Download the best VPN for MacOS

While macOS provides the option to connect to a VPN server in System Preferences, it is technically not a VPN service. It is actually a conduit that connects to third-party VPN services like ExpressVPN.

If you’re looking for a free Mac VPN, you should give ExpressVPN a try. Simply sign up for our top-rated service and test us out for 30 days. You’ll get access to all our features and every app platform, not just a limited version for a single device. And if in those 30 days you’re not convinced that we’re the best Mac VPN out there, you’ll get your money back—all of it. It’s like a free VPN trial, but better.

Although there are free VPNs and proxy services, they are not recommended as they do not offer the same privacy and security benefits of a paid VPN. Read more about free proxy services vs. VPNs.

Security is at the forefront of what we do at ExpressVPN. Not only do we aim to design our apps and systems to offer a high level of privacy and security, but we also routinely engage independent auditors to validate our security claims. It’s one of the best ways for our users to know if they can trust our services to protect them. See the full list of audits and read the full reports.

With servers across 105 countries, best-in-class encryption, and ultra-fast speeds that offer minimal buffering, ExpressVPN is the best and most reliable VPN for gaming online on your Mac.

There are several reasons why your Mac VPN might not be working. Here are some of the most common causes and how to fix them:

• Firewall issues: Your Mac's firewall may be blocking your VPN connection. Try temporarily disabling the firewall to see if that resolves the issue. If the VPN works without the firewall, you will need to configure the firewall to allow traffic through your VPN connection.

• Network connectivity issues: Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet before trying to connect to your VPN. You can try restarting your router or modem if you are having trouble connecting to the internet.

• VPN protocol compatibility: Different VPN protocols may have different compatibility requirements. Try using a different VPN protocol, such as Lightway, OpenVPN or IKEv2, to see if that resolves the issue.

• Third-party software conflicts: Some third-party software, such as antivirus or firewall programs, may interfere with your VPN connection. Try temporarily disabling any third-party software that you think might be causing the problem.

• Incorrect DNS settings: If your DNS settings are incorrect, it may prevent your Mac from resolving the VPN server address. Try using your VPN provider's recommended DNS settings.

• VPN server problems: Sometimes, the problem may be with the VPN server itself. Try connecting to a different VPN server to see if that resolves the issue.

• Mac VPN configuration issues: If you are using the built-in Mac VPN configuration, there may be a problem with the configuration itself. Try deleting the VPN configuration and creating a new one.

A VPN for Mac can potentially slow down your internet connection. This slowdown occurs because your internet traffic is being encrypted and routed through a VPN server, which can be farther away than your normal server. Factors like the quality of the VPN service, the distance to the VPN server, and the strength of the encryption used can influence the extent of the slowdown. However, some high-quality VPNs like ExpressVPN have minimal impact on internet speed.

Setting up a Mac VPN using the OpenVPN protocol involves downloading and installing OpenVPN Connect, acquiring OpenVPN configuration files from your VPN provider, and importing the configuration files into OpenVPN Connect. To set up a VPN on a Mac using the OpenVPN protocol, follow these steps

1. Download and Install an OpenVPN Client for Mac

Find and download a reliable OpenVPN client for Mac. A popular choice is Tunnelblick, which is free and open-source. Once downloaded, install it by following the on-screen instructions.

2. Obtain OpenVPN Configuration Files

Get the OpenVPN configuration files from your VPN service provider. These are usually available for download on their website.

To find the files using your ExpressVPN credentials, go to the ExpressVPN setup page. If prompted, enter your ExpressVPN credentials and click Sign In. Enter the verification code that is sent to your email.

On the right, with OpenVPN already selected for you, you will see your username, password, and a list of OpenVPN configuration files. Click the locations you want in order to download the .ovpn files.

3. Set up the VPN with Tunnelblick

On the Welcome to Tunnelblick screen, click I have configuration files. Drag and drop the .ovpn configuration files into the Tunnelblick interface.

You will be asked if you would like to install it for all users. If the VPN is intended for all accounts on your Mac, select All Users. If the VPN will only be used by your current account, select Only Me. When the screen reads “Tunnelblick successfully: installed one configuration,” click OK.

4. Connect to a VPN server location

To connect to a VPN server location, click the Tunnelblick icon in the top-right corner of your screen. From the dropdown menu, select Connect [name of the .ovpn configuration file]. Then, enter your VPN account username and password.

When you are connected successfully, you will see the “Connected” message in green.

To set up a Mac VPN using the IKEv2 protocol, follow these steps:

1. Get VPN details

Obtain the necessary details from your VPN service provider, including the server address, remote ID, and your VPN account credentials (username and password).

2. Open Network Preferences

Click on the Apple menu at the top left corner of your screen. Select System Preferencesand then click on Network.

3. Add a VPN connection

In the Network window, click the +button at the bottom left corner to add a new network service. In the interface menu, choose VPN. For the VPN Type, select IKEv2. Name your VPN service and click Create.

4. Configure VPN settings

Enter the server address and the remote ID provided by your VPN service. Click on Authentication Settings. Enter your VPN account credentials (username and password). Click OK.

5. Connect to the VPN

Click Apply to save your settings. Connect the VPN connection.

Once connected, you can check your IP address online to verify that the VPN is working.

If you want the VPN to connect automatically, go back to the Network window, select the VPN service, and check the box Connect on demand.