TL;DR
Looking for free alternatives to ExpressVPN? Here are the best open source and free options for Mac.
What is the best free alternative to ExpressVPN?
The best free alternative to ExpressVPN ($13/month) is ProtonVPN. Install ProtonVPN with Homebrew: brew install --cask protonvpn.
Free Alternative to ExpressVPN
Save $13/month with these 1 free alternatives that work great on macOS.
Our Top Pick
ProtonVPN
FREEVPN client focusing on security
brew install --cask protonvpnWhy we recommend it:
- Completely free to use
- Easy one-command installation
Quick Comparison
| App | Price | Open Source | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | $13/month | No | — |
| ProtonVPN | Free | No | Security & Privacy |
Best Free Alternative to ExpressVPN for Mac
ExpressVPN remains a top-tier consumer VPN in August 2026, but the bill is no longer a simple single-tier subscription. Official checkout splits the product into Basic, Advanced and Express Pro. Month-to-month Basic typically lands around $12.99-$14.99 depending on regional promotions and review-site snapshots; multi-year Basic promos advertise effective rates near $2.99-$3.49/mo (often billed as a long term total with autorenewal at a higher annual price after the promo period). Higher tiers add more simultaneous devices (Basic 10, Advanced 12, Express Pro 14 on current order pages), stronger threat blocking, password manager / mail-guard bundles and ExpressAI credits on Pro. For Mac users who mainly need encrypted browsing, public Wi-Fi safety and ISP-tracking resistance, that stack is more than many people need and more than many want to pay every year. The honest free alternative is still Proton VPN Free. Proton's free plan remains genuinely unlimited on data and speed, with no ads and a strict no-logs policy, subsidized by paid subscribers. Free accounts are limited to one device at a time. Server coverage for free users has expanded well beyond the old three-country set: free servers now include locations such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Japan and Singapore (exact free-pool selection can rotate and free users often get less control over exact server choice than Plus). Encryption and kill-switch fundamentals match paid quality; streaming unblocking, P2P, multi-device use, Secure Core and NetShield-class blocking do not. If you need Netflix reliability or five laptops at once, pay for Proton Plus or a reputable paid VPN, do not install a random free VPN that monetizes your traffic.
Detailed Alternative Reviews
ProtonVPN
Unlimited free VPN from Swiss privacy experts
brew install --cask protonvpnProton VPN Free is still the only free VPN we recommend without caveats for privacy-first Mac users. Built by the Swiss team behind Proton Mail, the free tier keeps unlimited bandwidth, no ads and the same core encryption stack as paid plans. The macOS app is native (Intel and Apple Silicon), supports a kill switch and installs cleanly via Homebrew (`brew install --cask protonvpn`) or protonvpn.com. Free users get one simultaneous connection. Country coverage on free servers is much better than the outdated 'three countries only' claim circulating in older roundups: free locations include major endpoints in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific (commonly US, Canada, Mexico, NL, NO, PL, RO, CH, JP, SG). Trade-offs remain real: free servers can be congested at peak times, free users cannot reliably unlock major streaming catalogs, P2P is reserved for paid plans and advanced features like NetShield and Secure Core stay behind Plus. For coffee-shop Wi-Fi, ISP masking and basic anti-censorship, free is enough. For multi-device households or travel streaming, budget for Plus.
Key Features:
- Unlimited data with no ads and no artificial speed caps on free
- Strict no-logs policy with open-source apps and independent audits
- Native macOS app with kill switch and Apple Silicon support
- Free servers across roughly ten countries (NA, EU, APAC pool)
- Swiss jurisdiction outside the Fourteen Eyes intelligence alliances
- Homebrew cask install: brew install --cask protonvpn
Limitations:
- • Only one device connected at a time on free
- • Free users have limited or no manual server picking vs Plus
- • Streaming unblocking unreliable; P2P blocked on free servers
- • No NetShield ad/malware blocker or Secure Core multi-hop on free
Best for: Privacy-conscious Mac users who need basic VPN protection for browsing, public Wi-Fi security and IP masking without spending money or trusting shady free VPN providers
Which Alternative is Right for You?
Daily Browsing and Public Wi-Fi Security
ProtonVPN Free is ideal for securing your connection at coffee shops, airports and hotels. The unlimited data means you never have to worry about hitting a cap and the kill switch ensures you never accidentally browse exposed if the connection drops.
Bypassing Basic Geographic Restrictions
While ProtonVPN Free cannot reliably unblock Netflix or Disney+, it works well for bypassing basic content filters and accessing region-locked websites that are not aggressively geo-blocking. Connect to the Netherlands server for EU content or US server for American sites.
Preventing ISP Tracking and Data Selling
If your primary concern is preventing your internet provider from logging and monetizing your browsing history, ProtonVPN Free handles this perfectly. All traffic is encrypted and routed through Proton's servers, masking your activity from your ISP.
Secure Remote Work on Untrusted Networks
For remote workers who occasionally work from cafes or coworking spaces, ProtonVPN Free provides essential encryption for protecting sensitive work communications and preventing man-in-the-middle attacks on public networks.
Migration Tips
Canceling ExpressVPN Without Hassle
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but canceling a recurring subscription requires logging into your account dashboard. Cancel the auto-renewal first, then request a refund if still within the window. Keep confirmation emails as proof.
Setting Up ProtonVPN on Mac
Download ProtonVPN directly from protonvpn.com or install via Homebrew with 'brew install --cask protonvpn'. Create a free account using any email address, no credit card required. The macOS app supports both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs natively.
Testing Your VPN Connection
After connecting to ProtonVPN, visit a site like ipleak.net to verify your IP address has changed and no DNS leaks are occurring. ProtonVPN's Mac app includes built-in leak protection, but testing confirms everything is working correctly.
Managing Expectations for Streaming
If you used ExpressVPN primarily to watch geo-restricted content, be aware that ProtonVPN Free rarely unblocks major streaming services. Streaming platforms aggressively block known VPN IPs. Consider upgrading to ProtonVPN Plus or keeping ExpressVPN for streaming-only use.
Quick comparison
| Feature | ExpressVPN | ProtonVPN Free |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Basic ~$13-15/mo monthly; long-term lower | Free |
| Server Countries | 100+ | ~10 free locations |
| Data Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| No-Logs Policy | Audited | Audited |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Streaming Support | Excellent | Limited |
| P2P/Torrenting | Yes | No |
| Device Connections | 10-14 by tier | 1 |
| Ad Blocking | Yes | No |
The verdict
The verdictProtonVPN
The only free VPN that truly respects user privacy with unlimited data, audited no-logs policy and Swiss legal protection. Ideal for Mac users who want basic but trustworthy VPN protection without paying subscription fees.
Full reviewNone
There are no other legitimate free VPNs we can recommend in good conscience. Most free VPNs monetize through data harvesting, ad injection, or selling bandwidth. If ProtonVPN Free does not meet your needs, we recommend paying for a reputable service rather than using a shady free alternative.
Bottom line
For Mac users looking to replace ExpressVPN without spending money, ProtonVPN Free is the only recommendation we can make with confidence. It provides genuine privacy protection using the same encryption standards as paid services, with the caveat that you get fewer server locations and no streaming unblocking. If your VPN needs extend beyond basic privacy, into streaming, torrenting, or multi-device coverage, you will need to either upgrade to ProtonVPN Plus or accept that a quality VPN service costs money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ProtonVPN actually free or is there a hidden catch
Can ProtonVPN Free replace ExpressVPN completely
How does ProtonVPN make money if the free tier is unlimited
Is ProtonVPN safe and trustworthy for sensitive activities
Will ProtonVPN slow down my internet connection
Can I use ProtonVPN Free for torrenting and P2P downloads
Does ProtonVPN work with Netflix and other streaming services
How many devices can I use with ProtonVPN Free
What countries are available on ProtonVPN Free
Should I upgrade from ProtonVPN Free to Plus
Related Technologies & Concepts
Sources & References
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About the Author
Security & Privacy Researcher
Sam Patel is a cybersecurity professional specializing in application security, privacy tools, and secure software practices. With over 9 years in information security—including roles at security firms and as an independent consultant—Sam evaluates applications for security vulnerabilities, data handling practices, and privacy implications.