As such, keeping in mind digital privacy’s increasing relevance these days, protecting our online activities are way important than it once was. A decent virtual private network would, if all else failed, cover for your private data from hacking, monitoring, and various corporate activities in mining our data. Yet not every VPN out there has exactly the same standards. Following are a few of those reasons which account for making paid services such as NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN above from the rest-free.

The Best VPN for MAC in 2025
The following free vpn mac providers offer varying levels of security, features, and server locations. However, they’re cut from the same cloth when it comes to pricing, with no gimmicks.
NordVPN – Highly secure and user-friendly VPN with a generous 7-day free trial. Provides access to 5000+ servers in 60+ countries, but can be expensive after the trial.
Surfshark – Provides fast speeds, unlimited simultaneous connections, and strong security features. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN – offers fast speeds and strong encryption with access to servers in 90+ countries. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, but expensive after the trial.
Ultimately, choose the one that best suits your needs, however, remember to prioritize your online security and privacy.
Free VPNs and Their Risks

Free VPNs might sound really attractive for obvious reasons, but the truth is that they always come with some sort of hidden cost that will compromise your security, privacy, and overall experience online:
Security Risks: Many free VPNs employ weaker encryption protocols, thus leaving users vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches.
Privacy Concerns: Unlike paid services, many free VPNs log and sell user data to third-party providers. This monetization strategy goes against the very reason for a VPN in the first place: protecting user privacy.
Limited Capabilities: Free VPNs come with limitations in bandwidth, a limited number of server choices, and slow speeds that make streaming, gaming, or large downloads a chore.
Ads and Malware: Some free VPNs make their money by bombarding you with intrusive ads, or worse, malware that can infect your Mac.
Given these disadvantages, paying for Mac protection with a free VPN may cost just a bit more in the way of privacy risks and frustration.
How to Choose the Right VPN for Your Mac
The following are some key points to consider when selecting a VPN to ensure you end up with a service that is reliable, secure, and user-friendly:
- Security Features: AES-256 encryption at a minimum; kill switch; DNS leak protection.
- Privacy Policy: Consider VPNs in which an independent no-logging policy has been verified.
- Server Locations: Ensure adequate location availability in places one frequents.
- Speed: Ultra-fast VPN with infinite bandwidth.
- Customer Support: Full support around the clock to ensure any issues do pop up and are easily tackled.
- Reputation: You know a good reputation keeps it going, actually checking reviews and so on to be sure.
Why Paid VPN?

Paid services invest a lot in their infrastructure and customer service; therefore, they can ensure great security with extraordinary speeds and quality of service. Why? NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN outshine other services because of the following features.
NordVPN

Enhanced Security: NordVPN deploys AES-256 encryption, a gold standard in cybersecurity.
Double VPN: Data is encrypted twice for greater security because of its Double VPN technology.
Wide Server Network: NordVPN has upwards of 5,500 servers in 60+, offering immense choices to route around geo-restrictions and still retain remarkable connection speeds.
No Logs Policy: Fully committed to user privacy, NordVPN adheres to a no-logs policy that protects your online activities from any prying eyes.
User-Friendly: With apps available on every major platform, it is easy to secure literally every device.
Surfshark

Unlimited Devices: Unlike most VPNs on the market, Surfshark does not have an upper limit on the amount of devices you can connect through its VPN simultaneously. Large families and businesses alike could get quite a bit out of it.
CleanWeb: CleanWeb from Surfshark blocks ads and trackers and cleans up the malware in your path so that your browsing experience may be safer and cleaner.
No Borders Mode: By using the VPN in most restrictive regions, this function is indispensable for travelers, especially for those in censored countries.
ExpressVPN

Superior Performance: Thanks to ExpressVPN, enjoy ultra-fast speeds that let you stream, game, and download without any hassle.
Advanced Encryption: It deploys AES-256-CBC, Encryption, and supports a lot of security protocols to protect data.
Broad Compatibility: ExpressVPN has intuitive apps on MacBooks, iPhones, and all other devices.
Conclusion
While the temptation of free VPNs is great, the risks associated with them simply are not worth the possible cost to your privacy and security. Spend money on a good paid VPN service such as NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN, and you will get assurance of your security and functionality for the price.
FAQ:
Is there a totally free VPN for Mac that is safe? While there are safe options, they often come with significant limitations. For full protection and functionality, a paid VPN is recommended.
How do I set up a VPN on my Mac? After choosing a VPN provider, download their app from the official website, install it on your Mac, sign in, and connect to a server.
Does Apple have a built-in VPN? Apple does not offer a built-in VPN, but macOS supports VPN configurations if you have credentials from a VPN provider.
Does Safari offer a free VPN? Safari does not offer a built-in VPN, but you can use a VPN service that installs a configuration allowing Safari to run over the VPN network.
This updated article addresses the deficiencies of free VPNs and underscores the value of investing in a reliable paid VPN to protect your digital life on your Mac.