Betternet Free VPN for Mac, free and safe download. Star VPN - Free VPN Proxy & Unlimited VPN Security. Free Downloadfor Mac. No registration is required and unlike some other free VPN services there are no data caps.
. Pros Affordable, flexible pricing structure. Nifty Touch Bar integration.
P2P and BitTorrent allowed. Supports OpenVPN. Specialized servers. Information-dense client. Cons Lackluster overall speed performance. App Store and downloadable versions offer different features. Small number of servers.
Bottom Line KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is a solid service with unparalleled flexible pricing, and robust security technology, but its interface feels clunky for a Mac app, and its speed tests results were only fair. To keep spies, advertisers, and other ne'er-do-wells from snooping on your internet traffic, you need a. KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is a strong offering, with the most flexible pricing plans I've seen for a VPN. It also offers robust network security tools for macOS, as well as specialized servers for video streaming. A clunky interface and sub-par speed test scores hold its Mac client, back, however.
It's still a good choice, but if it's a robust, low-cost you're looking for, I suggest Private Internet Access, one of our Editors' Choice winners. On its way to that server, no one can see your web traffic within the tunnel. That's great for using public Wi-Fi networks, where other users or even the operator of the network could potentially spy on your activities. It also protects your data from being observed by your ISP. That last point is a particularly good thing, considering that Congress, in its infinite wisdom, has given those companies the green light to start. Because your web traffic appears to come from the VPN server, your IP address is effectively hidden. Anyone watching will instead see the VPN server's IP address.
That's handy, since advertisers and spies can use IP addresses to track your movements between websites. It also lets you spoof your location and circumvent government censorship. Journalists and political activists in repressive countries have used VPNs to connect with blocked websites. When you connect to a VPN server in a different country, it appears as if you are within that country. That's handy for unlocking region-locked content, such as BBC video streams, but streaming services aren't fans. In particular are often aggressive about blocking VPN services.
It can, for example, be hard to find. KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is one service that, at least for now, does work with Netflix.
It's important to remember that while VPNs are powerful, they're not perfect. Some claim to block malware, but they can't outperform standalone on your computer. Using layers of security, starting at the network level with a VPN and going down to on-device encryption, is the best way to stay safe. I cover KeepSolid VPN Unlimited's features and pricing structure extensively in my review of, and I recommend you read that review.
I'll summarize below, however. KeepSolid VPN Unlimited offers a subscription for $9.99 per month, which is less than the average for my top-rated VPN services. You can purchase your subscription using major credit cards, online payment platforms such as PayPal, and the anonymous Bitcoin cryptocurrency. The KeepSolid website also lists an annual plan for $49.99 and a lifetime plan for $149.99. If you purchase a subscription from within the app itself, you get many more options, starting at $3.99 per week.
This level of flexibility is unmatched among VPN services, and one of VPN Unlimited's best features. KeepSolid does not offer a free version of its VPN service, but there are many out there. A KeepSolid VPN Unlimited subscription lets you use up to five devices at a time, and you can add more devices for additional fees. That's in line with other services I've reviewed. KeepSolid offers Android and, as well as clients and plug-ins for Chrome, Firefox, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The company also offers static IP addresses and other add-ons for its subscriptions.
VPN Unlimited uses the OpenVPN protocol in its Android, Linux, and Windows clients. The iOS and macOS clients use IKEv2 and OpenVPN, as well the proprietary KeepSolid Wise. This last option disguises encrypted VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic, making it harder for anyone trying to block access to information via a VPN connection. And other services provide similar, branded tools, the use of which is generally recommended for people under government internet restrictions. I much prefer OpenVPN, which is newer, faster, and picked over by volunteers examining its open source code. KeepSolid offers some 400 servers in 67 locations at time of this writing. These include servers in some areas known for a repressive stance on internet access, such as Turkey, but notably absent from the list are servers in China and Russia.
This is a change for the company, as it used to operate in these regions and offer over 1,000 servers. Companies can spin up more servers as necessary, so the total number is not the most reliable indictor of the robustness of a company's network. In general, however, more servers means you're less likely to be stuffed into an overcrowded server and have to share the bandwidth with a crowd of neighbors.
More server locations means you are more likely to find a server nearby when traveling, and it also gives you more options for location spoofing. The most robust VPN service I've yet tested, offers well over 3,000 servers. NordVPN has some unique server offerings, with specialized servers for accessing the Tor anonymization network via VPN, or applying double encryption to your traffic. The KeepSolid headquarters are listed as being in New York City, which means it's not subject to any mandatory data retention laws. According to the company's, KeepSolid does not log user data, but does gather, 'the total amount of web traffic for each session and session dates.'
A company representative assured me that KeepSolid VPN Unlimited does not inject advertisements into user web traffic, as some VPN services have done in the past. Hands On With KeepSolid I tested the KeepSolid VPN Unlimited app on a running the latest version of macOS Sierra. While VPN Unlimited does have a macOS client available for download from its website, it requires you to install a VPN profile every time you connect with a server. It also didn't perform very well in my speed tests, but does offer a kill switch feature that blocks all your network traffic in the event that you lose connection with the VPN service. I highly recommend KeepSolid subscribers download the client from the Apple App Store, even though this version does not include the kill switch feature.
This version worked much better in my testing than the app I downloaded from the KeepSolid website, and it didn't require multiple reauthorizations to install VPN profiles. It's unfortunate that KeepSolid presents this confusing arrangement to its customers.
On its face, the KeepSolid VPN Unlimited macOS client is identical to its Windows counterpart. That's disappointing., by contrast, uses its core template and adds Apple-style flourishes that make it feel very much at home in the operating system, while retaining a consistent design across platforms. To its credit, however, VPN Unlimited takes full advantage of the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar, adding a toggle switch for the VPN connection, quick access to favorite servers, and a scrollable list of all available servers. It's a surprisingly engaging peek at what we might come to expect as more developers continue experimenting with this new piece of hardware.
The VPN Unlimited client consists of a single window with options down the side for various features and settings. A toggle button at the top activates or deactivates your VPN connection. This can also be controlled from the menu bar, which contains shortcuts to server lists and other important features. It's very easy to get up and running quickly, unlike. That service has lots of useful scenarios to help you find the right VPN server to meet your needs, but it makes getting secured quickly somewhat of a chore.
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The app prominently features a map of KeepSolid VPN Unlimited's available servers, and it places your actual location on the map, too. When you activate the VPN, it displays information about the server you've connected to, along with your real and apparent IP addresses. I really like maps as an interface for VPNs, but this one leaves me wanting.
You can't zoom, pan, or click on any part of it. It's confusing, since the app presents the map first but has you make server selection elsewhere. Despite my initial confusion with VPN Unlimited's map view, the client is otherwise straightforward. It certainly looks better than the bare bones Private Internet Access, but it isn't nearly as polished as NordVPN nor as friendly as TunnelBear. If you're looking for a superb user experience, I recommend either of those two. The list of servers in the client is in the left tray.
The servers are listed alphabetically, with a search bar at the top. Next to the name of each server is a percentage indicating the workload on that particular server, making it simple to avoid one that's overtaxed. Are clearly marked. There are also specialized servers for video streaming generally, and for Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer specifically. I like the amount of information this packs into one simple screen. I'm happy to see that these specialized servers do indeed make Netflix available, while it is otherwise blocked when I connected via a different VPN Unlimited server. Confusingly, the Account section contains some of the most important settings; I expected it to only be the place for managing my payment options.
Here you can configure the VPN Unlimited app to activate on startup, and select a different VPN protocol. VPN Unlimited previously included a suite of tools it called DNS Firewall, which aimed to stop malware, advertising trackers, and ads at the network level. This feature is being removed. A company representative explained that the DNS Firewall will be replaced by a more capable tool at some point in the future. Users keen on these specific features may want to consider TunnelBear.
That service includes a standalone browser plug-in for ad and tracker blocking, one that has numerous options for what to block and when. While I always happy to see VPNs adding more protection for customers, I would never say that the features of any VPN service could take the place of a stand-alone antivirus app, even on a Mac.
KeepSolid recently launched a Censorship Test tool that scans your internet connection to see which, if any, of 40-some websites are blocked in your region. It's useful information, and in exchange for sharing it with KeepSolid, the company will add one free day to your subscription for each test result. Speed Test Results Using a VPN adds more fiber and machines to the normal route your data must travel, and that generally means increasing your latency while decreasing the speed of your uploads and downloads. I try to get a sense for that impact by calculating the percent change between tests run using a VPN and those run without it, based on aggregate data I collected with the. (Note that Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns PCMag.) I do two rounds of speed testing on each VPN. My first test focuses on getting the best speeds, so I connect to whatever server the VPN client automatically selects. Generally, it's the server closest to my actual location.
My second test is all about location spoofing. For this one, I stress test the VPN service by comparing speeds using a VPN server in Australia and an Ookla test server in Anchorage, Alaska. KeepSolid VPN Unlimited gave me quite a bit of trouble in testing. I initially used the client available from the KeepSolid website, but the client wasn't able to complete my testing. A representative from KeepSolid informed me that the client available from the Apple App Store is the preferred option. I started my testing over and found that the App Store version worked fine. That said, it raises the question of why KeepSolid has a nonfunctional product available for download on its site.
In my domestic VPN testing, I found that KeepSolid VPN Unlimited increased latency by 16.7 percent. Private Internet Access had the least impact in this test, increasing latency by just 8.1 percent. Things took a turn for the worse in the download test, for which VPN Unlimited reduced download speeds by 21.1 percent—by far the least impressive score I've yet seen on a Mac. TunnelBear, on the other hand, actually improved download speeds by 22.1 percent. Things did not improve in the upload test, where VPN Unlimited reduced speeds by 11.5 percent. Private Internet Access again had the best score here, reducing upload speeds by 6.1 percent. Interestingly, VPN Unlimited fared better in the international testing, which is generally the more difficult of the two tests.
It increased latency by only 273.4 percent, which is in line with PureVPN and not far behind TunnelBear's 244.4 percent increase. In the download test, VPN Unlimited actually snuck into first place, reducing download speeds by a mere 11 percent. It had a good showing in the upload test, too, reducing speeds by 34.1 percent. PureVPN had the best score in this test, where it reduced speeds by 23.5 percent. Overall, I would say that KeepSolid VPN Unlimited's performance in these tests was fair, with some surprising success in the international test undercut by poor domestic performance. Keep in mind, however, that my tests are just a snapshot in time, so your mileage may vary. Also, I highly discourage people from looking at speed as the deciding factor between VPNs.
Overall value, design, and advanced features are far more important. Finally while the effect of a VPN on your internet connection tends to be negative, that's not always the case.
In my Windows testing, I found that PureVPN actually improved download speeds for two years running, and by significant amounts—between 300 and 400 percent. With that history of stellar performance, it takes the title of and has earned an Editors' Choice award. Sadly, it hasn't managed to repeat that success on other platforms. As of this writing, TunnelBear is the best choice for macOS users concerned about speed. Good Under the Hood Under the hood, KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is a great service. Its flexible pricing and strong privacy policy place it among the better VPNs I have tested. It brings excellent VPN and network protection to macOS and takes advantage of hardware found on the latest Apple notebooks.
I especially appreciate KeepSolid's specialized servers for Netflix and other services, which make it easy for new users to keep streaming their favorite shows. Unfortunately, the client feels somewhat out of place and clunky on the Mac.
Still, KeepSolid VPN has a strong pedigree, and it gets a decent score. For now, however, I continue to recommend NordVPN, Private Internet Access, and TunnelBear, when it comes to Mac VPNs.
Offers a good balance between features and ease of use. Setup is relatively easy and Nord's interface is much more intuitive than some VPNs. The service has more than 3,000 servers in 60 countries, so you can find coverage just about anywhere. Switching between countries is as easy choosing from a dropdown menu in your Mac's menu bar. The privacy-conscious will appreciate Nord's built in ',' which lets you automatically stop specified applications should your connection drop.
The Mac app was also recently updated to ensure that your VPN connection won't be interrupted when your computer goes to sleep. If speed is one of your main concerns, Nord offers an at-a-glance look the current load for each of its servers so you can optimize your connection even further. Is one of the easiest VPNs to use. Since the VPN is built directly into Opera's browser, it requires almost no setup — all you have to do is enable it from the 'privacy and security' menu in settings.
Once enabled, you can toggle it on or off right from the URL bar. Better still, it's completely free with no caps on data. It does have limitations, though. Because it's built into the browser it can only protect web traffic routed through the browser, so it won't do anything for any other application you use. It also lacks a kill switch and only provides a couple of options for switching up your location.
But it's difficult to argue with free. If you're looking for a basic VPN for web-browsing, Opera will more than do the trick. PIA, which stands for, is one of the simplest VPN services you can use. Once you've installed PIA, you control everything from a dropdown menu in the Mac menu bar. With more than 3,000 servers in 28 countries, offers a sizable number of countries and regions to set as your location of choice, making it ideal for streamers trying to get around geographic restrictions. It's also one of the easiest VPNs to use: once you've connected to the VPN, there are no other settings or menus to muck around with unless you feel like diving into the service's advanced security features.
If you do, you'll find controls that will help you lock down PIA's already good security settings even further. Price: $6.95/month, $39.95/year, or $69.95 for two years. Is unique in comparison to other services, in that it optimizes your connection based on what 'mode' you want to use. It offers modes for streaming, 'internet freedom,' privacy, file-sharing, and dedicated IP. Some might find this too limiting — why should you have to choose between a fast streaming connection and privacy — but all your activity is kept private no matter what mode you're in.
And the dedicated IP mode helps deal with some of the speed issues VPNs frequently face. In addition, the service has other features most people expect from VPN and the ability to easily change your location from a list of dozens of countries. It also has built-in protections against pesky malware, viruses, and ads. Pure also offers extensions and other browsers, which let you control your connection directly from your browser. As its name suggests, is really targeted toward those who frequent torrent sites. It offers a 'stealth' service that it claims can get around even the most advanced firewalls designed to root out VPN users and the company says it doesn't keep any logs of users' activity. Its download speeds are also optimized for torrents and the the service doesn't place any data caps on users.
And, with more than a thousand servers in dozens of countries, TorGuard offers a lot of flexibility in choosing a location. Finally, a single subscription buys you access for up to five different devices, all of which can be connected to the VPN simultaneously. Is the kind of service you'd recommend to your mom, or someone who needs a VPN but isn't very tech-savvy. While the user interfaces of many other VPN services can easily be overwhelming to the uninitiated, TunnelBear makes it super easy to understand what you're doing at any given moment. That's because uses animations depicting — what else — tunnels and bears to illustrate your current connection status. Yes, it's a bit cheesy, but it's also kind of cute. More importantly, it was one of the faster VPNs we tested (when set to auto-connect) and TunnelBear doesn't skimp on privacy protection or encryption.
Besides the standard security features, it also offers a VigilantBear feature (the services version of a kill switch) and GhostBear (a feature that helps you circumvent VPN blockers). Offers a little bit of everything. The service operates more than 400 servers in more than 70 locations and supports multiple encryption standards, including AES 128-bit and AES 256-bit. It has a kill switch feature and an extra stealth setting, called 'KeepSolid Wise,' which is optimized for use in countries that tend to block VPNs.
Novices will also appreciate the relatively straightforward setup process and easy-to-understand interface, which makes getting started a snap. Power users will appreciate 's additional services, like the ability to get your own dedicated VPN server, set your own static IP, or the ability to set up your VPN directly on your router (which lets you use your VPN with any device that connects to it). These features will add an additional cost on top of your normal subscription, but it's nice to have the option for those who want to get a little more from their VPN.