The 5 Best VPNs For Mac of 2026  

1. Best VPN For Mac

   

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   Mullvad9 
   
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   Mullvad
   Private Browsing

   9.1

   Security

   8.6

   Speed

   7.4

   Policies & Practices

   9.2

   Data Limit: 

   N/A

   Server Choice: 

   Yes

   Simultaneous Devices: 

   6.8

   See all our test results 

   We recommend Mullvad as the best VPN for Mac thanks to its approachable app, clear privacy policies, and predictable monthly cost. It works on macOS 14 Sonoma or later, with a clean interface that makes basic controls easy to find. You don't need to hand over any personal information to create an account, and the company maintains strictly audited no-logging policies for added peace of mind. The VPN runs exclusively on WireGuard and includes a reliable kill switch to stop outbound traffic in the event of a sudden disconnect. It comes with a suite of obfuscation tools to keep your VPN traffic disguised on the web, along with split tunneling support so you can exclude apps you don't want using the VPN.

   There are a few OS-specific limitations to consider, however: Safari and other apps built on Apple's WebKit can't bypass the VPN through split tunneling, so those apps will always use the VPN. Additionally, Mullvad warns that due to an inherent macOS limitation, some apps may be able to connect to the internet before the VPN does when you first turn on your Mac. There's also no port forwarding, which is something to consider if you torrent, and users report mixed success accessing regional streaming libraries with the VPN enabled. But with flat monthly pricing and a 14-day money-back guarantee, it's an appealing choice for users who want a straightforward, no-fuss privacy solution. Mullvad accepts cards, PayPal, bank transfers, cash, and crypto, with a 10% monthly discount if you pay with an eligible cryptocurrency.

   See our review 

2. Best Budget VPN For Mac

   

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   Windscribe2 
   
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   Windscribe
   Private Browsing

   9.2

   Security

   8.6

   Speed

   7.4

   Policies & Practices

   9.4

   Data Limit: 

   N/A

   Server Choice: 

   Yes

   Simultaneous Devices: 

   9.9

   See all our test results 

   Windscribe is a practical budget choice for Mac if you only need access to a handful of server locations. Its customizable Build-a-Plan option lets you pay only for the locations you need, with unlimited data and simultaneous device connections starting at $3 USD per month. The app supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN, plus obfuscation tools to keep your VPN traffic hidden. It comes with a functional kill switch, ad blocking, and split tunneling support so you can choose what traffic gets encrypted. Like Mullvad, the company's privacy policy is transparent and independently audited, and you can start using the VPN without providing an email address. Windscribe for Mac requires macOS 13 Ventura or later.

   The main trade-off is access to fewer paid countries and a lack of port forwarding support (only available on Pro plans). The provider does support streaming in most locations, but as always, your mileage may vary by streaming platform and region. Overall, it's a practical choice if you want to cover all your devices without paying for server locations you'll never use. Windscribe accepts payment via card, PayPal, cryptocurrency, and regional methods through Paymentwall.

   See our review 

3. Best Mac VPN For Short-Term Use

   

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   IVPN0 
   
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   IVPN
   Private Browsing

   9.2

   Security

   8.6

   Speed

   7.3

   Policies & Practices

   9.3

   Data Limit: 

   N/A

   Server Choice: 

   Yes

   Simultaneous Devices: 

   9.1

   See all our test results 

   If you only need VPN protection temporarily, IVPN is a great short-term option thanks to its flexible pricing of just $2 USD per week. Its Standard plan covers up to five devices and includes ad and tracker blocking, obfuscation tools to disguise your traffic, and the option to route your connection through two VPN servers for added security. Like our top pick, Mullvad, you can create an account without providing any personal information. You can set IVPN to connect automatically when it detects you're on untrusted Wi-Fi, which is useful if you travel or enjoy working from the local café. The app supports devices on macOS 12 or later.

   There are a couple of drawbacks to note, though: unlike its Windows app, IVPN for Mac doesn't include split tunneling, so you can't exclude individual apps from its encrypted tunnel. It also lacks port forwarding and doesn't guarantee or optimize its service specifically for bypassing streaming restrictions; you might find success on certain platforms or servers, but it isn't reliable enough to count on as a dedicated streaming VPN. While IVPN's weekly pricing is hard to beat, you might find better value in Windscribe's Build-a-Plan option if you plan on using the VPN for longer than a few days at a time. With IVPN, you can pay via card, PayPal, Bitcoin, or Monero, with cash accepted on subscriptions of a year or longer.

   See our review 

4. Best Free VPN For Mac

   

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   Proton VPN Free0 
   
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   Proton
   Private Browsing

   7.5

   Security

   8.6

   Speed

   7.2

   Policies & Practices

   6.3

   Data Limit: 

   N/A

   Server Choice: 

   No

   Simultaneous Devices: 

   4.6

   See all our test results 

   If you'd rather avoid another subscription, we recommend Proton VPN Free as the best free VPN for Mac with unlimited usage and no in-app advertisements. You can leave it running while browsing and downloading instead of rationing your allowance, and you can safely use the VPN as a guest without providing a personal email. The app, available for macOS 11 and higher, makes connecting straightforward with options to launch at startup and stay tucked away in your menu bar. Proton Free supports WireGuard and Stealth, a proprietary protocol designed to make VPN traffic harder for government censorship tools to identify. The VPN's built-in kill switch effectively blocks internet traffic after an unexpected disconnect, and like the rest of our picks, Proton's no-logging policy has been independently audited.

   You do give up some flexibility in return for unlimited data, however. Proton's free plan supports only one active device at a time, and you're automatically assigned to the fastest available server rather than choosing your own. Streaming might work on occasion, but Proton reserves official streaming support for paid subscribers. In addition, its kill switch on Mac has a known limitation where your IP address may be briefly exposed while switching servers. Torrenting, split tunneling, and ad-blocking features are also reserved for the paid tier. If being able to choose your country matters more than unlimited usage, we'd recommend having a look at Windscribe Free.

   See our review 

5. Best Mac VPN For Streaming

   

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   NordVPN5 
   
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   NordVPN
   Private Browsing

   6.4

   Security

   8.6

   Speed

   7.2

   Policies & Practices

   4.8

   Data Limit: 

   N/A

   Server Choice: 

   No

   Simultaneous Devices: 

   9.1

   See all our test results 

   If accessing another country's streaming library is your main priority, NordVPN is worth considering for your Mac. With official support for streaming and up to 10 simultaneous connections, you can pick a country from the app's searchable location list to stream your favorites across major platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. The app supports OpenVPN and NordLynx (a proprietary WireGuard-based protocol built for fast speeds and privacy), but you'll need a device running macOS 14 Sonoma or later to use it. Interestingly, NordVPN's core functionality can differ depending on where you download it from: if you download the app from the App Store, the VPN's kill switch will block internet traffic across your entire Mac in the event of a disconnect. If you download from NordVPN's official site, however, you'll need to specify which apps you want the kill switch to terminate, and other programs will continue to run unaffected.

   Unlike the Windows app, NordVPN for Mac doesn't include split tunneling, so you can't exclude specific apps from being routed through the VPN. The company's no-logging claims have undergone independent assessments, but its broader privacy policies and business practices scored lower than our other recommendations since they allow for the use of targeted ads to collect and sell your data. Overall, we'd recommend it if you really only care about streaming international libraries and don't mind the privacy trade-offs. You can pay by card, PayPal, or cryptocurrency, depending on your region.

   See our review 

Notable Mentions

Recent Updates

1.  Oct 07, 2026: 

   We've refreshed this article with pricing information and clearer buying advice for each pick. We've also added three new categories: 'Best For Streaming,' 'Best For Short-Term Use,' and 'Best Free.'

2.  Aug 25, 2026: 

   We've reviewed our picks to ensure they remain the best options for their respective categories, but haven't made any changes.

3.  Jun 26, 2026: 

   We've reviewed our picks and verified they're still the best options available.

4.  Apr 24, 2026: 

   We've updated this article to reflect that Windscribe now supports hashed account login. We've reviewed and verified that our current recommendations remain the best picks, but have added Windscribe as a Notable Mention.

5.  Feb 19, 2026: 

   We've reviewed our recommendations and haven't changed any of them. We've made some minor edits for clarity and conciseness, however.