Best VPN in 2026: For Home Users, Small Business, and Teams (Windows & Mac)
Whether you’re a home user wanting privacy on public Wi-Fi, a remote worker accessing company systems, or a business owner managing a team — a VPN is one of the most useful tools you can have in 2026. All the products in this guide work on both Windows and Mac unless otherwise noted.
Best VPN for Home Users (Windows & Mac)
1. NordVPN — Best All-Round Consumer VPN
The most consistently recommended consumer VPN. Fast, reliable, and easy to use on both Windows and Mac — the Mac app in particular is polished and well-maintained. Covers up to 10 devices simultaneously, so you can protect your Mac, iPhone, and any Windows machines in one subscription.
Mac support: Native Mac app (Apple Silicon + Intel), iOS app Pricing: From ~£3/month (2-year plan)
Try NordVPN →2. ExpressVPN — Best for Speed
The fastest consumer VPN available. The Mac app is excellent — clean, minimal, and genuinely fast. Lightway protocol works well on both platforms. 94 countries covered, ideal for travellers or streaming geo-restricted content.
Mac support: Native Mac app, iOS app Pricing: From ~£6/month (annual plan)
Try ExpressVPN →3. Surfshark — Best Budget Consumer VPN
Unlimited simultaneous devices — useful if you have a mix of Macs, iPhones, Windows PCs, and Android devices in the household. Solid performance at one of the lowest prices in the market.
Mac support: Native Mac app, iOS app Pricing: From ~£2/month (2-year plan)
Try Surfshark →4. Mullvad — Best for Privacy
No email required to sign up, independently audited no-logs policy, and a flat €5/month regardless of plan length. The Mac app is well-built and regularly updated. The most privacy-focused option on this list.
Mac support: Native Mac app (Apple Silicon + Intel) Pricing: €5/month flat
Best VPN for Remote Workers and Small Businesses (Windows & Mac)
1. NordLayer — Best Business VPN
NordLayer is Nord Security’s business product — same infrastructure as NordVPN but with proper team management, user controls, and dedicated IP addresses. The Mac client is well-supported and works reliably on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Smart Remote Access lets staff securely reach internal company resources without complex networking.
Mac support: Native Mac app, iOS app, Apple Silicon native Pricing: From ~£7/user/month
Try NordLayer →2. ExpressVPN for Teams — Best for Speed and International Coverage
ExpressVPN’s Teams product brings centralised billing and management to its industry-leading VPN. The Mac experience is consistently one of the best in the market — fast, stable, and the Lightway protocol works especially well on macOS. 94 countries covered.
Mac support: Native Mac app, Apple Silicon native Pricing: From ~£6.50/user/month
Try ExpressVPN for Teams →3. Perimeter 81 — Best for Security-First Businesses
A Zero Trust Network Access platform for businesses handling sensitive data. Good Mac client with reliable connections. Grants access only to specific resources each user needs — a fundamentally more secure approach than a traditional VPN.
Mac support: Mac client available Pricing: From ~£8/user/month
Try Perimeter 81 →Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Price From | Mac Support | Team Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Home users | ~£3/month | ✅ Native | ❌ |
| ExpressVPN | Speed + travel | ~£6/month | ✅ Native | ❌ |
| Surfshark | Budget home | ~£2/month | ✅ Native | ❌ |
| Mullvad | Privacy | €5/month | ✅ Native | ❌ |
| NordLayer | Business teams | £7/user/month | ✅ Native | ✅ |
| ExpressVPN Teams | Fast + international | £6.50/user/month | ✅ Native | ✅ |
| Perimeter 81 | Security/compliance | £8/user/month | ✅ | ✅ |
Mac-Specific VPN Notes
A few things worth knowing if you’re primarily a Mac user:
- Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4): All major VPNs now have native Apple Silicon builds. Avoid any VPN that still relies on Rosetta translation — performance will be noticeably worse.
- macOS privacy settings: macOS may prompt you to allow the VPN extension in System Settings → Privacy & Security. This is normal and required for the VPN to work.
- iCloud Private Relay: Apple’s iCloud Private Relay (available with iCloud+) offers some privacy benefits but is not a full VPN replacement — it only covers Safari and doesn’t encrypt all traffic.
Our Top Picks
- Best home VPN (Mac or Windows): NordVPN
- Best business VPN: NordLayer
- Best for speed: ExpressVPN
- Best for privacy: Mullvad
- Best budget: Surfshark
Try NordVPN → Try NordLayer for Business →
Last updated: May 2026. Pricing and features subject to change — always check vendor sites for current information.