Best VPN for Mac UK 2026
MacBooks travel everywhere, from the office to the train to the hotel room. These are the two VPN services we recommend for macOS, and how they differ from Apple's own iCloud Private Relay.
Mac VPNs in Brief
iCloud Private Relay is not the same as a VPN
Apple's Private Relay comes with iCloud+ and hides your IP address in Safari, but Apple describes it as a privacy feature rather than a VPN. It does not cover every app on your Mac, and it keeps you in your approximate region rather than letting you pick a server in another country. If you want every app protected, or a UK connection while you are abroad, you need a full VPN service.
The Two VPNs We Recommend for Mac
Both have a native macOS app you can install from the Mac App Store or the provider's website, a kill switch, WireGuard based protocols and a 30 day money back guarantee.
NordVPN's Mac app sits in the menu bar and connects in a click, which suits a laptop that hops between networks all day. Its own WireGuard based protocol, NordLynx, is the recommended setting, and the kill switch stops traffic leaving your Mac if the VPN connection drops while you are on hotel or station Wi-Fi.
Why Mac owners like it: the same account works on an iPhone and iPad, so one subscription covers up to 10 devices across your Apple kit. You can choose a country or city from the map, or use quick connect to get the fastest nearby server.
- ✓ Native macOS app, available from the Mac App Store
- ✓ NordLynx protocol as the recommended default
- ✓ Kill switch for patchy public Wi-Fi
- ✓ One account for Mac, iPhone and iPad, up to 10 devices
- ✓ UK servers for reaching UK services when you travel
If your home is full of Apple devices, Surfshark is the easy choice: one subscription covers an unlimited number of devices at the same time, so every Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV in the house can share it. The macOS app includes a kill switch and CleanWeb, which Surfshark says blocks adverts, trackers and malicious sites.
- ✓ Unlimited simultaneous devices for the whole family
- ✓ macOS app from the Mac App Store or Surfshark's site
- ✓ Kill switch built into the Mac app
- ✓ CleanWeb for adverts, trackers and malicious sites
- ✓ Low price on longer plans (see today's checked prices)
NordVPN, Surfshark and Private Relay Compared
| Option | Price/mo | Protects all apps | Choose a country | Kill switch | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Today's price | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | 10 |
| Surfshark | Today's price | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Unlimited |
| iCloud Private Relay | Included with iCloud+ | ✗ Mainly Safari | ✗ No | ✗ No | Your Apple devices |
Still deciding between the two? Read our NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison for plans and extras in more depth.
How to Install a VPN on a Mac
The provider's own app is the simplest route, and the whole process takes only a few minutes:
Get the app from the Mac App Store
Search for the provider in the Mac App Store, or download the app from its website, then open it from your Applications folder.
Allow the VPN configuration
The first time you connect, macOS asks permission to add a VPN configuration. Click Allow and confirm with your password or Touch ID.
Switch on the kill switch
Open the app's settings and enable the kill switch, then leave the protocol on the provider's recommended option.
Connect and set auto connect
Use quick connect, or pick a UK server for UK sites. Turn on auto connect for untrusted Wi-Fi so your MacBook is covered as soon as it joins a new network.
Pro tip: Turn off Private Relay while the VPN is on
Running iCloud Private Relay and a VPN together can make Safari behave oddly. If pages misbehave, switch Private Relay off in your Apple Account settings while the VPN is connected, as the VPN already covers your browsing.
Why Use a VPN on a Mac?
Laptops live on public Wi-Fi
A MacBook is built to be carried around, which means it spends a lot of time on networks you do not control. A VPN encrypts the connection between your Mac and the VPN server, so other users on the same café or hotel network cannot see what you are doing. Our guide to using a VPN on public Wi-Fi covers the basics.
Every app, not just the browser
Mail, messaging, cloud storage and work apps all send data too. A full VPN protects all of that traffic, not only what you do in Safari.
Your UK services while you travel
Connecting to a UK server when you are overseas helps you reach UK accounts and services as if you were at home. See how to watch UK TV abroad for streaming tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protect Your Mac Today
Choose NordVPN for the strongest all round Mac app, or Surfshark to cover every Apple device you own on one plan. Each comes with a 30 day money back guarantee.
Affiliate links, we may earn a commission. Prices checked on each provider's own UK pricing page.