macOS terminal VPN

A VPN CLI for macOS Terminal.

Free VPN CLI gives macOS users a terminal-first VPN workflow: install with the documented shell command, connect with freevpn up, inspect status as JSON, and add the optional desktop companion when you want a window.

Install Free VPN CLI CLI overview

macOS Terminal JSON output Optional GUI

macOS Terminal

$ curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh | sh

$ freevpn version

$ freevpn status --json

$ freevpn up

optional window: freevpn gui install

#1 Free VPN

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Servers · global exits

macOS setup

Install from Terminal, then verify status.

Use the same documented shell installer as the main CLI page. It handles platform detection, download verification, and service setup.

macOS install and verify

Run the installer, confirm the binary, check status, then connect.

Paste in Terminal

$curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh | sh

$freevpn version

$freevpn status --json

$freevpn up

Support notes

Use Terminal on macOS for the documented installer command.
The service setup may request admin permission during install.
Use freevpn doctor --json before guessing at DNS or route issues.
The desktop companion is optional; the CLI remains the source of truth.

Runs where your work already lives

A terminal VPN that fits macOS developer work.

Use Free VPN CLI in Terminal, shell scripts, local dev workflows, and optional desktop sessions.

Terminal

Connect, disconnect, inspect status, and switch regions from the shell.

Local development

Keep VPN state visible while testing APIs, apps, and network behavior.

Scripts

Use --json for status, regions, and diagnostics in scripts.

Desktop companion

Add a human-friendly window later with the GUI lifecycle commands.

Two lines and you're connected

Install the macOS CLI path, then connect.

Start with the documented installer, then bring up the VPN from Terminal.

Paste in Terminal

$curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh | sh

$freevpn up

Use freevpn status --json to verify state and freevpn doctor --json when something looks wrong.

How it works

up. status. down.

Three verbs cover most day-to-day VPN work. set-region and doctor cover region selection and troubleshooting.

1 Check where you are · connect

freevpn status · up

$ freevpn status

$ freevpn up

connected · verify with freevpn status

2 Switch region · verify · disconnect

freevpn set-region · status · down

$ freevpn set-region "US East"

$ freevpn status

$ freevpn down

tunnel down · routes restored

macOS workflow

Install, connect, verify, troubleshoot.

A practical macOS flow keeps setup simple and makes status visible before running network-sensitive work.

Paste in Terminal

$curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh | sh

$freevpn version

$freevpn up

$freevpn status --json

$freevpn doctor --json

Command	Why it matters
`curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh \| sh`	Documented macOS/Linux install path.
`freevpn up`	Connect from macOS Terminal.
`freevpn status --json`	Check VPN state in a parseable format.
`freevpn set-region "US East"`	Persist an explicit region for testing.
`freevpn doctor --json`	Collect diagnostics for DNS, route, license, or egress issues.

Features

macOS-relevant CLI features.

Terminal-first VPN control for local development, scripts, region testing, and diagnostics.

Terminal-first control

Use freevpn commands directly from macOS Terminal.

JSON output

Use --json for scripts, agents, and logs.

Region control

List regions, set a default, connect, and verify from the shell.

Doctor diagnostics

Run freevpn doctor --json when networking looks wrong.

Ad Block

Enable VPN-layer blocking for browsers, apps, and terminal tools.

Optional GUI companion

Install a window later without changing the CLI workflow.

Ad Block

Block ads and trackers before macOS apps load them.

Use DNS-level Ad Block from your macOS environment while the VPN is connected. Browser traffic, local apps, and command-line tools share the same VPN-layer blocking rules.

Blocks known ad, analytics, and tracker domains across the device.
Works at the VPN layer, so it helps outside the browser too.
Use stats to inspect what was blocked during the current VPN session.

adblock · Free VPN CLI

$ freevpn adblock on

$ freevpn adblock update

$ freevpn adblock stats

stats are useful when checking a session

Optional desktop app

Prefer a window? Use the optional macOS desktop companion.

The CLI remains primary. The companion app gives humans a window for status, regions, Ad Block, billing, and update checks while talking to the same daemon.

Paste in Terminal

$freevpn gui install

$freevpn gui open

$freevpn gui uninstall

Agent Skill

Give VPN commands to coding agents.

SKILL.md documents Free VPN CLI commands, JSON output, exit handling, and troubleshooting flows so agents can use terminal commands without guessing from screenshots.

Download SKILL.md CLI overview

Works with

Claude

Cursor

Codex

OpenClaw

Hermes+ any MCP tool

agent · SKILL.md

$ freevpn status --json

$ freevpn regions --json

$ freevpn doctor --json

structured output for agents, scripts, and CI checks

Built for

macOS workflows that need terminal control.

Use Free VPN CLI for local development, scripts, region-sensitive checks, and diagnostics on macOS.

macOS users

Install and operate the VPN from Terminal.

Developers

Test API and app behavior from explicit VPN state.

Scripts

Use JSON output for automation and checks.

Window optional

Add the GUI companion only if you want it.

Pricing

Free forever. Upgrade only if you want it.

Free VPN CLI is genuinely free to use: no signup, no email, no credit card. Use it for terminal, scripts, and developer workflows. The paid option removes the continuous connection limit for people who want the VPN running all day. Cancel any time. Prices in USD.

Always free

Free plan — $0 forever

No signup. No card. No expiry. Use it as much as you want.

30-min sessions with a 3-min break in between, on repeat, forever.
Same servers, regions and Ad Block as the paid plan.

Install free

free plan · status

$ freevpn up

30-min session, then 3-min break, then back online on repeat

Need the VPN running non-stop?

The paid plans below remove the 30-min session limit. Nothing else changes.

Weekly

$7.99/wk

Unlimited time, billed weekly. Cancel in one click from the billing portal.

Get unlimited

Annual

$99/yr

Unlimited time. Save ~58% vs. monthly: one charge a year, nothing else to think about.

Get unlimited

Monthly

$21.99/mo

Unlimited time, billed monthly. Swap plans any time from freevpn manage.

Get unlimited

Payments handled by Stripe Cancel anytime No email required for billing

Practical notes

macOS notes.

Keep the install path and commands aligned with the main CLI docs.

Use the shell installer from the main CLI page.
Use freevpn version after install to confirm the binary is available.
Use freevpn status --json for scripts and agents.
Use freevpn gui install only when you want the optional desktop companion.

FAQ

VPN for macOS Terminal FAQ.

What is the macOS install command?

Use curl -fsSL https://freevpnapp.org/install.sh | sh from Terminal.

Does macOS require the desktop app?

No. The CLI is the primary workflow. The desktop companion is optional.

Can I parse VPN status on macOS?

Yes. Use freevpn status --json for scripts, agents, and logs.

Can I switch regions from Terminal?

Yes. Use freevpn regions --json to inspect choices and freevpn set-region "US East" to persist one.

How do I troubleshoot macOS VPN issues?

Run freevpn doctor --json and use the structured report before escalating.

Use Free VPN CLI from macOS Terminal.

Install with the documented shell command, connect from Terminal, and verify state with JSON output.

Install Free VPN CLI Main CLI page