You wouldn’t want people to see what you’re doing online, whether it’s browsing adult websites, attempting to bypass government firewalls to access censored information, or using torrent files without wanting to receive malicious letters from your internet service provider.

Or perhaps you’re on public WiFi, and you don’t want someone sitting in the corner with a packet sniffer to see all your banking information and start buying jewelry for his girlfriend using your credit card. That’s why using a trusted Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider is a good idea.

No one can know what you’re viewing or downloading because your connection through The Best VPN free on Mac is encrypted. All internet providers, be it your cable company or your workplace, only know that you’re connected to The Best VPN free on Mac. What you do there is private, known only to you.

Remember, having a VPN is different from setting up a VPN between two or more computers. Anyone can set up a VPN between any two or more computers so they can communicate with each other without anyone snooping. VPN providers allow you to establish an encrypted connection with the internet and then connect you to the rest of the internet.

Depending on the speed and quality of your VPN connection, it’s like connecting directly through local WiFi or a network connection. Here’s a list of the best free VPNs for Mac, and the cost of a genuinely good VPN connection can range from $10 to $30 per month, but these are also excellent for beginners.

Looking for top-notch security within your budget? NordVPN is The Best VPN free on Mac, with a comprehensive security suite for PC, including built-in malware protection, ad blocking, password management, cloud storage, and a host of other security features, all at a highly competitive price. Plus, they all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try them risk-free.

If you’re looking to save money, we recommend Surfshark. for less than $2.50 per month, you’ll have unlimited data and simultaneous connections, rock-solid security, and in-depth features that free VPNs don’t have. Access is fast and all major streaming sites are unlocked. Surfshark is the best value for money.

How to get a free VPN for 30 days:
If you need a VPN for a short period of time while traveling abroad, get our top-ranked VPN for free. NordVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee, which is real. You’ll need to pay upfront to use the subscription, but the subscription allows full access for 30 days. If you don’t like it you can cancel at any time and get a full refund, so you can try it with confidence.

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What You Should Know About Mac VPN Recommendations on macOS

VPNs for Mac can be categorized into three groups:

Software that utilizes built-in system features, typically the IKEv2 protocol.
Software that supports non-macOS protocols, including popular options like OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Services that do not build their own software but provide configurations for third-party VPN clients.

Considering the device systems of iMac computers and MacBook laptops, the first two categories of VPN programs are more popular. It’s a fact that services not offering their own software are less favored by Mac users. When choosing between providers from the first two groups, as a professional, I prefer software that allows you to select tunnel protocols (the second group) simply because I need it to do my job.

However, in other cases, there’s not much of a difference. But I do recommend using more advanced technology whenever possible, as it typically offers better quality. When installing a Mac VPN, we most often use the built-in macOS IKEv2 protocol. But some services operate through more efficient protocols like WireGuard, Lightway, and NordLynx, which we’ll discuss in the next chapter. Let’s move on.

What’s the Fundamental Difference in Running a VPN on Mac Compared to Other Platforms?

First and foremost, security issues are handled better on Mac. For instance, if you’re using the built-in IKEv2, macOS VPN apps don’t need an additional Kill Switch feature (which prevents traffic when the connection to the VPN server drops). The system itself handles this task efficiently within reasonable limits. Therefore, a single application has less responsibility for connection security.

So, what’s the primary advantage of using a VPN on Mac?

Essentially, it’s the presence of advanced features that extend the capabilities of a regular VPN and cater to what users need. For example, support for platforms like Netflix, TV streaming, and gaming consoles, as well as the ability to bypass censorship using obfuscation. But please note that this isn’t an exhaustive list of features a good VPN should have—it’s where we often see many VPN providers compete.

Applications that only allow you to select a country/region and toggle the VPN connection on or off are considered basic. It’s almost impossible to understand the necessary features unless you try the VPN yourself. The following five VPN services have the most advanced and feature-rich Mac software in their arsenal. Additionally, their technical infrastructure is extensive, providing good speeds and meeting high security standards.

Further reading:
➤ How to iOS VPN Settings on your iPhone
➤ Top 3 VPN iOS Best for iPhone（iOS 16 & Older）
➤ The Best VPN Korea server
➤ Best Japan VPN for Watching Japanese Netflix
➤ Top 3 Best VPN in Hong Kong｜fast and secure

Why Use a VPN on Mac?

Using a VPN on your computer offers many benefits. When we use our devices, we connect to the internet, and if we’re on the go, we might use public Wi-Fi networks. However, some open networks can pose risks to your data, and malicious individuals may intercept your data. A VPN will allow you to encrypt your data.

Of course, there are other advantages too. A VPN lets you connect from a server in the country/region of your choice, and the websites you visit will think you’re coming from that selected location, not where you actually are. VPNs can unlock foreign streaming catalogs on platforms like Netflix.

In some countries with censorship, such as China, some websites and services you use daily may be blocked from time to time. With a VPN, you can bypass this censorship and continue to connect to all your favorite websites and social networks without any issues. Finally, a VPN can make you more anonymous, making it harder for anyone to track everything you do and where you log in from. This can protect your privacy, and by using a VPN, you can effectively hide your real IP address.

The Best VPN free on Mac – 2023 Oct

There are tons of free VPNs out there that promise a lot but actually offer very little. We’re here to separate fact from fiction by carefully testing a large number of products to find the best VPNs with free trials.

We’ve found the five best free VPNs based on key considerations such as security, privacy, speed, and streaming features.We recommend NordVPN, but you can’t go wrong with any of these five VPN services based on your specific needs.

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1. NordVPN – The most secure VPN available

While NordVPN doesn’t offer a completely free service, their 30-day money-back guarantee allows you to sign up and test the service. If you’re not satisfied or want to try other VPNs, you can cancel within 30 days. Given NordVPN’s popularity with millions of downloads, it’s worth considering, even if you have to go through a few extra steps to test it.

Registered in Panama, NordVPN doesn’t keep user activity logs, making it a good choice even for the most sensitive tasks. It offers high-speed, reliable personal data protection, the ability to bypass restrictions, and streaming support. NordVPN consistently checks all the boxes.

It’s available on MacBook as an executable file and can also be found on the App Store. This setup requires no additional knowledge and automatically selects initial settings for optimal privacy and speed. It’s hard to find a more popular paid VPN service than NordVPN, and it’s not just because of marketing.

This is the result of consistently high-quality performance with over 5,600 servers in 60 countries, making it one of the largest VPNs in the world. NordVPN is the only VPN that offers two Mac applications: one called NordVPN IKE, a simplified version that supports macOS standard protocols.

This app is convenient and can be found on the Mac App Store. The second app can be found on the official website and offers the same functionality as the PC application, providing options for VPN protocols, obfuscation, and many other features. During testing, both versions worked flawlessly, and connections were stable. NordVPN is among the fastest in terms of speed.

NordVPN doesn’t retain logs of your connections or activities and is protected by military-grade encryption. Real-time customer support is available on the website, and it comes with built-in app-specific kill switches, full kill switches, and DNS leak protection. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously. NordVPN also has dedicated servers for various tasks, including Double VPN, Tor over VPN, and ultra-fast optimized servers for streaming.

I want to emphasize the kill switch feature, which reliably protects your computer when reconnecting (in case of location changes or emergencies). This simple but often underestimated feature prevents the leakage of users’ real IP addresses. Additionally, NordVPN works with several popular geo-locked streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

You can get NordVPN’s MacOS app from the App Store or directly from the NordVPN website. The only way to use NordVPN for free on your MacBook is to request a refund within the first 30 days, which can be done by contacting 24/7 customer support. Enjoy the 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial.

I’ve tested it myself to ensure you can truly get your money back. Initially, the support team tried to offer me an extension, but after I expressed no interest in an extension, they promptly initiated the refund, and I got my money back within 3 business days. There’s no reason not to give NordVPN a risk-free try. Make sure you buy NordVPN and get another 3 months free >>

Additional features of NordVPN available on Mac:

How to use NordVPN VPN

To use NordVPN, perform the following simple steps:

Go to the NordVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
Download the NordVPN app for the device you want to use.
Enter your login password in the app.
Enable the Obfuscation Server by going to: Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Obfuscation Server (toggle it on).
Now, connect to one of the obfuscation servers by clicking on the “Servers” tab, and then click to automatically connect to the fastest VPN server, or manually select the server location.
Use NordVPN and unlock all online content.

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2. Surfshark – Recommend the cheapest VPN

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN that provides unlimited global bandwidth and simultaneous connections. Yes, you read that right! If you care about where your hard-earned money goes and understand the importance of value, we recommend taking a look at Surfshark. This VPN allows you to connect all your devices, whether it’s your iPhone, TV, router, or your loved ones’ devices.

Within just a year of its establishment, Surfshark has become one of the leading VPN providers, with versatility and service levels that can rival even the biggest names in VPN history. With just the right number of servers—over 3,200 in 100 countries—Surfshark is well-equipped to join the ranks of the best servers. Additionally, all of these servers allow P2P/torrenting.

One of Surfshark’s main advantages is that they have set up DNS (DNS servers convert domain names into IP addresses) on every server. This ensures that the addresses of websites you visit are kept hidden. Many of Surfshark’s competitors use only a few DNS servers or even free public DNS (not 100% secure).

Registered in the offshore jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, this makes it less susceptible to political or other pressures. Furthermore, Surfshark keeps no logs and uses “bank-grade” encryption to protect user traffic. Another advantage of Surfshark is the existence of 15 double VPN variants, doubling the already high level of user privacy.

So, if you’re feeling a bit paranoid… isn’t Surfshark the perfect solution for the most challenging tasks? Surfshark can be used on MacBook as an executable file and can also be found on the App Store, so its installation won’t cause any issues. The Mac app is beautifully designed and very user-friendly. By default, the kill switch is always on but can be turned off at any time.

Surfshark wins the title of best value VPN at a significantly lower price. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can personally try Surfshark risk-free through the 30-day money-back guarantee, and applying for a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked me why I wanted to cancel, I had no issues getting my money back (and it took only 4 days!). Make sure you buy Surfshark and get 3 months of service for free>>

Additional features of Surfshark available on Mac:

How to Download and Install Surfshark

To use Surfshark VPN, perform the following simple steps:

Go to the Surfshark website and sign up for a subscription.
Download the Surfshark app for the device you want to use.
Enter your login credentials in the VPN app.
Enable the NoBorders feature by going to: Settings > Advanced > NoBorders (toggle on).
After activating the NoBorders feature, you can use the VPN as normal.
Enjoy using Surfshark VPN now.

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3. ExpressVPN – The fastest VPN in the world.

ExpressVPN is a top-tier VPN service that’s perfect for Mac, offering all the latest features that users need for reliable protection of almost any purpose. ExpressVPN can bypass VPN protocol blocks only. It doesn’t have dedicated IPs, double VPN, or a special server list for streaming and torrenting.

I want to mention that ExpressVPN also has browser extensions, which not only protect browser traffic but also control the ExpressVPN app that affects the entire macOS system. Their confirmed no-logs policy is also crucial, ensuring that ExpressVPN doesn’t record user activity.

ExpressVPN is an outstanding all-around VPN for Mac, offering fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth to ensure you can stream in HD and quickly download large files. Operating in over 94 countries/regions with over 3,000 optimized VPN servers, it combines powerful encryption with perfect forward secrecy for top-notch security.

ExpressVPN doesn’t retain logs of your activity or real IP address and features a kill switch called “Network Lock” and leak protection. The ExpressVPN Mac app includes split tunneling, allowing you to choose which apps go through the VPN tunnel and which use a regular unencrypted internet connection.

ExpressVPN provides secure access to websites like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. However, not all servers may do the job, so contact 24/7 live chat support to inquire about which servers work for your favorite streaming sites.

The app is also available for Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, some WiFi routers, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. ExpressVPN can handle almost anything, offering fast, reliable performance and the ability to unblock all major streaming services. Enjoy outstanding security and online privacy with 256-bit encryption and no browser logs. ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

I’ve personally tested the ExpressVPN guarantee, and I was amazed at how straightforward the process was. I contacted 24/7 live chat and requested a refund, and the refund was approved within 5 minutes without any questions. Most importantly, I had the full amount back in my account in less than 5 business days. Make sure you get another 3 months free with your ExpressVPN purchase>>

Additional features of ExpressVPN available on Mac:

How to set up ExpressVPN VPN

To use ExpressVPN, simply perform the following steps:

Go to the ExpressVPN website and sign up for a subscription.
Log in to your account and download the software for the device you want to use the VPN for.
Open the ExpressVPN app and enter the activation code (from your account page).
Now, connect to one of the nearest servers and use the internet normally.
Instantly use ExpressVPN and unlock all your online content.

Recommended Totally Free VPN Downloads

There are tons of totally free VPN downloads on the market. However, the selection is the only impressive one here, as the service itself is not as good as the premium services we mentioned. Anyway, I’d like to clarify. These are 100% free VPNs, which means no payments, no credit card info, that sort of thing.

Some of them will ask you to create a free account and that’s it. After that, you can use them for free forever without paying a dime. If that’s clear, here are our top 2 favorite free VPNs:

4. ProtonVPN – Proton enjoys unlimited traffic without paying a dime!

Despite being entirely free, Proton VPN offers you a lot of features. Firstly, you can get unlimited data through Proton VPN’s free package, unlike most free VPNs that limit your traffic to 500MB per month, barely enough to watch an entire HD movie. I browsed YouTube clips for several hours using Safari without reaching any limitations.

Proton has free servers in the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States, allowing you to access servers across three continents. As a completely free VPN, it boasts impressive security credentials. With its headquarters in Switzerland, which has special privacy protection laws, it comes with a kill switch and leak protection features to ensure your Mac browsing remains private. Go to official website >>>

Additionally, its proprietary Stealth protocol can bypass internet surveillance and censorship. While some free VPNs only allow access to a single server, Proton VPN offers over 120 servers across three countries: the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands. However, during peak times, my Safari browsing speed slowed to 7Mbps.

Like all free VPNs, it has some downsides. You can only connect one device, so I had to choose between my Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Moreover, I couldn’t unlock many streaming platforms like Disney+, Hulu, or HBO Max. I did manage to unlock Netflix, but it only allowed access to globally available content, so there was no advantage. Without a location in the UK, you won’t get iPlayer, ITVX, or All 4. Go to official website >>>

5. Hide.me Free – with a 10GB data limit

Hide.me stands out on Mac due to its quality protection, despite being free. It offers features like a kill switch, DNS and IP leak prevention, strong encryption, no logs, and no ads. The VPN remains a secure choice for Apple computers. Surprisingly, it features a split tunneling function, a rarity on Mac.

Of course, its free nature comes with some limitations. While the provider treats free and paid users equally regarding speed and customer support, data transfer is limited (10GB per month), and server locations are restricted to just eight. Go to Official Website >>

Hide.me also offers SSTP and SoftEther protocols designed to bypass strict firewalls, like the one in China. SoftEther has also been optimized for speed. I tested it on my MacBook Pro, achieving a speed of 118.46Mbps from a local UK server, about 11% lower than my base speed. When I connected to the US, I was pleasantly surprised to find a slightly slower speed of 116.12Mbps.

You can get 10GB of data transfer per month, which is the highest limit offered by any of the VPNs I listed that don’t require registration. Furthermore, it has eight locations (Eastern and Western US, Canada, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France), more than most completely free VPNs.

In its free version, I couldn’t access major streaming platforms, not even Netflix. However, it played YouTube videos smoothly. Additionally, the free plan supports P2P traffic. While some paid VPNs don’t offer 24/7 live support, hide.me is ready to assist you via live chat whenever you need it, even for free users. Go to Official Website >>

How to Set Up a Free VPN on Mac

Now that you’ve chosen one of the top 5 best free VPNs for Mac, it’s time to set it up. There are two ways to get the necessary software: you can download the VPN from the App Store or the VPN provider’s website. Don’t worry; we’ll guide you through the entire process, so setting up a free Mac VPN will be a piece of cake.

Installing via App Store

Getting the ultimate free Mac VPN from the official App Store is the simplest method. Here’s what you need to do:

Create a VPN account: Visit the official website of your chosen VPN provider; you’ll find a menu on the right side of the screen.
Click it and select “Pricing”: This will redirect you to the subscription plans page for the VPN. Choose a subscription plan based on your needs.
Register your details on the pop-up portal: Enter your email address and add a password.
Choose your preferred payment method.
NordVPN will send a confirmation email to your address: Confirm it, and enjoy your NordVPN subscription.

Now, follow these steps to set up your free Mac VPN:

Choose your preferred free VPN provider: Our first choice is NordVPN
Find the software in the App Store and click “Get.”
Confirm your Apple ID and wait for the app to download.
Launch the VPN and select a free server.
Enjoy secure browsing on your MacBook!

Installing via the Provider’s Website

Although a bit more complicated, this is an excellent method to get a Mac version of a free VPN. Follow these steps:

Decide which VPN you want: Our recommendation is NordVPN.
Visit the VPN provider’s website and go to the “Download” section.
Choose your operating system version and download the .dmg file.
Open the file and install the VPN on your device.
Launch the application and log in.
Select a free server and enjoy secure browsing on your Mac!

What Are the Best Free VPN Extensions for Safari on Mac?

Unfortunately, Safari on Mac doesn’t have reliable free VPN extensions. Furthermore, Apple no longer allows third-party add-ons to be loaded into its browser. This means that if you want to protect your internet traffic on Safari, you’ll need the best Safari VPN app.

Fortunately, other browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Brave offer numerous VPN extensions. Moreover, the latter two browsers are more secure and private than Safari, as they block cookies and don’t collect your information. If you’re looking for a lighter VPN version, consider using the Brave browser with a VPN extension. However, keep in mind that extensions won’t protect your P2P work, so you’ll need a full VPN app.

Is Using a Free VPN Safe?

VPNs are created to ensure your safety and privacy while browsing the web. However, many free VPNs for Mac do the opposite. Here are some dangers of using random free VPNs on Mac:

Therefore, it’s best to choose free Mac VPNs that have been tested and tried. Regardless of which provider you choose, it won’t sell your data to third parties or allow malware to infect your Mac. Moreover, some of them can even bypass geo-restrictions, giving you access to various new content.

Free Mac VPNs to Avoid

It’s clear that the top 5 free Mac VPNs ensure your online security and privacy. However, many bad free services do more harm than good. To avoid any disasters, you should know which free Mac VPNs to steer clear of:

Free vs. Paid VPN: What’s the Difference?

It’s important to remember the differences between free and paid VPNs, especially for VPNs where there’s a significant gap. Some companies readily exploit their customers’ trust, and VPNs are expensive services to operate. That’s why the market’s biggest players, like NordVPN, only offer paid subscriptions, enabling them to maintain top quality and independence.

Regarding free VPNs, they operate under different business models. Most have free versions but offer paid options (freemium), while others rely on ads and collect your data to resell to third parties to make money. Clearly, free VPNs have lower quality, especially in terms of bandwidth and speed.

These VPNs typically have more users on a single server (since they are free), leading to unstable connections and slower speeds. However, some free providers hardly care about your privacy and data, so be cautious and read all the fine print before signing up to avoid being tracked by the service when you’re initially trying to protect yourself.

Additionally, the legal or regulatory environment in which a VPN operates can have a significant impact. In some locations where VPNs are based, laws may be more or less favorable toward data privacy. So, if authorities demand certain providers to provide information about you, they might not always have the option to refuse. In this case, the location of the publisher is also essential.

Conclusion

All completely free VPNs will have some level of limitations, but on my list, there are some VPNs that offer various features, including strong security, fast speeds, good unblocking capabilities, and torrent support. Most completely free services do not provide all of the above.

However, you can still find tools suitable for specific activities. That’s why I’ve added some quality services to the list for you to compare and contrast. For the most comprehensive Mac experience, I recommend NordVPN.

It offers everything listed above, plus unlimited data and speed, and it runs natively on Apple Silicon processors. While it’s not 100% free, you can try NordVPN risk-free because it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it doesn’t suit your needs, you can quickly and easily request a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Get a Free VPN on Mac?

On Mac, as on other platforms, there are two types of free VPNs to consider: VPNs that operate in a freemium mode offering a free version of the VPN with no time limit but some limitations in terms of available bandwidth or server locations, and trial versions of paid VPNs, which typically offer generous “money-back” guarantees, ranging from 30 days and up.

The drawback is that you’ll need to switch providers regularly to take advantage of this, but it gives you time to decide whether you need a VPN, which one suits you, and you still get the full feature set of these premium VPNs.

Are There Free VPN Browser Extensions for Safari on Mac?

No, Apple’s strict regulations make it challenging for VPNs to have Safari extensions. Nevertheless, it’s a better choice to use a full VPN because it can protect your entire device, including your Safari browsing session. Most VPN browser extensions simply change your virtual location in the browser but do not encrypt your data.

Full VPNs encrypt your data, making your browsing activity more difficult to track. I also recommend using Safari Private Window for increased security; it blocks data tracking and allows you to log out of data tracking accounts. Safari also provides additional privacy features you can enable, such as Cross-Site Tracking Prevention, Cookie Blocking, and IP Address Masking.

What Is the Best Free VPN for Watching Netflix on Mac?

I cannot recommend any free VPN that reliably works with Netflix. Free VPNs typically struggle to work with Netflix, and even when they do, their access to reliable streaming is limited. A better option is to purchase a low-cost premium VPN with a money-back guarantee for streaming Netflix content without restrictions.

Premium VPNs offer unlimited data and access to a global network of servers, ensuring you can watch Netflix streaming content on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad without limitations. However, if you prefer completely free VPNs, some of the VPNs on this list can at least work with a few Netflix libraries.

In addition to unblocking capability, having unlimited data (or at least enough to watch the content you want) is also crucial. As a reference, a VPN with a 10GB data limit will provide you with approximately 5 hours of HD streaming.

The Best VPN free on Mac｜Protect All Your Apple Devices