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 it with: brew install --cask protonvpn.
Free Alternative to ExpressVPN
Save $13/month with these 1 free alternatives that work great on macOS.
Our Top Pick
Quick Comparison
| App | Price | Open Source | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | $13/month | No | — |
| ProtonVPN | Free | No | Security & Privacy |
Best Free Alternative to ExpressVPN for Mac
ExpressVPN has long been the gold standard for consumer VPNs, but its pricing has become increasingly steep in 2026. Monthly subscriptions now start at $12.99, with long-term plans dropping to around $6.67/month for one year or $2.44/month for two years. The company has also introduced tiered plans—Basic, Advanced, and Pro—with features gated behind higher paywalls. For Mac users who simply want private browsing, secure public Wi-Fi usage, and protection from ISP tracking, these costs add up significantly over time. The good news is that legitimate free alternatives exist that can handle core VPN needs without compromising on security fundamentals. ProtonVPN, developed by the Swiss privacy company behind Proton Mail, offers a genuinely free tier that does not harvest your data, inject ads, or impose bandwidth caps. Unlike most 'free' VPNs that sell user data to survive, ProtonVPN's free tier is subsidized by paying customers, allowing honest privacy protection for everyone. For the average Mac user who needs occasional privacy protection, travel security, or circumvention of basic network restrictions, ProtonVPN's free offering is a compelling replacement. It will not match ExpressVPN's server count or streaming unblocking capabilities, but it absolutely protects your traffic with the same encryption standards.
Detailed Alternative Reviews
ProtonVPN
Unlimited free VPN from Swiss privacy experts
brew install --cask protonvpnProtonVPN is the rare free VPN that respects your privacy rather than exploiting it. Created by the same CERN scientists who built Proton Mail, this Swiss-based service offers a genuinely free tier with no data caps, no speed throttling, and no logging of user activity. I tested ProtonVPN extensively on an M2 MacBook Pro running macOS Sequoia and found the experience refreshingly transparent. The free tier connects you to servers in three countries—the United States, Netherlands, and Japan—with reliable speeds suitable for daily browsing, email, and even standard-definition streaming. The Mac app is native, well-designed, and includes essential security features like a kill switch that cuts your internet if the VPN drops, preventing accidental exposure. ProtonVPN uses the same robust encryption (AES-256 and ChaCha20) on free accounts as paid ones, and their strict no-logs policy has been verified by independent security audits. The catch, of course, is that free users get fewer server locations, cannot reliably unblock Netflix or other streaming services, and are limited to one device connection at a time. P2P file sharing is also restricted to paid plans. But if you simply need to secure your coffee shop Wi-Fi, prevent your ISP from selling browsing data, or maintain basic privacy while traveling, ProtonVPN's free tier handles these tasks admirably without asking for a credit card.
Key Features:
- Unlimited data with no bandwidth caps or speed throttling
- Strict no-logs policy audited by independent security firms
- Native macOS app with system-wide kill switch protection
- Strong encryption using AES-256 and ChaCha20 protocols
- Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws outside 14 Eyes
- Open-source apps that anyone can inspect for security issues
Limitations:
- • Only 3 server locations available on free tier (US, Netherlands, Japan)
- • Single device connection at a time for free users
- • No P2P/torrenting support and unreliable streaming unblocking
- • No access to premium features like NetShield ad blocker or Secure Core
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 | $12.99/mo | Free |
| Server Countries | 105 | 3 |
| 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 | 8 | 1 |
| Ad Blocking | Yes | No |
The verdict
ProtonVPN
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
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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.