Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Best VPN for Mac
- Thread starter craigyy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Not completely true, depends on the software too. Read a review of some the other month and one was extremely slow on the mac, fine under windows.
I use PureVPN, got a very cheap lifetime license a couple of years ago, and am tying out IPVanish. Both work fine but both could do with some tweaking to their apps.
Very solid info in this thread, thank you everyone.
After looking at the various review/comparison sites linked (Ars, ThatOnePrivacySite, Tunnelblick, Viscosity), I have a question.
I have both a MacBook Pro (2015) and an iPhone (currently 6 Plus, soon to upgrade to the 7 Plus). At the moment, I use the MBP mostly from home, and my iPhone everywhere. I want a solution, mostly for security, that will work with both devices. Most of the discussion here has been for Macs/Windows boxes, with a couple mentions of mobile devices (iPhones). I see that Viscosity and Tunnelblick are only for computers, not phones/tablets.
I am curious why some recommend using both a VPN service, like TorGuard or PIA, and then a second client like Viscosity or Tunnelblick. What additional functionality or benefit do these additional clients add over and beyond the VPN service itself (Tor, PIA)? I just want to understand why it could benefit me to use two on my MBP (either from home, or when traveling)?
Thank you.
After looking at the various review/comparison sites linked (Ars, ThatOnePrivacySite, Tunnelblick, Viscosity), I have a question.
I have both a MacBook Pro (2015) and an iPhone (currently 6 Plus, soon to upgrade to the 7 Plus). At the moment, I use the MBP mostly from home, and my iPhone everywhere. I want a solution, mostly for security, that will work with both devices. Most of the discussion here has been for Macs/Windows boxes, with a couple mentions of mobile devices (iPhones). I see that Viscosity and Tunnelblick are only for computers, not phones/tablets.
I am curious why some recommend using both a VPN service, like TorGuard or PIA, and then a second client like Viscosity or Tunnelblick. What additional functionality or benefit do these additional clients add over and beyond the VPN service itself (Tor, PIA)? I just want to understand why it could benefit me to use two on my MBP (either from home, or when traveling)?
Thank you.
The reason why is because some VPN companies focus mainly on development of in house software for Windows, leaving often Mac well behind. Beside with Tunnelblick or Viscosity you could in theory setup different VPN servers from different providers, so let's say from PIA & Torguard, while with dedicated software from VPN provider you are tied to it servers / solutions only.
You just need to give some a try. I would not bother about Tunneblick or Viscosity. Just test few good Mac friendly VPNs and decide yourself. For example: Astrill (7-day free trial no credit card), VyprVPN, ExpressVPN (last two offers free trial based on refund).
Viscosity or Tunnelblick have no added value in themselves. Some VPN services providers will not work with Mac OS and therefore require software like Viscosity or Tunnelblick. Like Stiwi says I would look for a provider that works with the standard Mac VPN settings.
Private internet access has its own software thats rather nice. It can stops data leaks and prevent server leaks.
Viscosity and I'm sure other clients have more features than the bundled software. Viscosity can run a script on many actions which is useful to advanced users. Also the bundled software is usually not very well written and not as asthetically pleasing.
Last edited:
I'd rather use the word "right" instead of "best." If you can google stuff up, you may find tons of options, many will work for one but not the other person. From what i know, it depends on a handful of factors like the region we reside in, our isps, our distance from the server, the purpose we're using a vpn for (usually, all of them slow the speed a little in order to add more protection.) but that's the opportunity cost i guess. as far as your fear of paid vpns go, i think some of them do offer refunds so you have nothing to lose. some of the ones that havea refund policy are ivacy, express, and pure. you can always google for more options though. i only know of these.
I've been using for a long time already Freedome VPN ( https://www.f-secure.com/en/web/home_global/freedome ) on both Mac and iOS. No complaints thus far.
Multiple servers in different geographical locations seem to have guaranteed speedy access even when traveling.
You can also set it up to block known trackers and malicious sites in addition of standard VPN encryption.
Multiple servers in different geographical locations seem to have guaranteed speedy access even when traveling.
You can also set it up to block known trackers and malicious sites in addition of standard VPN encryption.
Been trying to decide on a pay VPN service for my devices. iPad iPhone, MBP's.
Looking at NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and BufferedVPN.
Learning and teaching myself what is important and I want the Kill Switch, Fast and unlimited.
Not sure if reviving this thread or starting a new one for what folks are happy with lately..
Looking at NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and BufferedVPN.
Learning and teaching myself what is important and I want the Kill Switch, Fast and unlimited.
Not sure if reviving this thread or starting a new one for what folks are happy with lately..
Happy to know about this vpn for mac. Couple of months ago, I signed up with one of good vpn for kodi from online at discounted price. Before that I was using NordVPN and the services were good but wanted to try out this new vpn too. Happy with their wonderful services.
To put it mildly PIA's client software is horrible, compared to a real OpenVPN client. PIA is nothing but an OpenVPN server (a bunch of them). A good OpenVPN client will work best with them. OpenVPN is an open source VPN provider (server), and probably the most widely used and accepted. For the Mac, Viscosity is perhaps the best OpenVPN client, but is costs for a license. On iOS, you can use the free OpenVPN client, which is put out directly from the OpenVPN developers. PIA provides OpenVPN config files and certificates that can be imported into any compliant OpenVPN client.
I am looking at ExpressVPN. A friend of mine recommended and I have been reading around and it seems reliable and secure.
It's such a grey area when choosing. There is so much conflicting information.
You might want to read this guys reviews of some of the services out there
https://restoreprivacy.com/vpn-reviews/
https://restoreprivacy.com/vpn-reviews/
There are dozens of rating rating sites, and the ratings vary widely where a VPN is number 1 on one site and number 6 on another. I'm not sure that these rating sites can be trusted, because when they have a rating for a VPN and you go to that VPN from that rating site, in some way that rating site makes money, and they can steer you to a VPN where they'll make more money if you sign with that one over another one. What I did before I chose PIA a few years ago, was I went to all the ratings sites, and saw where PIA was one of the few listed within the top 6 on all those sites, and was half the cost of some of the others.
Take the website listed before my post - RESTOREPRIVACY.COM as an example. One of their complaints about PIA is the PIA software, but they mention they tested it on a Windows computer. All the VPNs that they tested link to those websites for them to make money. I'm sure that some people don't like PIA for whatever and any reason, and that's fine, some like vanilla and some like chocolate, but it has worked flawlessly for me on my Macs and iPhones for the past 5 years. Pretty inexpensive considering the features that you get.
I will agree with what gugy said a few posts above - There is so much conflicting information.
Ask questions, and don't believe every review. I tried another VPN for 2 months (I went month to month) before I changed to PIA and went month to month, and if I didn't like it, I would have tried out something else. You are not married to your decision. You'll find what works for you.
[doublepost=1504936828][/doublepost]Just to elaborate on my post right above:
Here are 3 sites reviewing NordVPN vs PIA.
https://www.vpnmentor.com/vpn-comparison/nordvpn-vs-private-internet-access/
this site has NordVPN as the clear winner of the 2.
https://freedomhacker.net/private-internet-access-expressvpn-nordvpn-5154/#
this site has PIA the clear winner of the 2.
https://restoreprivacy.com/nordvpn-vs-pia/
this site says to avoid both, neither is any good.
I would just look for user reviews, eliminate the best and worst reviews since there might be some other thing going on, and make a decision. You can always change to the other, or any other on the list.
Take the website listed before my post - RESTOREPRIVACY.COM as an example. One of their complaints about PIA is the PIA software, but they mention they tested it on a Windows computer. All the VPNs that they tested link to those websites for them to make money. I'm sure that some people don't like PIA for whatever and any reason, and that's fine, some like vanilla and some like chocolate, but it has worked flawlessly for me on my Macs and iPhones for the past 5 years. Pretty inexpensive considering the features that you get.
I will agree with what gugy said a few posts above - There is so much conflicting information.
Ask questions, and don't believe every review. I tried another VPN for 2 months (I went month to month) before I changed to PIA and went month to month, and if I didn't like it, I would have tried out something else. You are not married to your decision. You'll find what works for you.
[doublepost=1504936828][/doublepost]Just to elaborate on my post right above:
Here are 3 sites reviewing NordVPN vs PIA.
https://www.vpnmentor.com/vpn-comparison/nordvpn-vs-private-internet-access/
this site has NordVPN as the clear winner of the 2.
https://freedomhacker.net/private-internet-access-expressvpn-nordvpn-5154/#
this site has PIA the clear winner of the 2.
https://restoreprivacy.com/nordvpn-vs-pia/
this site says to avoid both, neither is any good.
I would just look for user reviews, eliminate the best and worst reviews since there might be some other thing going on, and make a decision. You can always change to the other, or any other on the list.
You're 100% correct. I have no idea why people keep posting links to bogus review sites when this has been pointed out multiple times in this thread.
I will add one more thing though that has also been stated multiple times in this thread. There is one reputable review site: https://thatoneprivacysite.net/
EDIT 18/11/20: I can no longer confidently recommend this site as unbiased. They have recently sold their content to another company which has advertising disguised as ‘Top Ten lists’.
Last edited:
Another vote for VyprVPN. I have subscribed to them for a several years now. Golden Frog is a strong advocate for internet freedom and I trust my web browsing data with them. I have tried their service in multiple locations and countries (including China, works very well there). Their user interface design is superb and the service has cross platform support, even direct support for certain routers. I have also used Astrill previously and their speed is comparatively faster. However, I find VyprVPN to be far more stable, especially when using their very own Chameleon protocol. Price is little higher than the competitors, but it's one of those things that you want to spend a little extra buck for a peace of mind.
Yep, it's hard to get any accurate feedback. It's such a grey area.
Right now the top two I have in consideration are PIA and ExpressVPN. Two friends that use them Highly recommend it.
I have done some research and these two get some very good reviews on places like MR but at the same time some folks hate them.
I guess the best option is to do a test drive before commit to any service for the long haul.
One thing important is the kill switch for me. I need to often upload/download files for work and want to make sure I have my high speeds from my ISP going without any slowdowns. At these moments I would disable my VPN. I think the two services above offers this feature.
Thank you for this thread. I spend a lot of time traveling for my job and am forced to use open wifi quite frequently. Figured it was time to get a VPN. I just want to securely browse the web on my iPhone and laptop while out and about - not caring about anonymity or the ability to stream restricted content.
I went to Macrumors first and got the Apple TV forum where the first 2-3 listed VPNs blasted me with ads and as soon as I moved my mouse off the screen I got a full screen "Are you sure?" --- turned me off instantly.
Vypr VPN seems to be family owned and although it's a little expensive, I sprung for this one because of the comments in this thread.
I am on public wifi now and couldn't get the OpenVPN to work cuz I imagine it was blocked by the WiFi router? But the L2TP/IPsec worked and I'm on that now. I tried it on my iPhone and it works perfectly too.
Thanks for the info!
I went to Macrumors first and got the Apple TV forum where the first 2-3 listed VPNs blasted me with ads and as soon as I moved my mouse off the screen I got a full screen "Are you sure?" --- turned me off instantly.
Vypr VPN seems to be family owned and although it's a little expensive, I sprung for this one because of the comments in this thread.
I am on public wifi now and couldn't get the OpenVPN to work cuz I imagine it was blocked by the WiFi router? But the L2TP/IPsec worked and I'm on that now. I tried it on my iPhone and it works perfectly too.
Thanks for the info!
I have still been liking NORD.
It slows my connection but I also have not done all the tweaking I could to improve it.
overall it is doing what it is supposed to .
I .ike the kill switch.
and that you can add to what you want on kill switch.
I got the 2 year deal so it was about 3 $ a month then
It slows my connection but I also have not done all the tweaking I could to improve it.
overall it is doing what it is supposed to .
I .ike the kill switch.
and that you can add to what you want on kill switch.
I got the 2 year deal so it was about 3 $ a month then
Well, after much thinking I finally got Mullvad. It’s very good. It kept my ISP high speeds, no drop in performance and it’s pretty cheap. Around $6 month.
Also very high marks according to https://thatoneprivacysite.net/
Also very high marks according to https://thatoneprivacysite.net/
I use Mullvad and Viscosity on my Macs and OpenVPN on my iOS devices. I have also tried the beta version of their own macOS app. In all cases my Photos library will not sync, nor do purchases made through iTunes show up on my other devices until I log off the VPN. I have dealt with their support several times over this issue and they don’t have a clue how to fix it. I didn’t have this problem when I was using PIA.
EDIT 18/11/20: I can no longer confidently recommend this site as unbiased. They have recently sold their content to another company which has advertising disguised as ‘Top Ten lists’.
Last edited: