[ad_1]
Of the numerous other VPNs we’ve tested, the three providers listed below are the most notable alternative choices. While none are the best of the best, each is a decent option for anyone looking for something different from what the top three Mac VPNs offer.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a Switzerland-based open source VPN provider that offers excellent privacy features for Mac users. Although Proton VPN’s main focus is on privacy and transparency, its Mac app is easy to use and does a decent job of unblocking content on various streaming platforms. And if you’re looking for a free vpnProton VPN’s free tier is the only one CNET recommends.
While Proton VPN’s free tier doesn’t include access to all of its servers, its ad-blocking tool, or advanced privacy features (which include its Secure Core servers or the Tor Over VPN feature), there are no usage restrictions and its encryption, obfuscation, and Protection Against leaks is the same for free users as well as paid users. Premium plans are priced at $10 per month, $60 for your first year, or $108 for your first two years (one-year and two-year plans renew at $80 per year), with a 30-day money-back guarantee included.
Private Internet access
Private Internet access is one of the most budget-friendly VPNs in the business. PIA offers a $12 monthly subscription, a $40 annual plan, and a three-year plan at $79. Unlike many VPN competitors, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, PIA forgoes price gouging, making it one of the cheapest MacOS VPNs. Like Proton VPN and Mullvad VPN, all its apps are open source. However, PIA is a US-based VPN, which can be a deal breaker if you’ve upgraded or critical online privacy needs. Nevertheless, PIA issues semi-annual transparency reports, has been audited by an independent body and its claims of no registration have been tested in the wild.
PIA’s Mac app is very customizable, so it’s great for anyone who likes to tinker with their VPN connection or has a dashboard with a lot of information at their fingertips. PIA is decent for unblocking streaming services. But its high speed loss of 49% in our 2024 tests – up from 24% in our 2023 tests – means it’s not ideal for people with slower or more unreliable connections, such as satellite internet .
IPVanish
IPVanish is another US-based VPN provider that is a good option for beginners or casual VPN users. Its Mac app is simple and user-friendly and offers multiple options for connecting to a VPN server. IPVanish’s quick connect feature is the fastest and easiest way to connect to a server. Speeds proved underwhelming, with a 44% average internet speed loss in our 2024 tests, and you can use IPVanish to access geo-blocked content, but its Mac breakpoint feature is limited to the OpenVPN protocol – meaning that you may be sacrificing your connection speed if you want to enable the IPVanish kill switch on your Mac.
[ad_2]
