Best VPNs for Linux

The biggest reason behind Linux popularity is because it’s free and open source. That means anyone can download the OS, make changes, and distribute it how they see fit. This has led to various Linux distributions, each with its unique look, feel, and purpose.

While Linux is often considered more secure than Windows, that’s not always the case. In fact, some malware programs are designed specifically for Linux, making it just as vulnerable as other operating systems. That’s why it’s crucial to have a good VPN for Linux.

A VPN can protect your entire internet connection, not just your web browser. It encrypts all your traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel to a server in another location. This has several benefits, including making it harder for hackers to snoop on your traffic and bypass geo-restrictions.

However, choosing a VPN for Linux can be tricky. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as security, speed, and compatibility. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best VPNs for Linux.

Why Do I Need a VPN for Linux?

If you’re a Linux user, you may know that Linux is often praised for its security. However, this doesn’t mean that Linux is invulnerable to all security threats – far from it. One of the key ways in which you can help protect your Linux device is by using a VPN.

A VPN for Linux will encrypt your data and help to hide your identity and location from potential hackers. It will also allow you to bypass any restrictions or censorship that may be in place in your country. In short, a VPN is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to keep their online activity private and secure.

However, apart from securing your internet connection, a VPN can provide many other benefits:

1. A VPN can help you watch geo-restricted content on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and others.
2. VPN is also great at circumventing censorship on the Internet.
3. VPN will be a handy tool for gamers as it can provide high-speed data transfer for torrenting, online gaming or game streaming.
4. A VPN also helps you to save money when you shop online as shoppers can purchase items at prices that would normally be unavailable in their regions.

Features of the Best VPN for Linux

Choosing the best VPN for Linux can be tricky, as not all VPNs are created equal. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best VPNs for Linux currently available. We’ll also give you some tips on how to choose a VPN and how to install it on your Linux device.

There are certain features that the top VPN for Linux should have. These include:

1. Compatibility with multiple distributions: A good VPN for Linux should be compatible with major Linux distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS.
2. Ease of installation and use: The best VPN for Linux should be easy to install and use. It should also come with clear and concise documentation.
3. A wide range of servers: A good VPN for Linux should offer a wide range of servers in different countries. This will allow you to unblock geo-restricted content and stay anonymous online as well as have constant and stable connection.
4. Strong security and privacy features: The best VPN for Linux should have strong security and privacy features such as military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and an automatic kill switch.
5. Fast speeds: The best VPN for Linux should offer fast operation so that you can stream HD content or download large files without any issues.
6. Good customer support: The best VPN for Linux should have good customer support if you face any problems while using the service. The top service would have 24/7 customer support.

Top VPNs for Linux

In this section, we will not consider completely free services, as they often come with too many disadvantages. We will look at the top 5 paid VPN services based on the factors below:

• Exceptional customer support.
• Data protection.
• Stability.
• Reliability.
• Connection speed.

We have thoroughly tested many VPNs and included only the best ones for Linux. They work with most distributions of this operating system and are easy to install on the device and use all the time.

So, let’s quickly review these top VPN services.

NordVPN

If you’re looking for a VPN for Linux, NordVPN is a great choice. It’s one of the most popular VPNs on the market, and it offers a wide range of features and options to suit your needs. NordVPN is a versatile and reliable VPN that can:

• Unblock restricted content.
• Protect your data.
• Keep your online activity private.

NordVPN is available for all major operating systems, including Linux. You can install NordVPN on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and other popular distributions. NordVPN also offers a dedicated app for Raspberry Pi. It is great for Linux users who want a reliable and user-friendly VPN solution. NordVPN offers fast speeds, strong security, and a wide range of features. You can also take advantage of NordVPN’s generous money-back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.

IPVanish

If you’re looking for a VPN for Linux, IPVanish is another excellent choice. It’s one of the most well-liked VPNs available, and it offers a variety of features and customization options to meet your needs. Being a flexible and dependable VPN, IPVanish can allow you to watch blocked content, secure your info, and maintain your privacy online.

Just like the previous service, this VPN can be installed on the following Linux distributions:

• Ubuntu.
• Debian.
• Fedora, and other popular distributions.

You can also try a free demo and get your money back if you don’t like the experience of using this service. VPN offers high connection speed, a large number of servers, a kill switch and an intuitive interface, allowing every user to easily use the app without problems.

SurfShark

Surfshark VPN for Linux is a relatively new entrant in the VPN industry, but it has already made quite a name for itself. The service is one of the richest VPN services in terms of overall value, offering top-notch security features at affordable prices. Surfshark is also one of the few VPNs that offer unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it perfect for families or users who need to protect multiple devices.

If you’re looking for a new VPN provider, Surfshark should definitely be on your radar.

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service risk-free. Surfshark also offers a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices.

Payment methods include credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, and Crypto Voucher.

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a virtual private network service provider that offers free and paid services. The free version of ProtonVPN has some limitations. However, it can be used for testing, but it is not the best for regular use.

Paid plans start at $4 per month, and a 7-day free trial is also available. ProtonVPN uses the OpenVPN protocol and AES-256 encryption to keep your data safe and secure.

There are servers in over 30 countries, so you can always find a fast connection. ProtonVPN has a strict no-logs policy, so your privacy is always protected. The ProtonVPN client is very easy to use and is available for:

• Linux.
• Windows.
• MacOS.
• Android

If you’re looking for a reliable and secure VPN for Linux, ProtonVPN is a great option. The free version has some limitations, but it’s still a great choice if you’re looking for a fast and reliable VPN.

PrivateVPN

Private VPN is widely considered one of the best VPN for Linux for many reasons:

• Firstly, the provider offers custom Linux software that is easy to install and use. 
• Also, Private VPN has servers in 50+ countries, ensuring users can unblock a wide range of content worldwide.
• Finally, PrivateVPN offers strong security features, including military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy. This makes it ideal for users looking to protect their privacy online.

However, there are a few disadvantages to using PrivateVPN:

• The first one I’d mention is that the company is based in Sweden, a member of the 14 Eyes alliance. This means that there is a possibility that the government could force PrivateVPN to hand over user data in the future. 
• Besides, PrivateVPN does not have as many servers as other VPNs on this list, so your choice of server locations may be limited. 
• Therefore, if the servers are overloaded, you will have little chance of connecting to one that has a small flow of users and your Internet will slow down significantly.

How to Choose a VPN for Linux

Linux is an excellent platform for VPN users. It’s compatible with many VPN applications. However, choosing the best VPN for Linux can be tricky. This is because the industry is filled with so many options, and not all are created equal.
When choosing a VPN for Linux, there are several things you need to consider:

• First of all, make sure that the VPN is suitable for your operating system. To do this, check your version of Linux in the settings and install a VPN that is compatible with your computer.
• Write a list of features that your ideal VPN should have. Compare them with those on the VPN market and choose the most suitable one for you. For gaming, choose a service with fast speeds, for safety, choose one that has WireGuard, Split Tunneling and Kill Switch.
• After you have decided on the tasks, check your budget. Choose the most suitable plan for you. And if you don’t want to pay for a service that you haven’t personally tested, you can use a money-back guarantee. This feature allows you to use the service and if you don’t like the experience, you can always get your money back.

Once you have considered these factors, you can install the VPN on your Linux machine. Most VPNs will provide detailed instructions on how to do this, so simply follow the instructions. Once the VPN is installed, you can connect to it and start using it immediately.

What VPNs to Avoid When Using Linux?

While paid services often come with very little issues, free VPNs are the opposite. Unlike paid VPNs, free services can’t guarantee:

• Stable operation. 
• Security.
• Zero-log policies.
• Online anonymity. 

Since free services don’t profit from their customers, it’s difficult for the developers to consistently commit their resources into maintenance. This often leaves users with nothing but a service to constantly complain about.

Let’s take a look at some free VPNs you should avoid if you’re looking for a custom solution for your Linux:

1. Itshidden. This free Linux VPN does not use the most reliable protocol for the connection, so it cannot offer the best protection for users. If you open the official site and view the agreement policy, you will find that it consists of one sentence and contains mistakes. Unfortunately, such a service does not inspire confidence, which is fully justified.
2. SecurityKISS. Just two negative facts about a VPN service are enough to understand that a VPN service is unreliable. So, this service officially declares that it collects data on connections and IP addresses of users. In addition, the free version of the app offers only 300 MB per day, while reliable services give users 14 to 45 days of free demo with no data limits.
3. USAIP. This free Linux VPN has several negative aspects at once. Developers hide their attitude regarding the collection and storage of data. The service uses an unreliable PPTP protocol and does not provide a DNS server or Google server, which leads to the fact that your ISP or any other person who monitors your activity can watch your activities on the network.

To avoid having a bad VPN experience, it is recommended to avoid free services and opt for paid and reputable services.

How to Test a VPN on Linux?

The best way to test a VPN for Linux is to use the command line tool curl. A curl is a tool that lets you transfer data from or to a server using a variety of protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SFTP.

To test if your VPN is working, you must connect to a website that shows your public IP address, like whatismyipaddress.com. Then run the following command:

• curl -s whatismyipaddress.com

If the IP address displayed is your VPN’s IP address, the VPN is working. If it’s your IP address, the VPN is not working.

Let’s quickly look at how to properly test a VPN to find the best solution for your device.

So the following factors need to be considered:

1. VPN support for Linux distributions.
2. User experience and application stability.
3. User support.
4. Ability to manually configure the service using third-party VPN clients.

Next, you need to test the following parameters:

1. Speed. This is a critical indicator since, while using a VPN, you would hardly want to get a slow connection for long data downloads.
2. Leaks. It is also essential to check the VPN service for Linux for DNS, WebRTC and IPv6 leaks. This is important because the primary purpose of a VPN is to protect the user’s data.
3. Blocked content. Many people use VPN services to gain access to blocked content. It is important that the service could provide work with popular streaming services and playgrounds.
4. Support. You buy a product, and receiving timely and decent customer support from the service would be fair.

Wireguard

Wireguard is a new type of VPN that is designed to be faster, simpler, and more secure protocol than those that are used in VPNs now. It’s already available on many platforms, including Linux.

While Wireguard is now cross-platform, it was originally released for the Linux kernel, which means you can set it up manually or use it from an existing VPN application. NordVPN and Surfshark support Wireguard out of the box.

Wireguard works with the next Linux distributions:

• Debian.
• Fedora.
• OpenSUSE.
• Red Hat.
• CentOS.
• FreeBSD.
• OpenBSD

If you’re looking for a brand new VPN protocol for Linux, Wireguard should be at the top of your list. It’s easy to set up and use, and it’s been praised by security experts for its robustness.

How to Install VPN on Linux

There are many ways to set up a VPN on Linux. The method you use will depend on your particular distribution and the software you’re using:

• For Ubuntu, we recommend using the built-in Network Manager. 
• For Fedora, it is recommended to use the Network Manager as well. 
• For Debian, the command line tool OpenVPN is the best option for privacy on Linux

If you’re unsure which method to use, we recommend trying a few different techniques to see which one works best for you.

Now let’s move on to a more detailed installation of the VPN service on your Linux device. The only difficulty the user may face is installing the correct package with the correct extension. Since Linux has many distributions, users need to find the right VPN package for a particular distribution.

However, after that, absolutely any user will do the following:

1. Install the repository.
2. Update data package.
3. Install VPN service on Linux.

Once you complete each step, you will be able to launch the application and use the terminal or GUI (if the program has one) to connect to the servers.

What Is the Best Linux Distro?

So, distributions such as Ubuntu, Kali and Mint were made on Debian. This means that they generally work the same way. From this, we can conclude that you can use the same packages with a VPN for these distributions, and no conflicts should arise in the system.

However, running Red Hat, you’ll need to look for RPM package installers. Thus, this distribution differs from previous versions. However, the VPN provider often supports several distributions at once and offers several installation packages to allow every user to have the best privacy for Linux.

But there is no need to be worried since we have selected VPN services so that each service will work on almost any Linux distribution, so you will not have problems during installation.

Bottom Line

As you can see, there are plenty of great VPNs for Linux in 2022. Among the many options on the VPN market, you can always find the most suitable option for your system. However, you should research and thoroughly test the tool to avoid making mistakes and choose the most appropriate resource for online anonymity.

Try to test the VPN service at home, and not in public places with open hotspots, as your data may be affected. The best way to test a private network is to use a virtual machine. In such an environment, you can do whatever you want and your data without putting your data at any risk. However, if you lack knowledge or computer skills, you can try testing the VPN with an old phone that you don’t use, if you have one. Otherwise, you just have to be extremely careful.

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