Best VPN for Linux: Top 13 Reviewed for 2023

The best VPN for Linux lets you browse restricted content and ensures complete online safety while doing so. With Linux VPN software, you can protect your online connections from data leaks and malware attacks.

That said, it certainly isn’t easy to pick the best one, given the number of choices at your disposal. To make it easier for you, we’ve found and reviewed the best VPNs for Linux based on criteria like pricing, compatibility, speeds, customer support, and security. Dive in to see why ExpressVPN, PureVPN, and IvacyVPN are ahead of the rest.

13 Best VPN Linux Solutions 

ExpressVPN stands out as the best VPN for Linux because of its wide availability, unmatched fast speeds, and robust encryption and security. However, the competition is rife. See for yourself:

1. ExpressVPN — We rate this as the overall best VPN for Linux, based on its high-speed service and great customer support.
2. PureVPN — An industry leader with thousands of servers, a zero-logging policy, and great features for torrenting.
3. IvacyVPN — Singapore-based firm deliving a fast, reliable, and affordable service, with 100+ server locations and split tunneling to prioritize your tasks.
4. NordVPN — An industry titan with 5,400+ servers around the world and first-rate privacy and security features.
5. AtlasVPN — Consistent provider that comes with smart tools to make sure you are never left exposed, even if your connection drops.
6. Surfshark — Affordable service that delivers fast connections and a double VPN for added privacy and security – and for an unlimited number of devices.
7. PrivadoVPN — Free subscription is great for testing the service, which also comes with numerous features such as parental controls, threat prevention, and ad blocking.
8. Private Internet Access — Easy to use, but comes with lots of customization options, as well as strong security features.
9. CyberGhost — Comes with robust security features, military-grade encryption, and smart options to optimize traffic for gaming and streaming.
10. IPVanish — Provider with 40,000+ IP addresses, a high-speed service, and features for split tunneling and secure cloud storage.
11. PrivateVPN — Consistent service with stealth tools to bypass DPI Firewalls, VPN blocks, and geo-restrictions.
12. VyprVPN — Fast, reliable tool that comes with great customer service and a strict no-logs policy.
13. ProtonVPN — A great free choice that delivers a safe, secure, and consistent service.

Best VPN Software for Linux Reviewed

Keen to find the best VPN to secure your Linux system? Read on as we discuss each of our top recommendations in detail, outlining their best features, pros, cons, and pricing.

1. ExpressVPN — Overall, the Best VPN for Linux

ExpressVPN is best known for its wide network coverage. With servers in 94 countries, there’s hardly any country where you can’t use it. In fact, it’s even available in difficult countries like Africa and China, where most VPN services can’t function.

ExpressVPN is also quite efficient in unblocking streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Amazon Prime. During our testing, ExpressVPN could break into YouTube and BBC iPlayer on the first try with no hassle.

If you’re trying to unblock geo-restricted content, ExpressVPN is all you’ll need. Beyond this, what makes ExpressVPN stand out is its beginner-friendly attributes. For starters, it offers 24/7 live chat and email support, plus an Educational Center where you’ll find security tips and how-to privacy guides.

Another unique feature is the built-in speed test. It’ll calculate which server location is offering the best speed in real-time so that you can choose the right VPN locations without thinking twice.

Pros 

• Comes with an in-built speed tester
• DNS and IPv6 leak protection
• Works even in countries like UAE and China
• MediaStreamer helps unlock streaming content
• Uses the robust 256-bit AES encryption

Cons

• It can be a tad expensive

Pricing

ExpressVPN, although not the cheapest VPN provider on our list, is certainly one of the most feature-rich.

At $6.67/month on an annual subscription, you’ll get a world-class VPN with limitless server connections, a built-in password manager, and top-tier security. Enjoy all that ExpressVPN offers now without putting money on the line, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. PureVPN — Industry leader with Futureproof 20Gbps Servers

PureVPN is a fantastic choice for any Linux user looking for a speedy and reliable VPN service. It’s ideal for users with high-speed internet because of its 20Gbps servers located in Europe and the US, ready to support 5G technology.

One of the best features of this VPN provider is its P2P-optimized servers that keep your identity hidden even from your ISP while you download files. PureVPN will automatically find the fastest and least-crowded server based on your location, allowing you to download files at high connection speeds.

PureVPN offers access to over 300,000 unique IP addresses over its global network of over 6,500 servers, ensuring you can always find a server that lets you securely and anonymously browse the internet.

You can rest easy knowing it has a zero-logging policy and that the company passed multiple independent audits in the past. That means it doesn’t store your personal data on its servers, ensuring your privacy is intact.

In addition, it has a reliable Kill Switch feature that’ll automatically disconnect your device from the internet if your VPN connection drops for any reason.

Pros

• Intuitive interface
• Great pricing
• Cheap add-ons
• Multiple protocols
• One of the best porn VPNs

Cons

• Customer support could be better

Pricing

PureVPN’s cheapest, two-year-long plan costs as little as $2.29/month and nets you three additional months on top.

Besides having a cheap base plan, PureVPN has various cost-effective add-ons. You can purchase a dedicated IP and port forwarding for just $1.48/month. In addition, you can have security beyond VPN by adding a password manager for $0.99/month, a privacy monitor for $2.49/month, or a cloud security tool for $1.29/month.

Try PureVPN risk-free today, thanks to its 31-day money-back guarantee.

3. IvacyVPN — Great Service for Streaming

IvacyVPN is a Singapore-based VPN service with over 15 years of experience with malware protection and internet privacy. This Linux VPN has powerful features that allow you to stay anonymous while browsing, gaming, or watching your favorite TV shows and movies.

It offers a massive server count of more than 5,700 servers in over 100 countries, including those often ignored by other VPN providers. While most of its servers are in Europe and the US, it has multiple high-speed servers in Russia, Vietnam, Turkey, and other countries known for their repressive internet policies.

It has a reliable split tunneling feature, allowing you to divide your internet traffic by encrypting only a portion of it using IvacyVPN. That means you can securely stream a show on Netflix and access geo-restricted content while allowing your other apps to remain on your regular internet connection – making it a a great Linux VPN for Streaming.

That said, IvacyVPN can unlock everything you might need for streaming, including BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Netflix. In addition, this VPN service has a built-in DNS “blacklist” that can help you avoid malicious URLs and malware-infested download links.

It’s also worth noting that IvacyVPN comes with 64 and 32-bit support for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, Mint, and Arch Linux, and you can manually configure it for other distribution packages.

Pros

• DNS and IPv6 leak protection
• Great servers in South America and Africa
• Cost-effective long-term plans
• Robust AES 256-bit encryption

Cons

• Outdated interface

Pricing

IvacyVPN has a budget-friendly plan that grants you access to its services for five years, and it costs just $1/month for new customers.

You can use cryptocurrency to pay for any of its plans, making it completely anonymous to start using this Linux VPN. Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free for a month before committing to a subscription.

4. NordVPN — Leading Global Provider with Strong Privacy and Security Features

NordVPN is a top VPN service provider packed with unique features that make it one of the best Linux VPNs this year. Here’s why.

You get Dark Web Monitoring, which constantly surveys to check if any of your personal information has been leaked on the dark web, allowing you to take timely action. And there’s more.

To give you flexibility, NordVPN also lets you choose the apps or websites you want to secure through the VPN and those that you want to connect and use directly without the VPN. Besides this, it has over 5,000 servers in over 60 countries, which is enough bandwidth for every user to prevent congestion, ensuring you get stable, high-speed internet at all times.

Independent testing also found NordVPN’s average speed to be around 369Mbps, making it one of the best for smooth internet usage. If you want an additional layer of security, get Nord’s Double VPN feature. Under this, your internet traffic will be routed via two servers instead of one.

Also, passing your traffic through two security check-posts will encrypt it twice, making it even more impossible for anyone to trace your activities.

Pros

• Doesn’t retain any user data
• Independent audits make it more reliable
• Extensive 24/7 customer support
• Supports up to six simultaneous connections

Cons

• Doesn’t support torrenting across all servers

Pricing

NordVPN made it to our list not only because of its advanced features but also because it’s an affordable solution. The lowest it’s priced is on the 2-year Standard plan, that’ll cost you a mere $3.49/month.

That said, the Standard plan doesn’t include some of the best NordVPN offerings, including a data breach scanner and 1TB of cloud storage — to enjoy these, get a premium plan.

Unsure? Try NordVPN risk-free with the 30-day guarantee protecting your money in case you don’t like the service.

5. AtlasVPN — User-Friendly Service for the Entire Family

AtlasVPN has something for everyone with its free plan, paid plan, and versatile features. Privacy-conscious people will appreciate its unique features that boost your anonymity and safety as you browse the internet.

Its MultiHop+ feature makes your online activities virtually untraceable by encrypting your internet traffic using a pool of VPN servers in different locations that rotate in the background. As a result, your browsing history and other activities are hidden behind several VPN locations, boosting your security and privacy.

Besides protecting you in real-time, AtlasVPN has a data breach monitoring feature that scans the internet for bits of your data and notifies you if it detects a leak.

It’s also ideal for first-time VPN users as its interface is easy to navigate and use, and you won’t have a hard time figuring out how to activate its advanced features.

Pros

• Unique and powerful features
• Affordable
• Reliable split tunneling feature
• Comprehensive free plan

Cons

• Customer support could be more responsive

Pricing

AtlasVPN has a well-priced three-year-long plan that costs as little as $1.83/month, making it a wise long-term investment.

What we like the most about AtlasVPN is that it allows you to connect unlimited devices using a single subscription, making it an ideal option for families. However, you’ll need its paid plan to use more than 5GB of data monthly and access all its servers.

With its 30-day money-back guarantee, you’ll have enough time to try it before committing to a subscription.

6. Surfshark — Budget-Friendly Option with Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Surfshark is one of the most popular and affordable VPN options. With headquarters outside the 5-Eyes alliance, it can offer you 100% privacy, making it even more lucrative.

The best thing about Surfshark is that it only uses RAM servers. Hence, every time the servers are turned off, all your data is automatically wiped. So even if a hacker tries to access your personal details, they’ll have nothing to get their hands on.

Plus, another benefit of RAM servers is incredibly high processing and browsing speed. This makes Surfshark a great choice for streaming and torrenting. Besides, it has servers in over 100 countries — among the highest of all popular VPN services.

This helps you connect to its servers even when you’re on the go, and it becomes easier to find one near your geographic location. The closer you are to a server, the better the speed will be.

Surfshark’s competence was also confirmed through independent audits conducted by reputed cybersecurity companies. In 2018, Cure53‘s audit concluded Surfshark is efficient in handling user data and keeping it private on browsers.

Pros

• No hidden renewal hikes
• Alerts you in case of personal information leaks
• Auto-connects when the system is turned on
• Excellent censorship bypassing

Cons 

• Lacks some advanced features

Pricing

Surfshark isn’t too far from PIA in terms of pricing, the only difference being that its most value-for-money plan is 2-year + 2 free months, a year less than PIA’s best plan.

With that said, Surfshark will extend protection to unlimited devices, irrespective of the plan you choose, making it one of the best family VPNs. Plus, a 30-day money-back guarantee will be your friend to ensure you don’t lose a penny if you don’t find it your cup of tea.

7. PrivadoVPN — The Best Free VPN for Linux

PrivadoVPN is the best free VPN software on the list. Its generous free plan provides a high-speed and stable connection for one device at a time.

Beyond this, the free plan gets you 10 GB of data every 30 days, and you can connect to servers from over 12 cities. That being said, you can use the VPN on up to 10 devices plus access all of PrivadoVPN’s servers across 60 cities if you get a paid subscription.

PrivadoVPN’s paid plans are also quite diverse. For instance, it’s one of the few VPN services to provide additional services, such as parental control. Since a VPN gives you unrestricted access to almost all content online, exercise a little control over what your kids get to see with PrivadoVPN’s parental control features.

The ad blocker will also help you enjoy an uninterrupted, safe experience. Free sites often bombard you with ads, and some of these could hide dangerous links. Bid farewell to such dangers with PrivadoVPN.

Pros

• IP leak protection
• Offers split tunneling for data security
• Follows a zero-logs policy
• Supports up to 10 simultaneous connections

Cons

• No third-party audits yet

Pricing

PrivadoVPN’s free forever plan is perfect for individuals that want basic VPN features plus tight security without a financial commitment.

As your needs expand or you want to include more users in the same plan, upgrade to a paid PrivadoVPN plan, the best of which is the 1-year plan at $4.99/month. Don’t believe us? Get started with PrivadoVPN free of cost today.

8. Private Internet Access — Great for Connectivity Options

Private Internet Access (PIA) is an open-source VPN platform that has over a decade of experience in the VPN industry, not to mention that it’s also one of the cheapest.

Since it’s open-source, you have the added advantage of checking the platform’s core codes to clarify the VPN’s overall competency — this sort of transparency is rare in the VPN realm, so it’s refreshing to see. With that said, the biggest benefit of using PIA is its custom connection rules.

You can choose certain network types for which you want the VPN to connect automatically or disconnect. For instance, if you want the security of a VPN every time you use public Wi-Fi, turn on auto-connect, and it’ll save you the hassle of turning it on manually every time.

PIA’s customization benefits go beyond this. You can also customize the settings for DNS, port forwarding, remote ports, proxies, and more. Plus, PIA understands that no one plan fits all. As a result, you’ll have complete freedom to customize this VPN service as per your needs.

It also has a built-in ad-blocking feature that blocks ads, trackers, and other malicious sites at the DNS Level. With PIA on, you’re safe from all types of digital threats.

Pros

• Available in over 84 countries
• Offers up to 10 simultaneous connections
• Easy installation and setup
• Boasts of over 30,000 servers

Cons 

• Online streaming might buffer at times

Pricing

At $2.19/month on its 3-year + 3 free months plan, PIA is one of the cheapest VPNs on the market, leaving behind other providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Plus, PIA is also perfect for you if you’re not looking to use a VPN for more than a year — its annual subscription is one of the lowest in the industry.

9. CyberGhost VPN — Leading Provider, Supporting Multiple Device Types 

CyberGhost offers simultaneous connections for up to 7 devices at a time. Plus, it’s compatible with multiple device types, such as Android, Windows, and Linux, making it the perfect VPN plan for large families.

It also has a massive fleet of over 9,700 servers in 91+ countries. This makes it easy for you to find a VPN server close to your geographical location.

Not only does this reduce the load on individual sites, but it ‌improves the overall network speed and stability for a seamless online experience — whether you’re gaming, browsing, or streaming.

One of CyberGhost VPN’s best add-ons is the free ID monitoring tool. If your email ID or passwords are accidentally leaked, it’ll immediately notify you so that you retrieve them before the damage done is irreversible.

Pros 

• A long 45-day money-back guarantee
• Offers free ID guard monitoring
• Unlimited bandwidth with all plans
• Audited by independent third parties
• One of the best Android VPNs

Cons

• Customer support needs improvement

Pricing

Besides being one of the most comprehensive VPNs on the list, CyberGhost wins extra points for its 45-day money-back guarantee on its long-term plans.

What’s also impressive is that even its monthly plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee — a rarity with leading VPNs. Given that you’ll have ample time to figure out whether CyberGhost is the perfect VPN for your needs, there’s no reason you shouldn’t sign up for it immediately.

10. IPVanish — Leading Provider with Fast Service and Great Security Features

IPVanish is best known for its large database of shared IP addresses. All users pick from the same 40,000 shared IP addresses, which makes tracking any activity back to a single user almost impossible.

IPVanish is also quite efficient in bringing down geographical restrictions on streaming platforms. For instance, if you want to access certain selected UK shows from abroad, it’ll let you connect to a UK server, hide your original location, and let you watch the show just as a regular UK citizen would.

It also provides robust customer support that’s available via phone, email, and live chat 24/7. For additional support, you can refer to its rich knowledge database on its website, filled with tutorials and FAQs, and everything you’ll need to get started with its VPN service.

Pros

• A rich knowledge base, making it easy to use
• Servers in over 75 countries
• Offers over 40,000 shared IP addresses
• Offers apps for all types of devices

Cons

• Outdated interface

Pricing

IPVanish is the pick of the lot as far as yearly plans are concerned — just $3.99/month.

Is IPVanish for you? Don’t take our word; try the tool yourself. The 30-day guarantee will ensure you don’t end up spending on a service you didn’t like.

11. PrivateVPN — Reliable Service with Smart Stealth Tools 

PrivateVPN made it to our list because of its 2048-bit military-grade encryption, which allows you to enjoy a secure and fast-speed network connection.

Despite having only 200 servers across 63 countries, you can browse HD-quality content and download items at quality speeds. In addition to the high-grade encryption, advanced VPN protocols such as OpenVPN, L2TP, and IPSec offer you a much smoother experience.

For example, OpenVPN supports multiple authentication methods and uses a secure SSL/TLS protocol to exchange key details. The layered protection of these protocols brings down the chances of data leaks.

That said, the best thing about PrivateVPN is that you don’t have to choose the protocols yourself. Set it on autopilot, and it’ll automatically choose the one that works best for your network type.

Brownie points also go to its premium customer support wing, where you can interact with its in-house developers to find a quick fix to your issues with the platform.

Pros

• Works even in countries like China
• An easy-to-use UI
• Affordable long-term plans
• Encryption mode can be customized

Cons

• Yet to be independently audited

Pricing

PrivateVPN’s monthly and quarterly plans aren’t as appealing as its 3-year plan, priced at a mere $2/month.

That said, it’ll renew at $6/month — but that’s 3 years away. Thanks to the month-long guarantee, you can try it risk-free today and commit only if you’re sure of it.

12. VyprVPN — A Fast and Reliable with Affordable Pricing

VyprVPN has become a sought-after VPN platform since it reformed its logging policy. Today, it’s one of the most reliable VPN services for unblocking geo-restricted content. It’s also a safe option for people in China, where most VPN platforms are banned or heavily regulated.

Just like NordVPN, VyprVPN too owns all its servers which gives it a massive upper hand in terms of user data anonymity over other VPN services that rent their servers.

Renting servers leaves a massive degree of control to a third party, whereas owning the servers gives VyprVPN full command over your data, reducing the chances of unauthorized data leaks.

During our testing, we found the network speed to be between 250Mbps to 350Mbps across all the locations — both speed and stability are certainly above the industry average.

Pros

• A stringent no-logs policy
• LAN level kill switch
• A zero-knowledge DNS system
• Follows Chameleon protocol for more protection

Cons

• Low server count

Pricing

You’ll certainly like how simple VyprVPN’s pricing is — just two plans to choose from, a monthly and a yearly one, with the latter obviously being the more value-for-money.

What’s even better is that you get a handsome money-back guarantee of 30 days with the yearly plan so that you can test the tool without any headaches.

13. ProtonVPN — Leading Free Service

ProtonVPN, with its headquarters in Switzerland, is best known for the strong protection it provides for your privacy through strict Swiss privacy laws.

In addition to that, it also offers a generous free plan for new users. You can access 100 servers from 3 countries, including the US, Netherlands, and Japan.

Even on the free plan, you get customer support and Ad Blocking to enjoy streaming without being interrupted by intrusive and potentially dangerous online ads. That said, the paid plans naturally come with many more advanced security features.

For instance, you can route your traffic through the Tor network instead of a regular VPN. Tor is a lot more anonymous and helps you safely browse the internet without leaving behind any identifiable evidence.

You can also use the Multi-Hop feature to route your online traffic through multiple VPN servers, making it impossible for hackers to track you down.

Pros

• A new encryption key protects every session
• Offers a handy free plan
• Stealth protocol prevents data detection
• Independent audits prove its legitimacy

Cons

• Customer support can be improved

Pricing

ProtonVPN is one of the few VPNs in the industry to separate its plans based on features.

For starters, the free forever plan will fetch you access to 100+ servers across 3 countries, unlimited bandwidth, and more. On the other hand, the Plus plan will give you unhindered access to all its 1,900+ servers and premium features like the ad blocker, double-hop, 10 simultaneous connections, and much more.

Plus, there’s also a standard 30-day money-back guarantee, so try ProtonVPN risk-free today.

Top VPNs for Linux Compared

To help you reach a decision, we’ve built the table below to highlight the key differences between all of our top best VPN apps for Linux:

Why Do I Need a VPN for Linux? 

What’s the need for a Linux VPN? Well, here are some of the main reasons you need one:

Help Improve Internet Speed

A VPN provides a direct connection to the remote server, bypassing the limitations imposed by the ISP. This can result in faster speeds, especially when downloading large files, streaming HD content, or gaming online.

They Help with Torrenting

Often, Linux users use P2P networks to share operating system ISO files — and these networks can be questionable, and you may not always know what you’re downloading. With a VPN, you can keep your download private and avoid any potential copyright infringement notices.

Allow Secure Remote Collaboration

Remote collaboration can be valuable for individuals as they often exchange sensitive information that malicious actors could intercept. With a VPN, you can keep your virtual meetings, chat groups, emails, and cloud data secure and encrypted, protecting yourself from hacking and other security threats.

Access Blocked Websites

Some states prohibit their citizens from using particular websites and services. However, several states also restrict the usage of a VPN, making it very challenging to get around this. VPN companies frequently provide additional workarounds or tools to allow you to use a VPN in countries like Russia and China.

Best Free VPN Linux | Free Vs. Paid VPNs

Both free and paid VPNs are available options for Linux users. Free VPNs are appealing because they’re accessible to everyone without any cost. However, they have significant drawbacks, such as limited features, slow speeds, data restrictions, and no technical support.

On the other hand, paid VPNs offer many advantages, including high-speed performance, advanced features, unlimited data, technical support, and robust security measures.

PrivadoVPN and ProtonVPN are the best free VPNs for Linux. They’re fast, easy to install, and provide top-notch security. ProtonVPN is also an open-source platform with high privacy.

It’s also user-friendly, thanks to its compatibility with browsers like Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Firefox, which make connecting to servers, changing protocols, and more a breeze.

Are free VPNs safe? 

Free VPNs for Linux can be a mixed bag regarding safety and security. While some free VPNs, like ProtonVPN, offer the same level of security as their premium plans, others may not have the necessary security measures in place, or they may even sell user data to third-party advertisers.

Therefore, it’s crucial to research and carefully evaluate the free VPN service’s privacy policy and security measures before using it on your Linux device.

How We Ranked the Best Linux VPNs

Making it to our list of the best Linux VPNs is a tough gig. Here’s what we consider:

• Performance and speeds — These are crucial as they determine how smoothly you can use the VPN for various activities such as streaming, gaming, or downloading.
• Connection stability — This is another important factor, as a VPN that frequently disconnects can be frustrating and disrupt your online experience.
• Unblocking power — If you’re after a VPN that can access geo-restricted content, this is important as some are better than others at this.
• Privacy policies and overall security — A VPN should protect your online identity and keep your data safe from cyber threats.
• User feedback — This provides valuable insight into the experiences of other Linux users with the VPN. We use sites like TrustPilot and the best VPN Reddit threads to find the key pros and cons of each provider

How to Use a VPN for Linux | Step-by-Step

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Linux. Let’s see how to install it:

Step 1 — Download the Configuration Package 

Visit the ExpressVPN website and download the ExpressVPN configuration package for your Linux operating system.

Step 2 — Install the Repository

Run the cd command to navigate to your Downloads folder. You can then install ExpressVPN by running the command specific to your distribution. You can find the command for your distribution on ExpressVPN’s customer support website.

Step 3 — Activate ExpressVPN 

Once the installation is complete, run “expressvpn activate” and enter your activation key.

Step 4 — Start Using ExpressVPN

Running “expressvpn connect” will connect you to the VPN, allowing you to browse the internet with greater privacy and security.

Linux VPN FAQs