Top 8 Best VPN for Mac in 2023 | Fastest VPNs of 2023

Top 8 Best VPNs for Mac in 2023 | Fastest VPNs of 2023

There’s a common misconception that Apple users don’t require a VPN. After all, Apple products are known for their safety and reliability.

However, your ISP and the websites you visit may still monitor your iOS and MacOS surfing habits by using your IP address.

MacOS itself can stop neither of these things, but the best Mac VPN can. Using a tried-and-true virtual private network (VPN) is a great way to protect your online privacy and anonymity.

When determining which VPN service is the best for Mac users, we take a number of factors into account.

A VPN’s ease of use is crucial because, as a MacOS user, you’re accustomed to a streamlined UI with a small learning curve and a streamlined set of digital tools.

In addition, we’d want to see a VPN service with a connection speed that matches MacOS computers’ reputation for speed, even if not every Apple device is quicker than a Windows or PC product.

We also know that the Mac ecosystem’s general immunity to malware and viruses spread through apps is a major selling point for many customers.

As such, we take a look at how well a VPN protects against trackers and whether or not it’s generally compatible with Apple’s more stringent privacy standards.

Please be aware that the level of anonymity a VPN can provide on MacOS and iOS is currently limited.

An Independent study conducted recently has found evidence that Apple may get browsing and internet data from iOS (and maybe certain MacOS) users, even while using a VPN.

We’ll keep revising our suggestions as new evidence becomes available. Let us see the top best Vpns for Mac in 2023.

Do Macs have a built-in VPN?

Fastest VPNs of 2023

There is a major question before we list our suggestions. VPNs: Do Mac users really need one? Apple’s convenient private relay service has been available since the release of iOS 15 and macOS Monterey in 2021.

Like a virtual private network (VPN), iCloud Private Relay encrypts your online traffic and routes it via a relay to conceal your IP address, location, and the websites you visit.

Since iCloud Private Relay prevents firms from getting a complete image of you online, it is a valuable privacy tool for Mac users who had previously relied on VPNs.

Does a Mac require a virtual private network?

virtual private network 2023

The limitations of iCloud Private Relay include that it only supports Safari, that you need an iCloud subscription to utilize it, and that you can’t use it to spoof your location and see geo-blocked material.

If you are an iCloud user who just uses Safari, then you may utilize iCloud Private Relay to hide your online activity from other people.

So, a virtual private network (VPN) is unnecessary for protecting your privacy online. If you want to make it seem like you’re coming from a different country or region, you can’t accomplish that using iCloud Private Relay.

Thus, you cannot access, say, Netflix content restricted to a specific region.

Express Vpn

In 2023, we still recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN overall. The VPN industry giant has been around since 2009, setting the standard for service transparency year after year, and is now one of the leading VPN providers worldwide.

ExpressVPN has joined the i2Coalition to advocate for better VPN industry ethics, released an open-source version of its Lightway encryption system, and raised the number of third-party audits it submits to.

Based on our tests, ExpressVPN is among the fastest VPNs available. In our speed tests conducted between March and April of 2023, ExpressVPN reduced by just 18% compared to when we weren’t using a VPN at all.

Furthermore, it successfully bypasses geo-blocking to gain access to foreign gaming servers and torrenting sites and unblocks Netflix and other streaming services.

While our top picks of Vpn are compatible with a broad range of devices and OSes, ExpressVPN stands out thanks to its extensive library of setup manuals, informative FAQs, and troubleshooting articles.

Its no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee and round-the-clock customer service are other selling points.

Surfshark

Surfshark’s suite of privacy and security protections, together with its unlimited simultaneous connections, user-friendly interface, and vast worldwide network, are all outstanding.

Also, the price is far lower than that of its rivals. Because of this, CNET has named Surfshark the Best Value VPN for 2022.

Besides the usual fare of VPNs, such as a kill switch and DNS leak protection, Surfshark stands out thanks to its camouflage mode, which prevents websites from detecting that you’re actually behind a VPN, as well as its split-tunneling, NoBorders mode (which allows you to use Surfshark in regions where VPNs are banned), and its multihop VPN connections.

You will also get access to Surfshark’s CleanWeb technology, protecting you from malicious websites and unwanted advertisements.

We look forward to seeing Surfshark’s Nexus network, which links the VPN’s complete network of servers together and gives you the option to route your connection through any number of them, implemented over the next year.

While it shares some similarities in functionality with Tor, Surfshark claims to be significantly quicker.

The Nexus network’s Dynamic MultiHop, IP Randomizer, and IP Rotator features can provide additional security levels when using the VPN, which is especially useful for customers with stringent privacy requirements.

Nord VPN

Regarding virtual private networks (VPNs), NordVPN is a household name. Compared to other providers, it provides a rather high number of concurrent connections (6 over its network).

In addition to being able to VPN into Tor, NordVPN also provides users with a dedicated IP address. Despite blocking torrenting in 14 countries, more than half of Nord’s fleet of more than 5,000 servers is optimized for P2P file sharing.

The killswitch on Nord’s iOS app had a few problems during our most recent testing, which might be problematic for torrent users.

Nevertheless, users are encouraged to download the sideloaded iOS from Nord’s website. NordVPN was the fastest VPN we tested in 2023, slowing down our connection speeds by barely 10%.

While PayPal isn’t an option, you may pay for a NordVPN subscription using most major credit cards, debit cards, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, or an electronic bank transfer.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and Dogecoin are some cryptocurrencies that may be used to make payments anonymously online. You can even buy a NordVPN subscription at Staples, Best Buy, or Walmart with cash, thanks to the company’s partnership with those retailers.

Hide.me

Another VPN that has come a long way in recent years is Hide.me. It has incorporated WireGuard, which is far quicker than other encryption protocols, and it offers a free version (something none of its competitors here provides).

Split tunneling and an adjustable kill switch are two more notable additions. Hide.me is the only macOS VPN service that supports Split Tunnelling. Split tunneling is supported by hide.me VPN for macOS, according to the company’s website. The client’s settings allow for this customization.

Stealth Guard, available on Hide.me, prevents installed programs from starting up unless the user is connected to a VPN.

It can bypass Netflix geoblocking and provide you access to BBC iPlayer from locations where it is not available. As an added bonus, you may connect up to ten devices at once.

Vypr VPN

VyprVPN provides all the features desired in a VPN without breaking the bank.

Fast WireGuard speeds are provided, combined with specialized protocols for enhanced dependability, circumvention of censorship, and user-friendliness.

It also works quite well at bypassing geographically restricted content, such as US Netflix or UK-only BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub.

There are also premium features like split tunneling and a kill switch, but the latter cannot be configured individually.

Golden Frog, the firm behind VyprVPN, has a stringent Privacy Policy that is strictly adhered to by the service.

Most users shouldn’t need more than one of the more than 700 servers spread over more than 70 countries. It’s also unclear whether of they are actual objects and which are just simulations.

Proton VPN

ProtonVPN is an outstanding VPN service. It’s simple to use, packed with useful extras, and available at blazing-fast speeds, beginning with a free tier with severely restricted functionality.

Limitations on server selection and connection speeds come with the free tier. ProtonVPN subscribers not only benefit from the service’s fast connections but also from the privacy-enhancing features of the company’s “Secure Core servers,” which route user traffic across many nodes. ProtonVPN’s Swiss origins are another plus for anonymity.

NetShield, a DNS filtering add-on, safeguards users against malicious advertisements, trackers, and websites.

In this context, ProtonVPN is a ProtonVPN, which offers a free tier with severely limited functionality but otherwise excels in speed, privacy assurances, feature-richness (including support for streaming services), and value for money, among other areas. Definitely check it out.

CyberGhost

When it comes to virtual private networks (VPNs), CyberGhost is a household brand. It’s great for those on a budget looking to try out a VPN for the first time on their Mac.

Like some of its competitors, it continually adds additional servers, bringing the total to nearly 6700 in 88 countries.

This should provide a consistently fast connection. And ever since the company introduced the WireGuard protocol, CyberGhost has consistently performed exceptionally well in our speed testing. It’s compatible with Macs, iOS devices, and browsers.

The Mac client doesn’t support split tunneling, there’s no sign of a recent third-party assessment of security credentials, and the overall user experience leaves plenty to be desired. We also tried to use it to access BBC iPlayer, but it was blocked. Its location in Romania is conducive to privacy.

It’s a steal even at $2.25/£1.99 per month for a three-year deal (which presently provides you three months extra free).

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a VPN service that offers intriguing features at a reasonable price, making it a good choice for Mac users.

It has more servers than any other consumer VPN service, totaling 33,665 in 73 different locations. Up to ten simultaneous connections are possible with all the most popular destinations.

Thanks to the WireGuard protocol, transfer rates are quite high. Additionally, PIA has a kill switch, which is not often included in Mac VPN packages. Before Big Sur, split tunneling was also possible, but now it’s gone.

It enables you to watch BBC iPlayer and Netflix from outside the UK and access Netflix in other countries.

The service does not record any of your information or activities, therefore even though it is headquartered in the United States, PIA has nothing to turn over to the authorities.

Conclusion

A decent VPN service will have a clear privacy policy explaining what data it gathers and how it uses it. It’s crucial that their data-handling practices be spelled out in this policy. Some VPN services sell user data to advertisements and third parties like ISP. This is especially common with cheap VPN services. Find a service that respects your need for anonymity.