Best VPN for Safari in 2022: Is There a VPN Extension for Safari?
With so many choices out there, it can be difficult to choose the best VPN for Safari. Don’t spend your time researching — we’ve done the work for you! Discover the best VPN for Safari below.
If you’re looking for the best VPN for Safari, you’ve come to the right place. A virtual private network (VPN) enhances the privacy and security of your browsing experience, keeping your data and IP address hidden from the wider internet.
In addition to anonymity, Mac and iOS VPNs also have a range of valuable features. With a good VPN solution for Mac in place, you’ll be able to access streaming content from other countries, broadening your access to streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.
Key Takeaways:
- While there are no VPN browser extensions for Safari, there are a number of VPN applications that will give you a secure browsing experience.
- ExpressVPN is the all-round best option for Safari, closely followed by NordVPN.
- If you’re looking for a free VPN, we recommend Windscribe.
However not all VPNs are created equal and, more importantly, not all VPNs work with Safari. This means that you need to do your research before signing up for a provider. The good news is that we’ve looked into this for you. Below, we’ll explore the best VPNs for Safari in more detail. If you’re looking for a quick answer, go with ExpressVPN.
There are several Mac VPNs that work in conjunction with Safari, such as ExpressVPN, although there is no specific browser extension for Safari.
Apple has not released a statement about a specific VPN it recommends for Safari.
To enable a VPN for Safari, you first sign up to the provider of your choice and download its app. Next, access their application and log in to your account. On the homepage of the app, connect to the server of your choice. Once your connection is confirmed, you can then use Safari — and your session will be private.
Top VPNs for Safari
- 1
- : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, regional payment systems, WebMoney
- : 5
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- 2
- : Credit card, Google Pay, AmazonPay, ACH Transfer, UnionPay, Crypto Currencies, PayPal (via Paddle)
- : 6
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- 3
- : PayPal, Credit card, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
- : Unlimited
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- 4
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin, Paymentwall
- : Unlimited
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- 5
- : PayPal, Credit card, bitcoin
- : 7
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- :
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What Makes the Best VPN for Safari?
The Safari browser comes exclusively with Apple devices like iPhones, Mac laptops and desktops, and iPads. If you’re an Android or Microsoft Windows user, we advise looking at our review of the best VPN providers instead. Here’s our overview of the best VPN services for Safari.
- ExpressVPN — Super fast and easy to use; our top choice for Safari
- NordVPN — Highly customizable, with fast speeds and a range of features
- Surfshark — Unique features and competitively priced
- Windscribe — Free to use with solid online security features
- CyberGhost — Great for streaming and very affordable
We based our ranking of the best VPNs for Safari on a few factors. The VPN needs to have fast speeds, strong security credentials and, most importantly, integrate seamlessly with Safari on both macOS and iOS devices. We’ve also written a detailed review about the best VPN for iPhone and best VPN for iPad.
Given that Safari is renowned for its intuitive, crisp user interface, we also assessed the VPNs based on their design and user interface, as the user experience is another important factor.
As a side note, we would have given high marks to a VPN provider that offered a dedicated Safari browser extension but, at this point, it’s not an option for Safari version 12 or higher.
The 5 Best VPNs for Safari
With these factors in mind, here is our take on the best VPNs for the Safari browser.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.67 per month for the 15-month plan
- Provider website: expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Strong security credentials
- Excellent server range
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Outdated Safari browser extension
ExpressVPN for Safari is a solid choice for both Mac and iPhone. A single subscription will cover you across up to five devices, which is handy if you’re in a family of Mac users or want VPN protection on both your desktop and mobile phone.
While ExpressVPN offers a browser extension for Edge, Google Chrome and Firefox, there isn’t an extension for Safari at present. There used to be in the days of Safari 11, but since Safari 12 launched in 2018, the browser extension is no longer supported. If you use an old Mac device that doesn’t receive updates, you may be able to get the Safari browser extension.
For newer Mac users, this isn’t the end of the world anyway, as the app appears in the dock at the bottom of your screen, meaning it’s still easy to access. On iPhone, you’ll need to access the app each time you want to connect, disconnect or change server locations.
In terms of performance, ExpressVPN is great. It is really easy to use and offers super-fast speeds. ExpressVPN also has a “shortcuts” feature, where you can add your most visited applications to the home screen of the app for a quicker user experience.
Stream to Your Heart’s Content With ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN’s combination of fast speeds, unparalleled security and 160 servers in 94 countries means that this VPN is excellent for Safari users looking for a great streaming experience. Whether you want to unlock Hulu, Netflix or BBC iPlayer, Express VPN can help. Learn more about the best VPNs for streaming here.
ExpressVPN is an expensive option. The most cost-effective plan comes to $6.67 per month. The service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try before you buy. Read our full ExpressVPN review here.
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $3.99 per month for the two-year plan
- Provider website: nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Fast speeds
- Great customization options
- Seamless desktop & mobile experience
Cons:
- Expensive monthly plan
NordVPN boasts a range of preferences, giving you a highly customizable VPN experience. In addition to a selection of servers in over 60 countries, there are options to turn on dark web monitoring, which will alert you if your email address has appeared in a data leak.
NordVPN also has a kill switch feature, which will disconnect you from the internet should your VPN connection drop to assure your privacy. Another cool customization feature is the ability to turn on “dark mode,” which can save battery life and reduce eyestrain.
NordVPN offers a consistent experience across its desktop and mobile apps. The mobile app is like a mini version of the desktop one, so it’s easy to switch between both.
Configure Your Favorite VPN Settings With NordVPN
We really like NordVPN’s “presets” function. This allows you to configure shortcut VPN settings for specific applications, rather than having to choose a VPN server manually for each session.
For example, let’s say you have a favorite server for accessing Netflix. You can add this in the presets section so that you connect in a single click. Note, though, you will have to use the NordVPN app, as there’s no Safari browser extension.
NordVPN’s monthly plan is pricey at $11.99 per month, but the two-year plan is much more affordable at $3.99 per month (or $89) for two years. As with most VPN providers, you can also trial NordVPN for 30 days and get your money back if you are not satisfied. Read our NordVPN review for more.
3. Surfshark
More details about Surfshark:
- Pricing: $2.50 a month for the two-year plan
- Provider website: surfshark.com
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Multi-hop functionality
Cons:
- Not as fast as other providers
Surfshark isn’t the fastest VPN for Safari, but it has a range of features that make it a worthy choice. Like the other providers so far, Surfshark doesn’t offer a Safari browser extension, but the VPN app is easy to access from the dock on your Mac.
Aside from the standard VPN functionality, Surfshark has some nice additions. Its ad blocker, CleanWeb, protects you from pop-up ads and malware as you browse the web. Another feature is MultiHop. This allows you to direct your internet connection through more than one server to bolster your privacy.
Split Tunneling Made Simple With Surfshark
Surfshark’s split tunneling feature is called Bypasser. As the name suggests, this feature allows you to split your internet traffic so that only some of it goes through the VPN connection. This is useful if, say, you use a wireless printer at home, as this relies on your IP address. It also lets you isolate the Safari browser traffic and route only that through the VPN.
Surfshark is inexpensive. Its cheapest plan is $2.50 a month. You can find out more about this provider in our Surfshark review.
- : Unlimited GB bandwidth,Unlimited devices
- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
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4. Windscribe
More details about Windscribe:
- Pricing: Free plan; $4.08 per month for the 12-month plan
- Provider website: windscribe.com
Pros:
- Free plan
- Kill switch feature
- Unique security tool
Cons:
- Limited locations on free plan
- Interface can take some getting used to
Like the other VPN providers we’ve looked at so far, Windscribe doesn’t come with a Safari extension. Its app, though, will still protect your browsing experience. The Windscribe VPN app can take some getting used to. It features lots of icons and widgets, and it’s not immediately obvious what each of these is for. For example, there’s a kill switch feature, but this masquerades as a “firewall.”
For a provider with a free basic plan, Windscribe ticks a lot of boxes. It’s secure and offers a range of servers that you can choose from in 60 locations. It’s worth noting that you can only access servers in ten countries for free, but it’s certainly the best free VPN for Safari.
R.O.B.E.R.T. for Windscribe
Windscribe’s standout feature is R.O.B.E.R.T., which stands for Remote Omnidirectional Badware Eliminating Robotic Tool — quite the mouthful! Essentially, this collection of tools is all about blocking internet “nasties,” things like malware, unwanted ads, fake news and clickbait and cryptominers.
Note, R.O.B.E.R.T. is not available on the free plan. You will need to pay for Windscribe to access it.
You can access Windscribe for free and then buy individual server locations for $1 each monthly (with a minimum purchase of $2). To access all of Windscribe’s servers and features, you can pay an annual fee of $49 or a monthly fee of $9. Read our full Windscribe review to learn more.
- : Per “Pro” server location
- : 10 GB
- : Unlimited
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- : Unlimited GB
- : Unlimited
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5. CyberGhost
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.29 a month for the three-year plan
- Provider website: cyberghostvpn.com
Pros:
- Solid speeds
- Optimized for streaming
- Affordable
Cons:
- Fewer functions than other providers
CyberGhost does a good job at democratizing VPN access. Its interface is easy to use, and every function it has comes with an explanation of the benefits, so that users understand the different options.
CyberGhost lacks some of the features that its competitors have, though. For example, split tunneling isn’t available on Mac. While it doesn’t look like CyberGhost has a kill switch feature, this is actually embedded in the solution, so your browsing session will automatically cut out if your VPN connection drops.
VPN Guidance With CyberGhost
Finding the right server for streaming and downloading purposes can take a lot of research, but CyberGhost does the work for you. It has two dedicated tabs called “for downloading” and “for streaming,” which provide lists of the most popular locations for each activity.
On the “for streaming” tab, CyberGhost even tells you the streaming site that each server has been optimized for (you can read more about its optimized servers in our CyberGhost review).
CyberGhost’s cheapest plan is $2.29 a month for three years. You also get a 24-hour free trial on Mac and a seven-day free trial on iOS devices.
On top of this, there’s a money-back guarantee too. If you sign up for the one-month plan, you get a 14-day money-back guarantee. For longer plans, you get a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Why You Should Use a Safari VPN
A Safari VPN is a sensible idea for anyone who wants to improve the privacy of their browsing experience. Although it may sound like it, Safari’s private mode won’t accomplish the same. VPNs also have a range of benefits, enabling you to unblock streaming content from other countries.
Many solutions also offer enhanced privacy and security features, such as ad blocking, malware protection and dark web monitoring, which improve your online safety. This is especially important if you share sensitive details — like credit card numbers or personally identifiable information — with the websites you visit.
A VPN will ensure that you and your data are secure and hidden from the wider internet, reducing the likelihood of data breaches and instances of cybercrime.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! That’s our roundup of the top VPNs for Safari. While you can’t get a VPN that works in your browser, apps like ExpressVPN will still provide you with a secure browsing experience across your Apple devices.
Have you used a VPN for Safari? If so, which is your top pick and why? Did we miss your favorite Safari VPN? Let us know in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading!
