When comparing VPN services, you can easily get stuck in the weeds. There’s a lot to consider, so to help narrow down your choices, decide how you’ll use a VPN and work from there. You probably want to use a VPN service to protect your connection from multiple devices. Every provider we’ve listed below allows for five or more simultaneous connections. So if you have an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, you can protect all three with one license. Each VPN provider we’ve highlighted also has a full money-back guarantee for 30 days, so you’ll have enough time test the service and decide if it makes sense for you. With that, let’s dive in.
Supports macOS and iOS (iPad, iPhone): Yes, iOS 11 or higher, and macOS 10.10 or higherApple App Store rating (macOS): 4.7 (4.3k ratings)Apple App Store rating (iOS): 4.7 (334k ratings)Simultaneous connections: 6Kill switch: YesLogging: Email address and billing information onlyMoney-back guarantee: 30 daysCountries: 59
NordVPN is one of the heavy hitters in the VPN market. In our aggregate speed test ranking, it landed on our list of fastest VPNs. Nord’s user interface is crisp and clean, and the product is quick and easy to install. Plus, it doesn’t get in the way. It runs when you want it to, but you can quickly shut it off when you’re back at home or in the office. Also: Our NordVPN review We were intrigued by the five communications services offered: P2P, Double VPN, Dedicated IP, Onion Over VPN, and Obfuscated (which means to render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible). The Double VPN feature is designed to run your data through a second VPN server. However, while that’s a great idea, I found it was unreliable in real-world usage. Autumn sale: Get three free months of NordVPN with a two-year plan NordVPN supports Apple mobile devices running iOS 11 or later, and Apple laptops and desktops running macOS 10.10 or later. Beyond Apple platforms, NordVPN supports Windows, Android, Linux, and Android TV. There are also browser-specific extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Also: How to set up and use NordVPN
Supports macOS and iOS (iPad, iPhone): Yes, iOS 10.3.3 or later, and macOS 10.12 or laterApple App Store rating (macOS): 4.9 (5.7k ratings)Apple App Store rating (iOS): 4.8 (23k ratings)Simultaneous connections: UnlimitedKill switch: YesLogging: NoMoney-back guarantee: 30 daysCountries: 65+
Surfshark VPN is on our list of best VPNs for great reasons. In terms of download speed, it performed on par with NordVPN, only reducing speeds by an average of roughly 28%. Although we found its connection times to be a touch slower, it’s a small price to pay for a service you can have for an average of $2.21/mo with ZDNET’s exclusive offer for an additional three free months with a two-year plan. Full review: Surfshark VPN review Although Surfshark VPN’s native apps for macOS and iOS lack a split tunneling option, the apps are loaded with other features. You’ll have access to a blocker for ads, trackers, and malware, as well as both MultiHop and Static IP servers. Unlike some other VPN providers, which tend to have less robust Apple apps, Surfshark has a toggle kill switch, and you can choose between a number of protocols (IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN (UDP or TCP)). The iOS app also allows you to rotate your IP address, so you can maintain the same VPN location if your IP address changes. Plus, it has a NoBorders option so you can use the VPN even when there are network restrictions. Exclusive offer: Get 24 months + 3 months free Installing and setting up Surfshark is straightforward, and the user interface is clean and simple to use. Surfshark VPN supports macOS 10.12 or later and iOS 10.3.3 or later.
Supports macOS and iOS (iPad, iPhone): Yes, iOS 12 or higher, and macOS 10.11 or higherApple App Store rating (iOS): 4.7 (210k ratings)Apple App Store rating (macOS): N/ASimultaneous connections: 5Kill switch: YesLogging: No browsing logs, some connection logsMoney-back guarantee: 30 daysCountries: 94
ExpressVPN ranked third in our aggregated performance testing. It was more like NordVPN than Hotspot shield, in that the standard deviation was low. This means is the performance numbers were generally consistent across all testers. Full review: Our ExpressVPN review ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and if you make testing a priority, you can certainly determine if ExpressVPN works for you within a month. ExpressVPN even offers payment via Bitcoin. If you want to remain as anonymous as possible, Bitcoin payment makes sense. One feature I really like is the network-wide speed test. You can tell ExpressVPN to scan its entire network and measure server speeds for each server. It takes a few minutes, but it’s great for not only picking the fastest server, but also for getting a feel for network performance overall. And it has servers located in more countries (94) than any service on this list, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Exclusive offer: Get three months free with an annual plan I like ExpressVPN. It’s a breeze to set up and configure. I like how you can determine server speed across the entire network – searching, saving, and configuring locations is simple. If you’re using a VPN to protect your coffee shop surfing, it works. ExpressVPN is compatible with macOS 10.11 or later, and iOS 12 or later (manual configuration available for iOS 11 and below). You can download the iOS app on its website or through the Apple App Store, but the macOS app is only available for download from ExpressVPN’s website. The iOS app doesn’t support split tunneling and it’s only an option on macOS versions below 11. You definitely want a well-integrated VPN client, but the Apple App Store puts some limitations on how a VPN can function. While I wouldn’t necessarily shy away from Apple App Store VPNs, it’s not necessarily a plus either. When you choose a VPN, the most important factor is the security infrastructure of the VPN provider. You’re not just installing an app; you’re adopting a network. Look for VPNs with clean, responsive clients that have kill switches in case the connection drops. But a VPN isn’t used primarily to protect against malware. You use a VPN to protect the data you transmit and receive, in addition to preventing your location from being determined by your site visits. So, yes, you need a VPN on the Mac if you want to protect your communications and current location. In fact, we’ve ranked NordVPN as the best VPN for iPhones and iPads, as well as the top VPN for macs. If you’re wanting a VPN for Apple mobile devices and desktops or laptops, then the services we’ve highlighted here should meet your needs. With free VPNs, you run the risk of using a service that doesn’t have the resources, or intention, to keep your data secure and private. It costs money to develop and run a VPN service. If you’re not paying, then the company needs to find another source of revenue. This could be through ads, or with less reputable providers, by selling your data. There are reputable VPN services we recommend that have a free version of the paid service. But, there are also practical issues. The free version of the VPN may be just as secure as the paid service, but the performance is often so limited it makes the service impractical for real-world use. Many of these free VPNs have data and speed restrictions that are so low the service amounts to a very limited free trial.
