VPN

macOS VPN Setup: Configure a Secure VPN Connection

Author
Jonathan Kraske
Last update
12. Apr 2023
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Do you want to surf anonymously, or connect to your home network when on vacation? You can with a virtual private network (VPN). Setting up a VPN connection is a piece of cake on macOS devices and in this article, we'll show you how.

Why Use a VPN on Your Mac?

A VPN serves two main purposes: Deciding which of these applies to you determines how to configure it in macOS.

1. You can use a VPN to log in to a remote network, such as, if you're working from home but want to access your office's intranet. So long as you have the login data for the network, you can connect through your Mac's settings, without any additional software or services.

2. If your goal is to enhance your digital security and anonymity, or to change your server location (for example, to access geo-blocked streaming content, or bypass restrictive censorship in places like China), you will need a third-party VPN provider.

Below, we'll show you how to set up both.

Establish a VPN Connection in macOS

Creating a VPN connection in macOS only takes a few simple steps.

1) Click on the Apple symbol in the upper left-hand corner of your screen and select System Settings.

2) Look for Network in the menu, and click on it.

3) Click on the '+' symbol in the bottom left.

4) In the new window that opens, under Connection select VPN.

5) Specify the type of VPN in the VPN Type field.

Important

You can get this information from your server admin (or the VPN provider, see below).

Name the network, ideally related to its function, or purpose, so that it will be easy to remember. When done, click Create.

6) Input the server address and your account name.

7) Click on Authentication Settings and supply the information provided by your server admin.

8) Click on Use, select the connection, and click Connect.

Congratulations! You have just created a VPN connection.

Anonymous Surfing with VPN Software on macOS

Should you want to log in to your company's intranet, or access a private network, you will need to follow the above steps and manually connect through macOS settings. However, if you'd prefer to freely select where you connect from, or surf anonymously, setting up a VPN capable of doing so is even easier.

Specialized VPN providers allow for nearly instant connections to servers around the world. In their intuitive apps, there's no need to worry about manually configuring settings for VPN protocols, and you can instead immediately select from a list of available servers.

Most VPN providers also include extras with their software: Split tunneling, for example, allows you to select which apps or programs use the VPN you've connected to, and which rely on your regular Internet connection. This is especially useful for streaming Netflix content, without slowing down a parallel download.

ExpressVPN's desktop application

For reliable VPN providers, you'll need to pay a subscription fee, however, there are a number of well-regarded freemium VPNs. These limit functionality, have data caps, and only allow connections to a few servers, but won't cost you a cent.

In our EXPERTE.com VPN reviews we evaluated some of the most well-known providers. Below, you can see our Top 5:

Best Overall 2024
NordVPN
NordVPN
(877,857 )
NordVPN is our number one VPN because it combines speed, ease-of-use, and functionality in a slick package that's also pretty affordable.
5,500+ servers, 60 countries
excellent performance
no logs
6 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
6
Protocols
5
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
NordVPN 2-year plan
$3.79
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN
(736,465 )
ExpressVPN can impress with a strong performance, a huge server network, and excellently designed applications, but this quality also comes at a higher price.
3,000+ servers
160 cities in 94 countries
reliable performance
good for streaming
secure browser extensions
9.4
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
7
Contract Period
1 - 12 months
ExpressVPN 12 Months
$6.67
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days money-back guarantee
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN
(207,223 )
Surfshark is one of the cheapest providers on the market, but it's a lot more than a great budget option: the relatively new VPN boasts strong protection, many features, and a great support with 24/7 live chat.
3,200+ servers in 100 countries
unlimited number of devices
many apps (Linux, FireTV, ...)
cheap 24-month plan
expensive monthly plan
8.8
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
unlimited
Protocols
3
Contract Period
1 - 24 months
Surfshark 24 months
$1.99
monthly price
Visit Website*
Get 83% Discount
Proton VPN
Proton VPN
(144,686 )
With its open source philosophy and extra security features, Proton VPN targets security-conscious VPN users. But thanks to its user-friendly interface and suitability for streaming, it's worth a look for a wide audience.
open source & external audits
2,900+ servers in 67 countries
great performance
free plan without data limit
not suitable for China
9.1
excellent
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
1 - 10
Protocols
3
Contract Period
0 - 24 months
Proton VPN Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Free forever
HideMyAss! VPN
HideMyAss! VPN
(86,656 )
HideMyAss' main claim to fame is its impressive server infrastructure, but the VPN also delivers solid speeds and handy features like its IP Randomizer. When it comes to streaming, however, it's not always the most reliable choice.
290 locations in 210 countries
IP Randomizer
strong performance
support with live chat
unreliable for streaming
8.6
good
Data Volume
unlimited
Devices
5
Protocols
1
Contract Period
12 - 36 months
HideMyAss! 36 months
$2.99
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days money-back guarantee
Top VPN Provider 2024
Sponsored
from $3.79
per month
NordVPN
from $6.67
per month
ExpressVPN
from $0.00
per month
Proton VPN
from $1.99
per month
Surfshark
show all
Author: Jonathan Kraske
* Ad disclaimer: For links marked with an asterisk, EXPERTE.com may earn a commission from the provider. The commission has no influence on our editorial rating.
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Best Overall 2024
Sponsored
NordVPN
5,500+ servers, 60 countries
excellent performance
no logs
6 devices simultaneously
affordable 2-year package
9.4
Review
excellent
Try NordVPN now
30 days money-back guarantee