Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are more popular than ever. They are an important weapon in the ongoing fight against cyber-snooping and can even unlock some geo-blocked apps and websites.
Different VPN providers specialize in different areas; it can be difficult to choose the right supplier for your needs. But once you’ve selected your provider, you still have decisions to make. Specifically, how do you know which VPN client to useThe Best VPN According to RedditThe Best VPN According to RedditBut with so many VPNs on the market, how do you decide which one to use? We checked Reddit's best subreddits and threads to get the best VPN recommendations.Read More? Should you use your VPN provider’s proprietary app, or a flexible solution that can connect to several different services?
If you wish to set up a VPN connection through OpenVPN protocol we strongly recommend you to use our macOS app for Apple computers with version 10.10 or newer. User-friendly control of OpenVPN client connections for Mac OS. Enter your NordVPN credentials. NordVPN is widely considered to be one of the best VPN services available The Best VPN Services The Best VPN Services We've compiled a list of what we consider to be the best Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers, grouped by premium, free, and torrent-friendly. NordVPN is widely considered to be one of the best VPN services available The Best VPN Services The Best VPN Services We've compiled a list of what we consider to be the best Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers, grouped by premium, free, and torrent-friendly. NordVPN IKE - Unlimited VPN 4.8.7 - Military-grade protection online. Download the latest versions of the best Mac apps at safe and trusted MacUpdate Download, install, or update NordVPN IKE - Unlimited VPN for Mac from MacUpdate.
Sonicwall Global Vpn Client For Mac
If you’re not sure where to turn, keep reading for the best free Mac VPN clients you can use right now, and a few other options you might not have considered.
Free Open-Source Clients
Here are the top free VPN clients you should consider.
TunnelBlick
TunnelBlick is an Apple-specific VPN client. It works on macOS and iOS. There is no Windows or Linux version. It works with any VPN provider which offers OpenVPN support.
Because the app is completely open source, you can be confident it’s not secretly tracking your internet usage in other ways and thus negating the benefit of using a VPN. It is more transparent than proprietary apps.
Interestingly, TunnelBlick logs all your session data by default. This is not unusual — all OpenVPN clients do the same thing. If you want to turn off session data logging, all you need to do is add verb 0 to the app’s config file. Remember, this is not linked to whether the VPN provider itself is logging your data.
Finally, the app has a vibrant support community. If you encounter difficulties, head to the Google Group discussion forum and someone will quickly step in to assist.
OpenVPN
The OpenVPN project began back in 2002. It is probably the most well-known of all the free VPN clients. In addition to a Mac version, the app is also available on iOS, Windows, and Android.
The app itself supports lots of different VPN configurations, including remote access, site-to-site VPNs, and enterprise-scale deployments.
The app isn’t as easy to use as proprietary apps — or even some other OpenVPN clients — but it’s established a name for itself thanks to its feature-rich menus and unflinching reliability.
The main criticism of OpenVPN is its VPN configurations limit. By default, you cannot have more than 50 saved. It is possible to recompile the app to remove the limit, but it’s a complicated process and beyond the scope of this article. It’s also important to be aware that the OpenVPN app only supports the OpenVPN protocol.
SoftEther VPN
SoftEther VPN is possibly the easiest to use multi-protocol VPN app on this list. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. The open-source app is entirely free, regardless of whether you’re going to use it in a personal or commercial environment.
It supports almost all VPN protocols, including L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, MS-SSTP, L2TPv3, EtherIP, and most impressively, VPN-over-HTTPS.
If you use the developer’s own SoftEther VPN protocol, you can expect faster surfing speeds than OpenVPN. In testing, the SoftEther server was 103 percent faster than Microsoft’s Windows implementation of L2TP/IPsec and up to 117 percent faster than OpenVPN.
Additional features include support for packet filtering, dynamic DNS, and UDP hole punching.
Service-Specific Apps
Some providers offer their own apps. The apps themselves are free, but they only work with the providers’ services.
Here are a couple of the best free provider specific apps. Remember, the quality of any provider’s app has no bearing on the quality of the actual VPN service, but they often offer more pleasing interfaces than the open source options above.
NordVPN
NordVPN is widely considered to be one of the best VPN services availableThe Best VPN ServicesThe Best VPN ServicesWe've compiled a list of what we consider to be the best Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers, grouped by premium, free, and torrent-friendly.Read More. It always scores highly on privacy tests thanks to its lack of logging and Panamanian jurisdiction.
The Mac app was recently overhauled. You can choose from hundreds of servers around the world on the app’s interactive map, chat to tech support via live chat, and quickly jump between server locations with a single click.
The app also has a kill switch that prevents data being revealed to snoopers if you unexpectedly get disconnected from your VPN. Lastly, it includes shortcuts to servers specifically designed for streaming and P2P downloading.
You can download the NordVPN app on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and even on some smart TVs and gaming consoles.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another well-known VPN providerEnjoy a Secure and Easy-to-Use VPN With ExpressVPNEnjoy a Secure and Easy-to-Use VPN With ExpressVPNWhy should you choose ExpressVPN? Well, we've given it a try, and quite like what we've seen so far. We think you will, too.Read More that been around since 2009. It’s headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, thus giving you peace of mind regarding anonymity and data disclosure. It’s also one of the fastest VPN providers and offers unlimited bandwidth.
The Mac desktop client supports OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), L2TP, and PPTP protocols. The app lets you bookmark your favorite servers for easy access and chat with the tech support team.
It also provides a way to set up one-click connect and, like NordVPN, has a kill switch in case you lose your connection. The app is free to download and use, but it will only work with ExpressVPN’s service.
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For a Small Fee…
There’s one paid app that deserves a mention in this list.
Viscosity ($9)
Like the three free solutions I discussed, Viscosity is open source. It costs a one-time fee of $9. It’s also cross-platform — you can run it on Windows as well as macOS.
Viscosity undoubtedly wins the design award. Its user interface is much more polished than the free alternatives, and it’s incredibly easy to use and navigate. If you’re new to the world of third-party VPN clients and aren’t au-fait with terminologyThe Short MakeUseOf Guide to VPN TerminologyThe Short MakeUseOf Guide to VPN TerminologyThe need for a secure internet connection has never been more vital. A VPN is a great way to stop unwanted snooping in your internet traffic. We're here to cut through the VPN jargon.Read More, it’s $9 well spent.
From a technical standpoint, the app gives you a complete traffic breakdown of your connections, integrates with Keychain to keep your details safe, and works with macOS’s advanced DNS system.
On the downside, the app only works with the OpenVPN protocol.
Which VPN Client Do You Use?
Each VPN client has different advantages and disadvantages. Which one you choose to use will depend on which protocols your VPN provider offers and your familiarity with setting up and using VPNs on third-party apps.
Which is the best free VPN client on macOS? Do you use one of the apps I reviewed, or have you found a better app that did not make this list? You can let us know which app you use and why it’s so good in the comments section below.
Explore more about: Computer Security, Open Source, VPN.
- I'm all in for TigerVPN (paid lifetime license was on sale). It refuses connections sometimes, but other than that it is a good service. I am also crazy about the free Windscribe VPN service -- it works like mad (but, limited free GBs per month)! If I hadn't already paid for TigerVPN, I would probably switch over.
- About Private Internet Access - Presently I am using their two-years package. I have been facing serious low band width issues since more than a month or so. I wrote to them a couple of times. They never bothered to get back to me. This is unforgivable. I would not be renewing my services with them.
- I use Purevpn as recommended by Make Use Of. It causes no end of problems, especially when I am on public WiFi, which is where I need it most. On public WiFi (shopping centers etc) it hardly works and mostly is so slow (if I get a server to respond) I have to disconnect it to be workable. Every time I contact Purevpn support, their answer is try this other server... Why don't they fix their servers? I am in Australia.
- PureVpn is what i use. The biggest amount of servers ever seen in a VPN service. Also, it is among the fewest that offers NAT service , to open ports.....
- I also use Purevpn as recommended by Make Use Of. It causes no end of problems, especially when I am on public WiFi, which is where I need it most. On public WiFi (shopping centers etc) it hardly works and mostly is so slow (if I get a server to respond) I have to disconnect it to be workable. Every time I contact Purevpn support, their answer is try this other server... Why don't they fix their servers? I am in Australia.
Screenshots
Description
Enjoy safe and unrestricted Internet access with the world’s most advanced VPN.
With NordVPN app for your Mac, you can privately surf the Web and secure your Wi-Fi connections against various cyber threats.
Read on for more!
PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY
Open the app and pick one of our 5000+ remote servers that are located in 60 countries. This will hide your IP address and you will appear to be somewhere else.
STAY SECURE NO MATTER WHAT
With the NordVPN app on, all your Internet traffic is strongly encrypted and extremely difficult to decipher. What is more - we don’t keep any logs of your activity.
ENJOY YOUR ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT
It’s nice to know that using the NordVPN app, you can easily access websites and stream your favorite videos, even if they are not available in the country you are traveling. It’s bliss for travelers!
JUST CLICK AND RUN
Click the activation button to turn your protection on and off. To select a server, simply click on the map or browse the country list.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE FEATURES:
-P2P-friendly
-No bandwidth limit
-Friendly 24/7 support
-Automatic Kill Switch
-Connect up to 6 devices under one account
-Military-grade encryption protocols (IKEv2/IPsec)
Ready to go? Try NordVPN for MacOS now!
Automatic Renewal
• NordVPN is a paid service so you’ll need a subscription to get started. The 12-month subscription plan costs $83.99.
• The payment will be charged to your Apple ID Account at confirmation of purchase.
• The subscription renews automatically unless the auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period.
• Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of your selected subscription.
• Your subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to your App Store Account Settings.
• You are welcome to read NordVPN Terms of Service (https://nordvpn.com/terms-of-service/) and Privacy Policy (https://nordvpn.com/privacy-policy/)
With NordVPN app for your Mac, you can privately surf the Web and secure your Wi-Fi connections against various cyber threats.
Read on for more!
PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY
Open the app and pick one of our 5000+ remote servers that are located in 60 countries. This will hide your IP address and you will appear to be somewhere else.
STAY SECURE NO MATTER WHAT
With the NordVPN app on, all your Internet traffic is strongly encrypted and extremely difficult to decipher. What is more - we don’t keep any logs of your activity.
ENJOY YOUR ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT
It’s nice to know that using the NordVPN app, you can easily access websites and stream your favorite videos, even if they are not available in the country you are traveling. It’s bliss for travelers!
JUST CLICK AND RUN
Click the activation button to turn your protection on and off. To select a server, simply click on the map or browse the country list.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE FEATURES:
-P2P-friendly
-No bandwidth limit
-Friendly 24/7 support
-Automatic Kill Switch
-Connect up to 6 devices under one account
-Military-grade encryption protocols (IKEv2/IPsec)
Ready to go? Try NordVPN for MacOS now!
Automatic Renewal
• NordVPN is a paid service so you’ll need a subscription to get started. The 12-month subscription plan costs $83.99.
• The payment will be charged to your Apple ID Account at confirmation of purchase.
• The subscription renews automatically unless the auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period.
• Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of your selected subscription.
• Your subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to your App Store Account Settings.
• You are welcome to read NordVPN Terms of Service (https://nordvpn.com/terms-of-service/) and Privacy Policy (https://nordvpn.com/privacy-policy/)
What’s New
* Fixed: Our app sometimes had trouble getting out of bed. It’s no longer such a grouch — NordVPN will now cheerfully establish a secure connection the moment your device wakes up.
* A bit of fine-tuning under the hood to improve performance.
Hit that update button to stay at the cutting-edge of online security with NordVPN!
* A bit of fine-tuning under the hood to improve performance.
Hit that update button to stay at the cutting-edge of online security with NordVPN!
3.2K Ratings
Keep losing my preferred servers
This app is very helpful. I mostly use it to watch streaming video. I love that it has an app for my phone and for my computer. Obviously, speeds vary depending onserver usage, which varies by time of day. Fine. Nothing can be done for that. My complaints mostly have to do with the fact that there is no easy way to know which servers will work for my streaming (and often I run into servers that don’t). Combined with the fact that my favorites seem to disappear with each update, that is rather annoying, as I am forced to go through and find the numbers I remember work for my needs and make guesses. Occasionally, servers disappear or change numbers and I wish there was some function that would let the app automatically redirect me to the same server, rather than the same numer (which may correspond to a different server after renumbering happens). If (1) there were some way to easilly find and be connected to servers that work for specific video streaming apps, (2) favorites did not vanish with every update and (3) server renumbering could somehow be managed so I don’t lose my servers, then I would give the app a 5.
Developer Response,
Hello. None of our servers are being renumbered. That said, the same server is being represented with the same #number in the application of ours. Various services tend to block VPN connections, and sometimes you'd need to try out few different servers in order to access them. In any case, information regarding different services accessibility while using ours, as well as our customers support team can be accessed at http://support.nordvpn.com. Do not hesitate to drop a line to our support team whenever in need.
Suddenly crashed during use
Using this VPN allows me to visit some websites or download some videos. This is an important reason why I like this VPN. But within a certain period of time when I was using this VPN, when I opened the app again and chose to go to a website to watch a video, I couldn't get to that site, go to some websites that downloaded the app, and couldn't access the site. , I really do not know what happened, everything is normal before it is clear, I am very disappointed with this app.
the user experience before the start is very good, how can you return to these sites without any reason, I am skeptical about this app. What exactly caused this problem? Moreover, in this written assessment, no one else has ever had this problem. What can I do to solve this problem? Another point is that although there are many countries where we can choose this vpn, but some of them cannot be connected at all. It is impossible to visit these countries and I can only give up their visits. I don't use this VPN to access these websites. I'm very disappointed with this APP. I hope to find other VPNs on the APP store to replace him. I want to watch videos and I can't do this. I downloaded There is no use using this app.
These are my personal experiences. Other aspects of this VPN are still possible. There are a few tips that have affected my use. I am not planning to use this VPN.
i hope that developers can pay attention to this issue, after all, have spent money on this.
the user experience before the start is very good, how can you return to these sites without any reason, I am skeptical about this app. What exactly caused this problem? Moreover, in this written assessment, no one else has ever had this problem. What can I do to solve this problem? Another point is that although there are many countries where we can choose this vpn, but some of them cannot be connected at all. It is impossible to visit these countries and I can only give up their visits. I don't use this VPN to access these websites. I'm very disappointed with this APP. I hope to find other VPNs on the APP store to replace him. I want to watch videos and I can't do this. I downloaded There is no use using this app.
These are my personal experiences. Other aspects of this VPN are still possible. There are a few tips that have affected my use. I am not planning to use this VPN.
i hope that developers can pay attention to this issue, after all, have spent money on this.
Continous problems throughout last 1.5 years [Mac]
Here in the SF Bay Area, right around the corner from silicone valley, I’ve had a 100mbps connection for the last year and a half; early on when I used their openVPN client I found my speeds that regularly clocked over 115mbps were being cut by 30% at best and often 60% on the worst servers nearby. I also noticed that one of the versions all of a sudden had the server’s distance away totally incorrect. I’d regularly find a server apparently hundreds of miles away that turned out to be in the NE. Eventually I was instructed to download a newer version for which I was provided a link. Fewer problems with the GUI and listing of servers, but I couldn’t use the kill switch, and well…It was probably 6 months ago I was instructed that I’d have to suffer some security to gain faster server speeds and download their IKE2 app; faster, but most servers still cut speeds by 40% during normal hours. Then there was the problem with a recent version no longer allowing me to see my favorites list easily; I’m still waiting for the favorites to also list distance of server and more useful data. And now I’ve been gifted with a version which crashes within seconds of intializing without fail. My customer service emails have piled up. So on to the next fix I have to make in order to use a program which can’t update in a proper automatic fashion. Silliness.
Developer Response,
Hello and let us apologize for the inconvenience. However, we'd ask you to update your review with the ticket ID that you've received after contacting our customers support team, for us to check what has been done on their end in order to assist you, and escalate the matter afterwards.
Information
macOS 10.12 or later, 64-bit processor
Supports
Openvpn Client For Mac
Nordvpn Dmg
Family Sharing
With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.