6 Best (Truly FREE) VPN for Mac (2023)

By : Lawrence Williams Lawrence Williams
Hours Updated

Best Free VPN for Mac

Macs are regarded as one of the most secure computers in the world. However, hackers and your internet provider can still snoop on your network. In fact, they can discover everything you do online, share it with others, and steal your personal information like credit cards or passwords.

Using a Mac VPN helps you anonymize your activity online, change your IP address, and prevent tracking. It also allows you to unblock streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, etc., access foreign content libraries, unblocks blocked content and censorship, share files safely with P2P, and much more.

After testing a variety of VPNs through our rigorous testing, we’ve boiled the list of the best VPNs for Mac down to six free and paid options, which we’ve discussed below. Read more…

Our Best Free VPN recommendation

Top Pick
ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

✔️ Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

✔️ Servers: 3000+

✔️ Supported Apps: iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows.

✔️ Works with: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Torrenting, Kodi

✔️ Money-back guarantee: 30 Days

✔️ Special offer: 3 months FREE on annual plan

Our score:

9.8

Go to ExpressVPN

30-Day Free Trial

 

Best VPNs With Free Trial for Mac

 
#1 Best Overall

ExpressVPN

NordVPN

 Atlas VPN Surfshark
VPN Provider ExpressVPN NordVPN Atlas VPN Surfshark
Number of servers: 3,000+ 5,000+ 750+ 3200+
macOS Compatibility El Captain and above macOS Catalina and above macOS Catalina and above macOS Sierra and above
No. of Server Countries 94 59 37 65
Connection Speed Moderate Very fast Fast Very fast
Data Allowance Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Our Review We rate VPNs based on factors such as Speed, User Experience, Bandwidth, Countries Supported, Pricing, No Log Policy etc.
Excellent – 9.8
Excellent – 9.7
Good – 9.6
Good – 9.5
Free trial VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but you must subscribe to the 1-month plan first. 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days
Link Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now

1) ExpressVPN

Best security in day-to-day use

ExpressVPN is one of our top recommendations across almost all categories, and for a good reason. It is a very secure VPN for mac users as it comes with 256-bit encryption, has DNS leak protection, and offers safe server technology. This VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a very privacy-oriented government. It also has no data retention laws.

ExpressVPN servers haven’t suffered a data breach, and they have plenty of options for you to choose from. PwC has also audited it, and they are a completely no-logs VPN. You can stream perfectly with the help of this free VPN for Mac.

ExpressVPN

Features:

  • Threat Manager helps block ads, malware, and trackers while you surf using safari web browser.
  • Lightway protocol for a fast and secure VPN experience
  • VPN split tunneling to divide your VPN encryption tunnel
  • Network lock kill switch to stop Internet Connection Providers from snooping in case of network breakdowns
  • Simple and easy-to-use clients to use for almost all platforms

Key Specs:

Mac compatibility:
macOS X El Captain and above 		The total number of servers: 3000+ Server selection: 94+ countries Mac App Rating: 4.7/5 on 10,220+ reviews
Data Allowance: Unlimited Bandwidth
Unblocks:
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer 		Simultaneous Connections: 5+ Maximum supported devices: 5+

How To Get It Free?

ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee

To use the money-back guarantee:

  • Purchase ExpressVPN, we recommend subscribing to their one-month plan to keep your credit charge low.
  • You can cancel before the term ends, and you’ll get your refund, no questions asked. Money is usually returned to original payment source in 5 business days.

Get ExpressVPN Now

30-Day Free Trial

2) NordVPN

Best for streaming

NordVPN is one of the best free VPNs that almost everyone has heard of. It’s a secure VPN based in Panama, and PwC has also audited its infrastructure. Like other VPNs on the list, the app has a strict no-logs policy and doesn’t share your data with other parties.

NordVPN has impressive protocol and server options, and the performance is exceptional too. It can also unblock almost all streaming sites with HD quality and no buffering, and P2P also works perfectly.

This one of the best free VPN services for Mac comes with an attractive UI and integrates with the menu bar for easy access at all times. The client comes with all server and protocol options.

It’s been the leader due to its value addition at an affordable price which starts at just $3.99/month.

NordVPN

Features:

  • Meshnet to connect to any remote device directly over an encrypted VPN tunnel
  • Obfuscated servers so that your Internet Connection Provider doesn’t know that you used a VPN
  • Dedicated IP to be used just by you
  • No data leaks with DNS leak protection and double IP address masking
  • Onion over VPN to access Tor websites

Key Specs:

Mac compatibility:
macOS Sierra and above 		The total number of servers: 5,540+ Server selection: 59+ countries Mac App Rating: 4.9/5 from 131+ Ratings
Data Allowance: Unlimited Bandwidth
Unblocks:
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Hotstar 		Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited Maximum supported devices: Unlimited

How To Get It Free?

NordVPN offers a generous money back guarantee that you can use to get the software for free for a limited time. The trial works on all devices with no feature restrictions.

Here are steps to get NordVPN free:

  • Go to their website using Safari and click on ‘Choose Your Plan.’
  • Choose a plan, complete the payment, and create an account with NordVPN
  • Now, you’ll be able to download the app, login to your account, and use NordVPN for free for 30 days.

Get NordVPN Now

30-Day Free Trial

3) AtlasVPN

Best for budget-conscious users

AtlasVPN is one of the new but promising free VPN providers which offers quality features and benefits at extremely low prices. It’s based in the USA, has had no past data breaches, offers a dedicated Mac client that works on Macbook Pro, Air, etc., and it’s a no-logs VPN. Atlas VPN has been audited by VerSprite, which found little to no issues with the app, and the company hasn’t suffered any data breaches.

The performance is one of the best in the industry, and it’s pretty good for the price.

AtlasVPN

Features:

  • Speedy Wireguard protocol for the perfect balance of speed and security
  • MultiHop+ feature for multiple layers of IP address protection to make it harder to track you
  • Data breach monitor to check the web for any personal information leaks
  • Secure file-sharing without restrictions with P2P
  • SafeSwap technology for accessing the internet with several IP addresses at the same time

Key Specs:

Mac compatibility:
macOS Catalina and above 		The total number of servers: 750+ Server selection: 42+ countries Mac App Rating: 4.5/5 from 87+ ratings
Data Allowance: Unlimited Bandwidth
Unblocks:
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Hotstar 		Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited Maximum supported devices: Unlimited

How To Get It Free?

  • AtlasVPN offers a solid 30-day money-back guarantee that can be used without any restrictions. It also has a free version of its app though it comes with, speed and download restrictions.
  • We recommend using the paid version and claim 30-day money-back guarantee to get it free.

Get AtlasVPN Now

30-Day Free Trial

4) SurfsharkVPN

Best for users needing fast performance

Surfshark is a value-for-money VPN that gets you everything you need at a very affordable price. It’s very secure, with no past data breaches and independent audits by 3rd parties like Cure53, which found no issues.

The performance is also one of the best in the industry. The streaming video quality was impressive, and there was no buffering. This free VPN for Mac is quite simple to use with a beautiful UI and all the server, protocol, and feature options.

As for pricing, Surfshark is quite cheap at just $2.49/month.

SurfsharkVPN

Features:

  • Obfuscated, RAM-Only servers to maintain data center security
  • Two-factor authentication for account security
  • IP rotator to keep changing your IP address at regular intervals to evade tracking
  • CleanWeb to minimize ads, trackers, cookies, and malware while surfing
  • Bypasser to use the VPN tunnel on specific apps and exclude other apps.

Key Specs:

Mac compatibility:
macOS Sierra and above 		The total number of servers: 3,200+ Server selection: 95+ countries Mac App Rating: 4.7/5 from 227+ Ratings
Data Allowance: Unlimited Bandwidth
Unblocks:
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Hotstar 		Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited Maximum supported devices: Unlimited

How To Get It Free?

SurfsharkVPN offers a 7-day free trial for macOS, Android, and iOS as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here are steps to do this:

  • Download the Surfshark app from your app marketplace.
  • Press ‘Start Free Trial’ in the Surfshark app and set up an account.
  • Select the 12-month option and press ‘Start’. You’ll have to add your card, but you won’t be charged till your trial ends.

Get Surfshark Now

30-Day Free Trial

5) FastestVPN

Cheapest Lifetime VPN Subscription

FastestVPN is a lifetime VPN subscription service based in the Cayman Islands that offers lightning-speed processing, ultra-safe encryption services, split tunneling, and more.

It is one of the few legitimate lifetime subscription services. At just $40 for lifetime access, this company offers one of the best deals available. Moreover, this company has servers in 39+ countries and over 55+ locations.

FastestVPN

Features:

  • Very high-speed connections (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Net Shield to protect from malware, block ads, and prevent website trackers from tracking you on Safari, Chrome, Edge, etc.
  • AES-256 military-grade encryption for message encryption.
  • Multiple protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard
  • You can switch from one server to another.

Key Specs:

Mac compatibility:
OS X versions 10.15 and later. 		The total number of servers: 600+ Server selection: 39+ countries Mac App Rating: 4.3/5
Data Allowance: Unlimited
Unblocks:
Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and more 		Simultaneous Connections: 10 Maximum supported devices: 10

How to use FastestVPN for Free:

  • Start your risk-free trial for FastestVPN
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time within 15 days. You get your money back – no questions asked
  • If you like the service, you may continue the subscription, as it costs just $40 for a lifetime subsription!

Get FastestVPN Now

15-Day Money-back Guarantee

6) Private Internet Access

Best for its advanced features

Private Internet Access is based in the United States of America, has numerous server locations, and doesn’t store logs.

It is a trusty VPN service that’s been around since 2009. It’s a great blend of price, security, and features, the three most essential components of a VPN. It also works with streaming websites and P2P file sharing without getting into trouble with your ISP. As for cost, it’s quite affordable and starts at just $2.03/month.

Private Internet Access

Features:

  • 100% open-source clients so that anyone can verify the code
  • Lots of different protocols like OpenGuard and Wireguard
  • Automation rules for auto-connect or disconnect on the basis of specific networks or network types.
  • Configuration for advanced settings like custom DNS, port forwarding, remote ports, etc.
  • Dedicated IP that only you can access

Key Specs:

Mac compatibility:
macOS High Sierra and above 		The total number of servers: 10,000+ Server selection: 84+ countries Mac App Rating: 4.6/5 from 8,355+ ratings
Data Allowance: Unlimited Bandwidth
Unblocks:
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Hotstar 		Simultaneous Connections: 10+ Maximum supported devices: Unlimited

How To Get It Free?

Private Internet Access provides 30-day money-back guarantee like other free VPNs for Mac on the list.

Here’s how to avail yourself:

  • Go to their website: https://privateinternetaccess.com and chose any plan.
  • Complete the payment for the subscription and create your account with them.
  • From the customer portal, download the PIA app for your Mac and start using.
  • Claim money-back before the 30 day period ends.

Get PIA Now

30 days money-back guarantee

FAQs:

We wouldn’t recommend using most free VPNs as they are not reliable. But, the best free VPNs for Mac would be:

Before you commit to one VPN for your mac, we would recommend checking the following things:

Privacy: A VPN’s goal is to help you stay secure online, so it’s essential that the VPN itself is secure. Your VPN should have AES-256 encryption, and it should not store logs. If you want to take it one step further, you can look for data breaches and make sure it’s not based in countries that come under the Five Eyes alliance.

Security: Security features like a kill switch are a must. If your VPN offers multi-masking of IP address, private DNS, and dynamic IP address, it’s an additional bonus.

Speed: A VPN reduces speed since your connection is routed through multiple servers, but you should ensure that it’s not too slow. Otherwise, basic stuff like web browsing won’t work, let alone streaming.

Features: Other features we’d recommend looking at are servers and protocols. More server locations and dedicated servers for stuff like P2P or streaming are always better. Essentially, your VPN must-have basic protocols like OpenGuard or IKEv2. Wireguard is a new and awesome protocol that we recommend using.

Pricing: VPNs are available for relatively cheap nowadays, especially if you subscribe for a longer term. We wouldn’t recommend spending more than $7-8/month on a paid VPN service until it’s really exceptional. Most VPNs cost around $2-$5/month.

Yes, we highly recommend getting a VPN, whether it’s a Mac or not. Sure, Macs are quite secure by nature, but the internet is a wild place. However, If you don’t want your data to be compromised or you don’t want your ISP to keep spying on what you do, use a VPN.

Yes, Macs also need VPNs. Macs are most secure on an OS level, but a VPN is still a must for internet security. However, a VPN is still the best bet if you want to stream content outside your region, browse safely on Safari, or do P2P sharing without getting into trouble.

A Mac VPN isn’t special in its “working”. The VPN provider gives you an app made for macOS that you can use to access the VPN normally. Sometimes, you get some extra features or fewer features on macOS, but that depends on VPN.

No, Macs don’t have a built-in VPN. Although, you can use an external VPN provider like Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN.

Not every VPN provider can be trusted; that’s why we shared the best VPNs for your MacBook Pro in this article. All these VPN providers are very reliable and safe. They won’t cause your Mac any harm by selling any data.

Best VPNs With Free Trial for Mac

 
#1 Best Overall

ExpressVPN

NordVPN

 Atlas VPN Surfshark
VPN Provider ExpressVPN NordVPN Atlas VPN Surfshark
Number of servers: 3,000+ 5,000+ 750+ 3200+
macOS Compatibility El Captain and above macOS Catalina and above macOS Catalina and above macOS Sierra and above
No. of Server Countries 94 59 37 65
Connection Speed Moderate Very fast Fast Very fast
Data Allowance Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Our Review We rate VPNs based on factors such as Speed, User Experience, Bandwidth, Countries Supported, Pricing, No Log Policy etc.
Excellent – 9.8
Excellent – 9.7
Good – 9.6
Good – 9.5
Free trial VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but you must subscribe to the 1-month plan first. 30 days 30 days 30 days 30 days
Link Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now Try Free Now
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