Best Free VPN For Mac Of 2026

If you want to protect your privacy on a Mac without paying for a VPN, there are still a few trustworthy free VPNs worth considering in 2026.

The problem is that many “free” VPNs for Mac either:

• severely limit speeds and data
• bombard you with ads
• collect browsing data
• or simply don’t work reliably on modern versions of macOS

We tested the latest free VPNs on Apple Silicon Macs running the latest versions of macOS to find the ones that still offer good privacy, stable performance and compatibility with Safari and modern Mac hardware.

Although none of these free VPNs can fully compete with the best VPNs for Mac, some are perfectly adequate for:

• protecting your connection on public Wi-Fi
• occasional private browsing
• bypassing basic geo-restrictions
• light streaming
• or securing internet traffic while traveling

However, if you want a secure, fast VPN that guarantees that you can surf privately and unblock services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming services, we strongly recommend checking out our guide to the best VPNs for Mac first before trying an inferior free solution.

Best Freee VPN For Mac: Comparison Table

VPN	Best For	Free Data	Streaming	Apple Silicon Support

Proton VPN

Unlimited browsing

Unlimited

Limited

Yes

Windscribe

Streaming & features

10GB/month

Good

Yes

PrivadoVPN

Everyday use

10GB/month

Good

Yes

hide.me

Privacy

10GB/month

Moderate

Yes

TunnelBear

Beginners

2GB/month

Limited

Yes

Hotspot Shield

Fast connections

500MB/day

Moderate

Yes

1. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN for Mac Overall

What makes Proton VPN stand out is that it’s one of the only reputable free VPNs that still offers unlimited data.

That makes it the best choice for Mac users who want continuous protection without worrying about monthly bandwidth caps.

The Mac app works natively on Apple Silicon Macs and performed consistently well during our testing on macOS Tahoe.

Unlike many free VPNs, Proton VPN also avoids advertising entirely and has one of the strongest reputations for privacy thanks to its audited no-logs policy and Swiss jurisdiction.

In our testing, browsing performance remained stable even during extended sessions, although streaming performance was mixed. Netflix and BBC iPlayer detection varied significantly depending on server load.

To remove all limits ProtonVPN is also currently offering up to 60% off paid plans.

Pros

• Unlimited data usage
• Native Apple Silicon Mac app
• Strong privacy reputation
• No ads
• Excellent Safari compatibility
• Swiss-based privacy protections
• Offers 10 different server locations

Cons

• Free server locations are selected at random
• Streaming support inconsistent
• Free servers can become congested at peak times
• Limited to “medium” streaming speeds in the free version

2. Windscribe — Best Free VPN for Streaming on Mac

Windscribe remains one of the most feature-rich free VPNs available for macOS.

The free plan includes 10GB of monthly data and one of the widest selections of free server locations among reputable VPN providers.

In our testing on an M3 MacBook Pro, Windscribe Free was one of the few free VPNs that occasionally still worked with US Netflix and BBC iPlayer, although speeds fluctuated considerably during busy periods.

Windscribe also includes:

• built-in ad blocking
• tracker blocking
• malware filtering
• browser extensions for Chrome and Safari-compatible browsers

Unlike many free VPNs, Windscribe supports split tunneling on macOS which is rare in free VPN services.

Pros

• Good streaming support for a free VPN
• 10GB monthly data allowance
• Native Apple Silicon support
• Includes ad and tracker blocking
• Large selection of server locations

Cons

• Speeds can vary heavily
• Streaming reliability changes frequently
• Requires email signup for full 10GB allowance

3. PrivadoVPN — Best Free VPN for Everyday Use

PrivadoVPN strikes a good balance between usability, speed and privacy.

The free version includes:

• 10GB of monthly data
• multiple server locations
• P2P support
• and strong encryption

The macOS app is simple enough for beginners while still offering enough configuration for more advanced users.

During testing, PrivadoVPN delivered some of the fastest free VPN speeds we saw, particularly for web browsing and light streaming.

It also worked more consistently with streaming services than many competing free VPNs.

Pros

• Fast free speeds
• Good streaming compatibility
• User-friendly Mac app
• Based in Switzerland
• Supports torrenting

Cons

• 10GB monthly limit
• Smaller server network than premium VPNs
• Some advanced settings locked behind paid plans

4. hide.me — Best Free VPN for Privacy

hide.me continues to be one of the better privacy-focused free VPNs for Mac.

The free version includes:

• 10GB of monthly data
• no ads
• no speed throttling
• and a verified no-logs policy

We particularly liked the clean macOS interface and fast connection setup.

hide.me also supports modern protocols like WireGuard and includes excellent DNS leak protection.

The free plan is more restrictive for streaming than some competitors, but it performs well for secure browsing and protecting public Wi-Fi connections.

hide.me also made our list of the best VPN for Safari on Mac.

Pros

• Strong privacy protections
• No ads
• Native Apple Silicon support
• Good security features
• WireGuard support

Cons

• Limited streaming support
• Fewer free server locations
• Some advanced tools reserved for paid plans

5. TunnelBear — Best Beginner VPN for Mac

TunnelBear is still one of the easiest VPNs for beginners to use.

The interface is extremely simple and the Mac app works well on modern Apple Silicon Macs.

TunnelBear has also undergone independent security audits which gives it stronger credibility than many smaller free VPN providers.

However, the free plan is now far more limited than competing VPNs and is mainly suitable for occasional browsing rather than streaming or daily use.

The paid versions offers generous discounts and removes these limitations.

It also includes features such as Split Tunneling (which most Mac VPNs don’t support), Stealth Guard, Advanced IP Leak Protection, IPv6 Support and WireGuard.

Pros

• Extremely easy to use
• Independently audited
• Beginner-friendly interface
• Good Mac compatibility

Cons

• Limited free data allowance
• Not suitable for streaming
• Fewer advanced features

6. Hotspot Shield Free — Best Free VPN for Fast Connections

Hotspot Shield Free is still one of the faster free VPNs available for Mac and remains a popular choice for users that prioritize speed over advanced privacy features.

The Mac app is easy to use and performed well during our testing on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Tahoe, particularly for general browsing and video streaming.

Unlike some free VPNs that aggressively throttle speeds, Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Hydra protocol helped maintain relatively stable performance during peak usage hours.

The free version does come with several restrictions however including:

• ads in some versions of the app
• limited server access
• and a daily bandwidth cap

Streaming support was mixed during testing. While basic YouTube streaming worked well, Netflix and BBC iPlayer compatibility was inconsistent.

Hotspot Shield is based in the United States which may concern privacy-focused users, although it still uses strong encryption and includes essential security protections such as DNS leak prevention.

To remove all limits, Hotspot Shield is currently offering 77% off  an annual subscription which works out at $2.99 per month.

Pros

• Generally faster than many free VPNs
• Easy-to-use Mac app
• Native Apple Silicon support
• Good for basic browsing and video streaming
• Uses strong encryption

Cons

• Daily bandwidth limits
• Ads in free version
• Limited server locations
• Streaming reliability varies
• US-based jurisdiction may not suit privacy-focused users

Does Google Offer A Free VPN For Mac?

Google no longers offer a free VPN but it did launch Google One VPN For Mac back in November 2022.

However, it was discontinued in 2024.

Google One was very basic anyway as it was only for encrypting connections. It also did not allow you to unblock content in other countries.

Google One VPN For Mac also cost $9.99 per month which is considerably more than most paid VPN apps that usually work out at just over $2.00 per month with some deals.

Are Free VPNs Safe on Mac?

Some are, but many are not.

The safest free VPNs are usually limited versions of reputable paid VPN services.

You should avoid completely unknown “unlimited free VPN” apps on the App Store as many:

• log browsing activity
• inject advertising
• sell usage data
• or use weak encryption

A trustworthy VPN should clearly state:

• its logging policy
• company location
• encryption standards
• and whether it has undergone independent audits

Free VPN vs Apple Private Relay

Many Mac users now compare VPNs with Apple’s iCloud Private Relay feature.

Although Private Relay improves privacy in Safari, it is not a full VPN replacement.

Private Relay:

• only works in Safari
• does not support app-wide encryption
• cannot reliably change geographic location
• and does not unblock streaming services

A VPN still provides significantly more flexibility for:

• streaming
• public Wi-Fi protection
• torrenting
• and location switching

For more, check out our look at Apple Private Relay vs VPN.

Which Free VPNs Work With Netflix on Mac?

Most free VPNs struggle with streaming services because their IP addresses are quickly blocked.

From our testing:

• Windscribe performed best overall
• PrivadoVPN worked occasionally
• Proton VPN Free was inconsistent
• TunnelBear rarely worked reliably

Performance changes frequently because streaming services constantly block VPN traffic.

Who Should Avoid Free VPNs?

Free VPNs are fine for occasional use, but they are not ideal for:

• regular streaming
• gaming
• remote work
• large downloads
• business use
• or heavy torrenting

If you use a VPN daily, a paid VPN will provide:

• faster speeds
• better privacy
• more reliable streaming
• larger server networks
• and stronger support

Conclusion

For most Mac users, Proton VPN is currently the best free VPN overall thanks to its unlimited data and strong privacy protections.

If streaming is your priority, Windscribe remains one of the better free options available.

Meanwhile, PrivadoVPN offers one of the best all-round experiences for everyday browsing and occasional streaming.

Whichever VPN you choose, avoid unknown “completely free unlimited VPNs” on the Mac App Store as many are unreliable or potentially unsafe.

While free VPNs can be useful for occasional browsing and public Wi-Fi protection, premium VPNs still provide a significantly better overall experience for privacy, speed and streaming on macOS.

FAQ

What is the best free VPN for Mac?

For most Mac users, Proton VPN is the best free VPN because it offers unlimited data and strong privacy protections without displaying ads. If streaming is your priority, Windscribe and PrivadoVPN are usually better options.

Are free VPNs safe on Mac?

Some free VPNs are safe, but many are not. We recommend sticking to established providers such as Proton VPN, Windscribe, PrivadoVPN, hide.me and TunnelBear. Avoid unknown VPN apps that collect browsing data or display excessive advertising.

Does macOS include a built-in VPN?

macOS includes support for VPN connections, but it does not include a free VPN service. To use a VPN on a Mac, you’ll still need to subscribe to a VPN provider or use a free VPN service.

Is Apple Private Relay the same as a VPN?

No. Apple Private Relay only protects Safari browsing and some app traffic. It cannot change your virtual location, unblock streaming services or provide full device-wide VPN protection.

Which free VPN offers unlimited data on Mac?

Proton VPN is one of the few reputable free VPNs that still offers unlimited bandwidth on macOS. Most other free VPNs limit users to around 10GB of data per month.

Can I watch Netflix with a free VPN on Mac?

Some free VPNs can occasionally access Netflix, but results vary. Windscribe and PrivadoVPN generally offer the best chance of accessing streaming services, although performance can change as Netflix actively blocks VPN traffic.

Do free VPNs work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. All of the VPNs featured in this guide work on Apple Silicon Macs including MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with M-series chips.

Will a free VPN slow down my Mac?

A VPN itself will not slow down your Mac, but it can reduce internet speeds because your traffic is routed through an encrypted server. Free VPNs are generally slower than paid VPNs because they have fewer servers and more users sharing them.

Can I use a free VPN on public Wi-Fi?

Yes. One of the best uses for a free VPN is protecting your connection on public Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotels, cafés and other public places.

Should I upgrade to a paid VPN?

If you regularly stream, torrent, game online or work remotely, a paid VPN is usually worth it. Premium VPNs provide faster speeds, larger server networks, stronger privacy protections and more reliable access to streaming services.