Kitsmith / VPNs
MacVPNs
8 hand-verified vpns for Mac.
The Mac VPN market splits cleanly into name-brand subscriptions and one privacy-first outlier. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are the familiar picks — big server networks (105–118 countries), native Mac apps, and pricing built around a multi-year intro rate that renews several times higher (NordVPN’s $3.49/mo Basic plan renews at $139.08/yr; ExpressVPN’s cheapest entry renews at $99.95/yr). Each has a real differentiator worth knowing before you commit: ExpressVPN is consistently rated among the fastest in independent speed tests, Surfshark is the only one of the three with no per-device cap, and NordVPN pairs its huge server count with an independently audited no-logs policy.
Proton VPN is the odd one out, and arguably the most interesting listing here — a genuinely usable free tier with no data cap, from the company behind Proton Mail. Most "free" VPNs are lead magnets for an upsell; Proton’s free plan actually works indefinitely, just with fewer servers and slower speeds than its $9.99/mo (down to ~$2.99/mo on a 2-year plan) VPN Plus tier.
ClearVPN, from MacPaw (the CleanMyMac company), takes a different approach to the interface rather than the price: instead of a server list, you pick a task — unblock a streaming service, hide your IP — and it connects automatically. It’s worth knowing upfront that ClearVPN is Setapp-exclusive, with no standalone purchase found, so the real cost is a Setapp membership starting at $14.99/mo rather than a VPN-specific subscription.
All 8 apps
No apps match those filters.
Proton VPN
Free tier available; VPN Plus from $9.99/mo (as low as ~$2.99/mo on a 2-year plan)A privacy-focused VPN from the makers of Proton Mail, with a genuinely usable free tier and a native Mac app.
ClearVPN
$14.99/mo via Setapp membership (7-day free trial); no standalone purchase foundA VPN with preset "shortcuts" for specific tasks — streaming, privacy, bypassing blocks — rather than a bare server list, sold only through Setapp.
NordVPN
$14.99/mo billed monthly; from $3.49/mo on a 2-year plan (renews at $139.08/yr, ≈$11.59/mo)One of the largest VPN services by server count and brand recognition, with a native Mac App Store app and no-log servers in 118 countries.
ExpressVPN
From $2.99/mo on a 2-year plan (billed $83.72 for the first 28 months, renews at $99.95/yr)A premium VPN known for consistent speed and a simple one-tap Mac app, with servers in 105 countries.
Surfshark VPN
From $2.49/mo on the Starter 2-year plan ($67.23 for the first 27 months); monthly and 1-year plans also availableA budget-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous device connections — no per-device cap, unlike most competitors.
Tunnelblick
FreeA free, open-source OpenVPN client for Mac — no ads or affiliate links, and the developer states it keeps no logs, but you supply your own VPN server or provider config.
WireGuard
FreeThe official Mac client for the WireGuard VPN protocol — simpler and faster than OpenVPN by design, free on the Mac App Store, but you still need your own server or provider config.
Mullvad VPN
€5/month flat rate, billed in EUR — no free tier, and no discount for paying further in advanceA flat €5/month, no-frills VPN from a Swedish privacy company — anonymous accounts, no logging, and an open-source app, with no free tier and no multi-year discount to chase.
The verdict
We haven't singled out a top pick here yet — every one of the 8 is hand-verified, so start wherever your job description points you. 2 of the 8 are free, and 3 are open source. Paid options range $2.49–$14.99, one-time or subscription depending on the app.
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Mac vpns — questions people ask
Is there a Mac VPN with a real free tier?
Proton VPN’s free plan has no data cap, unlike most "free" VPNs — though speed and server choice are limited compared to its paid VPN Plus tier ($9.99/mo, down to ~$2.99/mo on a 2-year plan).
Which VPN has no device limit?
Surfshark VPN doesn’t cap the number of simultaneous devices on one subscription — most competitors, including NordVPN and ExpressVPN, limit you to a set number of devices per plan.
Why do NordVPN and ExpressVPN prices look different every time I check?
Both advertise a multi-year intro rate that renews at a much higher annual price — NordVPN’s $3.49/mo Basic plan renews at $139.08/yr, and ExpressVPN’s 2-year plan renews at $99.95/yr. The monthly-billed price with no commitment is always higher per month.
Can I buy ClearVPN without a Setapp subscription?
Not as far as this listing could verify — ClearVPN is sold only bundled into a Setapp membership (from $14.99/mo), with no standalone purchase found.