Linux is an open-source OS that allows you to greatly personalize your experience. Open-source makes Linux the best choice for privacy-conscious individuals. Many of these users turn to VPN providers to protect their privacy. Users are often left with the stick when it comes to software. This makes it more difficult to choose the right VPN provider than on other platforms.
This best VPN for Linux listing will cover all the options available, regardless of which Linux distribution you are using.
Our shortlist of VPNs for Linux:
You don’t have time to read every article. Here is a list of the top Linux VPN services. These services will give you the best anonymity possible.
- NordVPN is the best Linux VPN.
- IPVanish is the best value and protection
- ProtonVPN is a versatile VPN for Linux
- Pure VPN is a powerful VPN for Linux
Why is a VPN necessary for Linux?
Linux is extremely secure, but data privacy is important. These are just some of the many reasons why a VPN is a smart idea for Linux.
- Privacy. Privacy. A VPN can mask your IP address and encrypt your connection to make it truly anonymous.
- Security. Security. The more anonymous and transparent you can be, then the better.vThe more anonymous and transparent you can be, then the better.To deter doxxing or DDoS attacks, having a different IP address for every visit to the internet can help. You can’t be sure if the Wi-Fi network is secure if you are a regular user of hotspots.
- Unblocking websites You can’t simply go to Hulu’s website and pay for your subscription if you aren’t from Europe. If you are not from the USA or Canada, the website is blocked. These problems can be solved by the VPN. Even more so in countries with restrictive laws.
- Torrenting. P2P networks are a common way for Linux users to share ISO files. These networks can be quite sketchy and you may not know what you are downloading. A VPN allows you to download anonymously and protects you from copyright infringement notices.
- Avoid bandwidth throttling. Some ISPs place restrictions on certain types of traffic. Your ISP may be responsible if you find web pages loading quickly but downloading files takes a long time. VPNs disguise your traffic type and make it difficult to restrict traffic based on that type.
Best VPNs for Linux – our detailed list:
Although many VPNs offer Linux clients, only a few VPNs are easy to use every day. Different providers have different terminologies, even if you don’t care about a graphical user interface (or GUI). This covers all features you can expect. These are the top VPN apps for Linux.
1. NordVPN is the best VPN for Linux
NordVPN is the best VPN service currently available. It is no surprise that it holds the top spot on all platforms, even Linux.
You can download Debian from their official website. These packages will include the most popular distributions such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Fedora is also included. Even a fan-made Arch Linux port is available, but you will still need a NordVPN subscription. You can also find guides for manual OpenVPN connections on their support page.
NordVPN recently changed the Linux installation process. You can now download and run a shell script. This saves time since you don’t need to manually add the repository, depackage and update the package.
You will need to use the terminal to configure everything. This is not something that a typical Linux user would have to deal with.
You’ll also receive their NordLynx protocol. This is one of the fastest tunneling protocols . This is a great selling point, considering that very few Linux apps provide WireGuard connectivity.
NordVPN is free from IP leaks and offers 60 servers. These servers are RAM-only and can guarantee their promise of no logs.
2. Surf Shark is the most affordable Linux VPN
Surf Shark is a widely-respected VPN that is affordable. There is no limit on the number of simultaneous connections. The monthly subscription price is also one of the most affordable.
Surf Shark can only be installed on Linux computers that are running the Ubuntu distribution. To set up Surf Shark, you will need sudo/root permissions.
After you are done, you will see a list with cities and countries to connect to. You will need to use the terminal to connect to the servers. There is no GUI.
Although this provider does not have the largest network, their 3200+ servers across 95 countries should suffice. They are all RAM-only which is more efficient and better for privacy.
The downside to this is that you won’t be able to use OpenVPN on Linux in TCP or UDP modes. This is especially frustrating because they also support WireGuard.
Even without the tunneling protocol, their speed should be sufficient. Surf Shark has been known to block most streaming services so you will get additional entertainment.
3. IPVanish is an affordable, all-around protection
IPVanish, another VPN option that we recommend to Linux users, is also recommended. Although it does not have a Linux app you can set up manual connections.
IPVanish is an acceptable choice for Linux users, with a simple setup, solid privacy policy and other compatibility. It is a functional and affordable VPN that Linux users can use.
IPVanish doesn’t currently have an app for Linux. However, it will work with any other distribution as long as it contains a package to set up VPN connections. The IPVanish support webpage offers detailed setup instructions for most distributions.
This VPN is operated under a no logs policy. It ensures that your browsing and online footprint are not tracked or logged. It is also a great option to bypass geo-restrictions , making streaming even more enjoyable. IPVanish offers a free SOCKS5 proxy to protect your traffic.
IPVanish also offers OpenVPN and PPTP as well as L2TP and IKEv2 protocols. These protocols make the VPN as flexible and powerful as possible. These protocols offer fast speeds and multiple authentication options.
4. ProtonVPN is a Linux VPN with many features
ProtonVPN, a Linux VPN, is packed with features. It offers advanced security characteristics and privacy-focused architecture. It also has solid performance. The new ProtonVPN Linux application offers a simple-to-use graphical user experience that allows you to quickly activate functions and connect with servers.
Its previous version was compatible with all major Linux distributions , including Fedora-based Linux, Manjaro-based Linux, Arch-based Linux, and Ubuntu-based Linux. The latest version supports only Debian-based distributions.
ProtonVPN has a lot of servers available in 63 countries. This VPN is also based in Switzerland which is privacy-friendly. It has a secure central connection, which means traffic is routed through many servers that are subject to strict privacy laws. Its most prominent features include a strict no logs policy and kill Switch.
ProtonVPN provides high-level security. It also implements AES256 encryption. This is an industry standard encryption that makes sure your online activities are not intercepted.
ProtonVPN is a reliable provider of torrenting . Another neat feature is P2P file sharing. Although it may not be the fastest, it is very well optimized for torrenting.
Learn more about the ProtonVPN features.
5. Pure VPN – a reliable VPN for Linux
PureVPN provides another reliable VPN service for Linux OS users. It provides simple configuration to your Linux device to enhance your online security, privacy, data protection, and other top VPN capabilities.
PureVPN seems to be in line with the most well-known VPN providers , with more than 6500 servers in 78 countries.
PureVPN currently supports Ubuntu, Fedora, and Linux mint distributions. Everything is accessible via intuitive commands, even though there is only one client interface. This makes it easy to switch between other Linux applications and the VPN interface.
PureVPN’s most renowned security features are encryption and tunneling protocols. This provider uses strong AES256 encryption. This military-grade encryption can withstand brute force attacks. This industry-standard encryption will protect sensitive data and lock it on your Linux device.
A kill switch is another core feature of PureVPN. It will automatically protect your data and place if the VPN connection is lost unintentionally.
PureVPN was the fastest VPN connection, scoring a solid performance and high speeds. This VPN connection supports OpenVPN UDP protocols Linux. They offer fast speeds and are very configurable.
Although PureVPN has some shortcomings, such as a comprehensive and easy-to-use installation guide for those with less experience, it is still a solid VPN option for Linux users.
These VPNs: How we tested them
The typical Linux user is quite different. They are able to modify everything and have a good understanding of how the system works. This makes it difficult to recommend a good VPN service. We wanted to concentrate on key areas.
- Security. Security is mainly technical VPN setups that combine complex encryption ciphers and modern tunneling protocols. Other security features such as traffic obfuscation or the like are important too.
- Privacy. Privacy. Trustworthy VPN services will have a strict no-logs policy and warrant canaries. They should also be located in a privacy-friendly area. Audit reports are another important factor.
- Linux client. A GUI can simplify certain tasks and save time, but a terminal is just as effective. You can do everything with intuitive commands. This allows you to seamlessly transition from other Linux applications to the VPN’s interface.
- Performance. Some VPNs provide fast connections while others do not. Many factors play a role in this, some of which are not visible to an outside observer. To determine what is what, we used our own empirical speed tests.
- Additional features. Linux apps have almost no features when compared to Windows or macOS apps. But that’s not always true. Any extra can increase convenience, security, and/or both.
- Price. Prices should not be used to pay for features that aren’t available in the apps you use. Choose the best VPN service for Linux if you are only using it.
How to install a VPN in Linux
There are many ways you can install a VPN in Linux, just like you can skin a cat. It all depends on what distribution you are using. This will determine which package you install: Debian, tar.zst or RPM. There are some guidelines you should follow.
- Download the VPN repository package. It will be available on the website of your service provider.
- Download the repository. This will depend on the Linux version you are using.
- Most likely, you will need to modify the package list.
- Final step is installation of the actual VPN software.
Once you have completed each step, you can launch the app.
What is the importance of Linux OS distribution when selecting a VPN provider?
Debian is the foundation of distributions such as Ubuntu, Kali and Mint. They all work basically the same under the hood. They can all use the same package, so there aren’t many differences.
You will need RPM packages if you are using Red Hat-based software. This distribution is slightly different to the Debian one. However, providers that offer Debian support will often support Red Hat.
Any of the top VPNs for Linux services will work flawlessly.
Which Linux VPN is the best?
ProtonVPN is a decent VPN service that supports Linux. You can choose from multiple locations and they don’t have any data caps.
The service meets all privacy and security requirements. They are funded by subscription fees paid by users and are located in Switzerland, which is privacy-friendly.
ProtonVPN Linux clients also include a simplified GUI. However, the service can be used via terminal. It’s a great choice if you are looking for a Linux VPN that is free.
Alternatives are not recommended. Either you will have to live with data caps or not have access to the best private or secure service. These are not the compromises you should be making.
Linux: VPNs to Avoid
Some VPNs only offer limited Linux support. They don’t usually have any apps. They only offer manual configurations. These are the services you should avoid when you use a VPN for Linux.
TunnelBear This service provider does not have a Linux VPN client. To use the app, you will need to complete a manual setup.
VyprVPN only supports Ubuntu and Linux Mint. Although you might be able to set it up on other Debian-based distros, there is no official support. There are no tutorials or clients available for Red hat-based Linux users.
Conclusion
Linux can be a good way to improve your privacy control. This could be further enhanced if you use a trusted VPN service provider. While Linux users are often less fortunate with VPNs, there are many options and support for Linux apps.
There are many choices when it comes to Linux VPNs. They will give you better online privacy and security without you having to go into debt.
Which VPN is best for Linux?
NordVPN is our top choice for the best Linux VPN. It is a combination of strong security and respect for privacy.
Is Linux equipped with a VPN?
Linux does not have a built-in VPN. Many distributions support tunneling protocols such as OpenVPN, IPSec or WireGuard. However, these protocols are not available on all distributions. To take advantage of them you will still need to connect to an external server.
Which VPN is best for Ubuntu
NordVPN is the best Linux VPN. You’ll get the best support for VPN apps because it’s the most widely used Linux distribution.
Which VPN encryption should I use to protect Linux?
The stronger encryption is, the more bits you have. AES256-bit encryption, for instance, is more secure than AES512-bit encryption. It will take longer for the code to be cracked if there is a larger block size.
