VPN for Mac: Setup, Settings and the Best Options in Australia
Macs have a reputation for looking after themselves, and for viruses that is mostly fair. Privacy is a different matter. Your MacBook is just as visible on cafe Wi-Fi as any other laptop, and your internet provider sees the same things. A VPN closes that gap, and on a Mac it takes a couple of minutes to set up.
How to set up a VPN on a Mac
- Choose a provider. The table below shows current prices; free options are covered further down.
- Download the app from the provider’s website or the Mac App Store. The version on the provider’s own site sometimes has more features than the App Store one, because Apple’s store rules limit what apps can do.
- Open it and sign in.
- Click connect. macOS asks permission to add VPN configurations the first time. Click Allow and enter your Mac password.
You will see a VPN icon in the menu bar when it is connected. For everyday privacy choose the nearest Australian city. To appear overseas, pick the country from the server list.
How to turn a VPN off on a Mac
Click the VPN’s icon in the menu bar and choose disconnect. You can also go to System Settings, then VPN, and switch it off there. If it keeps reconnecting, look for an auto-connect or “connect on launch” option in the app’s settings, and for Connect On Demand under the VPN’s entry in System Settings.
Settings worth knowing
- Kill switch. Blocks internet traffic if the VPN drops, so nothing slips out unprotected. Worth switching on if privacy is the point.
- Protocol. WireGuard, or the provider’s version of it, is generally the fastest and lightest on battery.
- Split tunnelling. Lets chosen apps skip the VPN. Useful for banking apps or printers that object to it. Not every provider offers this on macOS, so check before you buy if you need it.
- Launch at login. Convenient on a laptop you carry around.
Free VPN for MacBook: what is worth using
Proton VPN’s free plan works on macOS, has no data cap and shows no ads, on one device at a time. That makes it the free plan we would start with. Other providers with free tiers are covered in best free VPN in Australia, along with the catches.
Be wary of free VPN apps from developers you cannot identify. A VPN can see all your traffic, so who runs it matters.
Which VPNs have a Mac app?
Every provider below lists a macOS app on its own website.
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Renewal price | Money-back | Countries | Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Surfshark | A$3.49 27 months, A$94.23 upfront | – | 30 days | 100 | Unlimited | Visit Surfshark |
2 CyberGhost | A$3.27 26 months, A$85.02 upfront | A$85.02 per 1 year | 45 days | 100 | 7 | Visit CyberGhost |
3 NordVPN | A$4.79 27 months, A$129.33 upfront | A$187.08 per 1 year | 30 days | 150 | 10 | Visit NordVPN |
4 Proton VPN | US$3.49 (about A$5.00) 2 years, US$83.76 upfront | US$83.88 per 1 year | 30 days | 149 | 10 | Visit Proton VPN |
5 IPVanish | US$2.39 (about A$3.43) 2 years, US$57.36 upfront | – | 30 days | – | Unlimited | Visit IPVanish |
6 ExpressVPN | US$2.99 (about A$4.29) 28 months, US$83.72 upfront | US$99.95 per 1 year | 30 days | 113 | – | Visit ExpressVPN |
| 7PureVPN | US$2.15 (about A$3.08) 27 months | – | 31 days | – | – | Visit PureVPN |
| 8hide.me | US$2.69 (about A$3.86) 26 months, US$69.99 upfront | US$69.99 per 26 months | 30 days | – | – | Visit hide.me |
| 9IVPN | US$5.00 (about A$7.17) 1 year, US$60.00 upfront | US$60.00 per 1 year | – | – | 5 | Visit IVPN |
| 10Mozilla VPN | A$7.50 1 year, A$89.99 upfront | A$89.99 per 1 year | – | 30+ | 5 | Visit Mozilla VPN |
– means the provider does not publish that detail on its pricing page. Prices shown in US$ are published in that currency; the Australian-dollar figure is approximate, converted at the European Central Bank euro reference rates for 12 Oct 2026 (US$1 = A$1.43).
One account usually covers several devices, so the same subscription will also do your iPhone. See what is VPN on iPhone?
Is iCloud Private Relay enough?
Private Relay, included with iCloud+, hides your browsing in Safari from your network provider. It does not cover other browsers or apps, and it does not let you choose a country. A VPN covers everything on the Mac and lets you pick where you appear to be.
FAQ
Do Macs have a built-in VPN?
macOS has built-in support for connecting to a VPN, but no VPN service of its own. You need a provider, or connection details from your employer.
Does a VPN slow down a Mac?
The Mac itself, no. Your connection, slightly. In our own tests on Australian servers the better VPNs cost under 10% of download speed.
Is using a VPN on a Mac legal in Australia?
Yes. See are VPNs legal in Australia?