USB 3.0 Smart Card Reader, Rocketek DOD Military USB Common Access CAC Memory Card Reader compatible with Windows, Mac OS X-Build in SDHC/SDXC/SD Card Reader & Micro SD Card Reader for SIM, MMC RS&4.0 4.4 out of 5 stars 108 $14.99$14.99 Save 5% with coupon. Steps to Installing Your CAC Reader on Your PC Overview. Ensure your CAC Reader works for PC. Check to make sure your PC accepts the CAC reader. Update Your DOD Certificates. Verify you have the right ActivClient for your branch. Step 1: Ensure Your CAC Reader Works for PC. Department of Defense Enterprise Email support page. Change for Army personnel accessing Enterprise Email. How to use your CAC with Windows 10. How to use your CAC with Mac OS. Commercial Virtual Remote which utilizes Microsoft Teams, now has a self help page. Now that you have a CAC reader, certificates, and a CAC Enabler, you should now be able to access any CAC-enabled website and log on using your CAC password and data. Common Reasons Why Your CAC Card Won’t Work On Your Mac. Ensure Your CAC Card Meets the Standards: In order for your CAC card to work, it must meet the minimal requirements. NDU recommends that users disable Crypto Token Kit, and instead use the older, more compatible 'TokenD' software for greater Smart Card (CAC) support in MacOS. While other Third-party software exists to enable TokenD support for MacOS, NDU can only provide support DoD-compliant software at this time.
If you prefer using a Mac to a PC, it can be difficult to find the right CAC card reader to work well with your machine.
So many CAC readers that might work well with Windows run into problems with Apple software and products. This is often despite the manufacturer claiming their product is Mac friendly.
To save you the trouble and frustration of purchasing a CAC reader that ends up not working for you, we’ve put together some of the best CAC readers for Mac users. Each product on this list has been confirmed to be Mac compatible by real CAC users. While a lot of products may claim compatibility, the ones on this list have been tried and tested by real Mac users.
Depending on your situation, you may prefer a CAC reader that is primarily intended for desk use, or one which is lighter and more portable. With this in mind, we offer you two lists ranking the best Mac compatible options. Don’t automatically assume the top product is the best for your situation. You might have a specific set of needs which makes another product a better fit. The tables are intended as an overall representation of the best CAC readers for Mac, but you should still consider how suitable each product is for your own purposes.
After the rundown of the best products, we have some general tips and advice on CAC usage for Macs.
Best CAC Card Readers For Mac – Desk Use
As the above table shows, the Saicoo V1 has been chosen as the best desk based CAC reader for Mac. This is our pick due to the fact that the Saicoo V1 has a good review score over a large number of reviews. The product is affordable, reliable, and has an unobstrusive, discrete style which will look good on almost any desk.
The Saicoo V2 has been chosen for the second place spot as it is slightly more expensive than the V1. However, if you definitely want a vertical standing CAC reader for desk usage, the V2 is the way to go. It has a good review score and the cost is only slightly higher than the V1. This small price increase is worth paying to get a good quality vertical standing CAC reader for Mac desk use.
Best CAC Card Readers For Mac – Portable Use
For portable CAC readers with tried and tested Mac compatibility, our top pick is the RT-SCR3 from Rocketek. The 4.5 average review score over a large number of reviews is testament to the product’s overall quality. The design means your CAC card is visible while inserted into the reader, which means you’ll never accidentally forget it.
The SCR-10 from Rocketek is the second choice pick for Mac compatible portable CAC readers. Although it is slightly more expensive than the SCR3, and has a slightly lower review grade average, the SCR-10 has a few extra features, such as built-in SD card compatibility. If you require the extra features, or anticipate needing them in the future, thge SCR-10 is a great choice of portable CAC reader.
CAC Card Readers For Mac Advice
Now that you’ve seen the best desk and portable CAC readers for Mac, please take a moment to consider the following advice.
- Always double check if the specific CAC reader you want is suitable for Mac use, specifically with your version of MacOS. There are some CAC readers that work well with older Mac versions, but not with the current iteration.
- Make sure that the seller will be happy to refund you if your CAC reader doesn’t work properly on your Mac
- Check that all of the correct drivers, security certificates etc. are in place before you throw in the towel. Sometimes, your Mac might not be the problem, it could be an issue with something else.
- Ensure you have the proper CAC Enabler for your OS. Our trusty guide to CAC Enablers for Mac can help you determine exactly what you need!
Trying to find the best CAC Card Reader for your needs can be difficult at first.
Many of the brand names may be unfamiliar. Unlike more widely used electronic products, CAC readers are a specialized item which most people never need to buy. It’s often difficult to cut through the jargon and find a CAC reader which will reliably read your DOD card, meet your needs, and perform as expected.
This article will explore the different types of CAC reader available on the market today. We’ll take a look at what’s out there to help you find the right CAC reader for your usage requirements.
Types of CAC Card Reader
Before you start thinking about the best CAC reader for your needs, it’s important to think about the different options available.
There are several types of CAC card reader and each is best suited to a different usage situation.
Broadly speaking, CAC card readers consist of –
- USB CAC Card Readers
- Keyboard CAC Card Readers
USB CAC Card readers typically come in the form of either a small device, similar to a USB stick, or a larger device, similar to an external hard drive.
If you will frequently need to transport your CAC card reader between locations, a smaller, lighter device is probably the way to go. If you’re unlikely to move your CAC reader around too often, you might wish to try one of the larger devices as they are more sturdy for desk use. Even the heavier CAC readers only weigh around 5 ounces, so aren’t too difficult to transport when you need to.
Keyboard CAC Card Readers are simply keyboards with a built-in card reader. If you will primarily use your CAC card on a machine with an external keyboard, this might be the right choice for you.
Now that we’ve covered the types of CAC card reader available, let’s take a look at the best options out there.
Best CAC Card Readers
The following tables show the best CAC Card readers for sale on Amazon. The ranking is based on factors such as price, performance and user reviews. If a particular CAC reader interests you, it’s worth taking the time to read more about it on Amazon, as each has a wealth of information available about it.
Best USB CAC Card Readers
Our pick for the best portable CAC Reader is the Identiv SCR3310 v2. It is small, portable, and has a well-designed foldaway USB connection. It’s high review score, based on a large number of real reviews, is testament to its performance.
If you’re looking for a CAC reader for desk use with a horizontal card insertion point, the Saicoo Card Reader V1 is a great choice. It has the right mix of quality, durability and affordability.
Some CAC users prefer vertical insertion devices. If that’s the case for you, check out the Saicoo Card Reader V2. It works well with Windows and Mac and is a good option for keeping your CAC card visible and out of harm’s way.
Dod Cac Card Reader Software For Mac Free
Best Keyboard CAC Card Readers
Government Cac Card Reader Software
If you prefer a keyboard with a built in CAC reader, the following table showcases some of the best.
Cac Reader For Mac Software
CAC Card Reader Conclusion
Navy Cac Card Reader Software
Remember, there’s no best overall CAC reader – only the CAC reader best suited to your needs.
Take the time to explore your options, think about which is the ‘best fit’ for your circumstances, and read up on verified reviews. There really is a CAC reader suited to every circumstance. Time to find yours.