If you’re a Linux user, you’ll quickly find that many big-name VPNs don’t cater to you. These five VPN services offer solid clients for Linux users that will keep you safe and private while online.
TorGuard
What to Look For With a VPN for Linux
A virtual private network (VPN) is an important tool for anybody who wants tostay anonymous online. Though they’re not perfect, they’ll do a lot to keep you out of the sight of marketers and anybody else that wants to track you, while also letting you do fun stuff like watch other countries’ Netflix libraries. Check out our guide onhow VPNs workfor more on all this.
There are plenty of VPN services to choose from, but Linux users will soon find that many of thebest VPNswill not work on their systems. At best, they only offer a basic command-line interface, which can be quite clunky (looking at you,ExpressVPN and NordVPN).
That said, there are still plenty of VPNs that have apps for Linux users; they’re just not always the biggest names in the business. Over the years of reviewing different VPNs, I have figured out which VPNs work best on my Linux Mint system, and I have compiled them below.
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Simple app
No discounts
Fast
Straightforward pricing
The app is a pleasure to use. Like most of the entries on this list, it takes a no-frills approach and has just two buttons to control the whole thing, which, for simple software like a VPN, is really all you need. The worst thing I can say about it is that sometimes finding a specificVPN servercan be a chore, but nobody else has fixed that issue, either.
As for Linux, I used Mullvad for months on my Mint machine and never had any issues. The app runs natively without any hiccups, and the installation was easy, too. It’s clear the team behind Mullvad cares about Team Penguin, and I recommend the service to anybody who uses Linux.
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad is a solid service, offering speed, privacy, and a great app for Linux.
Multiple connections is pricey
Easy to use
Visual app
Next isIVPN, another small independent provider. This app is just as simple to operate as Mullvad’s, but as you may read in myIVPN review, it offers slightly more frills in the form of a map. It makes it a good choice for anybody who likes a visual interface that’s still easy to use (read myNordVPN reviewfor an example of the opposite).
On Linux, IVPN works like a charm. I had no issues with it whatsoever. It was installed quickly, and using it was simple. It also didn’t affect performance, and IVPN remains one of the fastest VPNs I’ve tested. I lost almost no speed even when connected to faraway locations, which is no mean feat considering how VPNs canslow down your internet speeds.
However, there is a small issue with IVPN, and that is its pricing model. At $60 per year, it’s roughlyaverage for the VPN market, but it comes with the caveat that you can only connect up to two devices. This should be fine for most people, but it prevents you from sharing the subscription to defray costs. If you want a family VPN, IVPN may not be the best choice.
Cracks Netflix with ease
App feels a bit rough
Great bundles with other products
Bit pricey on its own
If you mainly want a VPN tounblock Netflixas a Linux user, you may want to giveProton VPNa spin. Though primarily known as a privacy company offeringsecure email, I was pleased to find that Proton VPN did an amazing job as a streaming VPN, getting through to other countries’ Netflix libraries on almost every try.
The Linux app is very basic but gets the job done. As I describe in myProton VPN review, the Linux and Windows apps seem to have been separated at birth: the Windows app is a riot of activity, while the Linux one is almost staid in comparison. However, unpolished does not mean it doesn’t work, and I’ve rarely had any issues with it.
Another selling point for Proton VPN is that it comes bundled with all of Proton’s other apps, which are all pretty solid (except maybe for Proton Drive, readwhy I’m switching to Protonfor more on this). If you’re in the market for secure mail and a password manager as well as a VPN, Proton’s bundle is a good way to save money.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a fast and secure service, that comes with a strong reputation for privacy.
Same network as Mozilla
No deals or discounts
Double-hop servers
Nice app
Speaking of privacy-focused companies, Mozilla (ofFirefox fame) alsooffers a VPN. It runs on the Mullvad network, offering the same speed and security as that service while having some features of its own.
These features include a niftydouble-hop featurewhich can improve your privacy under certain circumstances, as well as a very nice app that works like a charm on Linux. While testing it for myMozilla VPN reviewI had no issues at all, and it comes with the same one-button interface all my favorite VPNs have.
Mozilla VPN is also a good choice price-wise. At $60 per year, it won’t make any jaws drop, but it’s not too expensive either, considering you’re getting a fast and secure service with an excellent reputation.
Mozilla VPN
A fast VPN from the same company responsible for the Firefox browser.
Easy to customize
Pricing gets confusing
Careful with torrenting
Finally, we have TorGuard, another independent VPN I like a lot because it is very customizable. Very few services let you tweak them as much as TorGuard does; it’s about as close as you can get tosetting up your own VPN. This makes it perfect for Linux users, as we generally like to tinker with our software.
Interestingly enough, though, this doesn’t come as a cost to usability. As you can read in myTorGuard review, the service is pretty easy to use on the surface, with just a single button to switch it on and off. Once you start diving into menus it gets a little complicated, though, so you may want to stay on the surface unless you know what you’re doing.
Regarding cost, TorGuard is a steal at less than $35 per year. There are few VPNs at this price, even if you need to be carefulwhen you use the service for torrenting. It’s a tinkerer’s dream, and the price is right.
TorGuard offers a range of advanced features like custom scripts. The service ensures a low ping and latency while still offering great security.
