Best VPN For Linux 2024: Premium & Free VPNs for Penguin
Not every VPN provider offers a Linux app, and even fewer will give you one with a graphical user interface. Choosing one that is simple enough to set up and use is easier said than done, which is why we reviewed the best Linux VPN services.
Written by Andrej Hadji-Vasilev (Writer)
Reviewed by Jackie Leavitt (Co-Chief Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-09-30T17:05:39+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: Best VPNs for Linux
- NordVPN — Best VPN for Linux with CLI. New NordVPN subscribers get up to 73% reduced rates on long-term commitments.
- Surfshark — Most budget-friendly VPN for Linux. Explore Surfshark’s features with a 30-day return policy, and grab extended plans at a 86% discount.
- Private Internet Access — Feature-rich VPN with a minimalist GUI
- ExpressVPN — Excellent speed and security. Get 49% off the first year with ExpressVPN, covered by its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- ProtonVPN — Free VPN with a neat user interface
Linux is the go-to OS for many developers and IT enthusiasts. The problem is that with such a small market share, not a lot of VPN service providers focus on the Linux experience. If you’re a Linux user and would like to double your online security, in this article, we’ve compiled and reviewed the best VPN for Linux.
If you’re not keen on reading through, NordVPN took the win with a command line interface and all the functionality you’d get with the Windows version, as well as a great price-to-performance ratio. If you can’t live without a graphical user interface, Surfshark is your best choice.
There are some interesting alternatives that might be a better fit for your needs, so read on.
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12/03/2021 Facts checked
Cloudwards revamped the list by expanding the number of services and adding providers compatible with Linux.
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10/01/2024 Facts checked
We updated these rankings to reflect current VPN performance, features and pricing.
Top VPNs for Linux
- 1
- : PayPal, Credit card, Google Pay, JCB, UnionPay, Bitcoin, Ethereum, X-Coin
- : 10
- :
- :
- :
- :
Average speedDownload Speed89 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency7 ms - 2
- : PayPal, Credit card, Google Pay, Amazon Pay
- : Unlimited
- :
- :
- :
- :
Average speedDownload Speed96 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency111 ms - 3
- : PayPal, Credit card, Amazon, Paygarden, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- : Unlimited
- :
- :
- :
- :
Average speedDownload Speed92 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency3 ms - 4
- : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, UnionPay, iDeal, Sofort, Giropay, Pixpay, Sepa Direct Debit
- : 8
- :
- :
- :
- :
Average speedDownload Speed91 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency4 ms - 5
- : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, cash
- : 10
- :
- :
- :
- :
What Makes the Best Linux VPN
If you look at our list of best VPNs, you will find that four things matter most: speed, security, features and price. You want a fast VPN that won’t impact your browsing speeds too much, and you want your VPN connection to be for your eyes only. Additional features like a strict no-logs policy, kill switch and split tunneling are also welcome, and budget is always a consideration. These VPN services check all the aforementioned boxes.
Achieve Online Privacy and Security Even as a VPN Novice
- Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
- Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
- Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions
With Linux users, however, there are a few other factors. OS support is first, with Linux being split up between Debian-based and Red Hat Linux-based distros, and you want the VPN service to support the distro you’re using. If possible, you also want the VPN client to offer the exact same features and functionalities it offers on other operating systems.
While some Linux users are well versed in using a command-line interface (CLI), a dedicated Linux client with a graphical user interface (GUI) is a huge bonus because it makes using and configuring the VPN service much easier. While we’re talking about bonuses, any additional features that are Linux-specific also count.
The 5 Best VPNs for Linux
Whether you’re looking for a Linux app with a neat GUI or you prefer to use the terminal, here are the best VPNs for Linux.
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Linux With CLI
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is the best Linux VPNs, thanks to its combination of speed and security. The NordLynx protocol is NordVPN’s implementation of WireGuard, which adds an extra layer of protection on top of the speedy base protocol. The app is also compatible with Debian and Red Hat distros, and you can even find guides on how to set it up with openSUSE.
Unfortunately, not only is it command line–based, but it’s also a tedious chore to connect to any of its VPN servers. You’ll need to pick between UDP and TCP, choose the server and then write the exact command to connect to said server with the specified parameters.
As far as pricing goes, NordVPN offers the best value for money if you opt for a two-year plan. If you do, and decide you don’t want to type out long commands every time you need a VPN, there is a 30-day period in which you can get a refund. You can find out more about it in our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Best Budget-Friendly VPN With Linux GUI
Very Fast
Very Fast
Good
Linux users who run multiple devices at the same time will love Surfshark and its unlimited simultaneous connections. We gave it a lot of praise in our Surfshark review. Unfortunately, the command line–based interface is incredibly counterintuitive, and you can only get it for Debian-based Linux systems.
When you try to connect, Surfshark will list all available VPN servers, but you’ll need to go through several pages until you reach the end. Here, you’re given the choice between TCP and UDP, and only then can you select the server you want to connect to. This makes it outright difficult unless you’re a regular Linux system user who knows their way around the CLI.
Pricing is affordable, with a two-year plan getting you a reasonably good value. Plus, you have a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you find the UI as alien as we did.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. Private Internet Access — Feature-Rich VPN for Linux With GUI
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Private Internet Access is a great Linux VPN, thanks to the ease of installation and use and its well-thought-out graphical UI. Feature-wise, it is identical to the app made for other operating systems. It’s highly customizable and has a built-in ad and malware blocker that works fairly well, as you can see in our PIA review.
You can install PIA on both Debian and Red Hat–based distros, which makes it one of the best VPNs for Linux in terms of versatility. The limit of 10 simultaneous connections is generous enough, and we like that you can add an antivirus and a dedicated IP address to your subscription (at an additional charge, of course).
PIA’s monthly plan isn’t exactly cheap, but if you subscribe for three years, you get much better pricing. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s among the best VPNs for Linux users.
- **$56.94 for the first two years, and yearly thereafter
- 10
- Yes
4. ExpressVPN — Fast Linux VPN
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Linux’s users sometimes prefer speed to everything else. If that’s the case with you and your quest for a good VPN service, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs out there (learn more in our ExpressVPN review). Despite that, the lack of a graphical interface is enough to push it lower down on our list because it might be a bit difficult to set up and use.
To connect to a server, you only need to look at the list of locations and type in the appropriate server abbreviation, but it’s still more complicated than a few mouse clicks. However, if this is something you’d be willing to work with, you can use ExpressVPN on almost any distro.
ExpressVPN’s Achilles’ heel is that it’s expensive, even with a long-term subscription. That aside, ExpressVPN is a great VPN adept at streaming, torrenting and gaming — it’s one of our best Steam and League of Legends VPNs. If you’d still like to try it out, though, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
5. ProtonVPN — Best Free VPN for Linux
ProtonVPN’s free plan has received a lot of praise from users of VPN services, and we had some nice things to say in our ProtonVPN review, too. The fact that it gets you a graphical interface for Linux is reason enough to have it on your radar. The app is organized very well, and if you’re on the free plan you’ll have the three VPN server locations available right at the top.
The fact that you don’t have a data limit, even on the free plan, is excellent. Its what makes it a great free VPN Linux. However, ProtonVPN does admit to throttling your speed if you don’t pay for a premium plan. The Linux app works with both Debian and Red Hat–based distros, and there’s even a guide to configure an OpenVPN connection on unsupported distributions.
If you don’t mind slightly slower speeds and only having three locations to choose from, the free plan makes ProtonVPN the best free VPN for Linux, period. If you still want to try out one of the premium plans, though, you have a 30-day window to change your mind and get a refund.
- Unlimited GB
- 1
- Yes
- Renewal prices are different after the first year for the 1-year plan, and after the second year for the 2-year plan.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
What Is the Best Free Linux VPN?
When it comes to using a free VPN service, most of them aren’t worth touching with a 10-foot pole. They might try to sell your data or bundle malware with the installation file. Some of them will do very little when it comes to protecting your connection, allowing your internet service provider to see exactly which websites you’re visiting.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule, like ProtonVPN and Windscribe. When it comes to a user-friendly VPN for Linux, Proton has the edge, thanks to the GUI-based VPN app that’s simple to use. On the other hand, WIndscribe offers 10 VPN server locations (compared to three), but requires that you know your way around a Linux terminal.
Does Linux Distro Matter for VPN Service Use?
To an extent, yes, but it has more to do with whether or not your distro is based on Debian or Red Hat, and less with the actual distro itself. Functionally, the main difference is the software management system, with Debian using .deb files, whereas Red Hat uses .rpm. This means you’ll need to be careful when selecting the installation files to download.
Both types are, at their core, Linux distros. Chances are that if a VPN has a native Linux client with support for Debian-based distros, it will also have one that supports Red Hat.
VPNs Linux Users Should Avoid
Not every VPN service provider has Linux support, and two popular VPN providers that don’t have it are TunnelBear and VyprVPN. Looking at both providers’ support pages, they do mention that you can try to configure them to work with Linux, but they didn’t work on our Ubuntu 20.04-based system.
Final Thoughts
When all is said and done, Linux users who want a secure VPN with a simple graphical user interface and rich feature set will find their answer in Surfshark. Its strict no-logs policy goes a long way toward protecting security-conscious Linux user data, and the price is reasonable compared to most of the competition.
Users who don’t need Linux apps and would rather use the terminal can choose the winner NordVPN. Don’t just take our word for it — NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee lets you verify its quality firsthand without any financial risk.
Do you use a Debian-based distro like Linux Mint, or is Red Hat more your cup of tea? Which do you prefer, PIA’s graphical user interface, or NordVPN’s CLI-based apps? Let us know in the comments, and as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ: The Best Paid and Free VPNs for Linux
No, Linux does not have a built-in VPN. To use a VPN on Linux, you’ll need to install and set up your own VPN.
No, Ubuntu doesn’t have a built-in VPN, but you can install and configure your own Ubuntu VPN.
If you want your internet connection to remain for your eyes only, and you want to add security to your internet browsing experience, you need a VPN with any operating system, including Linux.
You can set up VPNs for Linux by using the VPN provider’s setup guide. Some have an installation file, while others will require you to use the command-line terminal to set them up. It varies depending on the Linux VPN provider.