Is there a VPN for Safari, and how to choose one

Safari doesn’t have a built-in VPN. It also doesn’t support VPN extensions, and while you can get Safari content blockers and some web extensions, these are far from full VPNs. To encrypt your traffic, mask your IP address, and protect your browsing information on Safari, you need a standalone VPN app — with good encryption standards, server coverage, connection speed, and logging policies. 

VPN for Safari in a nutshell:

Why Safari needs a VPN

Safari includes privacy tools like Private Browsing mode and ITP (Intelligent Tracking Prevention), which block cross-site trackers and prevent cookies from following you across the web. 

These features limit advertiser tracking but don’t hide your activity from your internet provider, network administrators, or anyone monitoring your connection.

Without a VPN, your IP (Internet Protocol) address remains visible to every website you visit, your DNS queries expose which domains you access, and your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can log your browsing history. A VPN encrypts this traffic before it leaves your device, replacing your real IP with one from the VPN server and routing DNS queries through a secure tunnel.

Does Safari have a VPN?

Safari once supported VPN browser extensions; however, Apple has since discontinued them. This limitation could actually benefit users: browser extensions only encrypt traffic within Safari, leaving other apps, such as Maps, Netflix, or TikTok, unprotected.

A standalone VPN app encrypts all device traffic, including Safari, other browsers, and every app that connects to the internet. For comprehensive protection, install a VPN app on your Mac or iPhone and run it in the background. Alternatively, you can set up a VPN on your router to protect every device on your network.

Best VPN for Safari = best VPN for Apple OS

Safari runs exclusively on Apple devices, so you need a VPN that is compatible with iOS or macOS. No single VPN suits everyone; the best choice depends on your specific needs.

When assessing VPNs for Apple devices, prioritize:

• iOS/macOS compatibility: native apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac;
• Privacy policy: independently audited no-activity-logs claims;
• Speed: minimal impact on browsing and streaming;
• Server locations: coverage in regions important to you;
• Additional features: ad blocking, split tunneling, kill switch;
• Price: monthly cost and device limits.

Additionally, Surfshark’s iOS and macOS apps come with Siri Shortcuts integration, letting you connect or disconnect via voice commands or automation.

Why does Safari need a VPN?

Getting a dedicated VPN on iPhone or Mac to use with your Safari browsing means:

• Having better security and privacy online. A VPN will encrypt your Safari browser traffic, making it much harder to track or intercept, including by your ISP, government agencies, and hackers;
• Connecting to public Wi-Fi safely. Public Wi-Fi networks have numerous vulnerabilities and often become a haven for hackers waiting to access your sensitive data. A VPN will encode that information, making it indecipherable for all unauthorized parties;
• Accessing global content. A VPN will come in handy when traveling or if you’re working remotely from another country and have problems accessing the services and sites you usually use at home or need for remote work.

Most paid VPNs offer different combinations of features, performance, and privacy protections. Rather than a single best option, the right choice depends on how you plan to use the VPN and which trade-offs matter most to you.

Is Apple’s Private Relay a VPN for Safari?

Apple’s iCloud+ Private Relay isn’t a VPN. It mainly hides your IP address and some of the metadata, rather than encrypting and rerouting all of your internet traffic. It primarily protects Safari and some apps that utilize Apple’s system networking, but it does not cover all apps or third-party browsers. 

Private Relay is available on Apple devices with an active iCloud+ subscription.

Private Relay vs. VPN

Private Relay is an optional iOS privacy feature included with iCloud+. It hides your IP address and encrypts DNS (Domain Name System) lookups when browsing in Safari, making it more difficult for networks to associate your identity with the websites you visit.

In this particular aspect, Private Relay acts similarly to a VPN. However, the similarities end there. 

A traditional VPN routes all of your device’s internet traffic through a single encrypted tunnel, regardless of which browser or app you’re using. This allows a VPN to protect the traffic system-wide, consistently mask your IP address, and enable you to switch between specific server locations.

In practical terms, this broader coverage also reduces exposure on untrusted networks, such as public Wi-Fi, where background apps, system services, or non-Safari traffic may otherwise connect without the additional protection a VPN provides. Private Relay does not extend this protection beyond supported Safari traffic and select system requests.

Here are the main differences between Apple’s iCloud Private Relay and reputable VPNs:

While Private Relay may feel VPN-like for private browsing on Safari, it is not a substitute for a full VPN. Its limited scope, lack of location control, and selective traffic coverage mean it cannot provide the broader protection or flexibility a traditional VPN offers.

How to use a VPN on Safari (step by step)

To enable Surfshark, sign up for one of our plans, download the app, and click Quick connect. If you already have a VPN on your Mac but want to fiddle with the settings manually, follow these steps:

1. Go to System Preferences and hit Network.
2. Press the plus sign at the bottom left corner of the white table with your connections. 
3. Choose VPN from the Interface dropdown menu, and pick a VPN protocol you’d like to use from the VPN type dropdown menu.
4. Create or choose a Service Name and click Create.
5. Fill in the server details using the VPN settings provided by the service and click the Authentication Settings.
6. Enter your authentication credentials supplied by your VPN provider and click OK.
7. Click Advanced… and check the option to Send all traffic over VPN connection.
8. Then hit Apply and Connect.
9. Your VPN is now linked to the device you are using.

Conclusion: a VPN for Safari? Try Surfshark

Since Safari doesn’t support VPN extensions, Safari-specific options are limited to Apple’s Private Relay, which provides partial, browser-focused privacy rather than full traffic coverage. To go a step further, you can use a system-level VPN such as Surfshark. It works seamlessly on macOS and iOS, offering system-wide encryption, an extensive server network, and advanced security features. 

With affordable pricing and unlimited device connections, it’s a practical choice for broader online privacy — not just in Safari, but across all your apps.

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