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Download a secure VPN for Mac

Get the Surfshark VPN app for Mac and access:

Fast VPN connection speeds for smooth browsing
Advanced privacy and security features for macOS
Worldwide access to 4,500+ servers in 100 countries

Available on macOS 12 (Monterey) and later

Get Surfshark

30-day money-back guarantee

Widely trusted with 40M+ global app downloads, rewarded with 30+ recognition awards

Data as of 2026-03-26

4.3 28K reviews

4.7 109K reviews

4.6 213K reviews

Data as of 2026-03-26

How to set up a VPN on macOS

Get a VPN subscription

Choose a VPN subscription that best fits your needs and create an account.

Download the VPN app

Download the Surfshark VPN app and install it on your Mac.

Connect to a VPN server

You can find a more in-depth setup guide in our video on how to set up Surfshark on macOS.

Set up Surfshark manually on a macOS device following a guide for each of the available VPN protocols.

WireGuard macOS manual setup guide

OpenVPN macOS manual setup guide

IKEv2 macOS manual setup guide

Need more details? Check out our guide on how to set up a VPN on macOS.

What is a VPN for Mac?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection, shielding your Mac from hackers, trackers, and unwanted snooping.

Here’s why you need a VPN for Mac:

Stay safe on open networks: public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, airports, or hotels leaves your Mac vulnerable. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, helping shield your Mac from hackers and data thieves;
Stop tracking: your browsing activity can be tracked, logged, and sold. VPN encryption prevents websites, advertisers, and ISPs from monitoring your online activity;
Secure sensitive data: from banking details to personal files, your Mac holds sensitive information. A VPN helps keep personal files, banking details, and online activity private.

With Surfshark VPN for Mac, you can browse, work, and travel with confidence every time you go online.

Get Surfshark VPN for all your devices

Shield all of your connections with Surfshark VPN:

Windows Linux Android iOS Chrome Firefox Edge Apple TV FireTV

Surfshark provides a secure VPN connection and much more. From your Apple devices to smart TVs, gaming consoles, and mobile apps — we’ve got your network covered.

Try Surfshark risk-free

Download and try our VPN for Mac risk-free for 30 days. With Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee, you can explore our services without committing long-term:

Choose a Surfshark plan, buy the subscription, and create your account.
Download our free VPN app from the App Store or our website.
Open the app, log in, and try Surfshark VPN risk-free.

If our VPN doesn’t meet your expectations, simply cancel your subscription and request a refund within 30 days. For more details, check our refund guides.

Try Surfshark

Why use Surfshark for Mac?

Fast VPN for Mac

A global network of 4,500+ servers across 100 countries, optimized with 10 Gbps or faster ports, helps you minimize speed drops or buffering while streaming, downloading, and browsing on your Mac.

Independently audited privacy

Surfshark VPN doesn’t track what you do online, backed by our strict, verified no-logs policy. We don’t monitor or store your browsing history, data transfers, or other internet activities — keeping your privacy is our top priority.

Unlimited devices

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can protect not only your Mac but also all other devices compatible with Surfshark, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV, with a single Surfshark subscription.

Modern VPN protocols

A protocol is a set of rules that ensures a smooth, safe, and reliable VPN operation. That’s why Surfshark uses only the latest, most secure VPN protocols, including our proprietary Dausos, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.*

Easy macOS setup

Getting started with Surfshark on macOS is simple. Download the native app directly from the App Store or the Surfshark website, sign in, and tap Quick-connect to secure your internet traffic instantly.

Works with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

Surfshark offers native macOS compatibility for both Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs. Enjoy efficient resource usage, fast launch times, and minimal impact on your Mac’s battery life.

*Dausos is currently available to Surfshark users on macOS. Availability on other platforms is coming soon.

Do Macs need extra security?

Apple’s macOS has strong built-in defenses, but they primarily shield the operating system itself. The moment you connect to the internet, your personal data is exposed to web threats that your OS isn’t designed to stop. Surfshark adds an extra layer of privacy and security, helping you protect your connections, activity, and identity.

Public Wi-Fi protection

Unsecured Wi-Fi in places like cafes and airports leaves your web traffic open to snooping. Surfshark VPN encrypts your connection so your passwords, banking details, and personal data stay private on open networks.

Malware defense

Macs aren’t immune to hidden malware, drive-by downloads, or zero-day threats. Surfshark Antivirus scans incoming files in real time, catching malicious software before it reaches your drive or bypasses your OS safeguards.

Scam detection

Scams and phishing target people, not operating systems. Surfshark’s scam protection solutions help you detect scams and malicious content before you interact with them.

Privacy shield

macOS protects your local files, but ISPs and ad networks still trace your digital footprint. Surfshark hides your IP address and blocks invasive trackers, giving you better control over who sees what you do online.

The best VPN for Mac compatibility

The Surfshark app supports all macOS versions, starting with Monterey (macOS 12) and onwards:

macOS 12 (Monterey);
macOS 13 (Ventura);
macOS 14 (Sonoma);
macOS 15 (Sequoia).

You can also install older versions of our application:

And it doesn’t stop at Mac. With Surfshark, you can secure your entire Apple ecosystem, including iPhone, iPad, and even Apple TV.

Surfshark vs. free VPN for Mac

Free VPN services often fall short in terms of protecting your privacy and delivering consistent performance. Surfshark VPN provides a safer, reliable online experience you can trust.

	Free VPNs	Surfshark
Data collection risk	High: many free services monitor your activity and share data with third parties	Low: Surfshark follows a strict no-logs policy that has been independently verified
Speed and bandwidth	Restricted: bandwidth caps and throttled speeds are common among free VPNs	Unlimited: Surfshark has no limits on speed or bandwidth
Ads and trackers	Common: free providers may include ads and permit trackers	Blocked: Surfshark’s Clean Web blocks ads and trackers
Customer support	Limited: free services usually have no live support and slow response times	24/7: Surfshark’s live chat support is available at all times
VPN servers and locations	Few: free VPNs typically have few servers that are often overcrowded	Thousands: Surfshark provides access to 4,500+ high-speed servers in 100 countries
Encryption	Unreliable: free tools may not provide strong or modern encryption	Strong: Surfshark’s advanced encryption ensures better data security and privacy

Surfshark security features

Latest protocols

Choose between the most secure, industry-leading protocols — Dausos, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 — to ensure your connection is always optimized for speed and safety.

Encryption

Safeguard your data with AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20 and AEGIS-256X2 encryption, the same standards used by cybersecurity experts and governments worldwide.

Post-quantum protection

Future-proof your security online with Surfshark’s advanced post-quantum implementation on WireGuard, designed to resist potential threats from future quantum computers.

No-logs policy

Your browsing habits are your business, which is why Surfshark never tracks, collects, or shares your activity. Our no-logs policy has been independently verified by Deloitte, ensuring total transparency.

Jurisdiction

Based in the Netherlands, Surfshark operates in a favorable legal environment with no mandatory data retention laws. This jurisdiction allows us to uphold our strict no-logs policy with no interference.

Obfuscation

Obfuscation hides your data and makes it much harder to identify that you’re using a VPN. This technology helps you browse freely even in places that highly restrict internet usage.

RAM-only servers

Surfshark’s entire network runs on diskless, RAM-only servers that automatically wipe all data with every reboot. This hardware-level security ensures that no information can ever be physically retrieved from our servers.

Kill switch

Protect your data from accidental exposure with a kill switch — an automatic safety net that cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops. This ensures no unencrypted data leaves your device.

Double VPN

Boost your protection online by routing your traffic through two different VPN servers at once with Multi Hop. This process encrypts your connection twice, making it virtually impossible for anyone to trace your digital footprint.

Everlink

Experience a self-healing connection with Surfshark’s patented Everlink infrastructure that keeps your VPN stable. If a server requires maintenance, Everlink seamlessly switches you to a new one without interrupting your session.

DNS leak protection

Surfshark routes all your DNS (Domain Name System) requests through private, encrypted tunnels. This prevents Wi-Fi eavesdropping and your ISP from seeing which websites you visit, ensuring your browsing history stays private.

Split tunneling

Use Bypasser, Surfshark’s VPN split tunneling, to choose which apps and websites need VPN protection and which can access the internet directly without encryption — perfect for IP-sensitive services.

Rotating IP

Stay ahead of trackers by automatically changing your IP address every few minutes without disconnecting. This constant IP rotation makes it much harder for advertisers and data brokers to profile your online behavior.

More than a VPN

Get a complete cybersecurity suite including a built-in ad blocker, antivirus, and identity masking tools. From blocking malware to generating an alternative persona, Surfshark takes protecting your digital presence to another level.

See why millions trust Surfshark

Check out what users and tech experts around the world have to say about Surfshark.

Teshir Jennifer

@memesfordigital

All the VPNs you mentioned are good. But Surfshark is the one I recommend in person for the best overall.

1:08 PM · Jul 28, 2024

Morgan Leggett

@YouBettaLeggett

I’ve had SurfShark for years. It’s amazing.

12:28 AM · Aug 14, 2024

Eakan

@eakangk

Trialling out @surfshark’s IP rotation. It is doing it pretty well. Seamless in the background.

3:20 PM · Oct 26, 2024

The reviews highlighted in this section were selected from publicly available posts on social media platforms. They reflect the opinions of individual users at the time of posting and may not represent the full range of our product features and qualities.

“Surfshark is a highly polished and powerful VPN that competes with the very best premium providers, all while offering a seriously tempting price point.”

“Surfshark is one of the best VPN services, comes crammed with features, runs on almost anything, and has some of the best download speeds around.”

“Surfshark is an excellent, well-rounded virtual private network that consistently ranks as one of CNET’s best VPNs.”

The reviews quoted on this page have been published by media outlets associated with Surfshark through affiliate partnerships. Their recommendations are based on their own independent research and insights to ensure value for the readers.

I have been using Surfshark since I got it and I love it!

MRWHOSETHEBOSS 20.2M subscribers

When I am traveling, I use Surfshark to access the internet quickly and securely, works like a treat in China.

SAM CHUI 3.61M subscribers

We love Surfshark because it is an easy-to-use app that you can download on all your devices.

MAX & OCCY 265K subscribers

“This is my first year and I absolutely love it. The fact I can have a good antivirus, great VPN, and incognito for like $120 a year is great.”

Open in Reddit

“I’ve been using Surfshark for 4 years on Android and ChromeOS with zero issues, it’s an absolute bargain”

Open in Reddit

“I’ve had it for 3 years and just renewed it for the next 2 years. I never have any issues with it and get my full internet speed..”

Open in Reddit

FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies 2024, 2025, 2026 Badge

VPN Trust Initiative certification 2026 Badge

Forbes Technology Council member 2026 Badge

Surfshark supports the open internet

We partner with digital rights organizations to promote online freedom and keep the internet safe and accessible to all.

FAQ

What are the best free VPNs for a Mac?

We don’t recommend free VPNs. They usually lack the budget or resources necessary to protect users from the latest security threats. Free VPNs also often have various limitations that negatively affect their quality (very few servers, bandwidth caps, etc.). Some even collect and sell user data to fund their services. Therefore, it’s always best to choose a reliable paid VPN over a free one.

Does Mac have a built-in VPN?

While macOS doesn’t come with dedicated VPN software, it does support VPN functionality. That means you can set up a VPN on a Mac by subscribing to a VPN service, downloading the app to your device, and connecting to a VPN server.

It’s also possible to manually configure one. However, manually setting up a VPN on macOS may be more complex as it requires some technical knowledge and access to VPN server information.

Does Apple recommend using a VPN?

Apple doesn’t have an official stance on this question, but it allows VPN connections on its devices. Having a VPN app for your Mac is a smart choice — it allows you to surf the internet privately, protect your data from third parties, block trackers and invasive advertising, and, in some cases, overcome oppressive internet censorship.

Can I use more than one device at a time with Surfshark?

Yes, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. You can protect all your devices at the same time — including computers, smartphones, smart TVs, and media players — with a single subscription.

Does Surfshark work on older Mac devices?

While Surfshark supports macOS 12 and newer, you can still get a legacy app for older macOS versions or set up a VPN with a manual connection. Alternatively, you can install Surfshark on your router, which will extend VPN protection to all of your devices.

Is a Mac VPN safe?

Yes, using a VPN on a Mac is completely safe as long as you choose a trustworthy VPN service. Avoid free VPN services and opt for a reliable, paid provider with a history of independent audits. For the best Mac VPN experience, look for features like nearby VPN server locations, a strict no-logs policy, and modern VPN protocols.

Download a secure VPN for Mac

How to set up a VPN on macOS

Get a VPN subscription

Download the VPN app

Connect to a VPN server

What is a VPN for Mac?

Get Surfshark VPN for all your devices

Try Surfshark risk-free

Why use Surfshark for Mac?

Fast VPN for Mac

Independently audited privacy

Unlimited devices

Modern VPN protocols

Easy macOS setup

Works with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

Do Macs need extra security?

Public Wi-Fi protection

Malware defense

Scam detection

Privacy shield

The best VPN for Mac compatibility

Surfshark vs. free VPN for Mac

Surfshark security features

Latest protocols

Encryption

Post-quantum protection

No-logs policy

Jurisdiction

Obfuscation

RAM-only servers

Kill switch

Double VPN

Everlink

DNS leak protection

Split tunneling

Rotating IP

More than a VPN

See why millions trust Surfshark

Surfshark supports the open internet

Secure your Mac with a VPN today

FAQ

What are the best free VPNs for a Mac?

Does Mac have a built-in VPN?

Does Apple recommend using a VPN?

Can I use more than one device at a time with Surfshark?

Does Surfshark work on older Mac devices?

Is a Mac VPN safe?

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