Best Free VPN for Mac: In-Depth Analysis

It’s never too late to equip yourself with the best free VPN for Mac. While more secure than its Windows counterpart, macOS is still vulnerable to online threats. Simply going online means you’re under ISP surveillance and tracked by data brokers and advertisers. A great VPN can do plenty of awesome things for you. One is ensuring privacy through bank-grade encryption. Another is the prevention of ISP throttling, which allows for fast speeds. Moreover, a reliable free VPN is great for streaming on macOS. An IP address change allows you to get over geo-blocks and unblock any website.

Sadly, most free VPNs for Mac aren’t particularly exciting. They’re pretty limiting and frequently lack crucial security features. So, is there such a thing as a 100% free but good macOS VPN?

Well, there obviously is but you’d be hard-pressed to find a worthy one on your own. We recently presented the best premium VPNs for Mac. In the same fashion, we’ll present their free counterparts based on our real-world tests of dozens of services.

Best Free VPNs for Mac for Up to 30 Days [Recommended by our experts]

So, before we move on to the best 100% free VPNs for Mac, let’s take a quick detour. As explained, premium providers are infinitely better in every aspect. But, as they cost money, people on a shoestring budget usually avoid them.

However, many are misinformed and don’t know about risk-free services with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Such services allow you to use them for free for up to 30 days and obtain a refund so that you lose no money. We explained this principle in our VPN free trial guide.

We think going this route is MUCH better despite the time-limited nature. You’ll have a much better experience, more servers, better speeds, more effective streaming, and so on. Let us present to you our top 3 free VPNs for macOS for 30 days and see what they offer.

NordVPN: The #1 Rated Free VPN for Mac for 30 Days

NordVPN is easily the most popular option on this list. While not free, it’s widely adopted as the most dependable option for this system. Besides, it offers a free VPN app for Mac computers that requires a subscription to work. To get NordVPN click the button below.

From here, you can pick any plan. The 2-year plan has a 60+% discount but even the monthly plan isn’t that expensive. Once you pick the plan and subscribe to the provider, the 30-day money-back guarantee starts. You can now install the app and use it normally.

Right before the first 30 days expire, contact NordVPN’s support and request a refund. The provider will provide a refund with no questions asked on the same day. Once your money is returned to your account, the process is complete.

Try NordVPN Risk-Free for 30 days

If we do the math, you’ve lost exactly zero dollars on NordVPN. Yet, you experienced the best possible free VPN for macOS for up to 30 days. This trick works without fail as long as the refund is requested in the aforementioned period.

What Does NordVPN Offer?

Compared to free VPNs for Mac that you can get for nothing, NordVPN is a much more appealing option. With 6,400+ servers in 110 countries, you’ll easily find the server you need. In addition, NordVPN offers special torrenting servers you won’t find in non-paid options.

This VPN also supports streaming, so watching BBC, Netflix, or MAX will be a breeze. We also want to emphasize its unlimited bandwidth – a feature found in top-tier providers like this one. Security-wise, NordVPN is filled to the brim with impressive features.

Some of them are Double VPN, Threat Protection, and Dark Web Monitor. We explained how they work in the NordVPN review. This provider’s no-log policy is impeccable and has received multiple independent audits. Besides, NordVPN is equipped with RAM servers.

As expected, NordVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption, making you untraceable online. One more thing – it supports Onion over VPN connections. As a result, it’s frequently used to go on the dark web in complete anonymity.

What about compatibility? Well, as the very best free VPN for Mac in 2024, it works on all devices. NordVPN’s Mac support is phenomenal but you can use it on Windows, Android, Linux, and iOS. With 10 simultaneous connections, it’s easy to protect all your devices.

Bonus inclusions are Smart DNS, Dedicated IP addresses, and a nifty feature called Incogni for deleting your private info from data brokers. This is a complete package with no notable downsides that you can use as the #1 rated free VPN for Mac for a whopping 30 days. Try it.

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ExpressVPN: A Fast, Secure, and Reliable Risk-Free Mac VPN

Another option we recommend is ExpressVPN. It’s a more expensive provider but that doesn’t matter if you’re using it as a free VPN on Mac. Again, you can use it without costing you a cent thanks to a 30-day refund policy. The process is 100% identical to NordVPN.

You’ll have to get one of its plans first. You can obtain a 49% discount thanks to 3 free months for its 12-month plan if you want. If not, get the monthly plan, download ExpressVPN, and install it. Now open the app, log in, and you’re ready to roll.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free for 30 days

Before the first 30 days are out, contact ExpressVPN and ask for a refund. Its support team will pick you up in 5-10 seconds and immediately issue a refund without quibble. You’ll get your money back in no time, thus, losing no cash on one of the best free VPNs compatible with iMac and MacBook.

What Does ExpressVPN Offer?

ExpressVPN’s qualities are hard to list in a few paragraphs. However, you can expect it to be miles ahead of 100% free VPNs for MacBooks below. Its 3,000+ servers with 10 Gbps performance and unlimited bandwidth put this provider at a big advantage.

Another perk is entertainment, which can be in the form of torrenting, streaming on Netflix, or even gaming. Yes, this is a choice of many avid gamers who want no lag, ISP throttling, and DDoS attacks. ExpressVPN is used on Mac for rock-solid security.

Apart from AES-256 encryption, the provider uses Network Lock (kill switch) and split tunneling for added customization. A bespoke Lightway protocol is there to help you overcome censorship and enjoy fast speeds on all servers.

We love ExpressVPN because of its simple-to-use apps. They look sleek and work on all systems, alas, with 8 simultaneous connections, which is less than NordVPN. On the good side, ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection blocks malicious sites, trackers, and ads.

The service has 16+ independent audits on its no-log policy, a free Mac VPN app, and many other qualities. While it lacks Dedicated IPs and Double VPN servers from NordVPN, it uses modern technologies such as TrustedServer, Private DNS, and Perfect Forward Secrecy.

Such a powerful provider can’t be a 100% free VPN for Mac computers. However, you can enjoy it for 30 days risk-free and not lose anything at the end. Though, we must say that we prefer NordVPN for its more affordable 2-year plans.

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Private Internet Access: Strong Privacy & Security for Free for 30 Days

We’ll mention PIA as the last free VPN for Mac for up to 30 days. It’s a pretty good option, and while not better than NordVPN or ExpressVPN, it offers a heap of notable qualities. PIA is the cheapest option here, so if you’re interested, you can claim its juicy discount below.

The provider has a 2-year plan with 2 free months at just over $2/mo. You can opt for the monthly plan as well and pay for it using the preferred payment vendor. Now, the 30-day money-back guarantee begins and you can download and use the VPN freely on Mac.

Private Internet Access also works on iPhones, so you can protect your phone promptly. After enjoying the provider, ask for a refund using the live chat widget on the site. Again, the refund will likely arrive the same day, so no costs are made at the end of the 30 days.

Try PIA VPN Risk-Free for 30 days

What Does Private Internet Access Offer?

Private Internet Access is another complimentary VPN for Mac you’ll appreciate. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections and some of the best security features. Some of them include MultiHop servers and MACE – the latter blocks ads and dangerous trackers.

Its MultiHop doubles your encryption, ensuring your ISP can’t get a hold of you. PIA comes with an amazing free Mac VPN app and works much better than on Windows. You’ll find WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols but also various proxies for different functions.

Shadowsocks obfuscate your traffic to circumvent firewalls. SOCKS5 is great for torrenting and better download speeds. PIA also offers full protocol customization, so you can determine the MTU size, VPN ports, etc. More about that in our PIA test.

This service is by no means better than the previous two. However, it’s way ahead of the three really free VPNs for Mac we’ll discuss later. The no-log policy has been proven in court multiple times and has an audit from Deloitte. Encryption is, again, bank-grade.

PIA’s 30,000 servers around the world are as imposing as they’re gargantuan. Its servers span 90+ countries, with the option to get Dedicated IPs in 20+ countries as well. For around $1/mo, you can purchase its mighty Antivirus to keep your Mac clean.

Best of all – it’s among the most affordable picks on the list. Albeit, if you’re using it without paying, this likely won’t matter much. With this short review, we just touched the tip of the iceberg. PIA offers many other technologies exceeding the next three services we will talk about.

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Best REALLY Free Mac VPNs (No Payment Info Required)

We understand if risk-free VPNs for Mac aren’t your thing. In that case, you’re looking at really free options that you can use forever without paying. The thing is, they’re “deflated” versions of their paid counterparts, so you can’t expect an identical performance level.

We did our best to select the most dependable options so that your security and privacy don’t suffer. Here are our 3 favorite 100% free VPNs for Mac computers in 2024.

1. Proton VPN

Proton VPN‘s premium plan is eerily impressive. Simultaneously it’s the #1 rated free VPN for Mac that you can use forever without paying. Simply register, download it, et voila! Proton VPN offers unlimited bandwidth, which is its main appeal. Security is tight, as well.

Features like AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, and WireGuard are here. This service is from Switzerland, bathing in a fair share of privacy-friendly laws. As a result, even its free service is free of logging, which isn’t typical for a free VPN compatible with macOS.

We want to point out its compatibility. It works on all platforms and has a decent VPN app for Android tablets, phones, and TVs. Proton VPN’s free version has more problems, though. It offers 5 server locations but you can’t choose which one to use.

You’re instead connected to the fastest one based on your location. Another problem is P2P support – it’s lacking. Any torrenting attempt will be met with a block that can be lifted by going the “Premium” route. Streaming also won’t work, which is another nail in the coffin.

Proton VPN lacks many of its core security features – Secure Core servers, for example. We also noticed its lack of NetShield, an amazing ad blocker. Port Forwarding is absent too and there’s no support for simultaneous connections.

24/7 live chat support won’t work if you’re a free user, so the customer service is subpar. Remember that this is the top free VPN for Mac in 2024 and it’s already a far cry from our risk-free options. Granted, its unlimited bandwidth is surely a highlight.

Try Proton VPN for free

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2. Hide.me

As a premium provider, Hide.me has a heap of exciting features but let’s not forget about its complimentary VPN for Mac. It’s not bad, with an app that offers support for OpenVPN, 256-bit encryption, and other “basic” functions. Enough for it to be secure.

Hide.me also doesn’t keep logs thanks to the Malaysian jurisdiction. We want to mention its unlimited traffic, which wasn’t available before. Now, Hide.me won’t limit you in any way, and unlike Proton VPN, it offers 8 locations where you can choose the one you like!

Hide.me’s performance is subpar, so it’s identical to Proton VPN. Server overcrowding is typical and despite unlimited bandwidth, the experience can be annoying at times. Does Hide.me work with streaming services? No – it’s unoptimized for this.

Torrenting is now prevented too, so again, P2P will be blocked right off. Hide.me’s security features are missing – at least some of them. For example, MultiHop servers are only in the premium version and we’re not fond of WireGuard’s exclusion.

Hide.me works on all devices, so even if you don’t need it as a free VPN for Mac, you can benefit from it. There’s a downside – it offers no simultaneous connections. Unlike the previous pick, Hide.me at least has a 24/7 live chat service for everyone.

But hey, all of the compromises we highlighted don’t make it the best free Mac VPN in 2024. Yes, it’s similar to Proton VPN but still far from NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Even on paper, it can’t hold water to these two and in practice, the difference is night and day.

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3. PrivadoVPN

PrivadoVPN is our least favorite option but still safe and secure enough. It’s faster than the previous two and offers 10 countries – again, more than Hide.me and Proton VPN. We’ll also highlight its Swiss jurisdiction, which makes the provider excellent for privacy.

After examining its privacy policy, we concluded it keeps no logs. Even in the free plan, the provider relies on RAM-based servers and offers full DNS/IP leak protection. WireGuard is there as well, and users can enjoy its kill switch and split tunneling on macOS.

PrivadoVPN also works with Netflix and supports torrenting, so at first, it sounds pitch-perfect. Well, it’s far from it because of one simple factor – limited monthly bandwidth. PrivadoVPN comes with only 10 GB of monthly traffic, which won’t suffice.

With so little data, you can browse for a few days. If you’re streaming, you’ll likely spend everything in a day or two. PrivadoVPN has no third-party audits either, compared to, let’s say, ExpressVPN, with 16+ of them. Of course, other typical issues are there.

As a free solution for Mac, PrivadoVPN has no simultaneous connections, its support is average, and you won’t get its premium security features. In particular, the Control Tower DNS is missing and it’s pretty handy for blocking adult sites, ads, and malware.

PrivadoVPN’s premium plan is cheap but costs similarly to NordVPN and PIA. That said, if you opt for a premium version, getting one of these two is smarter. PrivadoVPN would benefit from unlimited bandwidth but as things stand, this likely won’t happen soon.

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Really Free Mac VPNs: Why We Don’t Recommend Them?

Now that we have 3 free trial and 3 really free VPN services for Mac, we think the difference is eye-piercing. The most dependable premium services are outstanding in comparison.

However, if you still don’t see how they differentiate, let us point out the obvious flaws of 100% free options.

No Torrenting & Streaming

As you’ve likely noticed – or not – free providers don’t support these two. Torrenting is blocked in all unlimited options and works mostly in limited variants. Hide.me and Proton VPN P2P support is absent, while PrivadoVPN works but only offers 10 GB of bandwidth.

The story is the same with streaming. PrivadoVPN works with 1-2 Netflix catalogs, while the other two can’t unblock any. Compared to NordVPN which works with 20+ libraries and offers P2P-optimized servers, free providers are obsolete.

Slow Speed

Slower speeds are typical for the best free VPNs for Mac – forever free. They’re much slower than NordVPN and ExpressVPN due to overcrowding but also intentional performance reduction. After all, they allocate most of their bandwidth to paid users.

This leaves free users with crumbs that won’t suffice for the most part.

Weaker Security & Privacy

The security of our top 3 options is strong thanks to our careful selection. However, if you pick, let’s say, Hola VPN, Turbo VPN, and others, you can expect weakened security, intrusive logging, and even data selling. The top free VPNs for Mac aren’t perfect either.

They lack more advanced features like MultiHop, an ad blocker, and so on. At least they don’t store logs, which puts many people at ease.

Compatibility Problems

While all free VPNs work on Mac, that can’t be said for other platforms. Many of them don’t support Linux, they have no router compatibility, and so on. However, the biggest flaw is the lack of concurrent connections seen in NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access.

Every free provider lets you protect only ONE device at a time. If you install it on multiple devices, you’ll have to log out of all of them and use the free Mac VPN on one. Such a chore.

Small Server Parks

Smaller server networks are unavoidable in these providers. Proton VPN, Hide.me, and PrivadoVPN offer 5, 8, and 10 locations respectively. The previous three options offer from 91 to 110 of them – up to 22 times more. Need we go on?

How to Use the Best Free VPN on a Mac?

Generally speaking, VPN services are easy to use compared to paid proxies. If you’ve never used one, we’ll explain everything regarding risk-free and free VPN services.

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Free Mac VPNs for up to 30 Days (Free Trial)

• Subscribe to one of the providers above. NordVPN is our #1 rated option.
• Download the setup file from the VPN’s website to your Mac.
• Open the “pkg” file and follow the steps on the screen to install the VPN.
• Run the app and log in with your email and password.
• Open the server list and click on the server you want to use.
• After 2-3 seconds, you’ll be connected and your connection encrypted.
• Contact the chosen provider in the first 30 days and request a refund.

100% Free VPNs for Mac (No Credit Card Needed)

• Visit Proton VPN, Hide.me, or PrivadoVPN’s site.
• Download the setup file for free.
• Install the VPN by following the steps on the screen.
• Open the app and sign up with your email and password.
• Connect to a server of your choice and enjoy.

You don’t need to get a refund here. The registration is free and you can use all three services forever without cost. In comparison, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and PIA require an initial payment that can be “nullified” with a refund at the end.

Conclusion

Our extensive ranking of the best free VPNs for Mac saw us present SIX excellent options. The first three are preferable and involve NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. Their superb security, unlimited bandwidth, and full P2P/streaming support are impressive.

We then have the other three – Proton VPN, Hide.me, and PrivadoVPN. While safe and secure, they’re slower, don’t support streaming and torrenting, and lack advanced security features. Worse yet, they allow for simultaneous connections.

All options have their uses and your choice depends on your needs. If you’re a demanding user, free providers won’t make the cut. If you just want to browse the internet safely and occasionally, with no streaming or P2P file sharing, 100% free options might be suitable.

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