Have you recently ditched big operating systems like Windows and MacOS? If so, you might be happy to hear that there are now many good VPNs for Linux and other alternative operating systems. Yep, no need to go mainstream.
Previously, it must be admitted that Linux users were indeed low on the priority list for VPN providers when first developing their apps. However, a few years ago that all changed and, as you will read below, many providers now have dedicated Linux VPN apps available to match their competitors, leaving no one behind any longer.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to set up a VPN on Linux, here are the five main reasons why you should install one and always have a premium VPN switched on when online:
1. Privacy - Above all, using a VPN keeps you completely anonymous and untraceable by advertisers, hackers and even governments.
2. Security - VPNs provide you with greater security and protection against malware and other cyber attacks.
3. Streaming - By changing your location, you can access streaming libraries in other countries.
4. Travel - As a remote worker, a VPN allows you to access all of your usual accounts and servers while you are overseas.
5. Restrictions - If you are using networks that block certain apps, such as Instagram and Facebook, you can get around them with a VPN.
If any (or all) of the reasons above fits you, then let’s go through the basics of setting up a VPN for Linux. It used to be the case that Linux users had to manually configure a VPN to make it work. This was a slightly fiddly and time-consuming process, but it is something that you can now bypass.
When you choose a quality provider with a command line VPN for Linux, which we will recommend shortly, installing a VPN will be easy and you will be connected in minutes. In general, these are the main steps for installing any standard VPN:
Now any basic internet search will reveal numerous VPN providers available at your service. We know how time consuming choosing the best VPN for Linus can be, so we won’t waste any time. Here is a look at the top five Linux VPN providers that we found:
The process of rating and finding the best available VPN providers for Linuz is largely the same as it is for other operators. The only real difference is that we have to think about how easy the installation and configuration is.
Here is a short list of the main criteria that we took into consideration when creating our recommended list:
First and foremost, is there a dedicated command line and/or GUI available for Linux?
If the above is not available, does the provider have guides to make manual configuration as easy as possible?
Can you browse, stream and torrent at the same speed as you usually can?
What security features and extras come with the VPN to help keep you protected?
Is there DNS leak protection, no-logs protocols and other measures to protect your online privacy as much as possible?
Can the VPN bypass social media restrictions at your work and get around geo-blocks on sites like Netflix and HBO?
With all of these unique features, you might be thinking how much a quality VPN will actually cost you. It is good to have an idea about what costs to expect upfront.
We were delighted to find that all of the VPNs on our list come with a moneyback guarantee cancellation period of at least 45 days. This is essentially the same as a free trial period so you have time to choose wisely.
When you find your ideal VPN, you can get your monthly price down substantially by committing to a longer-term subscription. In the table below, you can see the pricing structure and what plans we recommend for Linux users.
| VPN Provider | Recommended Plan for Linux | Best Price | Free Cancellation Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Standard | $3.99 per month (2-year plan) | 30 days |
| Surfshark | Surfshark One | $3.22 + 2 free months (2-year plan) | 30 days |
| ExpressVPN | N/A (only one plan exists) | $6.67 + 3 months (12 month plan) | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | N/A (only one plan exists) | $2.11 + 3 free months (2-year plan) | 45 days |
| PIA | N/A (only one plan exists) | $2.11 + 3 free months (2-year plan) | 30 days |
Without further ado, let’s jump into what makes these VPNs providers stand out:
NordVPN launched its LinuxVPN app back in 2018, and while it’s fair to say it had some teething problems, it has now had plenty of time to improve and develop. This means that you can quickly install the app on your Linux Distro and enjoy all of its features without having to go through manual installation.
Still, if you do like/need to do things the old-school way, NordVPN makes things easy for you as well. You can find a whole raft of tutorials for manually setting up your Linux-operated device with OpenVPN and other protocols.
Despite being a relatively new VPN provider, Surfshark VPN already has a command line app that works on Debian and Ubuntu (the two most popular Linux distros). Like the NordVPN app for Linux, there is no GUI on the Surshark version either.
This means that rather than having the map, flags and other graphics, you simply select your location from the dropdown menu and get connected. If you want a streamlined and no-frills way to connect your VPN, then Surfshark offers an excellent solution for Linux users at a reasonable price.
ExpressVPN first launched its command-free VPN app for Linux operating systems back in 2016, making it one of the first providers to do so. While their GUI-free app is also extremely stripped back and simplistic, it certainly makes things far easier than a manual connection.
If we move away from the Linux-specifics, ExpressVPN is probably the best provider overall, as it offers fast speeds, high-level security features and over 3,000 servers in 94+ countries. The only real downside is that it is a little bit more expensive than others.
Given that Linux users tend to be more advanced players in the tech world, there is a strong argument that CyberGhost is the best VPN provider available. It offers the strongest security features on this website and is also the most private. Its location in Romania keeps it outside of the 5 Eyes, meaning that even the biggest government in the world can’t track your activity.
The command line CyberGhost app for Linux encrypts your connection using the OpenVPN protocol. Moreover, with almost 6,000 servers, you can find one that suits your purpose, whether that be browsing, streaming or torrenting.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is the only provider on this list with a full VPN app for Linux. This means that you can get the exact same GUI app as users on other operating systems. Moreover, it works on a range of Linux distros, including Debian, Arch and Fedora.
In terms of performance, PIA has military-grade security features, excellent speeds and uses a 256-bit AES encryption protocol. When it comes to privacy, you have DNS leak protection and a strict no-logs policy. The downside is that it can’t unpick the geo-blocks on some streaming sites.
So there you have it. The days of missing out on the practical perks of VPNs for Linux users are officially over. Installing and protecting yourself with a VPN while using Linux or a Linux distro is no longer the drag it once was. Moreover, there are plenty of options for every type of user, and we have highlighted our favorites so you can skip the hassle. All that you need to do now is choose one of our recommended Linux-friendly operators, subscribe and get your daily online activity protected.
Linux is a unique operating system that isn’t as commonly used as Windows or MacOS. See what features are available, including VPNs, by consulting our guide. If certain features that you require as missing, we can help you to find and install them manually.
If you want to keep costs down, free trials for VPNs can come in very handy. Find out what the best free trial offers are out there today right here at TheGameHaus.com.
Here at TheGameHaus.com, our experts have ranked and rated the best VPN providers for Linux users following specific criteria. Find your ideal VPN app and install it today.
Running a VPN on Linux is now much easier than it was before. Just follow the steps contained within this guide and use one of our recommended providers.
