Best VPN for Mac (2026)

Native Apple Silicon apps, macOS Sequoia tested, and FileVault + VPN for complete protection. Here are our top picks for Mac users.

Marcus Johnson·CEHCCNA·VPN & Privacy Analyst

Updated February 2, 2026

Expert-tested

Our Top 4 VPN Picks

Chosen after real-world testing across speed, privacy, and streaming. Each ranking is independent — we buy every VPN at retail and test it ourselves.

EDITOR'S PICK

Best Overall

NordVPN

4.8/ 5

Fastest speeds, audited no-logs, 6000+ servers

Audited no-logs policyThreat Protection blocks malware10 devices per account30-day money-back guarantee

Save 74%

was $12.99/mo

$3.39/mo

Get NordVPN

30-day money-back guarantee

Read full NordVPN review

Best for Unlimited Devices

Surfshark

4.6/ 5

Unlimited devices, CleanWeb blocker, 100+ countries

Unlimited simultaneous devicesCleanWeb ad & malware blockerRAM-only server network30-day money-back guarantee

Save 87%

was $15.45/mo

$1.99/mo

Get Surfshark

30-day money-back guarantee

Read full Surfshark review

Best for Privacy

Proton VPN

4.5/ 5

Swiss privacy laws, open-source, free tier

Swiss jurisdiction (no data laws)Open-source and auditedSecure Core multi-hopFree tier available forever

50% off

was $9.99/mo

$4.99/mo

Get Proton VPN

30-day money-back guarantee

Read full Proton VPN review

Best Budget

FastestVPN

4.2/ 5

Lifetime plans, 10 devices, ad blocker

Lifetime deal available10 devices per accountBuilt-in ad blockerNo-logs policy

Save 89%

was $10/mo

$1.11/mo

Get FastestVPN

30-day money-back guarantee

Read full FastestVPN review

We earn a commission when you click “Get” buttons, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure

Top 4 Mac VPNs

NordVPN

Best Overall

Best macOS app with NordLynx. Split tunneling now available on Mac. Threat Protection. Meshnet. Native Apple Silicon. Menu bar integration.

Surfshark

Unlimited Devices

Unlimited devices — MacBook + iMac + iPhone + iPad on one subscription. CleanWeb. Split tunneling on Mac. Apple Silicon native.

Proton VPN

Best for Privacy

Open-source macOS app. Swiss jurisdiction. Secure Core routing. WireGuard + OpenVPN. VPN Accelerator for long-distance servers.

FastestVPN

Best Budget

Clean macOS-native design. WireGuard protocol. Automatic best-server. Lifetime deals available.

macOS-Specific Features

Apple Silicon Native

All major VPNs now run natively on M-series chips. Better performance, lower battery drain than Rosetta translation.

Network Extension Framework

macOS VPNs use Apple's Network Extension for system-level kill switch. More reliable than third-party methods.

Split Tunneling

Now available on NordVPN and FastestVPN for macOS. Was previously missing. Route specific apps through VPN.

Menu Bar Integration

Quick connect/disconnect from the macOS menu bar without opening the full app. Status at a glance.

FileVault + VPN

Enable FileVault disk encryption alongside VPN for complete data protection. Both are essential for Mac security.

Siri Shortcuts

Some VPN apps support Siri: 'Hey Siri, connect my VPN.' Useful for hands-free activation.

Frequently asked

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — all major providers (NordVPN, Proton VPN, FastestVPN) now offer native Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) apps. This means better performance and lower battery drain compared to Rosetta-translated Intel apps.

macOS supports IKEv2 VPN natively in System Settings > VPN. But it lacks WireGuard support, kill switch, split tunneling, and auto-connect. A dedicated VPN app is strongly recommended.

No. Private Relay only covers Safari traffic, doesn't let you choose locations, and isn't available in all countries. A real VPN protects ALL traffic from ALL apps and lets you choose your virtual location.

Keep reading

Related Guides

Mac VPN Guide

Detailed Mac setup

Apple Ecosystem VPN

iPhone + iPad + Mac + Apple TV

VPN Protocols

Protocol comparison

Best VPN 2026

Overall top picks