A VPN is a powerful privacy tool, and TorGuard delivers a good one.
It's a decent value, offering eight simultaneous connections at a reasonable price.
The trouble is that while times have changed, TorGuard has not.
Its app was never pretty, but has started to look and feel downright dismal as other VPNs have invested in building friendly, useful apps.
We recommend Editors' Choice winners ProtonVPN and TunnelBear VPN.
What Is a VPN?
When you switch on a VPN, it creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server operated by the VPN company.
All your internet traffic travels through the tunnel, protecting it from the prying eyes of spies on your network and data-hungry ISPs.
Using a VPN also hides your real IP address, and therefore your location.
You can also spoof your location by connecting to a far-flung VPN server.
VPNs are useful tools, but they won't solve every security problem.
I recommend using antivirus software on your computer, enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible, and availing yourself of a password manager.
Pricing, Features, and Privacy
I closely examine all aspects of TorGuard in my review of the Windows client.
I'll summarize the most important points here, but please see my other view for a more nuanced view—including the efforts individual VPN companies take to protect your privacy.
TorGuard costs $9.99 per month, just under the average cost of a top-rated VPN, which currently sits at around $10.80 per month.
Norton Secure VPN costs a mere $7.99 per month, making it the most affordable subscription for a VPN that I've reviewed for macOS.
Nearly every VPN offers a discounted rate for longer subscriptions.
TorGuard charges $59.99 per year, making it quite affordable compared to much of the competition.
Only Private Internet Access and Norton Secure VPN best it, each charging $39.99 per year.
I advise against getting a long-term subscription, at least initially.
Instead, use a short-term subscription to see how the VPN works for you, then consider committing for a year or more.
There are a few free VPNs worth your consideration.
Foremost among them is ProtonVPN, which places no limit on the amount of data its free subscribers can use.
It's the only free VPN I've tested that does not have a data cap.
Most VPN companies allow you to connect five devices simultaneously with one subscription.
TorGuard raises the bar by offering eight, but some VPNs now go beyond even that.
Surfshark, for instance, places no limit on the number of simultaneous connections.
With over 3,000 servers at its disposal, TorGuard has a fairly robust network.
CyberGhost, however, leads the pack with over 5,900 servers.
More servers isn't necessarily better, but it does mean more options for finding the perfect server for your needs.
TorGuard also offers servers in 50 countries, which is a pretty good distribution.
More server locations means you have more options for spoofing your location, and a better chance of finding a nearby server when traveling.
ExpressVPN leads in this category with servers in 94 countries.
Some VPN services include additional privacy tools.
NordVPN and ProtonVPN, for instance, support multi-hop VPN connections and let you access the Tor anonymization network.
Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and Golden Frog VyprVPN offer split tunneling, which lets you designate the apps that send their traffic through the VPN tunnel.
To its credit, TorGuard does offer some level of ad-blocking and a Kill Switch that shuts down internet communications in the event the VPN is disconnected.
While TorGuard doesn't have all the bells and whistles of competitors, it does offer many upgrade options.
You can purchase more simultaneous connections, access to higher-bandwidth servers, and static IP addresses for additional fees.
Read my complete review of TorGuard for an exhaustive look at its privacy practices.
I'll summarize here: TorGuard says it does not log the activity or usage of its customers, nor does it generate revenue from sources outside of VPN subscriptions.
The company operates under US legal jurisdiction.
It has yet to undergo a public third-party audit.
TorGuard was notably also breached along with NordVPN, but TorGuard said that its security practices limited the potential damage to a greater degree than NordVPN's.
Hands On With TorGuard VPN
I tested TorGuard on a 2019 Retina-5K 27-inch iMac running macOS Catalina (version 10.15).
This particular machine sports 16GB of RAM, and a 3.6GHz eight-core Intel i9 processor.
TorGuard, as the name (sort of) implies, is built around serving the needs of BitTorrenters.
I guess this assumes a user base with a pretty high degree of technical savvy and, perhaps, justifies TorGuard's decision to focus so much on fiddly options and less on usability.
The main window that makes up the TorGuard app is festooned with dropdowns and options, most of which you'll never need to mess with.
You can change the "tunnel type," protocol, port, and cryptographic cipher all from the main window.
Should you? Probably not, unless you really know what you are doing.
TorGuard uses my preferred VPN protocol, OpenVPN.
It also supports another excellent option, IKEv2.
There are even more advanced options in the Settings menu.
Here, you can specify custom scripts to run, using your VPN connection as a trigger.
I am not sure how useful this is, but I am sure the people who want it, love it.
TorGuard perhaps has the most DNS options of any VPN I've seen, which is sure to make someone happy.
There are also extensive proxy options.
I don't want to sound dismissive of TorGuard.
These are powerful settings, and give you enormous control over your connection.
It's just that the app is so overstuffed that as to be confusing and off-putting.
For example, there's no easy way to search the available servers.
Note that you can't drill down to see individual servers, but you can favorite IP addresses you're assigned.
Another odd quirk of the app is that you can't log into your account until the first time you try to connect, which is a bizarre and confusing experience.
TorGuard's app doesn't look bad, but it's less like an app and more like a series of buttons and menus with little consideration for the human using it.
NordVPN is the most Mac-like of the macOS VPNs I've reviewed so far.
It's sleek, but simple, with the understated flourishes that permeate macOS Catalina.
TunnelBear VPN, on the other hand, is the opposite of subtle, clad as it is in vibrant yellows and packed with friendly bears.
It might stand out, but it's also very welcoming.
Netflix works hard to block VPNs, and it managed to block TorGuard VPN in my testing.
During testing, I used the DNS Leak Test tool and confirmed that the server I was connected to was not leaking my data and that my public IP address had successfully changed.
That's good to see, though it's always possible, of course, that other servers may not be correctly configured.
Speed Test Results
Using a VPN almost always increases latency and reduces upload and download speeds.
In my testing, I try to compare the impact between services by running a series of tests with the Ookla speed test tool and finding the percent change with and without the VPN running.
You can read more about my testing, and what it does and doesn't reveal about speed, in the aptly named article How We Test VPNs.
See How We Test VPNs
(Editors' Note: Ookla Speedtest, IPVanish, and Encrypt.me are owned by j2 Global, the parent company of Daxdi's publisher, Ziff Davis.)
TorGuard's speed test results are not impressive; the service doesn't make the list of the top 10 results (shown below).
I found that TorGuard increased latency by 42.9 percent, reduced download speed results by 83.6 percent, and reduced upload speed results by 85.1 percent.
TorGuard also generated a lot of strange results in testing.
Over the course of each 30-second test, speeds started extremely high and then quickly degraded.
If TorGuard had maintained its initial performance for the duration of the test, it would have had a significantly better score.
No other VPN I tested had this degree of variability.
I don't know what it means, but it seems odd enough to merit mentioning.
You can see how TorGuard VPN compares in the chart below with the top 10 performers among the 14 macOS VPN apps I tested.
The overall results in my macOS VPN speed testing were mixed, with no decisive winner across all three categories.
KeepSolid VPN Unlimited had by far the best download speed results but CyberGhost VPN had the most balanced results, staying well below the average results in all categories.
Notably, Encrypt.me was the fastest VPN among 34 services tested using Windows 10.
Overburdened With Options
TorGuard very much feels like it was made with very specific people in mind.
The kind of people who want a lot of options, and will absolutely use all of them.
If you're the kind of person who craves that level of control and understands what all the settings actually do, TorGuard may be for you.
The competition, however, not only offers more features, but also frequently doing so in more polished, easier-to-use packages.
Our Editors' Choice winners for macOS VPNs are ProtonVPN and TunnelBear VPN.
A VPN is a powerful privacy tool, and TorGuard delivers a good one.
It's a decent value, offering eight simultaneous connections at a reasonable price.
The trouble is that while times have changed, TorGuard has not.
Its app was never pretty, but has started to look and feel downright dismal as other VPNs have invested in building friendly, useful apps.
We recommend Editors' Choice winners ProtonVPN and TunnelBear VPN.
What Is a VPN?
When you switch on a VPN, it creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server operated by the VPN company.
All your internet traffic travels through the tunnel, protecting it from the prying eyes of spies on your network and data-hungry ISPs.
Using a VPN also hides your real IP address, and therefore your location.
You can also spoof your location by connecting to a far-flung VPN server.
VPNs are useful tools, but they won't solve every security problem.
I recommend using antivirus software on your computer, enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible, and availing yourself of a password manager.
Pricing, Features, and Privacy
I closely examine all aspects of TorGuard in my review of the Windows client.
I'll summarize the most important points here, but please see my other view for a more nuanced view—including the efforts individual VPN companies take to protect your privacy.
TorGuard costs $9.99 per month, just under the average cost of a top-rated VPN, which currently sits at around $10.80 per month.
Norton Secure VPN costs a mere $7.99 per month, making it the most affordable subscription for a VPN that I've reviewed for macOS.
Nearly every VPN offers a discounted rate for longer subscriptions.
TorGuard charges $59.99 per year, making it quite affordable compared to much of the competition.
Only Private Internet Access and Norton Secure VPN best it, each charging $39.99 per year.
I advise against getting a long-term subscription, at least initially.
Instead, use a short-term subscription to see how the VPN works for you, then consider committing for a year or more.
There are a few free VPNs worth your consideration.
Foremost among them is ProtonVPN, which places no limit on the amount of data its free subscribers can use.
It's the only free VPN I've tested that does not have a data cap.
Most VPN companies allow you to connect five devices simultaneously with one subscription.
TorGuard raises the bar by offering eight, but some VPNs now go beyond even that.
Surfshark, for instance, places no limit on the number of simultaneous connections.
With over 3,000 servers at its disposal, TorGuard has a fairly robust network.
CyberGhost, however, leads the pack with over 5,900 servers.
More servers isn't necessarily better, but it does mean more options for finding the perfect server for your needs.
TorGuard also offers servers in 50 countries, which is a pretty good distribution.
More server locations means you have more options for spoofing your location, and a better chance of finding a nearby server when traveling.
ExpressVPN leads in this category with servers in 94 countries.
Some VPN services include additional privacy tools.
NordVPN and ProtonVPN, for instance, support multi-hop VPN connections and let you access the Tor anonymization network.
Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and Golden Frog VyprVPN offer split tunneling, which lets you designate the apps that send their traffic through the VPN tunnel.
To its credit, TorGuard does offer some level of ad-blocking and a Kill Switch that shuts down internet communications in the event the VPN is disconnected.
While TorGuard doesn't have all the bells and whistles of competitors, it does offer many upgrade options.
You can purchase more simultaneous connections, access to higher-bandwidth servers, and static IP addresses for additional fees.
Read my complete review of TorGuard for an exhaustive look at its privacy practices.
I'll summarize here: TorGuard says it does not log the activity or usage of its customers, nor does it generate revenue from sources outside of VPN subscriptions.
The company operates under US legal jurisdiction.
It has yet to undergo a public third-party audit.
TorGuard was notably also breached along with NordVPN, but TorGuard said that its security practices limited the potential damage to a greater degree than NordVPN's.
Hands On With TorGuard VPN
I tested TorGuard on a 2019 Retina-5K 27-inch iMac running macOS Catalina (version 10.15).
This particular machine sports 16GB of RAM, and a 3.6GHz eight-core Intel i9 processor.
TorGuard, as the name (sort of) implies, is built around serving the needs of BitTorrenters.
I guess this assumes a user base with a pretty high degree of technical savvy and, perhaps, justifies TorGuard's decision to focus so much on fiddly options and less on usability.
The main window that makes up the TorGuard app is festooned with dropdowns and options, most of which you'll never need to mess with.
You can change the "tunnel type," protocol, port, and cryptographic cipher all from the main window.
Should you? Probably not, unless you really know what you are doing.
TorGuard uses my preferred VPN protocol, OpenVPN.
It also supports another excellent option, IKEv2.
There are even more advanced options in the Settings menu.
Here, you can specify custom scripts to run, using your VPN connection as a trigger.
I am not sure how useful this is, but I am sure the people who want it, love it.
TorGuard perhaps has the most DNS options of any VPN I've seen, which is sure to make someone happy.
There are also extensive proxy options.
I don't want to sound dismissive of TorGuard.
These are powerful settings, and give you enormous control over your connection.
It's just that the app is so overstuffed that as to be confusing and off-putting.
For example, there's no easy way to search the available servers.
Note that you can't drill down to see individual servers, but you can favorite IP addresses you're assigned.
Another odd quirk of the app is that you can't log into your account until the first time you try to connect, which is a bizarre and confusing experience.
TorGuard's app doesn't look bad, but it's less like an app and more like a series of buttons and menus with little consideration for the human using it.
NordVPN is the most Mac-like of the macOS VPNs I've reviewed so far.
It's sleek, but simple, with the understated flourishes that permeate macOS Catalina.
TunnelBear VPN, on the other hand, is the opposite of subtle, clad as it is in vibrant yellows and packed with friendly bears.
It might stand out, but it's also very welcoming.
Netflix works hard to block VPNs, and it managed to block TorGuard VPN in my testing.
During testing, I used the DNS Leak Test tool and confirmed that the server I was connected to was not leaking my data and that my public IP address had successfully changed.
That's good to see, though it's always possible, of course, that other servers may not be correctly configured.
Speed Test Results
Using a VPN almost always increases latency and reduces upload and download speeds.
In my testing, I try to compare the impact between services by running a series of tests with the Ookla speed test tool and finding the percent change with and without the VPN running.
You can read more about my testing, and what it does and doesn't reveal about speed, in the aptly named article How We Test VPNs.
See How We Test VPNs
(Editors' Note: Ookla Speedtest, IPVanish, and Encrypt.me are owned by j2 Global, the parent company of Daxdi's publisher, Ziff Davis.)
TorGuard's speed test results are not impressive; the service doesn't make the list of the top 10 results (shown below).
I found that TorGuard increased latency by 42.9 percent, reduced download speed results by 83.6 percent, and reduced upload speed results by 85.1 percent.
TorGuard also generated a lot of strange results in testing.
Over the course of each 30-second test, speeds started extremely high and then quickly degraded.
If TorGuard had maintained its initial performance for the duration of the test, it would have had a significantly better score.
No other VPN I tested had this degree of variability.
I don't know what it means, but it seems odd enough to merit mentioning.
You can see how TorGuard VPN compares in the chart below with the top 10 performers among the 14 macOS VPN apps I tested.
The overall results in my macOS VPN speed testing were mixed, with no decisive winner across all three categories.
KeepSolid VPN Unlimited had by far the best download speed results but CyberGhost VPN had the most balanced results, staying well below the average results in all categories.
Notably, Encrypt.me was the fastest VPN among 34 services tested using Windows 10.
Overburdened With Options
TorGuard very much feels like it was made with very specific people in mind.
The kind of people who want a lot of options, and will absolutely use all of them.
If you're the kind of person who craves that level of control and understands what all the settings actually do, TorGuard may be for you.
The competition, however, not only offers more features, but also frequently doing so in more polished, easier-to-use packages.
Our Editors' Choice winners for macOS VPNs are ProtonVPN and TunnelBear VPN.
