macOS is more locked down than Windows, but a VPN can still leak through Safari, DNS or IPv6. We tested the four best native apps on Apple Silicon, including battery and streaming.
| VPN | Best for | Rating | Price | Native app | Apple Silicon | Kill switch | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Overall | 4.7/5 | $3.09/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| ProtonVPN | Privacy | 4.4/5 | $2.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Surfshark | Value | 4.4/5 | $2.19/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CyberGhost | Streaming | 4.4/5 | $2.19/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
macOS has a native Network Extension framework, so a good VPN app can run without kernel extensions and without admin prompts every time. The best apps live in the menu bar, connect in one click, and expose the kill switch and protocol without burying them.
Watch for three macOS-specific issues: iCloud Private Relay can conflict with a VPN, Safari's WebRTC implementation can expose candidates if the VPN is misconfigured, and some apps still ship Intel-only builds that run under Rosetta. All four picks here have native Apple Silicon apps.
Best overall for Mac
NordVPN's macOS app is native, Apple Silicon-ready and lives in the menu bar. It retained 94% of baseline throughput in our test, enabled the kill switch by default, and unblocked Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Disney+ in Safari. Threat Protection also blocks ads and malicious domains system-wide.
Best privacy and free tier
ProtonVPN's macOS app is open source, native and supports Secure Core. The free tier is the best no-card option on Mac: unlimited data, one device, no ads. The paid Plus plan adds 20,000+ servers and faster speeds for $2.99/month. Streaming is good with Netflix and BBC iPlayer, less consistent with Hulu.
Best value for a household
Surfshark's Mac app is simple, native and covers unlimited devices. It retained 86% of baseline throughput, includes CleanWeb for ad blocking, and supports split tunneling. If you have a Mac, an iPhone and a few other devices, one subscription covers all of them.
Best for streaming on Mac
CyberGhost has 11,500+ servers and pre-labelled streaming profiles, which makes it easy to find a server that works with Netflix or BBC iPlayer in Safari. The 45-day refund window is the longest in the group. The app is beginner-friendly, though the battery impact was slightly higher than NordVPN and ProtonVPN.
They can coexist, but they often conflict. If both are on, some apps may fail to connect. The VPN usually takes precedence; turn off Private Relay if you have problems.
macOS is more secure than Windows by default, but it does not hide your IP from websites, your ISP or public Wi-Fi operators. A VPN is still useful for privacy, travel and streaming.
NordVPN retained 94% of baseline throughput in our test, the highest of the group. ProtonVPN retained 88%, Surfshark 86% and CyberGhost 82%.
Most Apple TV apps do not support VPNs directly. Use a router-level VPN or AirPlay from a Mac or iPhone that is connected to the VPN. See our streaming guide for the current results.
The impact is small with a native Apple Silicon app: typically 2-4% over a day. Older Intel-only apps running under Rosetta can use more power.
ProtonVPN Free is the safest option. Most other free VPNs limit bandwidth, log data or inject ads. Avoid apps that ask for unnecessary permissions or install browser extensions you did not request.
NordVPN is the best all-round Mac VPN in our tests, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get NordVPN →Price checked 1 November 2026. Affiliate disclosure.