Most VPN guides treat Linux as an afterthought, recommending the same providers as Windows with a footnote that a Linux app exists. That’s not enough. Whether you run Linux on a desktop, headless server or Raspberry Pi, the picks here are built for your use case.
A proper Linux VPN needs a native app, CLI and GUI support, wide distro compatibility and real feature parity. Surfshark, for instance, lacks split tunneling and obfuscation on Linux despite offering both on Windows and Android. Details like that matter.
The picks in this guide are providers that actually invest in Linux, not just ones with a Linux checkbox.
Why Linux Users Still Need a VPN?
Linux machines are increasingly deployed as home servers and Raspberry Pi gateways, routing every connected device through a single network. In those environments, a VPN does not just protect one browser session; it covers everything on the network at once.
If you manage one of these setups, a VPN on a router can extend the same protection to every device that joins your home network. Running Linux also does not make your network traffic private by default.
Your ISP still logs every connection, DNS queries still expose browsing activity and geo-restrictions still apply regardless of your operating system.
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What Makes a Linux VPN Different?
- CLI and GUI both matter. Desktop users want a graphical app. Headless servers and SSH environments need reliable command-line control. The best Linux VPNs offer both with proper documentation.
- Distro breadth separates serious providers from half-measures. A provider that only packages Ubuntu and Debian has not committed to Linux; it has checked a box.
- Feature parity is a real problem. Surfshark has no split tunneling or obfuscation on Linux. ExpressVPN is primarily CLI only. Always verify the Linux feature set before choosing based on a Windows review.
- Open-source code is more achievable on Linux than on any other platform. Proton VPN, PIA and NordVPN all publish their Linux app code openly. That transparency matters to the people who chose Linux in the first place. For a broader view of auditable providers across platforms, see our best VPN for privacy guide.
Best VPNs for Linux Compared
| VPN Provider | GUI | CLI | Port Forwarding | Open Source App | Distros Supported |
| Proton VPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8+ |
| NordVPN | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 9 official |
| PIA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5+ generic |
| Mullvad | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | DEB, RPM, ARM64 |
| Windscribe | Yes | No | No | No | DEB/RPM |
Proton VPN
Swiss-based, fully open-source, and independently audited. The free tier is unlimited, NetShield blocks ads and malware at the DNS level, Secure Core routes traffic through hardened servers, and the Stealth protocol bypasses VPN detection on restrictive networks. Port forwarding is available at $2.99/mo.
NordVPN
Supports nine official Linux distros including Fedora, RHEL, CentOS, openSUSE and Qubes OS, plus Arch via AUR and NixOS as a system module. The app went open-source in 2025, and NordLynx records just 6% download and 4% upload speed loss, the fastest option here. GUI and CLI are both available at $3.39/mo.
PIA
Open-source GUI with native port forwarding and a generic binary that installs on virtually any distro. No-logs policy confirmed by Deloitte in 2022, and MACE handles DNS-level ad and tracker blocking. An 84% upload speed loss in testing makes it unsuitable for video calls or cloud backups.
Mullvad
No email or personal data required. Signup generates a random account number and cash or cryptocurrency is accepted. Flat $5.80/month with no renewal hikes. WireGuard key rotation, multi-hop, custom DNS and Raspberry Pi ARM64 support are all included as standard.
If hardened anonymity is the priority, compare Mullvad against the most secure VPN options tested across the board.
Windscribe
Offers 10 GB of free monthly data via DEB and RPM packages with WireGuard and OpenVPN support. Unblocks Netflix, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer even on the free tier, though free servers are limited to 10 countries.
No independent audit has been conducted which is a meaningful gap for privacy-focused users. For storage-capped alternatives, see our roundup of the best free VPN options.
How to Set Up a VPN on Linux?
If you’re new to the process, skim our general how-to set up a VPN walkthrough before running Linux-specific commands.
Proton VPN on Ubuntu or Debian
sudo apt install proton-vpn-gnome-desktop
Log in through the GUI or use protonvpn-cli connect in the terminal. Enable the kill switch with protonvpn-cli ks –on.
NordVPN on Any Supported Distro
- sh <(curl -sSf https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh)
- nordvpn login && nordvpn connect && nordvpn set killswitch on
WireGuard As a Standalone Option
- Built into the Linux kernel from version 5.6. Install with sudo apt install wireguard and configure using your provider’s .conf file. Best choice for headless servers and Raspberry Pi devices. For a deeper protocol breakdown, read WireGuard vs OpenVPN.
- After connecting, visit ipleak.net to confirm that your IP and DNS both reflect the VPN server. If DNS still shows your ISP, set your VPN’s DNS override or update /etc/resolv.conf manually.
Setting Up Over SSH: Protect Your Session First
Open a tmux or screen session before routing traffic through the VPN. This keeps your terminal active if connection routing changes mid-session. If your SSH connection drops after enabling the VPN, use split tunneling to exclude your SSH client from the tunnel entirely.
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Best VPN for Linux: FAQs
The Bottom Line
Linux deserves VPN apps built for it, not ported from other platforms. Proton VPN is the strongest all-round pick, open-source, Swiss-based and the most feature-complete.
NordVPN leads in distro support and speed. PIA suits server environments needing port forwarding. Mullvad is for true anonymity at the registration level. Windscribe is the best free option.
On setup, enable the kill switch, verify at ipleak.net and check for IPv6 leaks before using it for anything sensitive.