5 Best VPN for Mac in Canada with Mac VPN Setup in 2022
Need access to the Best VPN for Mac in Canada? Well, the Big Sur, Mojave, High Sierra, El Capitan, and Yosemite are highly stable/secure OS for your laptops (MacBook Air and MacBook Pro) and desktops (Mac mini, iMac, iMac Pro).
However, this does not give them a clean chit from its own privacy/security issues. When connected to the internet, you may also still need protection from unwarranted threats. This is where using a VPN service comes in handy.
So, I have come up with a list of recommendations for you. Below you can find details regarding the best and free VPN for Mac in Canada 2022.
5 Best VPNs for Mac in Canada: Quick Summary
- ExpressVPN: The best overall VPN for Mac in Canada with a 3000+ server count and strong security for Mac users.
- NordVPN: The best budget VPN for Mac in Canada with no data retention laws and a strict no-logs policy audited by a third-party firm.
- Surfshark: The best featured-pack VPN for Mac in Canada with high-end security and advanced protocols.
- CyberGhost: The most user-friendly Mac VPN in Canada for beginners with torrenting support.
- IPVanish: The best value VPN for Mac in Canada with reasonable pricing and strong security aspects.
5 Best VPNs for Mac in Canada: Detailed Analysis
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN offers an incredibly secure and reliable application for Mac users in Canada. It is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands; a safe country with virtually zero data retention laws, giving users more confidence to trust the provider.
It has a 4.6 rating on the Apple Store and Trustpilot, both.
Their Mac app never crashes or gives downtime issues, and you can count on it for offering a seamless, optimized experience. The provider’s privacy policy is also incredibly strong, with many testing its zero logs policy. Users even have an ExpressVPN free trial available for testing.
ExpressVPN offers three subscription plans. The monthly plan costs AU$16.65/mo(US$12.95/mo), the 6-month plan costs CA$12.85/mo(US$9.99/mo), and the 1-year plan costs CA$8.58/mo(US$6.67/mo).
All the plans are covered by an active 30-day money-back guarantee offer so you can try the VPN risk-free. Also, you can pay for the subscription plan with a variety of payment methods including credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and more.
ExpressVPN is one of the few VPN providers that offer a dedicated app for routers and it supports all major routers including some famous ones like Netgear, Linksys, and Asus.
It also has a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer that works smoothly on streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast.
You can even use it on your Xbox or PlayStation game console to bypass geo-restrictions and play games that are not yet released in the Australian region yet. Plus, with ExpressVPN, you can achieve your dream latency and escape malware or DDoS attacks in the Canadian region.
If you are a movie geek then you’ll be happy to know that ExpressVPN can unblock nearly 20 Netflix libraries. Moreover, it can unblock other major streaming platforms in Canada including Disney+, BBC IPlayer, Hulu, and others.
Specifications
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries.
- 160 locations.
- AES 256-bit Encryption.
- 5 simultaneous connections.
- Smart DNS.
- Automatic kill switch.
- Split tunneling.
- Dedicated router app.
- Lightway protocol.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Strict no-logs policy (audited).
- Expensive.
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2022 ExpressVPN review!
2. NordVPN
Based in Panama, NordVPN is an affordable and highly secure VPN provider for Mac users in Canada. Holistically, NordVPN‘s experience will leave you desiring for nothing else, as it ticks all boxes of intuitiveness, user-friendliness, and advanced features as far as NordVPN for Mac is concerned.
NordVPN has a 4.7 rating on the Apple Store and a 4.4 rating on Trustpilot.
For connectivity, you have access to 5,100+ servers in 100 locations globally, but surprisingly upon testing, I received no server load or speed issues. In fact, the performance was quite impressive in Canada. The best part of all: NordVPN is not located in 5, 9, or 14 eyes jurisdiction.
In terms of pricing, NordVPN offers a premium plan divided into three durations: monthly [CA$15.42/mo(starting at US$11.99)], yearly [CA$6.42/mo(US$4.99/mo.)], and 2-years [as low as CA$5.13/mo(US$3.99/mo.)]. You can even get a 7-day NordVPN Free Trial on iOS and Android devices, along with a 30-day refund.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for the subscription plan upfront and you can use a variety of payment options including credit cards, cryptocurrency, AmazonPay, Sofort, PayPal, or prepaid cards. And even if you’re not satisfied with the services, you can get a refund if you generate a request in under 30 days.
NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy because of its non US jurisdiction and it has been audited by PwC, an independent third-party auditing firm.
And as you know NordVPN has a rich server pool of 5000+ servers, you can easily watch your favorite shows and movies on major streaming platforms in Canada like Netflix, Hulu, BBC IPlayer, Disney+, and more.
NordVPN even offers a dedicated IP address if you’re willing to throw in some more bucks.
Specifications
- 5,100+ servers in 59 countries.
- AES 256-bit Encryption.
- Automatic kill switch.
- Smart DNS.
- DoubleVPN.
- Split tunneling.
- DNS leak protection.
- Onion over VPN.
- 6 simultaneous connections.
- Dedicated IP address.
- CyberSec.
- Threat Protection feature.
- 7-day free trial on Android and iOS.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Strict no-logs policy.
- Headquartered in Panama.
- Torrenting is supported on some servers.
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2022 NordVPN review!
3. Surfshark
Powerful and strong, Surfshark comes third as the best VPN for Mac in Canada. Based in the British Virgin Islands, the provider offers 3,200+ servers in 65+ countries worldwide. Clean, uncomplicated, and feature-rich. This is what sums up the experience on Mac in the Canadian region.
Its app uses the industry-standard OpenVPN protocol, which implements the AES-256-GCM cipher on the data channel, so no additional authentication is required. For the control channel, it uses the same AES-256-GCM cipher with the TLS key exchange secured using RSA-2048.
In terms of pricing, the VPN offers varied plans of three durations: monthly [starting at CA$16.65/mo(US$12.95/mo)], yearly CA$5.13/mo(US$3.99/mo.), and 2-years [as low as CA$2.96/mo(US$2.30/mo.)]. Users even have a 7-day Surfshark free trial only on Mac, iOS, and Android devices, along with a 30-day refund guarantee.
Surfshark enjoys a 4.7 rating on Apple Store and a 4.2 rating on Trustpilot.
However, the amazing thing about Surfshark is that you don’t have to worry about the limits on simultaneous connections.
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can connect as many devices as you want with a single subscription plan.
It’s the best feature that Surfshark offers as you can cover all the devices of your household with one subscription plan. And if you’re worrying that you’ll have limited bandwidth, then there is no such case.
With Multi-Hop, you can encrypt your traffic twice and apply a second layer of security to all the shady work you do on the internet.
Surfshark’s server pool is decent enough that it can unblock major streaming platforms including Netflix, Hulu, BBC IPlayer, Disney+, and many more.
Not only this, Surfshark has even more features like an automatic kill switch, CleanWeb, Whitelister, and whatnot.
Specifications
- 3200+ servers in 65+ countries.
- Kill switch.
- AES 256-bit Encryption.
- Smart DNS.
- Multi-Hop.
- Bypasser.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- CleanWeb.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Strict no-logs policy (audited).
- Advanced protocols.
- Limited servers for P2P.
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2022 Surfshark review!
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has taken immense strides in the recent past to break into the top-tier VPN category and can easily be trusted for your Mac in Canada. Headquartered in Romania, CyberGhost offers a user-friendly Mac app that boasts a black and yellow theme.
It has an Apple Store rating of 4.1 while the rating on Trustpilot is 4.7.
The provider offers the largest network infrastructure of 6,100 servers in 90+ countries. The best part of all, their app unblocks all popular platforms and even works on Android TVs, along with Nvidia Shield TV and Firestick devices. The GUI is incredibly impressive on all.
As far as pricing is concerned, CyberGhost VPN’s plans are divided into 4 durations: monthly [starting at CA$16.7/mo(US$12.99/mo)], 1 year CA$5.52/mo(US$4.29/mo.), 2-year CA$4.18/mo(US$3.25/mo.), and 3-year CA$2.95/mo(US$2.29/mo.), giving users quite a few options in subscriptions.
Although keep in mind that the one-month plan has only a 14-day money-back guarantee. So if you want to enjoy a longer period to test the VPN provider, go for the 1-year or 2-year plan as they have an active 45-day money-back guarantee offer which is the longest duration any VPN provider is offering.
CyberGhost offers AES 256-bit Standard Encryption System which encrypts and hides your online traffic from your ISP and government authorities while you’re surfing the internet. And as it is covered by a strict no-logs policy, your data will never be compromised.
You can easily use CyberGhost on 7 devices with simultaneous connections.
Specifications
- 6,100 servers in 90 countries.
- AES 256-bit Encryption.
- Internet & app kill switch.
- P2P sharing.
- 7 simultaneous connections.
- DNS and IP leak protection.
- Split tunneling.
- Smart DNS.
- 45-day money-back guarantee.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Strict no-logs policy.
- Dedicated IP address.
- Limited payment options.
Need more information? Re-direct yourself to this full 2022 CyberGhost review!
5. IPVanish
IPVanish is a US-based VPN service that offers great value for money for the Canadians. It has a strong security protocol with AES-256 encryption and provides good speeds.
The company does not keep any logs of user activity. IPVanish has a clear and concise privacy policy. The service supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec protocols.
It has a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot and a 4.5 rating on Apple Store.
IPVanish offers a basic monthly plan costing CA$14.13/mo(US$10.99/mo). The provider offers a quarterly (3-month) plan that costs CA$6.84/mo(US$5.32/mo) [billed CA$20.52(US$15.96 every 3 months)], and a 1-year plan costing CA$5.01/mo(US$3.99/mo) [(billed CA$61.57/mo(US$47.89 yearly)]. The one-year plan is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee offer so you can try it risk-free.
Moreover, IPVanish is a decent choice for security and privacy in Canada. It lacks optimized servers for streaming platforms but so far some servers of IPVanish can unblock Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others in the Canadian region.
IPVanish doesn’t have a limit on simultaneous connections so you can use as many devices as you want with a single subscription plan.
Specifications
- 1900+ servers in 75+ countries.
- AES 256-bit Encryption.
- Shared IP addresses.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Split tunneling.
- DNS leak protection.
- VPN kill switch.
- SOCKS5 proxy.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- 24/7 customer support.
- Strict no-logs policy.
- No publicly released audits.
For more information, read the detailed IPVanish review!
How to choose your Mac VPN in Canada
Here are some factors that you should keep in mind while choosing a VPN for Mac in Canada:
Firstly, make sure that the VPN service offers a native app for Mac. This will make it easier to set up and use the VPN on your device. ExpressVPN and NordVPN are at the top of the list that offers a native VPN app for Mac users in Canada.
Secondly, check the server count and locations offered by the VPN. A large server count will give you more options to choose from while a wide range of locations will ensure that you can access geo-restricted content from anywhere in the world. NordVPN has a decent server pool of 5000+ servers that can unblock major streaming platforms in Canada.
The third thing you should check is the security and privacy features offered by the VPN. A good VPN for Mac will offer military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection. Looking at these, ExpressVPN is the best fit as it offers AES 256-bit encryption with a strict no-log policy and prevention from WebRTC/DNS/IP leaks.
Fourth, make sure that the VPN has a good customer support team in case you run into any problems while using the service. ExpressVPN wins in this category as it has an agile team of customer support that operates 24/7 through live chat and email.
Finally, check the pricing of the VPN and see if it offers a money-back guarantee or a free trial period. Surfshark’s subscription plan is as low as CA$2.96/mo(US$2.30/mo) if you opt for a 2-year plan.
If we consider all the factors above then ExpressVPN wins the race in Canada. NordVPN and Surfshark are the close seconds that you can sign up to choose the best VPN Mac in Canada.
How to Use a VPN with MacOS in Canada
If you want to use a VPN on your macOS in Canada, follow the same installing process for any other software. Once signed up with any of the above-recommended providers, follow these simple steps:
- Download the Mac application from the VPN website
- Install the file after downloading and confirm any prompts
- Launch the VPN application from the dock at the bottom or App Menu
- Enter your login credentials and activate the product (if needed).
- Select a VPN server from the list of countries/locations available
- Hit the “connect” button and enjoy using a VPN on your Mac.
How to Setup a VPN on Mac (Manually) in Canada?
For those providers that do not have a native app for Mac, or if you prefer not to use a third-party application, there are a few ways to manually configure a VPN. Basically, there are three types of VPN setups that are most popular. I will provide instructions for each:
How to Set Up an L2TP VPN Connection on macOS
- Click on “System Preferences” in the Apple Menu.
- Double-click the “Network Icon” and press the “+” button.
- Click the interface drop-down list and select “VPN”.
- Choose L2TP over IPSec in the VPN Type drop-down list.
- Type a name for the VPN connection in the “Service Name”.
- Click “Create” and the VPN settings will appear automatically.
- Fill out the VPN server address, Account Name, And Password Fields.
- Type the Pre-Shared Key, if you are using a Shared Secret connection.
- Click on “Apply” to save changes and wait for the VPN to set up.
- Go back to System Preferences > Network Icon > Choose the VPN you created!
How to Set Up a VPN with Tunnelblick on a Mac
- Launch the TunnelBlick Application and click on “I have Configuration Files”.
- Load the downloaded .ovpn files from your provider by double-clicking them.
- You will receive a prompt to install the configurations. Select the relevant option.
- Click the “TunnelBlick” icon in the top right corner of your screen and hit “Connect”
- Enter your username and password for the VPN, if prompted.
- Enjoy using your VPN manually via Tunnelblick!
How to Set Up a VPN with Viscosity on macOS
- Open the Viscosity application and then choose “Preferences”
- Click the “+” sign at the bottom left of the Window.
- Choose the “Import Connection” option.
- Load the downloaded .ovpn configuration files.
- Click the “Viscosity” icon in the app menu and hit “Connect”
- Enter your username and password for the VPN, if prompted.
Factors to Look for When Choosing the Best VPN Mac in Canada
Our testing criteria for choosing a VPN software for Mac is based on analyzing critical security, privacy, and device-related important issues.
Through this testing criteria, we came up with these 8 factors that we weighed providers upon when choosing our 5 best VPNs for Mac in Canada:
Compatible Apps
The provider should have a functioning, well-designed, easy-to-use, and reliable Mac app that can allow the user to begin using the service within just a few steps.
Budget-Friendly Pricing
Our top recommended VPN, Surfshark is priced at CA$2.96/mo(US$2.30/month) despite offering the highest server park and some of the most premium security features in the industry.
The provider which can make it as affordable for the user to subscribe to its services is the one that we went for when making this list.
Unblock Streaming Sites
Streaming is now a popular activity, even on Macs, so if a user is going for a provider, it needs to be powerful enough to unblock major streaming sites for it like Netflix US.
Good Server Infrastructure
Usually, the top providers have anywhere from 700 to 2000 servers, but some even go above that and offer 3000-5000 servers worldwide.
We didn’t opt for a provider that doesn’t offer more than 500 servers because a smaller server park means overloading and atrociously slow speeds.
No DNS or WebRTC leaks
All the encryption and protocols mean nothing if your VPN leaks your IP through a DNS or a WebRTC leak.
Our selected VPNs don’t do so as they passed all of these strict, independent DNS and WebRTC leak tests without leaking our real IP even once.
Zero Logging Policy
We don’t accept any provider to be safe enough for users unless they have an explicit zero-logging policy clearly mentioned in their privacy policy.
Some VPNs, however, do keep some negligible logs like those of your connection timestamps and bandwidth usage, but they are harmless as they can’t be used to identify you.
All of the Mac VPNs that are recommended by us don’t keep any kind of user activity logs whatsoever and can be completely trusted for keeping your data safe and anonymous.
Strong Encryption Levels
The safest form of encryption is the AES-256 military-grade level encryption, which can’t be deciphered even by brute force computing or by hundreds of supercomputers working at once.
Anything below that and we need to give that VPN a pass. Our top 5 VPNs are all offering this level of encryption and can guarantee that your data cannot be hacked in transit ever.
Based on a Safe Jurisdiction
Data retention laws of the country where the VPN is based are crucial to how secure a user’s data is with the provider. For e.g. a provider based in a country that is a member of the 14 Eyes Alliance shouldn’t be opted for.
The top 5 Mac VPNs recommended above are all based in safer locations/data-friendly countries like the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, etc.
5 Reasons Why Free VPNs are a Bad Option for Macs in Canada
Free VPNs might be enticing considering the considerable cost that subscribing to a paid provider can incur, but we never recommend you to go for free providers in Canada. Here’s why:
- Free VPNs don’t often offer Compatible apps for Macs, making it a hassle to use the service on your device in the first place.
- Speeds are often quite slow on services offered by free providers on top of daily/monthly bandwidth limits, making them unsuitable for modern-day browsing habits.
- Free VPNs have been known to sell user data and conduct other problematic activities because they need to make money and if you are not paying them through subscription fees, then they need to go somewhere to cover up their bottom lines.
- You won’t ever get premium features like Double VPN or Split Tunneling in Free VPNs.
- Free VPNs are mostly not Torrenting friendly and neither are they good at unblocking geo-restricted streaming sites like Netflix or BBC iPlayer.
FAQ: Best VPN for Mac in Canada
What’s the best free VPN for Mac in Canada?
Free VPNs tend to be a risky option in Canada, as they suffer from a restricted server network, poor security, slow speeds, and usually, limited bandwidth and data. Some may even track and sell your data, which is why it is recommended to opt for only premium providers like Surfshark [priced at a minimal CA$2.56/mo(US$1.99/month)].
How to change VPN on Mac?
If you want to use a different VPN application on Mac, you will first have to uninstall any other software, so as to not create a conflict and eventually additional network-related issues.
Do I need a VPN with a Mac in Canada?
Yes, you need a VPN for your Mac in Canada, if you want to boost your privacy and security or want to unlock a whole new world of entertainment on streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more.
Are Mac VPNs different from other VPNs?
Mac VPNs are not different from other VPNs. All VPNs work in a similar way. The only difference can be in the operating or unavailability of some features. For suppose, ExpressVPN’s kill switch feature for Mac can be enabled or disabled from the settings while ExpressVPN’s Android version has a default kill switch that is always on.
Does Mac have a built-in VPN?
Mac does not have a built-in VPN application, but they do offer tremendous support for setting up manual connections for most common types of VPNs.
Are there free VPNs for Mac in Canada?
Yes, there are plenty of free VPNs for Mac in the marketplace, but since most of them indulge in shady practices, it is advised to opt for a premium provider in Canada.
How do I set up a VPN on my Mac at home?
Open the Apple menu and click on “System Preferences”. Open “Network” and click on “add. Choose VPN and select the protocol from the VPN type drop-down list that appears.
How do I get a VPN on my Macbook?
There are two options for getting a VPN on your MacBook. Get a provider with a native application for the operating system or set up a VPN manually.
Where do I find a VPN on my Mac?
The VPNs available for connection will appear in the “Network” menu from “System Preferences”.
What is a shared secret in Mac VPN?
A pre-shared key (PSK) also known as the shared secret is a string of text a VPN utilizes before it receives any other credentials.
Does NordVPN work on Mac in Canada?
Yes, NordVPN works on Mac and other Apple devices in Canada. They also provide access to streaming sites like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, around the world.
How do I send all traffic through VPN Mac?
After downloading and installing the VPN application, launch it and connect to any server. This will change your IP address and send all traffic through a secure and encrypted tunnel.
Best VPN for Mac to unblock Netflix in Canada?
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Mac in Canada to unblock Netflix. It can unblock Netflix US, UK, Canada, Japan, and France. Moreover, it can also unblock other major streaming platforms including BBC IPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
Wrapping Things Up
The 5 Recommended Mac VPNs in Canada listed above are all primed to meet your expectations on all accounts and no other service can bring the perfect combination of privacy and reliability.
ExpressVPN is our most highly recommended and the best VPN for Mac in Canada. Its best plan will cost you CA$8.58/mo(US$6.67/month) and is a great investment towards your privacy in Canada.
The other options; NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost, and IPVanish are equally good on all VPN important factors and you can go for either of them for your Mac too in Canada.
