Quick Answer
Choose a VPN for Mac that supports Apple’s Network Extension API, has a true system-level kill switch, and offers DNS leak protection or encrypted DNS. Also check for lightweight performance, multiple protocols, and regular macOS updates to ensure privacy, stability, and speed.
Choosing a VPN for Mac is different from other platforms. MacOS has different requirements. So when choosing a VPN for Mac, you should also consider features like native network extension support, system-level kill switch, DNS leak protection, and much more, along with usual VPN requirements.
If you are choosing a VPN for Mac, here is what you need to consider. If you are ready, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What to Look for in a VPN for macOS
Native Network Extension Support
Apple explicitly recommends VPN service providers to use Apple’s official network extension and system extension API for a better service. With this approach, macOS handles all complex tasks, including routing, packet filtering, and the tunnel lifecycle, which makes VPN part of the OS network stack.
These methods reduce random disconnects and also when switching to a different network, and connect without any issues after waking up.
Most VPNs for Mac already support this network-level extension, so if you are choosing one, ensure your VPN service provider offers this feature for a reliable VPN service.
Reliable Kill Switch on macOS
Since VPNs often face connection issues, most VPNs nowadays offer a kill switch feature that blocks all traffic if the VPN is disconnected. This prevents data leaks, including your real IP. You can simply enable the kill switch feature on your Mac to prevent this.
However, since macOS manages network routes and connections and can change routes often, you need to ensure the kill switch feature on the VPN service is implemented at the system level for a stable connection and to prevent data leaks.
However, there are plenty of VPNs that still use a kill switch at the app level, which means that if the app currently stops working or network changes, the kill switch may not work and can potentially expose your data. So, if privacy is your biggest reason for using a VPN on Mac, ensure your VPN service provider offers a kill switch at the system level.
Clean DNS Handling on macOS
Another feature that you should look for if you care about privacy, especially when browsing sensitive services and want to avoid ISP tracking, is a VPN service that offers encrypted DNS support or DNS leak protection.
With this feature, DNS queries cannot be read by your ISP, so everything stays private. Remember that if the DNS is not protected, your ISP can still see which websites you access. So if you really want complete privacy, look for the DNS encryption or DNS leak protection when choosing a VPN.
Also, choose the VPN service that offers multiple protocols since Apple has recently made several changes to its DNS handling services. Most service providers have already fixed this issue through an update.
Performance
VPN performance is also one of the biggest factors you need to consider when choosing a VPN, and ensure it is lightweight and takes fewer resources when using it. Many users have concerns about performance issues when using a VPN. So, when choosing a VPN service, consider that there are no major performance complaints with the VPN service provider you are choosing, and it doesn’t have any macOS-specific issues.
Wrapping Up
So, those are the features you should look for. You can find these features on the features page of VPN services. Look for the features that say Apple Network Extension, system-level kill switch, no DNS leaks feature, and frequent updates that fix critical macOS bugs. I hope you find this guide helpful.
