Best VPN for Mac

Why do I need a VPN for Mac?

VPNs are popular with Windows, but they are also useful for Mac. Here are three reasons why you should use a VPN for Mac:

• Higher security. While Mac computers are known for their security features, they aren’t 100% impervious to malicious attacks. VPN creates a secure connection, providing an extra layer of protection to your device. You won’t have to worry anymore about passwords or personal data getting stolen. This is especially helpful when you’re using a public Wi-Fi hotspot or visiting a dubious website.
• Improved privacy. Whatever you do online—whether you’re browsing the Internet, checking emails, or shopping online—your activities can be easily tracked nowadays. Good thing, with a VPN, you can make your online activities virtually untraceable, turning yourself “invisible” from prying eyes.
• Unblock restricted contents. Some websites, like Netflix and Hulu, have location-based restrictions. This means some movies or shows that can be streamed in the US or other countries may not be available in your region. With a VPN, you can make it appear like you’re connecting from a certain country so you can access a broader collection of online contents. Same situation applies to accessing censored sites, playing geo-restricted games, and buying products at the local price of a specific place.

By using a VPN with your Mac, you can enjoy not only better security and privacy but also unrestricted access to blocked sites and contents.

How does a Mac VPN work?

Normally, to access a website, your computer will send first a connection request to the site’s server. The server will then acknowledge your request by sending a response, making the connection a success.

With a VPN, there is a middleman between you and a website’s server. Your connection request will first pass through a VPN server before it reaches the destination server. The site’s response will also pass through the VPN server before it reaches you.

During the process, the VPN will encrypt your data, providing the promised privacy and security features. Also, VPN will hide your IP address, making you virtually untraceable and removing geo-based restrictions associated with your actual location

Does Mac have a built-in VPN?

Yes. Mac OS X has a “vpnd” daemon that can configure your Mac into a server. However, this feature is only useful for setting up a home VPN where other devices can connect to. If you want to connect to the Internet, you still have to use a dedicated VPN service.

How much do Mac VPNs cost?

VPN plans can either be free or paid. For paid ones, monthly prices can range to as low as $3 to as high as $10

One thing you should know about paid packages is that the prices offered by a VPN provider will vary depending on the length of subscription. For instance, one provider can offer a $7 monthly fee and a $50 annual fee. If you’re aiming to use a VPN for a long term, you could be paying less per month if you opt for a longer subscription.

Are there free VPNs for Mac and are they safe to use?

Yes, but you should be cautious when using them. Most free VPNs are riddled with ads and malware. Worse, some free VPN providers may even log your data which they can sell to advertisers and third parties.

Still, some reliable providers offer free VPN service. It will help you a lot to check reviews like ours before you use a free VPN.

What are the best VPNs for Mac?

There are free VPNs for Mac, and there are also paid ones. In terms of features, paid plans have the advantage over free versions.

We tested some free VPNs for Mac, and we found the ones we listed above as the best free VPN for Mac. While most free packages come with limited features, these five free VPN for Mac in our list strikes a good balance between functionality and being free.

How do I enable VPN on Mac?

To manually enable VPN on Mac, do the following steps:

1. Open Apple menu then go to Network Preferences.
2. Click Network to open the network settings panel.
3. Choose a VPN server from the list.
4. On the pop-up menu, choose the type of VPN connection you’d like to use.
5. Enter the account name and server address.
6. Click Authentication Settings, then enter the details provided by the VPN provider.
7. Click Connect.

By following the above steps, you can now manually connect your Mac computer to a VPN.

Apart from this manual method, there are other ways to connect to VPN. Some providers may send a configuration file. Clicking this file will automatically open Network Preferences and import the settings.

Other providers have a custom app that allows automatic connection. Once you downloaded and installed the app on Mac, you can now use this app to connect to a VPN server.

Will buying a VPN improve security on my Mac?

Definitely yes. Thanks to encryption, a VPN for Mac will make your connections secure, thus, protecting your personal information and masking your IP address. You can even hide your browsing history and online activities from the government, your ISP, hackers, and other malicious parties. Moreover, when using a public Wi-Fi hotspot or accessing dubious sites, you will find VPN a handy tool for boosting your online security.