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Download a VPN for Mac
- 3200+ servers in 100 countries
- Secure encryption & VPN protocols
- Available on all MacBook models
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What is a VPN for Mac?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an online privacy and security tool that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address. By doing so, it protects your online activity from prying eyes and keeps you safe on public networks. Since all devices are equally prone to online threats, using a VPN for Mac is a necessity if you want to stay private online.
What makes Surfshark one of the best VPNs for Mac?
Unlimited devices
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. This means that you can keep all your devices safe without having to count your connections.
Only $1.99/month
There’s no need to break the bank when choosing a VPN for Mac. Get Surfshark for as little as $1.99/month and enjoy a premium VPN at an affordable price.
Industry-leading encryption
To keep your data safe, Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption for OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, as well as ChaCha20 for Wireguard. That’s as secure as it gets in the modern world of VPNs.
How to set up a VPN on MacOS
Choose a VPN subscription
Choose a VPN subscription that suits your needs and create an account.
Download the VPN app
Download and install a VPN app on your Mac.
Connect to a VPN server
Choose between servers in 100 countries or simply tap Quick-connect to connect to the fastest location.
Which macOS versions is Surfshark compatible with?
The Surfshark app is compatible with all macOS versions, starting with Catalina 10.15 onwards. Here’s the full list of compatible macOS versions:
- macOS 10.15 Catalina;
- macOS 11 Big Sur;
- macOS 12 Monterey;
- macOS 13 Ventura;
- macOS 14 Sonoma.
On top of that, Surfshark is compatible with all macOS devices capable of running the versions above. This includes all devices with an Apple Silicon chip (M1 and M2 CPUs), as well as Macbook, iMac, Mac Studio, Mac Mini, and Mac Pro devices.
Need more details? See our thorough guide on how to set up a VPN for macOS.
How to manually set up a VPN on Mac
If you want to manually set up Surfshark on your macOS device, you can do so by following our detailed guides for each of the available VPN protocols.
Surfshark VPN vs. free VPNs
Free VPNs can be tempting, but while you save some cash, you may end up paying with your privacy. Free VPN services usually don’t have the funding or the resources to offer a secure, private, and fast VPN connection to their users.
Unlimited data
Most free VPNs have a hard cap on the data you’re allowed to use. But you don’t want your online privacy to end as soon as you hit the limit. This is why premium VPNs always offer unlimited bandwidth with their subscriptions.
Faster speeds
The speed of your VPN connection is directly related to server crowdedness and the distance between you and the server. Paid VPNs tend to offer way more servers in more locations, so you can stay safe online without sacrificing your connection speed.
No activity logs
At Surfshark, we don’t track what you do online, which is backed up by our strict no-logs policy. The same can’t be said about most free VPNs, as evidenced by the fact that 25 million user records were leaked by free VPNs in 2022 alone.
Complete digital security
On top of offering a premium VPN service, Surfshark One and One+ plans include data breach alerts, Antivirus, webcam protection, and even personal data security reports. You won’t get such features with a free VPN.
RAM-only servers
VPN servers with physical hard drives are a security risk. Premium VPNs recognized it a while back and moved to RAM-only servers to keep user data safe. Since such changes aren’t cheap, many free VPNs are continuing to risk user data with hard drive servers.
Modern VPN protocols
Surfshark uses only modern and secure VPN protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with free VPNs, as some providers continue to use outdated protocols with known security flaws, putting the privacy of their users at risk.
What can a macOS VPN app do for you?
Block ads and cookie pop-ups
Cookie pop-ups and ads are not only annoying, but they can also be malicious. Surfshark’s CleanWeb ensures a safe and smooth browsing experience by blocking ads, pop-ups, and trackers. This eliminates the chances of accidentally clicking a malicious link or allowing websites to track your activity.
Keep you safe at all times
Sometimes your VPN connection drops. Be it from an unstable internet connection or something going wrong with the service provider itself. Surfshark has a Kill Switch feature that keeps you safe in moments like these. It shuts down your internet connection as soon as your VPN connection drops, preventing any data leaks.
Hide VPN use
With regular VPN use, your ISP or the government can’t see what you’re doing online, but they can still see that you’re using a VPN. That’s not ideal in countries with oppressive internet restrictions. Thankfully, Surfshark has obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN on top of encrypting your internet traffic so you can freely enjoy the wonders of the World Wide Web.
Overcome ISP throttling
You’re using a lot of traffic whenever you’re watching videos or playing games online. And your ISP doesn’t necessarily like it. As a result, your ISP may throttle your connection and diminish your online experience. Since a VPN hides your online activity, your ISP can’t throttle your connection simply based on what you’re doing online.
Bypass VPN for selected apps
Some apps or services may need to see your actual IP to function properly. With Surfshark, you don’t need to shut your VPN connection down just to log in to your banking account. Simply add apps and websites to Bypasser, and they’ll remain unaffected by the VPN while all of the remaining traffic is protected.
Get double protection with MultiHop
Need an extra layer of security for your connection? Route your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one by using Surfshark’s MultiHop feature. Doing so makes your online activity even harder to track. That said, it may slow down your connection, so it’s perfect for whistleblowing but not necessary for streaming videos or simply surfing the web.
Delve into 3200+ servers today
All servers
Australia
AUS
Brazil
BRA
Canada
CAN
Chile
CHL
France
FRA
Germany
DEU
Hong Kong
HKG
India
IND
Israel
ISR
Japan
JPN
New Zealand
NZL
Norway
NOR
Netherlands
NLD
Singapore
SGP
South Korea
KOR
Spain
ESP
Sweden
SWE
Switzerland
CHE
Turkey
TUR
United Kingdom
GBR
United States
USA
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FAQ
What are the best free VPNs for Mac?
There is no such thing as a good free VPN provider. Free VPN services rarely, if ever, have the budget or the resources needed to protect their users from the latest security threats. Therefore, it’s always best to choose a premium VPN over a free one.
Does Mac have a built-in VPN?
All operating systems have built-in VPN functionalities. But they don’t include a VPN server to connect to, which is a vital piece of the whole VPN process. The native macOS VPN is also not as easy to use since it requires a manual setup and requires more knowledge than using a VPN app.
Does Apple recommend using a VPN?
While Apple prioritizes the privacy and security of its operating system, it can’t keep Mac users safe from all online threats. Apple knows that; that’s why they support VPNs on their devices.
With a VPN, you can surf the internet in private, protect your data from third parties, and overcome oppressive government restrictions. VPNs also block trackers and invasive advertising, allowing you to enjoy a cleaner digital space. There are a lot more benefits that VPNs can offer, and it’s no surprise that this tool has become essential for many internet users.
Can I use more than one device at a time with Surfshark?
Yes, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can protect all kinds of devices at the same time, including computers, cell phones, smart TVs, and streaming media players. No need to count your connections, simply download the VPN app and connect to a VPN server on all your devices.
Does Surfshark work on older Mac devices?
Yes. Although the app functions from 10.15 and up, you can always set up a VPN service with a manual connection on either an older Mac or your router that will cover every device you use. That way, you will still be able to enjoy the benefits of a secure connection.
Is a Mac VPN safe?
Yes, using a VPN on a Mac is completely safe as long as you use a reliable VPN service. Avoid free VPN apps and choose a premium provider with a history of independent audits. For the best Mac VPN experience, make sure the provider has VPN server locations nearby, a strict no-logs policy, and modern VPN protocols.
What is the best VPN for Mac?
There’s no specialized VPN for Mac products. However, any mainstream VPN that supports major platforms should do the trick. A single Surfshark subscription will cover most devices, including all Mac devices, and ensure that your privacy is safe with industry-leading encryption.