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 See latest deal
→ Read our full NordVPN review
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 ExpressVPN3. 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 See latest deal
→ Read our full Surfshark review
4. Proton VPN — Best for Privacy (Verifiable)
Built by the team behind Proton Mail. Swiss-based, open-source, and independently audited — the most verifiably private VPN available. Unlike Mullvad, Proton VPN has a generous free tier with no data cap. The Mac app supports split tunneling, which NordVPN’s Mac app lacks.
Mac support: Native Mac app, split tunneling on Mac ✅ Pricing: Free tier available; paid from ~£4.99/month
Get Proton VPN→ Read our full Proton VPN review
5. Mullvad — Most Anonymous VPN
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 anonymous signup process of any VPN.
Mac support: Native Mac app (Apple Silicon + Intel) Pricing: €5/month flat (~£4.30)
→ Read our full Mullvad review
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 NordLayer2. 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 Teams3. 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 81Quick 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 | ❌ |
| Proton VPN | Verified privacy | Free / £4.99/month | ✅ Native | ❌ |
| Mullvad | Anonymous | €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
→ NordVPN vs Surfshark vs Mullvad: detailed head-to-head comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a VPN at home? A VPN is worth having at home if you value your privacy online, use public Wi-Fi regularly, or work from home and need to access company systems securely. It encrypts your internet traffic so your ISP, Wi-Fi provider, and third parties can’t see what you’re doing online. NordVPN and Surfshark are both excellent, affordable options for home use.
What is the best VPN for home users in the UK? NordVPN is the best all-round VPN for UK home users — it’s fast, easy to use on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android, and covers up to 10 devices on one subscription. Surfshark is the best budget option with unlimited devices. For privacy-focused users, Mullvad is the gold standard.
What is the best VPN for small business in the UK? NordLayer is the best VPN for UK small businesses — it offers centralised team management, dedicated servers, and business-grade security at around £7 per user per month. For sole traders or home workers, NordVPN’s personal plan covers all your devices at a fraction of the cost.
Will a VPN slow down my internet connection? A good VPN causes minimal slowdown — typically 10–20% on well-maintained services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. On fast broadband this is barely noticeable. Cheaper or overcrowded VPNs can be significantly slower. Always choose a VPN with servers close to your location for best performance.
Is a free VPN safe to use? Most free VPNs are not safe — they typically log and sell your browsing data to cover their costs, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN for privacy. Some also have data caps, slower speeds, and fewer servers. A paid VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark costs just a few pounds a month and provides genuine privacy protection.
Last updated: May 2026. Pricing and features subject to change — always check vendor sites for current information.