Selecting the best VPN for Mac can be a hectic job, with many choices and varying features. Abdul Rehman; Nov-27-2018; 2 Comments.
Offers a good balance between features and ease of use. Setup is relatively easy and Nord's interface is much more intuitive than some VPNs. The service has more than 3,000 servers in 60 countries, so you can find coverage just about anywhere. Switching between countries is as easy choosing from a dropdown menu in your Mac's menu bar. The privacy-conscious will appreciate Nord's built in ',' which lets you automatically stop specified applications should your connection drop. The Mac app was also recently updated to ensure that your VPN connection won't be interrupted when your computer goes to sleep.
If speed is one of your main concerns, Nord offers an at-a-glance look the current load for each of its servers so you can optimize your connection even further. Is one of the easiest VPNs to use. Since the VPN is built directly into Opera's browser, it requires almost no setup — all you have to do is enable it from the 'privacy and security' menu in settings. Once enabled, you can toggle it on or off right from the URL bar. Better still, it's completely free with no caps on data. It does have limitations, though. Because it's built into the browser it can only protect web traffic routed through the browser, so it won't do anything for any other application you use.
It also lacks a kill switch and only provides a couple of options for switching up your location. But it's difficult to argue with free. If you're looking for a basic VPN for web-browsing, Opera will more than do the trick. PIA, which stands for, is one of the simplest VPN services you can use.
Once you've installed PIA, you control everything from a dropdown menu in the Mac menu bar. With more than 3,000 servers in 28 countries, offers a sizable number of countries and regions to set as your location of choice, making it ideal for streamers trying to get around geographic restrictions. It's also one of the easiest VPNs to use: once you've connected to the VPN, there are no other settings or menus to muck around with unless you feel like diving into the service's advanced security features. If you do, you'll find controls that will help you lock down PIA's already good security settings even further.
Price: $6.95/month, $39.95/year, or $69.95 for two years. Is unique in comparison to other services, in that it optimizes your connection based on what 'mode' you want to use. It offers modes for streaming, 'internet freedom,' privacy, file-sharing, and dedicated IP. Some might find this too limiting — why should you have to choose between a fast streaming connection and privacy — but all your activity is kept private no matter what mode you're in. And the dedicated IP mode helps deal with some of the speed issues VPNs frequently face.
In addition, the service has other features most people expect from VPN and the ability to easily change your location from a list of dozens of countries. It also has built-in protections against pesky malware, viruses, and ads.
Pure also offers extensions and other browsers, which let you control your connection directly from your browser. As its name suggests, is really targeted toward those who frequent torrent sites.
It offers a 'stealth' service that it claims can get around even the most advanced firewalls designed to root out VPN users and the company says it doesn't keep any logs of users' activity. Its download speeds are also optimized for torrents and the the service doesn't place any data caps on users. And, with more than a thousand servers in dozens of countries, TorGuard offers a lot of flexibility in choosing a location. Finally, a single subscription buys you access for up to five different devices, all of which can be connected to the VPN simultaneously.
Is the kind of service you'd recommend to your mom, or someone who needs a VPN but isn't very tech-savvy. While the user interfaces of many other VPN services can easily be overwhelming to the uninitiated, TunnelBear makes it super easy to understand what you're doing at any given moment. That's because uses animations depicting — what else — tunnels and bears to illustrate your current connection status. Yes, it's a bit cheesy, but it's also kind of cute. More importantly, it was one of the faster VPNs we tested (when set to auto-connect) and TunnelBear doesn't skimp on privacy protection or encryption. Besides the standard security features, it also offers a VigilantBear feature (the services version of a kill switch) and GhostBear (a feature that helps you circumvent VPN blockers). Offers a little bit of everything.
The service operates more than 400 servers in more than 70 locations and supports multiple encryption standards, including AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit. It has a kill switch feature and an extra stealth setting, called 'KeepSolid Wise,' which is optimized for use in countries that tend to block VPNs. Novices will also appreciate the relatively straightforward setup process and easy-to-understand interface, which makes getting started a snap. Power users will appreciate 's additional services, like the ability to get your own dedicated VPN server, set your own static IP, or the ability to set up your VPN directly on your router (which lets you use your VPN with any device that connects to it). These features will add an additional cost on top of your normal subscription, but it's nice to have the option for those who want to get a little more from their VPN.
Are you trying to access a website or use streaming services blocked by your internet service provider? Are you planning to surf the web but want to keep your identity a secret? Do you need extra security for your internet connection?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably already know that you need a Virtual Private Network. Considering you’ve landed on this page, you’ve probably already taken the right steps toward educating yourself about Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, to take charge of your internet security and privacy. You might be wondering how exactly to set up a VPN on a Mac.
This tutorial will walk you through installing a VPN on the latest Mac operating systems: Mac OS X High Sierra (10.13), Sierra (10.12), El Capitan (10.11), and Yosemite (10.10). Fortunately, most VPN service providers today are designed for various platforms so installation on your Mac should be simple and easy. Just in case, we have created this tutorial to help answer any questions you may have about using a VPN on a Mac or how to set up a VPN on Mac OS X, Mac Sierra, or just a Mac in general. This guide should help answer any questions you have about the installation process. When selecting a VPN service provider, one of your biggest decisions involves choosing between a free or paid service. Are never truly free.
Many of the providers that state they have free services will log your activity or connections and sell your data to third parties. There are some services that promise never to log your activity, such as and, but your service speeds or data are generally severely reduced with these free options. If you plan to use your VPN for streaming or accessing certain blocked services, you will almost certainly need. There are many to choose from, and each provider offers different solutions. To get started, you will need to select your preferred VPN service provider based on your needs. Some VPN service providers are free, though most require a paid monthly subscription. VPN service providers vary in features and the types of platforms they accommodate.
The most popular paid VPNs for circumventing web blocks to enable torrenting, gaming, and watching streaming services such as Hulu include CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, IPVanish VPN, and PureVPN. In today’s tutorial, we will use as the selected VPN because of its consistent high ratings. If you have ever installed something, you know that it generally takes a little time and space. Make sure your Mac has enough room for your installation and set aside some time for the download process.
Most VPNs download fairly quickly, but the time will vary based on your connection speed. You should also take a little extra time to prepare your workstation so the installation process goes smoothly. Close any other running applications and windows so that the process can go as smoothly as possible. Like other downloads, you may be required to restart your computer prior to using the software. Quitting excess windows and applications prior to your download can speed up the restart process.
Once you have downloaded the installation package, you will need to run it in order to install your VPN on your mac. Locate the file you downloaded and double-click it to begin the installation process. Opening the installation package leads to a setup wizard to guide you through the installation of the VPN on your mac. Most VPN service providers will provide some sort of wizard to simplify the VPN setup on your Mac. With ExpressVPN, the wizard will test and optimize settings to prepare your computer for the installation. You will need to select the location for the download and choose whether you are reinstalling or installing for the first time. Click through the wizard and follow the on-screen prompts.
At this point, you should probably customize your VPN based on your preferences. This process might be slightly different depending on the VPN service provider you choose.
You might be asked if you want the application to automatically launch when you log in. You should also be able to connect to your preferred server location and determine whether you want to share diagnostic reports. Each VPN service provider has unique features. ExpressVPN allows you to run a speed test, select your server location, switch protocols, enable the kill switch, enable split tunneling, and more. You should take your time exploring the application to familiarize yourself with the offered features of your VPN.