includes Macs launched in 2013, and connects to servers in 214 locations across 113 countries. It uses RAM-only servers that wipe session data on reboot, and states that firms such as Cure53 audit them against its no-logs policy. The Mac app includes an internet kill switch, split tunneling and ExpressVPN's own private DNS for leak protection. Plans now come in three tiers: Basic covers 10 devices, Advanced 12 with the ExpressKeys password manager, and Pro 14 with a dedicated IP included. The order page lists the Basic plan at up to 40 Gbps. Prices showed only in euros from our location, and the renewal was well above the intro rate, so the USD price is pending. New users get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- ✓Supports Macs as old as 2013 models
- ✓Dedicated IP included on the Pro plan
- ✓Bundles ExpressKeys and ExpressMailGuard on higher tiers
- ✕USD price could not be confirmed from our location
- ✕Highest renewal prices in this list
- ✕Dedicated IP is a paid add-on below Pro
- Devices:
- 10 to 14 by plan
- macOS:
- 11 Big Sur or later
- Locations:
- 214 in 113 countries
- Refunds:
- 30 days for new users
Bottom line: ExpressVPN is the best choice for Mac users who need a dedicated IP, because the Pro plan includes one with 14 devices. Most buyers will pay less for similar Mac features with Proton VPN or Surfshark.
- 09
Mullvad
8.2/10Swedish VPN with a flat monthly price, account numbers instead of email and a Mac app for macOS 15 and later.
Price
$5.54per month (€5)
€5 per month, shown as $5.54, on any term from 1 month to 1 decade
“€5 is equivalent to $5.54” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.3
- Features (35%)
- 8.4
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.9
Best forPrivacy purists on a recent macOS
Mullvad suits Mac users who care more about privacy design than extras. It charges one flat rate, €5 a month including VAT, whether you pay for 1 month, 1 year or 1 decade, and its pricing page shows that as $5.54. There is no long prepayment to commit to, though refunds are limited to 14 days and cash payments are excluded. The macOS app, version 2026.5 at our check, works on macOS 15 Sequoia or later, a stricter requirement than any other app here. It includes split tunneling, automatic WireGuard key rotation, multihop, Shadowsocks, traffic obfuscation and an advanced kill switch integrated with the firewall. The installer is cryptographically signed, and Mullvad links a February 2026 security assessment by Leviathan and a November 2024 app audit by X41 D-Sec. You can also download WireGuard configuration files if the app does not suit you. Owners of Macs that cannot run Sequoia should look at CyberGhost, PIA or ExpressVPN instead.
- ✓Same price on 1 month or 1 year, so no prepayment needed
- ✓Split tunneling and anti-censorship options in the Mac app
- ✓Security assessment by Leviathan in February 2026
- ✕Requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later
- ✕Billed in euros, so the dollar price moves with exchange rates
- ✕Only a 14-day money-back guarantee
- Price:
- €5 a month (about $5.54)
- macOS:
- 15 Sequoia or later
- Latest Mac version:
- 2026.5
- Refunds:
- 14 days
Bottom line: Mullvad is the best choice for privacy-focused Mac users who dislike contracts because it charges the same €5 a month on any term. It needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
- 10
IVPN
8.1/10Privacy-first VPN with open-source Intel and Apple Silicon Mac builds, quantum-resistant WireGuard and anonymous signup.
Price
$5per month, billed $60 a year (Standard)
Standard $60 a year (about $5 a month), $6 a month, or $2 a week; Plus and Pro Suite cost more
“1 Month $6 1 Year $60” Quoted from the pricing page, November 11, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.5
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.8
Best forPrivacy-focused users who want a GUI and CLI
IVPN is a small, transparent provider whose Mac app gives technical users more control than most. The macOS page offers separate Intel and Apple Silicon downloads for macOS 12 and later, with the source code on GitHub and SHA256 checksums for each build. The app supports WireGuard, including quantum-resistant connections, and OpenVPN, plus a firewall kill switch you can set to on demand or always on. You can mark trusted Wi-Fi networks with automatic connect rules, build multi-hop routes through separate jurisdictions, split tunnel apps, use V2Ray and obfs4 to get past censorship, and control it all from a GUI or the command line. Pricing is in USD: Standard is $60 a year, $6 a month or $2 a week for 5 devices. IVPN is upfront about its limits: 58 locations in 41 countries, no port forwarding and no streaming guarantees. Signup needs no email, and refunds run for 30 days.
- ✓No email required to sign up
- ✓Weekly plan at $2 for a cheap trial run
- ✓Annual third-party security audits since 2019
- ✕Standard covers 5 devices
- ✕Servers in 41 countries and 58 locations
- ✕No port forwarding and no streaming guarantees
- Devices:
- 5 on Standard, 10 on Pro Suite
- macOS:
- 12 or later, Intel and Apple Silicon
- Network:
- 58 locations in 41 countries
- Refunds:
- 30 days
Bottom line: IVPN is the best choice for Mac users who want anonymous signup and a command-line client, because its open-source app needs no email and ships native Apple Silicon builds. Streamers should pick Proton VPN or Surfshark.
What to check before you pay
Check your macOS version before you pay
Minimum versions differ by years. CyberGhost supports macOS 10.13 High Sierra and later, PIA 10.15, ExpressVPN 11 Big Sur, Surfshark, Windscribe and IVPN 12 Monterey, NordVPN 14 Sonoma for its current app with a separate build for 12 and 13, and Mullvad 15 Sequoia. Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac to see your version.
Look for native Apple Silicon support
An app built for M-series chips avoids Rosetta translation. Windscribe ships a universal binary for Apple Silicon and Intel, Surfshark states native support for both, and IVPN offers separate Intel and Apple Silicon downloads. If you have an older Intel Mac, all ten apps here still offer an Intel build or a universal app.
Website app or Mac App Store app
Several vendors sell two macOS builds. NordVPN's App Kill Switch works only in the version downloaded from its website, and PIA's App Store version needs macOS 12 while its website build runs on 10.15. If a feature matters to you, install the vendor's own download rather than the App Store copy.
Speed claims come from the network, not the Mac
Vendors publish port speeds and protocols rather than one comparable speed figure. Proton VPN and PIA cite 10 Gbps servers, Surfshark 10 Gbps or faster ports, and ExpressVPN up to 40 Gbps on its Basic plan. WireGuard or a vendor protocol built on it, such as NordLynx or Lightway, is usually the faster choice on a Mac.
Count every Apple device on the plan
A Mac user often has an iPhone, an iPad and an Apple TV too. Surfshark, PIA and Windscribe Pro allow unlimited devices, Proton VPN Plus, NordVPN and PrivadoVPN 10, CyberGhost 7, and IVPN Standard 5. ExpressVPN ranges from 10 devices on Basic to 14 on Pro.
FAQ
What is the best VPN to use on a Mac?
Proton VPN is the best VPN to use on a Mac for most people. Its open-source macOS app has a free plan for 1 device, and VPN Plus costs $2.99 a month on the 1-year plan, billed $35.88, with 10 devices and Secure Core, according to protonvpn.com in November 2026.
Which VPN is best for a MacBook?
Proton VPN is the best VPN for a MacBook, with Surfshark as the pick if you also want to cover many Apple devices. Surfshark's Mac app runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel, and every plan allows unlimited simultaneous connections, per surfshark.com.
What is the best VPN for Mac in 2026?
Proton VPN ranks first in our 2026 list, ahead of Surfshark and Windscribe. We compared documented macOS features and published prices on each vendor's site; Proton VPN scored highest on value because of its free plan and $2.99 a month first year.
Is there a good free VPN for Mac?
Yes, Windscribe and Proton VPN both offer free Mac plans. Windscribe Free gives 10 GB a month in 10 countries with unlimited devices, and Proton Free covers 1 device with servers in 10 randomly selected countries and needs no credit card.
Do Mac VPNs work on Apple Silicon M-series Macs?
Yes, the major Mac VPNs support Apple Silicon. Windscribe ships a universal binary that runs natively without Rosetta, Surfshark states native Apple Silicon and Intel support, and IVPN offers a separate Apple Silicon download.
Which VPN works on an older Mac?
CyberGhost supports the oldest macOS versions in this list, back to 10.13 High Sierra. PIA runs on macOS 10.15 and ExpressVPN on macOS 11 Big Sur, while Mullvad needs macOS 15 Sequoia and NordVPN's current app needs macOS 14 Sonoma.
What is the cheapest VPN for Mac?
PrivadoVPN is the cheapest paid Mac VPN we verified at $1.11 a month on its 24-month plan with 3 free months. CyberGhost follows at $2.19 a month for 28 months, renewing at $61.32 a year.
Does a Mac need a VPN if it has iCloud Private Relay?
Yes, if you want a kill switch and a choice of server location. PIA's Mac page notes that Private Relay lacks extra security features such as a kill switch, which every VPN in this list includes.
Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.
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