6 Best VPNs for Linux to Keep Your Data Safe and Private (2024)

Information can be accessed and misused intentionally without user knowledge when the user is online; Linux users need a VPN just like anybody else.

Linux is a free and open-source operating system that gives you a lot of flexibility and security. Although Linux may provide greater protection against malware infections, you still require a VPN connection to safeguard your anonymity, and you don’t have to compromise for less functionality and complex manual settings.

There are many VPN services available on the internet, but not all of them work with Linux. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the leading VPN providers for Linux.

Nord VPN

NordVPN is undoubtedly the most widely used and finest VPN for Linux operating systems currently available on the internet. It is a fantastic option for individuals who are unfamiliar with VPN services and cybersecurity mechanisms.

NordVPN is unmatched in terms of acceptance and responsiveness. It’s no surprise that it ranks highly on Linux as well as other operating systems.

Debian and RPM binaries are available to be downloaded for Linux systems. These binary packages support the most widely used Linux editions, such as CentOS, Ubuntu, RHEL, and many others. Additionally, you can also install NordVPN by cloning the git repository or by updating the package list using the apt-get command.

sudo apt-get install {/path/to/}nordvpn-release_1.0.0_all.deborsudo apt-get install nordvpn

With NordVPN, Linux users can configure a safety mechanism, automated sessions, configurable Domain & encrypted servers, a selection of protocol routes, and an allocated IP address. Using the integrated Threat Protection Lite tool, users are protected from cyber risks. While browsing the web, it automatically blocks unwanted advertisem*nts and harmful websites.

Features:

• Cross-platform compatibility – runs on different operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.
• With a single premium account, you can connect up to 6 devices.
• Ability to combine with the onion router (TOR) to provide more anonymity.
• Protection against DNS leak.
• Provides a dedicated IP address and Multi-factor authentication to secure your account.
• NordVPN doesn’t track or record the logs and history.
• An integrated dark web monitor immediately notifies the user when the user credentials are leaked to the dark web,
• Examines the connection in real-time and immediately notifies the user if it finds any malicious activity in the network.
• Provides multiple browser extensions to secure browsing activities.
• Integrated Kill Switch prevents the user system from interacting with the network outside the secure VPN channel if your VPN link fails.

Although you’ll need to utilize the command-line interface to launch it, you’ll be reassured by excellent customer service & privacy statements. NordVPN comes with premium plans of 30-day, 1-year, and 2-years. The monthly plan comes with a standard version of $11.99 and a complete version of $15. You can see full pricing details here.

NordVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee service, so if you’re not satisfied with the results, you can get a repayment without any problem. You can get assistance at any time by getting in touch with a customer service agent available.

Try Nord VPN

Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a powerful VPN service that provides a robust GUI client. Using this GUI, the user can secure the Linux device without using any commands in a command line. The Proton VPN Linux client is user-friendly and equipped with cutting-edge security tools.

Debian and RPM binary files are available to download for Proton VPN. Simply download the appropriate binary program for your distribution and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. Proton VPN administers more than 1700+ servers in 60 geolocations. Therefore you’ll always have access to the nearest VPN server for a quick and secure channel.

Both encryption and reliability can be handled excellently with ProtonVPN. Linux users can get complete functionality features and a modern GUI interface with ProtonVPN. ProtonVPN offers a quick service that keeps customers safe with reliable encryption and cutting-edge features.

Even while it isn’t the most affordable service, it does include a week demo version of its premium membership which comes with limited features and a 30-day money-back assurance on each of its premium content.

Features:

• Easy-to-use and customizable dashboard.
• For an extra layer of security, Proton VPN helps the user to transmit traffic via built-in Tor modules.
• In order to safeguard your VPN connection from sophisticated network-based intrusions, integrated Secure Core transmits user activity via numerous servers.
• Automatic Kill switches to secure your connection outside the VPN tunnel if your VPN session suddenly breaks out.
• An integrated net shield tool enhances the connection speed while safeguarding the users from malware infections. This net shield tool can also prevent web tracking cookies and advertisem*nts for premium subscribers.
• Prevents DNS leaks by sending your DNS requests across an IPsec connection and avoids using external DNS services.

If you use another Linux distribution that isn’t currently supported directly, you can still connect to the Proton VPN servers by configuring an OpenVPN session. Although some services are really not accessible freely, Proton VPN provides excellent protection.

Try Proton VPN

Express VPN

Express VPN provides a handy and excellent VPN service for Linux OS. Its dedicated server architecture and extraordinarily fast connection rates are what is behind its reputation.

This VPN service ensures that a wide range of Linux distributions can access their VPN servers, including Fedora, Debian, Linux Mint, and many others. In order to provide the best connections possible, Express VPN frequently optimizes its servers.

See Also

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Express VPN can also get around any limitations your ISP imposes on streaming activity, allowing your connection speeds to return to normal. The monthly subscription starts at $6.67, which is more than justified by the ground-breaking security feature.

Features:

• Browser extension compatibility allows you to manage your VPN through different browsers.
• Provides maximum security features for Linux, including advanced leak prevention and encryption using the AES-256 cipher algorithm.
• Provides on-screen alerts to receive immediate updates on VPN connections.
• Integrated kill switch to block the network activity, In order to protect your information if suddenly a VPN connection drops.

Due to the fact that Express VPN is primarily a privacy-focused business, no connection or event logs are recorded. Additionally, Express VPN never keeps any information that could be used to link a particular activity or behavioral patterns to a particular user.

Any number of gadgets can be given installation permissions, and a single premium service can support up to 5 concurrent connections to Express VPN. For more connections, you might also set up ExpressVPN on your Wi-Fi router. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee while you can use the full features of the service.

Try Express VPN

PureVPN

PureVPN is another well-known and reliable VPN service for Linux Operating systems. PureVPN provides both Command-line and Graphical User interfaces. It provides simple and customizable configuration for your Linux machine to optimize your security practices, anonymity, and information security, among other top-tier VPN characteristics.

With more than 6500+ VPN servers spread over 180+ checkpoints, PureVPN seems to be roughly comparable to the most well-known VPN providers on the internet. Despite simply having a user interface, everything is still reachable via simple commands. As a result, switching between other Linux apps and the VPN client is simple.

PureVPN provides a wide range of configuration settings and capabilities in terms of performance. The pricing starts at $1.99 per month for ten concurrent connections.

Features:

• VPN Split tunneling segregates your online traffic between your ISP and the secure VPN connection.
• Similar to other VPN tools, it also provides an Automatic kill switch to secure the user’s location if a connection breaks out in the middle.
• Establishing peer-to-peer connections is made possible by WebRTC leak protection.
• Encrypts online activity using the AES-256 cryptography method.
• A strict no-log policy doesn’t keep the connection logs or track the VPN activities.

PureVPN is a good VPN service for Linux users despite the existence of certain aspects where it might be improved, such as an extended and detailed setup tutorial for novice users.

Try PureVPN

Atlas VPN

Another fantastic VPN service for the Linux operating system is Atlas VPN. You can have a limitless number of connections running at once, and it guarantees excellent privacy. AES-256 top-notch encryption is used by Atlas VPN. High protection and confidentiality are ensured through VPN tunnels built using the SHA-384 and PFS standards.

Atlas VPN administers more than 750+ ultra-fast servers for secure and reliable connections.

Features:

• You can connect to the network with multiple IPs at once using integrated SafeSwap services, significantly enhancing your online privacy.
• A split tunneling mechanism enables you to secure sensitive information without compromising access to nearby networks.
• Restricts access to websites that are recognized to host harmful information, like potentially unwanted programs, or malicious codes
• Integrated pattern detection methods monitor the internet if any of your personal information has been made public.

Additionally, Whole online activity will be automatically suspended when the network kill switch activates upon unreliable VPN tunnels. It is a simple yet effective method that guards against DNS leakage. Premium pricing starts at $10.99 per month.

Buffering, delays, and other broadcasting-related problems are handled by fully functional optimized servers, allowing you to control your preferred live streams without difficulty. In order to stop hackers from accessing your content or monitoring your behavioral patterns, private DNS encodes the information transmitted between the user and the DNS server.

Try Atlas VPN

Surfshark

Surfshark provides the most affordable and user-friendly VPN for Linux. Surfshark is relatively simple to operate and works with the majority of operating systems, including Android and Linux.

There is no restriction on how many connections can be made at once. You can use an infinite number of concurrent sessions as well as an endless amount of bandwidth worldwide with just one Surfshark premium membership. Because of its incredible affordability, Surfshark is always among the top VPNs on the internet. You can ensure the security of all your systems using Surfshark. It also doesn’t record any logs about VPN activity.

See Also

Best VPNs for Linux in 2024 and Which Ones to Avoid

Additionally, The Raspberry Pi can also be enabled to use Surf Shark VPN by manually configuring OpenVPN. You can relax and let it take care of everything because of its limitless global connectivity, which means you won’t have to be concerned about time constraints restricting your activity.

Features:

• Customizable and easy-to-use Graphical User Interface.
• Comes with a strict no-logs policy and unlimited device support.
• Automatic Kill switches protect the user outside the VPN tunnel and utilize AES-256-GCM protocol for encryption.

You must use either the Ubuntu or Debian distro to install Surfshark onto your Linux environment. Additionally, admin root rights are needed to configure the client application. The quality of assistance you receive from Surfshark’s round-the-clock customer service always astounds customers.

With pricing that starts at $2.99/month and unrestricted concurrent connections, Surfshark is a cost-effective choice for individuals. A free trial period and also 30-day money-back guarantee are also available.

Try Surfshark

Next, we will explain why VPN is necessary for Linux.

Is VPN necessary for Linux, and Why?

Both Linux and VPNs work to protect user confidentiality. A top-notch VPN will guarantee the security of your network connection. Your entire data will be transmitted via a secured channel.

A VPN provides an additional layer of protection between your computer and the internet. Regardless of the operating system you use, VPN can assist you in avoiding censorship and geographic regulations on sites and applications, in addition to obscuring your actual identity and safeguarding your data.

Therefore, using a VPN connection with your Linux machine is a great way to enhance your anonymity.

What is the Difference Between Using a Proxy and a VPN?

You’ll frequently come across “VPN” or “Proxy” choices when exploring the connectivity settings on your system. Despite the fact that they have comparable responsibilities, they are significantly different.

Proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs) both redirect the user’s internet traffic & alter the IP address, but they do so in different ways. It might be challenging to differentiate between proxy and VPN solutions because there are so many services that appear to be identical and are available on the internet.

A VPN safeguards your whole network traffic, ensuring your safety across all the websites and apps you access, in contrast to proxies, which only operate with specific apps or websites. Similar to a proxy network, a Virtual private network will substitute the user’s Internet IP address with that of the service provider.

The user activity traffic will be redirected over a secure channel by a VPN, protecting the privacy of online activities. While a proxy gateway is appropriate for web browsing, it lacks the additional functionality and high level of protection that a VPN delivers.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best VPN for Linux

Choosing the best VPN for Linux is similar to doing it for any other platform. However, since the Linux user base is significantly less than its peers (Windows and macOS), one needs special attention to check what’s actually on offer.

This means you should ascertain the features present in the VPN’s Linux application. The obvious reason is most VPN companies market the features even if the offering is limited to a single platform. For instance, the list of protocols may differ between Windows and Linux.

In addition to that, confirm if the VPN has a compatible graphical user interface for the Linux distro you might be using because a few work only via a command line interface, which is arguably less user-friendly.

Except for that, below is a general list to check out when shopping for a VPN.

#1. Servers

This is ever important as the company should have servers in your region of interest. In addition, it would help if the servers were physical and not virtual. While there is not much visible difference in the overall experience, virtual servers can be a real drag for the speeds based on the actual location of the real server powering them.

Moreover, RAM-only servers ensure nothing gets written on any hard drive, and everything hits reset with every reboot. Currently, these are the best server types for user-privacy.

#2. Speed

A few VPNs, especially the free ones, output terrible speeds. While some deduction is expected, thanks to the encryption and distance from the servers, too much speed cut-off means an unusable service.

Since there is no way to ensure the speeds one will receive, look out for a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee

#3. Protocols

The engines of any VPN service–protocols–ultimately decide the potency of any VPN service.

If you’re new to this concept, give our VPN protocols guide a read for a headstart. In short, look if the VPN providers offer OpenVPN and WireGuard, as they are the two best protocols at present.

However, IKEv2 will be better if you exclusively use mobile platforms, as it will make hopping through multiple connections a breeze.

#4. Security

By security, I mean the VPN shouldn’t log your personal information or web activity to sell it to 3rd part advertisers or, worse, on the dark web.

While it’s easy to get comfortable with the “no-logs” promise most VPN companies make, for many of them, it’s merely an empty promise to attract customers. Therefore, check out the past records of those companies.

#5. General Features

The most useful day-to-day features I would prescribe are:

• Split tunneling: Selectively using VPN encryption among applications.
• Ad-blocker: For a cleaner browsing experience.
• Kill switch: For uncompromised security, even if VPN encryption drops momentarily.
• Multi-hop: For ultra-sensitive web browsing.
• Tor-over-VPN: For added security. Similar to multi-hop.
• IP-rotation: For extra anonymity.

There can be more such features. Like, Server Obfuscation will be important for users operating out of oppressive regimes. Similarly, DNS-based unblocking (often called Smart DNS) is unbeatable for someone subscribing chiefly for entertainment.

However, you should look for what’s important to you.

How to Install a VPN on Linux

Unlike Windows or macOS users, “how to install” has no straight answers for the Linux community, unfortunately.

The process depends on the specific Linux distribution, and it’s best to search for a VPN service provider (or ask for its support upfront) for a step-by-step process.

Generally, one needs to add the respective repository and install it through the terminal. Alternatively, the VPN provider can directly provide the Linux app. After installation, the VPN application should appear along with others in the Linux app menus.

However, you’ll have to use the VPN through the terminal itself if the VPN lacks a graphical user interface. In this case, you must search the VPN service provider’s website for commands to connect, disconnect, and use other available fe

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There is no integrated VPN service available in the Linux OS. Therefore, selecting a trustworthy VPN provider is up to you if you wish to navigate the web anonymously and effectively. We advise choosing a premium VPN with positive customer ratings, reliable protection, Multiple server checkpoints, and quick network connections.

Regardless of the Linux distribution you prefer, integrating a VPN server into the system is always an excellent approach to acquiring more confidentiality for your online data and personal information. It secures all the data packets you transmit and receive, which conceals your actual IP address and geolocation. Even if your network is compromised, it would appear to be a collection of unrelated data.

I hope you found this article helpful in learning the Best Linux VPNs for Safe and Secure Browsing. You may also be interested in learning about the best URL scanners to check for malware and harmful sites.