Best Free VPNs for Mac in Sep 2023 – [For M1,M2 Pro Macs & Safari]

I don’t usually advocate using a free VPN since they lack critical security features and may collect user data, which is bad for your privacy. Furthermore, although the best free VPN for Mac has very sluggish connections, limits the amount of data you can use, has highly buggy apps, only allows you to use their service on one device, or does not enable streaming or torrenting.

Even for MacBook users, free VPN services tend to neglect app development, leaving you with outdated features. To make matters worse, free versions often come with data caps, limited server options, and frustratingly sluggish speeds, pushing you towards paid VPN services.

But fear not! Not all free VPNs for macOS are bad. We’ve diligently tested and handpicked the top 6 free VPNs for Mac in 2023, considering everything from security and privacy to user-friendly features and unblocking capabilities. Keep reading to discover the perfect VPN that suits your needs and protects your digital world!

“All of the VPNs reviewed here offer a Mac desktop client that works on Intel and Apple Silicon M1 or M2 chip Macs, as well as Windows so that these reviews will be useful to users of all platforms.”

Top Free VPN for Mac: Brief Summary Test Ratings

The Top Free VPN for Mac summaries is here:

VPNs
Overall Rating for Free Mac	9.5	6.7	6.7	4.5	5.1	4.4
Privacy & Logging Policy	No Log Policy	No Log Policy	No Log Policy	No Log Policy	No Log Policy	Some User Logs
Mac App	9.6	9.3	9.2	8.7	8.4	7.9
Speed	95	90	87	86	85	78
Torrenting	9.5	8.6	8.3	7.9	7.5	6.4
Streaming	9.5	9.2	9.0	8.7	8.3	8.1
Smart DNS	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
Additional Features	9.0	8.6	8.5	8.7	8.9	8.6

Is it Worth Using a Free VPN on a Mac?

If you want minimum protection and don’t want many other features, having a free VPN on Mac for the M1 and M2 series is worth it. Paid solutions provide more complete packages if you want more robust protection, well-rounded functionality, and guaranteed online anonymity.

However, it’s essential to consider the limitations and potential drawbacks. A free VPN for MacBook might seem to be an excellent additional layer of protection, but there is much more to it. Free VPNs often lack essential security features, may log user data compromising privacy, and can have slow speeds and data restrictions. Additionally, many free VPNs have limited server options, device restrictions, and a lack of support for streaming or torrenting.

Investing in a paid VPN solution is a safe bet if you prioritize robust security, comprehensive features, and guaranteed online anonymity. Paid VPN services offer advanced security measures, a wider range of features, and a more well-rounded and secure online experience. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs and the level of security and features you require.

6 Best Free VPN for Mac (Also for M1 & M2) – Detailed September 2023 Analysis

We tested and selected the top 6 options to assist you in finding a robust and trustworthy free trial VPN for Mac. Each VPN has been evaluated based on specific criteria: security, usability, pricing, and overall performance.

1. ExpressVPN — Best Free Trial VPN for Mac

ExpressVPN is the Best risk-free VPN for Mac, offering a risk-free experience with its 30-day money-back guarantee. It excels in all areas, making it the best VPN for streaming, torrenting, and gaming while boasting unrivaled speeds.

What truly impresses us is ExpressVPN’s unwavering commitment to security and privacy. With robust features like 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch, it goes above and beyond. Their TrustedServer technology ensures that user data is deleted every time servers restart, and perfect forward secrecy adds an extra layer of protection to VPN sessions.

Moreover, you also get split tunneling which splits your traffic and routes a part of traffic via an encrypted VPN tunnel. At the same time, the other apps use the internet directly. This feature is available in all ExpressVPN apps for Mac (available on macOS 10.15 and below). This sets it apart from the competition. Only hide.me offers similar functionality.

With more than 3000 servers spread across 94 countries, this best Risk-free VPN for Mac lets you unlock any censored content on Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, or Netflix with ExpressVPN and remove geo-restrictions from anywhere, anytime. Moreover, these servers come with torrenting support, which can help you download unlimited torrents with ExpressVPN on your Mac without any issues.

ExpressVPN is known for its fast-speed delivery and HD streaming experience with no buffering or lagging. For our ExpressVPN speed test results on Mac using US servers, we recorded an average download speed of 92.26 Mbps and an upload speed of 89.45 Mbps while streaming.

We enjoyed exceptional speeds using the ExpressVPN split tunneling option.

Not to mention, the user-friendly macOS app is a joy to use, and this free Mac VPN for Safari is fantastic. With the quick-connect feature and an intuitive interface, connecting to the fastest server is effortless.

The Shortcuts feature is a brilliant addition, allowing you to create 1-click shortcuts for specific apps and sites, granting instant access to your favorite content once your connection is secured. ExpressVPN truly encompasses everything you need for an exceptional VPN experience on macOS.

Using its 30-day refund policy, you can download this best Risk-VPN for Mac for free. However, if you decide to stick with ExpressVPN’s subscription beyond the initial 30-day refund window, you can also get 3 months free on its 12-monthly plan. You can also get an ExpressVPN free trial for 7 days if you have an iOS or Android device.

If you encounter any connectivity issues, read: the ExpressVPN not working guide OR you can contact its customer support team via live chat, which is available on its website 24/7. During testing, we got a response from the agent within 2 minutes, which helped me solve the problem in no time.

For more information, read our ExpressVPN review.

2. Windscribe — Best Free Mac VPN for Streaming

Windscribe is the securest free VPN for Mac. It offers 256-bit encryption with IP/DNS leak protection for data security. The logging policy is highly oriented towards privacy, making this VPN entirely trustworthy among free providers. Windscribe application is also great as its rating on App Store is 4.1/5, proving it to be the best among the rest.

It allows connecting unlimited devices simultaneously and supports all versions above Mac OS X 10.9, including 10.6.8, and 10.9.5, up to the latest Big Sur 11. The Windscribe Mac app interface works interactively, protecting your MacBook Pro, Macbook Air, and other devices.

Additionally, its Mac app doesn’t work like any other menu bar app. It always jumps out to the desktop. In the latest macOS Big Sur release, you can detach the app from the menu bar, but it turns it into a floating window.

That said, Windscribe offers 10 GB of free bandwidth per month. Moreover, it operates at 10 server locations only. Using this bandwidth and server locations, you can unblock geo-restricted media streaming platforms anytime you like.

The Windscribe Mac app has a Stealth protocol to make your VPN traffic seem like regular internet traffic. To protect your online identity, Windscribe applies Mac spoofing that assigns a new address every time you connect to the same network.

Also, Windscribe is considered as a reliable free VPN for the dark web for Mac users, providing a secure and anonymous browsing experience on the dark web, safeguarding your online privacy while exploring hidden realms with ease.

Moreover, following a no-logs policy, the connection or session logs, IP timestamps, and private data are not stored by Windscribe. With the Windscribe split tunneling feature, you get Pre-App Split Tunneling to choose particular apps and Network Level Split Tunneling to select IP addresses and domains to be included or excluded from the VPN tunnel.

Apart from security, you can also use the free US servers of Windscribe to unblock Netflix, HBO, and other restricted streaming services across the world using its free servers. You can safely enjoy Torrenting with Windscribe P2p servers on your Mac as well.

This free VPN for Mac Yosemite facilitates fast-speed streaming in HD quality with WireGuard support to prevent buffering. We present the Windscribe speed test results on US free servers.

Windscribe-free US server speed was quite good on a 100 Mbps connection, it has the best VPN Browser Mac.

Moreover, if you experience any issues, there is no human live chat support. It does offer a chatbot, but we have not found it helpful at all. Instead, you have to send your queries through email.

Its premium version comes with a 3-day money-back guarantee so you can cancel your Windscribe subscription and get a refund. There is a Windscribe free trial available so you can try it before paying for its paid version.

Learn more about this service in our Windscribe VPN review, all the details about the best free VPN for Mac free download are mentioned in it.

3. ProtonVPN — Best Free VPN for Mac

ProtonVPN is a free ultimate VPN for Mac. This VPN has the rare distinction of being one of the few services to offer unlimited bandwidth that won’t run out no matter how much you utilize it. That’s why it is also rated 4.3/5 in App Store making it a better option with unlimited bandwidth.

ProtonVPN supports macOS Sierra 10.12, High Sierra 10.13, Mojave 10.14, Catalina 10.15, and Big Sur 11. With this VPN, only one device can be connected simultaneously, as it doesn’t allow simultaneous connections.

Also, ProtonVPN is an excellent choice for those in need of a free VPN for Windows. With its user-friendly interface and strong security features, ProtonVPN ensures a safe and private browsing experience on Windows operating systems.

Using this VPN, you get unlimited bandwidth that allows you to utilize as much data as you want. Moreover, it offers servers in only 3 countries, including the US, Japan, and The Netherlands. You can easily unblock US Netflix with ProtonVPN via these free servers on your Mac devices without any interruptions.

ProtonVPN provides enhanced security with a strict no-logs policy and 256-bit AES encryption, using SHA-348 hash and RSA-4028 handshake to authenticate and verify data. It protects users against all network-based attacks with OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.

ProtonVPN Mac app also has a kill switch that is enabled by default. It also offers an encrypted email service called ProtonMail. With this VPN Mac free, you’re also safe from DNS/IP leaks.

In our ProtonVPN speed tests, the 3 free servers displayed slow speeds. An adequate speed was observed for secure website browsing, but it was not enough for streaming Ultra-HD YouTube videos.

Proton VPN for Mac delivers decent speed on a 100 Mbps connection and is considered as the best free VPN for Mac M1.

Proton VPN for Mac offers premium versions that you can test through ProtonVPN’s 7-day free trial. On its paid version, you can use ProtonVPN for torrenting. It offers 16 servers that are optimized for secure torrenting activity.

It is a great choice if you want an unlimited data allowance with a free VPN client. ProtonVPN also offers easy-to-use apps for various platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more. You can also install ProtonVPN on your Kodi and Roku devices. In addition to its compatibility with various operating systems, ProtonVPN also caters to users looking for a free VPN for Firefox in USA. With ProtonVPN, you can now enjoy secure and unrestricted browsing on your Firefox browser without compromising your privacy. Whether you’re using Mac, Windows, Android, or even Firestick, ProtonVPN’s versatility makes it a top choice for those seeking a reliable free VPN solution for Firefox and other browsers.If you’re looking for a free VPN for Chrome in USA, you can use ProtonVPN

Just in case your ProtonVPN is not working, you can contact its support team via ProtonVPN’s ticketing system. There is no live chat support, but they usually respond to emails within 24 hours.

However, if you are wondering if is ProtonVPN safe to use with Mac? You can learn more about this service in our ProtonVPN review. This is also known as the best free VPN Chrome for Mac.

4. Hotspot Shield — 500MB of Free Data per Day

Hotspot Shield is the best free VPN MacOS owing to its dedicated Mac app that is easy to use and doesn’t require any registration. That is why it’s the best Mac Application in the App Store with a rating of 4.5/5.

Hotspot Shield is compatible with Sierra 10.12, High Sierra 10.13, Mojave 10.14, Catalina 10.15, and Big Sur 11, allowing users to connect one device within the free plan.

But, here’s the catch: Hotspot Shield offers only 1 free server in the US, offering a 500 MB/day bandwidth limit. Moreover, it doesn’t work with streaming services like HBO GO, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, etc. Users can only bypass censorship on social media sites and access YouTube videos and Kodi add-ons.

The great thing is that the Hotspot Shield free version provides the same protection level in the free app for macOS as in the paid version.

For instance, you get military-grade encryption (256-bit AES) and an internet kill switch in the free Mac app for added security of your sensitive data. It also offers built-in malware protection that protects you from potential threats online. The VPN also offers a DNS leak protection feature to users and is the best VPN for Mac free.

That’s not it. On a free plan, you only get access to Hotspot Shield’s US VPN server. While browsing, we received decent speeds, but there were fluctuations during peak hours since all free users share a few servers in the US. However, when tested, we got the following speeds:

These speeds were reliable for browsing on Mac in USA.

This best free VPN Mac is ad-supported, so be prepared to experience a lot of pop-ups and ads online after you download the best VPN Mac free laptop. Another con is that on its free plan, you don’t get access to its live chat support.

Still, confused about whether is Hotspot Shield safe to be used with Mac. You can learn more about this service in our Hotspot Shield review.

5. Atlas VPN – Best Free Mac VPN for Beginners

Atlas VPN stands out as one of the reliable free VPN options for MacBooks, offering high-quality protection and content-unblocking capabilities along with a free trial.

However, it does restrict access to only three servers worldwide. But if you opt for a paid subscription, you can enjoy a larger server fleet, consisting of 1000+ servers across 42 countries, reducing the chances of overcrowded servers.

Despite this limitation, Atlas VPN’s free version stands out by providing support for an unlimited number of devices, a feature typically found in paid VPNs like Surfshark.

Atlas VPN prioritizes security and ensures that no user data is logged. However, the free version of Atlas VPN contains ads, which can be removed by subscribing to the premium version. However, it is one of the best free Mac VPNs for torrenting.

Atlas VPN sets itself apart by offering the WireGuard tunneling protocol in its free version. This ensures respectable speeds as a free VPN service. When tested for Atlas VPN speed, we got a download speed of 59.17 Mbps and an upload speed of 46.82 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.

Altas VPN gave respectable speed test results

Moreover, the free version of Atlas VPN includes a functional kill switch feature that safeguards your IP address in case of an unexpected VPN connection drop. You can also utilize all servers for torrenting purposes. Additionally, the app can be set to launch automatically for added convenience and enhanced protection.

The premium version of Atlas VPN offers several benefits over the free version. It provides faster speeds, streaming-optimized servers, and additional safety features to enhance online protection. These features include robust AES-256 encryption, a network of over 700 servers capable of handling various activities such as 4K streaming and torrenting, as well as casual browsing. The paid version can also block ads, and suspicious websites, and even check if your personal information has been exposed online.

However, it is important to note that as of now, there is no native version of Atlas VPN specifically designed for M1/M2 Macs. This could be a drawback for users who own these newer Mac models.

6. Hide.Me — Most Private Free VPN for Mac

Hide.Me is the top free VPN for Mac for streaming. For free subscribers, it offers five server locations in Singapore, Canada, the Netherlands, US East, and US West.

Hide.Me has a fully optimized app for macOS which is why it’s rated 4.3/5 in App Store, which you can download via the Mac App Store. Most importantly, it is one of the few free VPN providers that are fully compatible with Apple Silicon and powers the latest Macbook Pros, Macbook Airs, and Mac Mini.

It is a pro, as you can benefit from Apple’s app sandboxing requirement, thus increasing privacy and reducing security risks. This way, you can also ensure that your app is up-to-date with automatic updates.

Hide.Me offers 10 GB of free data every month, which can be used for searching, social media surfing, and streaming on different media platforms. It’s not ideal for streaming British streaming sites like BBC iPlayer as the servers in the UK aren’t covered in the free plan.

Hide.Me facilitates torrenting on its free VPN server locations for P2P traffic. Additionally, it offers a SOCKS5 proxy to keep users’ activity private.

As for security, it offers features like AES 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch for online privacy. While Hide.me’s built-in IP leak protection keeps your IP hidden even if there is a malfunction in the application, its split tunneling feature lets you route some of the internet traffic over your VPN and the rest through your local internet service provider (ISP) connection.

We put its DNS leak protection feature to the test by connecting to its US server. As you can see, the VPN passed our test with flying colors and did not leak our actual IP address. Its speeds are also fairly decent for streaming and browsing. Here are the speed test results on its recommended VPN server location:

Hide.me speed result on a 100 Mbps connection.

Finally, it also offers 24/7 live chat support as well for its users on its free plan. You can learn more about this VPN in our Hide.Me review.

How We Choose the Best Free VPN for Mac 2023

Choosing a free VPN for macOS might be difficult. After all, there are important considerations to make while selecting the service. You can see what criteria we used to evaluate and choose just the best free VPN for Macs below:

• VPN with a good free plan: You should choose an inexpensive VPN that provides some good deals for free or at cheaper rates.
• Provider has a macOS app: We specifically evaluated the compatibility and optimization of the VPNs for macOS, ensuring that they offered a seamless experience on Mac devices.
• Easy Download for macOS: We assessed the ease of downloading and installing the VPN clients on macOS, considering user-friendly interfaces and straightforward installation processes.
• VPN with good security: We examined the security features and privacy policies of each VPN, ensuring that they offered robust encryption, no-logs policies, and other essential security measures to protect user data and privacy.
• VPN has fast speeds We tested the VPNs’ speed performance to ensure that they provided satisfactory connection speeds, allowing for smooth browsing, streaming, and downloads.
• Customer support: Customer support is necessary. Choose a VPN wisely, which has a 24/7 live chat support facility.

Through our meticulous testing process, we identified the free Mac VPNs that excelled in these areas, providing a reliable and satisfactory experience for macOS users.

Comparison of the Best Free VPN for Mac in 2023

Here is a quick comparison of the 6 top free VPNs for Mac in 2023 and it also includes the free VPN for Mac OS x 10.11.6:

VPNs
Rating for Mac	The British Virgin Islands	Canada	Switzerland	USA	USA	Malaysia
macOS compatibility	OS X El Capitan (10.11)+	Yosemite 10.10 & Mac OS X 10.12+	Sierra (10.12)+	Sierra (10.12)+	macOS 11.0 or later	Catalina (10.15)+
App Store Rating	4.7	4.5	4.6	4.5	4.7	4.5
Data Usage Limit	Unlimited	10 GB/mo	Unlimited	500 MB/day	5GB/mo	10 GB/mo
Speed	95.34 Mbps	52.6 Mbps	34.63 Mbps	44.63 Mbps	59.17 Mbps	65.48 Mbps
Unblock Netflix	Yes	Yes	Sometimes	No	No	No
Torrenting Support	Yes	Yes	Yes (on Plus servers)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Security	AES 256 encryption, Kill Switch, Leak Protection	AES 256 encryption, Kill Switch, Leak Protection	AES 256 encryption, Kill Switch, Leak Protection	AES 256 encryption, Kill Switch, Leak Protection	AES 256 encryption, Kill Switch, Leak Protection	AES 256 encryption, Kill Switch
Logging Policy	No logs policy	No logs policy	No logs policy	No logs policy	No logs policy	No logs policy
More Info	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site	Visit Site

How do I Download/Install a free VPN on my Mac Pro?

We ensure that all the VPNs recommended in this guide offer a native app specifically designed for macOS devices.

To get started, simply visit the VPN provider’s website or access the app through the Mac App Store. From there, you can download the software onto your Mac and follow the onscreen instructions provided by the VPN.

The entire process typically takes around 5 to 10 minutes to complete, allowing you to swiftly set up and start using your chosen VPN on your Mac.

First, let’s get a VPN app for Mac from your provider’s site:

On the right, click Add VPN Configuration, and then choose the kind of VPN connection you wish to create. In the Display Name area, give the new VPN service a name.

Here’s how you to install the best VPN Mac free manually:

In case of any confusion in getting a free VPN Mac download, check out this detailed guide on how to set up VPN on Mac.

Here is a list of Mac versions from 2001- 2023 that are compatible and not compatible with VPNs:

How to Use a Free VPN on Mac (Brief Video Tutorial)

Disadvantages and Risks of Using a Free VPN on Mac

Using a free VPN on Mac comes with certain disadvantages and risks that users should be aware of:

• Poor Security: Free VPNs often lack advanced security features, such as strong encryption and robust protocols, leaving your data vulnerable to potential threats.
• Data Collection: Some free VPNs may collect and sell your browsing data or engage in other questionable data practices, compromising your privacy.
• Malware and Other Infections: Free VPNs might contain malware or adware, posing a risk to your Mac system and potentially infecting it with malicious software.
• Slow Speeds: Free VPNs commonly have limited server options and bandwidth caps, resulting in slower speeds that can hinder your browsing experience.
• Blacklisted Servers: Streaming platforms and other websites often blacklist IP addresses associated with free VPN services, preventing access to certain content.
• Hijacked Browsers: Some free VPNs inject unwanted advertisements, redirect your searches, or modify your browser settings, leading to a compromised browsing experience.

Affordable Alternatives for Best Free VPN for Mac

When it comes to affordable yet high-quality VPN options for Mac, the following providers stand out:

1. Surfshark: Surfshark is an affordable VPN option for Mac that offers a wide range of features. It provides strong security with AES-256 encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a built-in ad blocker and malware blocker. Surfshark supports unlimited devices, making it suitable for users with multiple devices. It also offers good speeds and has the ability to bypass geo-restrictions, allowing access to popular streaming platforms.
2. IPVanish: IPVanish is a reliable VPN service known for its robust security features. It uses AES-256 encryption, has a strict no-logs policy, and offers features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. IPVanish has a large server network, ensuring good global coverage and fast speeds. It also supports simultaneous connections on multiple devices, making it convenient for users with multiple Mac devices.
3. PIA VPN (Private Internet Access): PIA VPN is a popular and affordable VPN option that provides strong security and privacy features. It offers AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and features like an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection. PIA VPN has a large network of servers and supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections. It also offers good speeds and reliable performance for streaming and torrenting.

These affordable VPN options for Mac provide a balance of affordability, security, and performance, making them suitable choices for users looking for reliable VPN solutions without breaking the bank.

Prominent Brands that Refrained from Offering Free Trials

Here are the top brands that didn’t make it to the list offering free trials.

FAQs – Best Free VPN for Mac

Now that you know what is the best free VPN for MacBook, let’s discuss some frequently asked questions regarding macOS and free VPNs:

Wrapping Up!

If paid VPNs are out of reach you can always use the best free VPN for Mac and Macbook is not a bad option. You may not get the best protection or be able to access heavily geo-restricted streaming services, but at least you’ll get some online anonymity.

If you are not bothered by data caps, speed limitations, and performance, you can use Windscribe VPN Mac for free. It only offers a 10 GB of monthly data allowance, which is too little for data-intensive tasks. It is also considered the best free VPN for Mac Reddit.

If you are looking for the best possible VPN to protect your Mac, we recommend ExpressVPN. It’s not actually free but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.