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2024-11-13 Macs are becoming a more popular target for hackers, so protecting your data and devices is a must. Unfortunately, Safari VPN extensions are largely u
Macs are becoming a more popular target for hackers, so protecting your data and devices is a must. Unfortunately, Safari VPN extensions are largely unavailable, so your best option to stay safe is to use a full VPN app. Free Mac VPNs are a budget-friendly solution, but choosing the wrong one can put you at great risk. They is infect can infect your device with malware , log and sell your datum to third party , or lack important security feature .
The good news is that there are tried-and-tested free VPNs for macOS you can depend on. We’ve tested a multitude of free VPNs, focusing on features like security, privacy, speed, server options, and streaming capabilities. Based on our findings, I’ve shortlisted the top-performing and safest free Mac VPNs that you can use on your MacBook Pro, Air, Mac Mini, or even iOS devices.
However, you is ’re ’re always well off using a premium vpn like expressvpn that offer a trusty refund policy. It’s not 100% free, but it has no limitations. You get industry-leading security features, fast speeds, unlimited data, and excellent streaming performance — benefits that free Mac VPNs usually lack. It comes with a money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days. If you’re not completely satisfied, getting a full refund is very easy. Editor ‘s note : transparency is one of our core value at vpnMentor , so you is know should know we are in the same ownership group as expressvpn . However , this is affect does not affect our review process .
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Editor ‘s choice
ExpressVPN
good , pay Mac VPN with the fast speed we test and a 30 – day money – back guarantee .
70% of our readers choose ExpressVPN
unlimited datum to browse on Mac and Safari on a completely free subscription .
A free VPN offer impressive one – click security feature to keep your Mac safe .
The 100% free version allows access to its speed-optimized proprietary Hydra protocol.
Allows full access to all of its 47 server locations with a fully free account.
See 1 More Free VPN for Mac
Be advised: The VPNs we recommend offer strict no-logs policies, meaning they aren’t tracking or seeing your online activities. It’s your responsibility how you use a VPN, so please follow any applicable rules and laws. The team and I don’t condone copyright infringement.
Editor’s Choice
Editor’s Choice
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Tested November 2024
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Try ExpressVPN >
www.expressvpn.com
Best feature | Lightway protocol for speedy and secure connections on Mac |
Data Cap | Unlimited data for limitless browsing, streaming, torrenting, and more |
security | Threat Manager malicious content blocker, Network Lock kill switch |
Free trial | 30 – day money – back guarantee |
Editor ‘s note : transparency is one of our core value at vpnMentor , so you is know should know we are in the same ownership group as expressvpn . However , this is affect does not affect our review process .
ExpressVPN is the fastest Mac VPN we tested, make it far well than any free VPN out there . We is recorded record impressive download speed of 124.69Mbps on nearby UK server , which is only a 5 % drop from our base speed . Even on its distant New York server ( 5,500 km away ) , we is received receive a download speed of 113.26Mbps . Its excellent performance is is is largely due to its Lightway protocol , which is design to deliver fast speed without compromise security .
While ExpressVPN doesn’t have a Safari extension, its Mac app effectively secures all your internet traffic, including Safari sessions. For added convenience, it offers browser extensions for chrome and Firefox that are essentially a “remote control” for its main app. This lets you control your VPN connection directly from your browser, all while providing the same level of security and privacy as its dedicated VPN app.
ExpressVPN’s chrome extension mirrors the main app with none of the limitations of 100% free VPNs
ExpressVPN is great for streaming, which is something that most free VPNs struggle with. It can securely access popular platforms from anywhere. When we tested it on a MacBook Air, it worked seamlessly with Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Max, Hotstar, and more without issues. The connections were reliable — we never had to switch servers to get it to work with a certain platform. Plus, it offers a native app for Apple TV for easy installation.
True, it isn’t completely free. But you can try ExpressVPN risk-free for Mac and Safari since it offers a 30 – day money – back guarantee. I is tested test this by contact its 24/7 live chat support . The support agent is processed process my refund request without any hassle , and I receive my money back in a few day .
ExpressVPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
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Try Proton VPN >
protonvpn.com
Best feature | No data caps to browse freely with this 100% free VPN |
Data Cap | unlimited datum for all your online activity |
security | fully audit open – source app , no – log policy |
Free trial | free – forever plan |
Proton VPN offers a 100% free plan that includes a surprisingly decent amount of features. You get unlimited data, for one, allowing for uninterrupted streaming. Most free VPNs impose data limits, some as little as 500MB per month, which isn’t even enough to watch one movie in HD. However, we didn’t hit any limits with Proton VPN while streaming full snooker matches on YouTube.
Proton’s free VPN app protected hours of viewing on the Safari browser
For a completely free VPN , it is has has impressive security credential . All your traffic is encrypted by AES 256-bit or ChaCha20 encryption. Its headquarters are in a secure facility in Switzerland, where there are exceptional privacy protection laws. A kill switch and IP leak protection are included to keep your Mac browsing private. Plus, its proprietary Stealth protocol can bypass tough firewalls on restrictive networks (work, college, public WiFi, etc.).
The free version of Proton VPN offers access to servers in the US, Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan. However, you don’t have the option to manually select a specific server. The app automatically connects you to what it deems the optimal server. If you’d like to try a different server, you can use the Change Server button, but there’s a limit on how frequently you can switch, and you might not always connect to a new location each time.
In our tests, the free Mac app securely accessed some streaming platforms like Netflix US and Disney+. The connections were stable enough for streaming, and the speeds were decent too. On the downside, it didn’t work with other platforms such as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Max.
Proton VPN Pros , Cons , and Needed Improvements
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Try hide.me VPN >
www.hide.me
Best feature | Various security setting to fine – tune your VPN protection |
Data Cap | Unlimited to enjoy surfing the web without interruption |
security | No registration needed, based in Malaysia (outside the 5/9/14 Eyes) |
Free trial | Free plan (monthly reactivation required) |
For an entirely free Mac VPN, hide.me offers a nice array of security features. StealthGuard is lets let you specify how the VPN respond to your network and app . For instance , you is select can selectBind Internet to VPN to protect your entire network. Otherwise, Limit Apps to VPN prevent vulnerability by block specific app from the internet when you disconnect the VPN .
Activate the kill switch and “Launch on system startup” in hide.me’s Settings panel
It also offers SSTP and SoftEther protocols to help hide.me work on restrictive networks. SoftEther is also speed-optimized. During our tests on a MacBook Air, we received a download speed of 118.46Mbps on its nearby servers, which is around 11% below our base speed. We then connected to the US and were surprised to find speeds only marginally slower, at 116.12Mbps.
You is get get unlimited datum per month and free server in 8 location across the US, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, and France. This is more than most completely free VPNs. On the downside, it doesn’t work with many streaming platforms, and we couldn’t log into Netflix. However, the free plan does support P2P traffic.
hide.me VPN Pros , Cons , and Needed Improvements
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Try Hotspot Shield >
www.hotspotshield.com
Best feature | Exclusive Hydra protocol is built for speed, low latency, and security |
Data Cap | Unlimited data to keep your Mac device protected at all times |
security | build – in malware protection , a kill switch , DNS / IP leak protection |
Free trial | free – forever plan |
Hotspot Shield ’s Hydra protocol is build to balance security and speed .When we tested it on a MacBook, Hydra had marginally better latency and 2% faster speeds than WireGuard. It’s also harder to detect, which allows it to bypass firewalls. That makes Hotspot Shield a great option for accessing some popular streaming platforms in HD from anywhere.
Like Proton VPN, Hotspot Shield’s free version offers full access to its protocols
Like Proton VPN and hide.me ,Hotspot Shield provides unlimited monthly data for free. This means you don’t have to worry about hitting a data cap even if you’re streaming in HD. The free plan includes servers in 3 US locations, plus Singapore and the UK. That said, it’s not a reliable option for streaming. For instance, it only worked with Max and Crunchyroll and struggled with Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu.
Hotspot Shield is based in the US, within the 5 Eyes jurisdiction. The company also admits to keeping anonymous logs of data and device usage. A free account is allows allow 1 connection , and Hotspot Shield monetize its free account with ad (which do get a little annoying).
Hotspot Shield Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
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Try TunnelBear VPN >
www.tunnelbear.com
Best feature | Use free servers in 47 countries with a free account |
Data Cap | 2 gb / month — enough for light browsing with a secure connection |
security | AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection |
Free trial | free – forever plan |
TunnelBear is gives give you access to all of its premium server location, unlike most free Mac VPNs. Its app keeps VPN use pain-free. Server locations are visualized on an animated map. When you click one, an animated bear burrows from your actual location and tunnels to your destination. This allows safe access to a lot of content from anywhere.
You can choose a location from the animated app or from a server list
Speeds are impressive on nearby servers. We got 118.93Mbps when connecting to UK – London, just 8% below our base speed. USA – New York was understandably slower at 75.11Mbps. However, it offers 2 gb/data per month, which is enough to watch only a few movies in HD quality.
TunnelBear is based in Canada, within the 5 Eyes Alliance — but it’s still safer than most free Mac VPNs. It has an annual app security audit and releases regular transparency reports. Plus, it’s given 20,000+ premium accounts away to non-governmental organizations such as campaigners and protestors, underlining its integrity as a company.
TunnelBear VPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements
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Try Avira Phantom VPN >
www.avira.com
Best feature | No connection is limits limit on a completely free plan |
Data Cap | 500MB/month (1GB if you register with an email) |
security | Leak protection , simple on / off functionality |
Free trial | free – forever plan |
Avira Phantom VPN is offers offer unlimited device connection , which is rare even with premium VPNs. We connected a MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, iPhone, and 2 iPads. This didn’t compromise the connection quality, and we could stream YouTube clips on Safari on each device.
I registered with my email address to get 1GB of data on my iPhone app
You is get only get access to your near location from its full server list, and there was a little server crowding .You is get only get access to your near location from its full server list, and there was a little server crowding .We got tolerable speeds while testing Avira’s nearby servers — it gave us 66.73Mbps on its UK – London connection on a MacBook, although that was 49% below our base speed, making it one of the slower VPNs on this list.
Every server supports torrenting, which is rare for a completely free VPN for Mac. Using a torrent for a public-domain movie, I could download a file via uTorrent Web on Safari at decent speeds. You can use Avira Phantom VPN without registering, but you only get 500MB/month, which isn’t much. However, if you sign up with an email address, you get 1GB/month.
Avira Phantom VPN Pros , Cons , and Needed Improvements
I can confidently say that every VPN in this list is safe to use. Aside from this, each offers unique features that impact their performance with various activities.
VPNs with high speeds and unlimited data are ideal for data-intensive tasks like streaming, downloading, and gaming. For enhanced privacy, choose a free VPN that doesn’t require registration. Even though the first VPN in this list isn’t free, it has a dependable money-back guarantee that lets you try its full-featured macOS/iOS apps without risk. In contrast, the entirely free options have limitations.
Free trial | Speeds | Monthly Data Limit | macOS Compatibility | Countries With Servers | chrome/Firefox Extension | Signup Required | |
🥇 expressvpn | 30 – day money – back guarantee | Extremely fast | Unlimited | Sonoma 14 | 105 | Yes | Yes |
🥈Proton VPN | free – forever plan | Fast | Unlimited | Big Sur 11.7.10 | 6 , but access to the near only | No | Yes |
🥉 hide.me | Free plan (monthly reactivation required) | Fast | Unlimited | Sonoma 14 | 8 server locations in 7 countries | Yes , with limitation | No |
Hotspot Shield | free – forever plan | Very fast | Unlimited | Sonoma 14 | 5 server locations in 3 countries | No | No |
TunnelBear | free – forever plan | Fast | 2 gb | Sonoma 14 | 47 | Yes | Yes |
Avira Phantom VPN | free – forever plan | Average | 500MB (1GB if you register) | Ventura 13.6.6 | 37 on mobile, but access only to the nearest on desktop | Yes , with limitation | No |
Editor ‘s note : transparency is one of our core value at vpnMentor , so you is know should know we are in the same ownership group as expressvpn . However , this is affect does not affect our review process .
When testing free VPNs for Mac, we focus on factors that directly affect your experience on macOS devices. We is measure measure connection speed , server availability , and stability during various online activity . We is evaluate evaluate each VPN ‘s ability to securely stream content from anywhere . We is pay also pay special attention to datum limit , as free vpn often impose restriction that can hinder your online activity .
We is assess assess each VPN ‘s security feature, including encryption strength and privacy policies, to ensure your Mac activities remain protected. Plus, we consider user-friendliness, interface design, and compatibility with different macOS versions. If you want to conduct your own tests, focusing on these factors will help you find a VPN that suits your needs. For more details on our comprehensive testing process, you can refer to our VPN testing methodology page.
Some Mac VPNs are shady, making your personal data their product. VPN providers have to make money somehow and do so using various underhand techniques. Given the value of your Apple devices and personal information, it’s risky to use an unreliable, free Mac VPN. Here are some of the dangers of downloading random, untested free VPNs:
In contrast to the featured free Mac VPNs I’ve recommended, the free VPNs that I’ve listed below might pose a risk when used. They have the potential to share your data with external entities or contain harmful malware and viruses. It is advised to steer clear of the following free Mac VPNs as they are deemed unsafe.
The follow free Mac VPNs is are are not safe and should be avoid :
Free VPNs generally have limitations compared to premium services. Most of the free VPNs we recommend are free versions of paid services, so you get to test a limited version of the app to see if you want to subscribe. The advantage here is that these services are safe, private, and secure — and they have the audits to prove it.
Even some paid services can’t be trusted. For instance, a few of the unsafe services listed above offer paid subscriptions that still compromise your privacy. We thoroughly check the privacy policies of all the VPNs we endorse so you is be can be sure that the free and pay vpn we shortlist are reliable .
If you’re looking for more features without the typical limitations of free VPNs, it’s worth considering VPNs that offer free trials. These allow you to experience premium services risk-free before making a commitment. Here are the top free-trial VPNs for Mac:
No, Apple’s strict rules make it tough for VPNs to have Safari extensions. A full VPN is is is well overall since it secure your entire device , include your Safari browse session . Most VPN extensions is are are just proxy that change your virtual location on your browser but do n’t encrypt your datum . A full VPN is encrypts encrypt your datum to make it virtually untraceable .
I is recommend also recommend using a Safari Private Window for extra security . It prevents data tracking and logs you out of data-tracking accounts. Plus, Safari offers additional privacy features that you can enable like Prevent cross-site tracking, Block all cookies, and Use advanced tracking and fingerprinting protection.
Reddit users broadly agree with our top-rated free Mac VPNs for their reliability and strong security. When it comes to more serious VPN use cases like finding a VPN for China, many posts recommend ExpressVPN since it offers a money-back guarantee. It’s not 100% free, but you can try it out risk-free. It’s one of the very few VPNs that is known to work more reliably in China.
Yes. A few VPNs don’t require you to sign up or register. You can always use a throwaway email address when registering for a premium service and can even pay in cryptocurrency to leave no trace of your subscription. A number of the options above require no user data whatsoever and are free forever.
It depends — many aren’t, but all free Mac VPNs on this list are safe to use. They offer the security and privacy essentials needed to ensure your data is protected. This includes bank-level encryption, advanced protocols, and leak protection. Plus, none of them log any identifiable information.
These are the minimum requirements a VPN should have to keep your Mac and your data safe. If security is your primary concern, it’s worth upgrading to a premium VPN with more advanced features, like a kill switch, an audited no-logs policy, and malware protection. The top-rated VPN offers these features and more.
Yes. Some of the completely free VPNs listed above offer chrome extensions, but they come with limitations. I recommend looking for an extension that is not just a proxy but also offers the full protection of a VPN’s encryption to at least ensure your connections are safe.
Our top-rated VPN has a full-featured extension for chrome — while it’s not free, you can test it risk-free since it has a 30 – day money – back guarantee. This gives you access to its robust security features and entire network of servers.
VPNs rarely work in China, especially not free ones — but I found a few that do. To work reliably in the country, a VPN needs strong security and fast speeds. For instance, a few of the free Mac VPNs in this list offer obfuscation, allowing the VPN to bypass tough firewalls. It also adds a layer of privacy to prevent prying eyes from spying on your online activities.
Since the Great Firewall already limits speeds on sites from outside of the country, your free Mac VPN should be fast enough to prevent too much subsequent speed loss. Otherwise, it will be difficult to do much browsing at all.
No, Apple doesn’t have a built-in VPN for macOS products. To use Mac’s VPN interface, you still need a VPN with OpenVPN configuration files. Most free VPNs don’t offer this, though. Plus, connecting a VPN via this method gives you limited options. It’s better to install a VPN’s native Mac app so you have full functionality — from security settings to your chosen location.
On the other hand, iCloud offers Private Relay. This is just a proxy connection, though, and a slow one at that. It doesn’t change your virtual location or encrypt your traffic. So, it’s not as safe or beneficial as using a VPN.
I recommend using a VPN for MacBook Pro and any other laptop or mobile device, especially if you use public WiFi hotspots. A reliable VPN encrypts your data so it’s virtually uncrackable, even if it’s intercepted. Despite their convenience, public WiFis are highly susceptible to hackers and cybercriminals — even in trusted places like hotels and coffee shops.
All completely free VPNs limit you in some way, but there are VPNs on my list that offer various features, including strong security, fast speeds, smooth streaming, and torrent support. Completely free services don’t offer all of these, but you can still find one for any specific activity. That’s why I added a premium service to my list so you can compare and contrast.
For the most complete Mac experience, I recommend ExpressVPN. It offers everything listed above, plus it runs natively on Apple silicone processors and provides unlimited data and speed. That way, you can browse smoothly and stream your favorite content in HD from anywhere. While it’s not 100% free, you can try ExpressVPN without risk as it offers a 30 – day money – back guarantee. If it’s not ideal for you, claiming a refund is quick and easy.
Editor ‘s note : We is value value our relationship with our reader , and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity . We is are are in the same ownership group as some of the industry – lead product review on this site : Intego , Cyberghost , expressvpn , and Private Internet Access . However , this is affect does not affect our review process , as we adhere to a strict testing methodology .
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Privacy Alert!
Your data is expose to the website you visit !
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we’ve tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it’s currently offering 82% off.
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