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The best VPN for Mac: App Store or website version, and what each leaves out

Every VPN here encrypts your Mac's traffic and swaps your IP address. On a MacBook, iMac or Mac mini, what separates them is the app: whether there's a Mac App Store version and what it leaves out, which macOS versions and chips it supports, whether split tunneling works, and what the kill switch can't catch.

PrivacyTechReview Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Kirill Prosandeev Reviewed Oct 30, 2026 11 min read
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A slim silver laptop with no logo on a dark desk at night, two thin tunnels of light, violet and teal, rising side by side to a glass shield

We rank the six VPNs we had reviewed by October 30, 2026, for a Mac, weighing what each vendor says its Mac app does, the evidence behind its no-logs promise (named, dated audits) and how many devices a plan covers. Facts come from the vendors' and Apple's own pages, checked October 29–30, 2026. We haven't tested these VPNs and don't publish prices, scores or speeds.

Your Mac may already have part of what you want: iCloud Private Relay, covered below, protects Safari browsing if you pay for iCloud+. For free plans, see our best free VPN guide.

App Store or website download? What changes on a Mac

Three of the six offer both a Mac App Store app and a download from their own site, and the two aren't the same:

  • NordVPN: both need macOS 14 or later. The website version uses system-level components and adds full Real-time protection with local file scanning (the next-gen antivirus), an App Kill Switch, custom DNS and full Meshnet. The App Store version runs in Apple's App Sandbox, updates through the App Store and has VPN bypass prevention, which keeps traffic in the tunnel if the connection drops. Port forwarding (a Dedicated Server add-on) doesn't work there yet.
  • Surfshark: both need macOS 12 or later. Its own Dausos protocol, still in beta, is only in the App Store app; Surfshark says to uninstall the website version before switching.
  • VeePN: the App Store version needs macOS 14.6 and the website .dmg macOS 12, and Shadowsocks is only in the website version.

Proton and VirtualShield offer only a download from their own sites, and so does PureVPN for its Mac app (the App Store lists its iPhone app for Macs with an M1 chip or later). Split tunneling is where Mac apps fall furthest behind: NordVPN doesn't offer it on macOS; Proton's is experimental, excludes apps only and doesn't work with Safari and other WebKit apps; VeePN lists it on its Mac page, but its guide doesn't cover macOS; PureVPN doesn't state it; and VirtualShield's covers only home-network devices. Surfshark's Bypasser lets chosen apps and websites skip the VPN.

Kill switches have caveats too. Proton says that on macOS your real IP address may be briefly exposed when you switch servers, and some DNS requests from Apple services can bypass the VPN. VeePN says its kill switch turns off if you force-close the app.

How to choose a VPN for your Mac

  1. 1

    Check your Mac

    Apple menu > About This Mac shows your macOS version. NordVPN's and Proton's current apps need macOS 14, with older versions for 12 and 13; PureVPN's goes back to 10.12.

  2. 2

    Decide on split tunneling

    If some apps must stay outside the VPN, Surfshark is the one here whose Mac app does it for apps and websites; Proton's is experimental.

  3. 3

    Check the evidence and devices

    Proton, NordVPN and Surfshark cite named, dated no-logs audits; VeePN and VirtualShield cite none. Count the Macs, iPhones and iPads you'll cover.

  4. 4

    Approve the extension

    Surfshark's and Proton's guides have you allow a network or system extension in System Settings on first connect; then turn on the kill switch.

The six VPNs we review, ranked for Mac

6 compared
Editors' choice
1

Surfshark

Best overall for a Mac

Our take: Surfshark's Mac app comes from the Mac App Store or its site, for macOS 12 or later, and runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel, Surfshark says. Its Bypasser lets chosen apps and websites skip the VPN, while Proton calls its Mac split tunneling experimental. It also has a kill switch, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and, in the App Store version, the beta Dausos protocol. Every plan covers unlimited devices, and Deloitte checked its no-logs policy in 2023 and 2025.

Strengths

  • Split tunneling for apps and websites
  • App Store or website version, macOS 12+
  • Native on Apple silicon and Intel

Worth knowing

  • Deloitte reports only for subscribers
  • Antivirus needs Surfshark One
Platforms: macOSiOSWindowsLinuxAndroidTV apps

Bottom line: Pick Surfshark for split tunneling on your Mac and one plan for every Apple device in the house.

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2

NordVPN

Best for security extras on a Mac

Our take: NordVPN offers two Mac apps for macOS 14 or later. The website version adds the next-gen antivirus with local file scanning (in Complete and higher plans), an App Kill Switch and custom DNS; the App Store version runs inside Apple's sandbox with VPN bypass prevention instead. Both have NordLynx, NordWhisper and OpenVPN, but there's no split tunneling on macOS. PwC and Deloitte have reviewed NordVPN's no-logs policy since 2018, and Cure53 assessed its macOS app in 2025.

Strengths

  • Next-gen antivirus in the website version
  • No-logs reviews since 2018
  • Older app for macOS 12 and 13

Worth knowing

  • No split tunneling on macOS
  • App Store version lacks the antivirus and App Kill Switch
Platforms: macOSiOSWindowsLinuxAndroidTV apps

Bottom line: Pick NordVPN's website version for download scanning next to the VPN, or its App Store version for simpler updates.

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3

Proton VPN

Best for audited privacy and a free Mac plan

Our take: Proton's open-source Mac app is a DMG download for macOS 14 or later (Sonoma is listed as deprecated; older versions cover 12 and 13), with WireGuard, WireGuard TCP, Stealth and Smart Protocol, plus IKEv2. Securitum has audited Proton's no-logs policy yearly since 2022, and the free plan covers one Mac with no data cap. But Proton lists macOS limits: the kill switch may briefly expose your IP when you switch servers, split tunneling is experimental and app-only, and port forwarding is early access.

Strengths

  • Yearly Securitum no-logs audits
  • Free plan with no data cap
  • Open-source Mac app

Worth knowing

  • Kill-switch gaps on macOS, per Proton
  • Website download only; split tunneling experimental
Platforms: macOSiOSWindowsLinuxAndroidTV apps

Bottom line: Pick Proton if audit evidence and a free plan matter more to you than split tunneling.

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4

PureVPN

Best for older Macs

Our take: PureVPN's Mac app, an installer package from its website, supports macOS 10.12 Sierra and later, naming macOS Tahoe 26 as the newest, with a kill switch, WireGuard, obfuscation and an ad and tracker blocker. Port forwarding and a dedicated IP are paid add-ons it lists for Mac. It doesn't state split tunneling or Apple silicon support for Mac, and its no-log page describes a 2023 assessment without a report.

Strengths

  • Back to macOS 10.12 Sierra
  • Port forwarding and dedicated IP add-ons
  • 10 devices at once

Worth knowing

  • Split tunneling and Apple silicon not stated
  • No audit report linked
Platforms: macOSiOSWindowsLinuxAndroidTV apps

Bottom line: Pick PureVPN for an older Mac, or to open ports on your Mac.

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5

VeePN

Native on Apple silicon, from the App Store or the web

Our take: VeePN's Mac app comes from the Mac App Store (macOS 14.6 or later) or as a .dmg from its site (macOS 12 or later), as a Universal Binary that runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel. Its kill switch filters traffic at the system firewall and can stay on through sleep, but switches off if you force-close the app. Its antivirus doesn't run on Mac, its split-tunneling guide skips macOS, and it cites no no-logs audit.

Strengths

  • Native on Apple silicon and Intel
  • App Store or website version
  • Shadowsocks in the website version

Worth knowing

  • No Mac antivirus; split tunneling unclear
  • No no-logs audit cited
Platforms: macOSiOSWindowsAndroidTV apps

Bottom line: Pick VeePN for a native Apple silicon app with Shadowsocks, if you can do without split tunneling and a no-logs audit.

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6

VirtualShield VPN

Only if you already use VirtualShield

Our take: VirtualShield's Mac app is an installer package from its website or your account, for macOS 10.14 Mojave and later; VirtualShield says it isn't in the App Store. It has a kill switch setting and IPv6 leak protection, but VirtualShield doesn't name its protocol, offers only home-network access as split tunneling, doesn't mention Apple silicon and cites no audit. Its help center lists a Mac antivirus app, though one product page still says coming soon.

Strengths

  • macOS 10.14 and later
  • Kill switch and IPv6 leak protection
  • Auto-connect on untrusted networks

Worth knowing

  • No audit; protocol not named
  • No per-app split tunneling
Platforms: macOSiOSWindowsAndroid

Bottom line: Pick VirtualShield VPN only if you already have a VirtualShield plan.

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Built in

iCloud Private Relay (iCloud+)

Built into iCloud+, for Safari

With iCloud+, Private Relay hides your IP address and browsing activity in Safari and protects unencrypted traffic through two relays, so that, Apple says, no single party, not even Apple, sees both who you are and what sites you visit. It needs macOS 12 or later and isn't available everywhere.

Turn it on for private Safari browsing; use a VPN app to cover other apps or to connect through another country.

  • +Included with iCloud+
  • −Safari and unencrypted traffic only; general or country-level location

macOS · iOS · iPadOS

VPN apps on Mac at a glance

What each VPN's own pages say about its Mac app.

Surfshark

Where to get it
Mac App Store or Surfshark's site
macOS needed
12+; older versions for 10.12–10.15
Apple silicon
Native, and Intel
Kill switch
Yes
Split tunneling
Apps and websites
Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2; Dausos (App Store, beta)
Mac extras
Antivirus in One
No-logs evidence; devices
Deloitte 2023, 2025; unlimited

NordVPN

Where to get it
Mac App Store or NordVPN's site
macOS needed
14+; older app for 12 and 13
Apple silicon
Not stated
Kill switch
App Kill Switch (website); bypass prevention (App Store)
Split tunneling
No
Protocols
NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN
Mac extras
Antivirus in website version (Complete+)
No-logs evidence; devices
PwC, Deloitte since 2018; 10

Proton VPN

Where to get it
Proton's site (DMG)
macOS needed
14+; older versions for 12, 13
Apple silicon
Not stated
Kill switch
Yes, with gaps Proton lists
Split tunneling
Experimental; exclude apps (paid)
Protocols
WireGuard, Stealth, Smart Protocol, IKEv2
Mac extras
Port forwarding (early access), NetShield; paid
No-logs evidence; devices
Securitum yearly since 2022; 10 (free: 1)

PureVPN

Where to get it
PureVPN's site
macOS needed
10.12+ (newest named: 26)
Apple silicon
Not stated
Kill switch
Yes
Split tunneling
Not stated
Protocols
WireGuard named
Mac extras
Port forwarding, dedicated IP add-ons
No-logs evidence; devices
2023 assessment, no report; 10

VeePN

Where to get it
Mac App Store or VeePN's site
macOS needed
App Store 14.6+; site 12+
Apple silicon
Universal Binary, native
Kill switch
Yes; off if app force-closed
Split tunneling
Not in its guide
Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2; Shadowsocks (site version)
Mac extras
Ad blocker; no antivirus
No-logs evidence; devices
None cited; 5, 10 or 20 (terms: 10)

VirtualShield VPN

Where to get it
VirtualShield's site
macOS needed
10.14+
Apple silicon
Not stated
Kill switch
Yes
Split tunneling
Local network only
Protocols
Not named
Mac extras
Antivirus (one page: coming soon)
No-logs evidence; devices
None cited; 5, unlimited with 2FA

Surfshark

One VPN account for every device in the house

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NordVPN

Audited VPN with desktop download scanning

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Proton VPN

An audited no-logs VPN with a no-data-cap free plan

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PureVPN

VPN with port forwarding and dedicated IP add-ons

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VeePN

One VPN account for computers, phones, TVs and browsers

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VirtualShield VPN

One VPN account for computers and phones

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What your Mac already has: iCloud Private Relay and VPN settings

iCloud Private Relay, part of an iCloud+ subscription, hides your IP address and browsing activity in Safari and protects your unencrypted internet traffic, Apple says. It sends that traffic through two relays: Apple's, which sees your IP address but not the site you're visiting, and a third party's, which assigns a temporary IP address and connects you. It needs macOS 12 or later, has to be turned on on each device and isn't available in all countries or regions.

Two details matter next to a VPN app. Your IP address location can only stay general or follow your country and time zone, so you can't appear somewhere else. And Apple says a third-party app such as a VPN may install settings that stop Private Relay working; to use Private Relay, it says, turn that app off or uninstall it.

macOS can also connect to a VPN through Network settings, with L2TP over IPSec, IPSec or IKEv2, but only with configuration details from a VPN service or network administrator, Apple says.

Before you install a VPN on your Mac

  • Support for your macOS version and, ideally, a stated native build for Apple silicon (Surfshark, VeePN).
  • The right version for the features you want: NordVPN's antivirus is only in its website app.
  • Split tunneling, if you need it, that covers the apps you use; Proton's doesn't work with Safari.
  • Kill-switch limits you can live with; Proton lists its macOS gaps.
  • A named, dated no-logs audit.
  • A device limit that covers your iPhone and iPad too.

Keep reading

Sources · checked Oct 30, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What's the best VPN for a Mac or MacBook?
Of the six we rank, Surfshark: split tunneling for apps and websites, App Store and website versions, native Apple silicon support and unlimited devices. Pick NordVPN's website version for download scanning, or Proton for audit evidence and a free plan.
Do I need a VPN on my Mac?
It depends on what you want hidden. Apple notes that your network provider and the sites you visit can normally see information such as your IP address and DNS records. iCloud Private Relay covers Safari; to cover other apps or connect through another country, you'd need a VPN app.
Does a Mac have a built-in VPN?
It has built-in VPN settings, not a VPN service: Apple says you need configuration details from your VPN service or network administrator to connect.
Is iCloud Private Relay a VPN?
Apple doesn't call it one on the pages we read. It describes Private Relay as an iCloud+ privacy feature for Safari browsing and unencrypted traffic, with your location kept general or set to your country and time zone. Apple also says a VPN app may install settings that stop it working.
Is there a good free VPN for Mac?
Proton VPN's free plan runs on one Mac with no data cap. VeePN lists its free version for Windows, Android, iOS and browsers, not Mac. See our best free VPN guide for more.
Which VPN covers a Mac and an iPhone on one plan?
All six have iPhone apps; NordVPN's App Store listing covers iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV in one app. Surfshark allows unlimited devices, NordVPN, PureVPN and Proton's paid plans 10, and VeePN 5, 10 or 20 by plan, or 10 per its terms.
Does my MacBook's Apple silicon chip matter?
Surfshark and VeePN say their Mac apps run natively on Apple silicon and Intel. The other four list macOS versions or Mac models instead, so check the macOS requirement.

Our top pick: Surfshark

One VPN account for every device in the house

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