Best VPN for Linux

How We Evaluated the Best VPN for Linux

Using Linux comes with unique strengths and weaknesses, and finding the right VPN for the platform can be time-consuming and frustrating. Since most solutions are only optimized for Windows and macOS, many Linux users struggle to find the ones that work best with this operating system. But don’t worry, that’s why we are here. We researched and tested the most popular Linux VPN software to ensure we offer you a complete list of the best Linux VPN services.

Linux Compatibility

This was our number one priority. Regardless of how great the VPN service is, we chose only the brands that ran without any issues on Linux. We are well aware that we can’t hide from an occasional bug or crash, but we made sure that all available features are functional with the Linux VPN client and other platforms.

Diverse Platform and Device Support

The best VPN for Linux users not only protects them while using this particular operating system but also extends the protection to all their other devices. Regardless of whether you want to use the VPN on your second Windows-powered desktop, iPad, or Android smartphone, all brands on our list will safeguard your online privacy and keep your data well-hidden from prying eyes.

High-Speed Server Network

High-speed servers, carefully distributed throughout the whole world, can change the way you use the internet. We, therefore, looked for above-average speeds and networks accessible from all corners of the world.

Security Features

This criterion is a universal one when it comes to choosing a VPN solution. Regardless of whether you are looking for the best VPN for Linux or the best VPN for Chrome, you need to make sure that your information is safe. With that in mind, we chose only the VPN services that use the latest security protocols and stay up-to-date with all possible threats.

Pricing

Last but not least is the pricing — we generally looked for the right number of features with a side of affordable. To make sure we have something for everyone, we included free, affordable, and pricier options as long as what they offered was worth the investment.

Reviews of the Best Linux VPN Services

ExpressVPN

We chose ExpressVPN as the number one Linux VPN because it offers seamless protection anywhere in the world. You will take charge of your online privacy and security, regardless of your location. ExpressVPN will further protect you on all your devices, not only on Linux-powered machines.

Pros

• Modern and aesthetically pleasing apps
• Ultra-fast connection speed
• A massive, diversely distributed network of servers
• Superb customer support

Cons

• Above-average prices
• Only five simultaneous device connections

Features

Looking for the best VPN for Ubuntu? Look no further. This stable and reliable VPN for Ubuntu will let you browse privately and securely while using this version of Linux. You can make sure the product works smoothly on your operating system without any worries since ExpressVPN comes with a 100% 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN also offers support for both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of the software, which is why we think it’s one of the best, if not the best VPN for Linux Mint. The modern, elegant and seamless operating system, both easy to use and powerful, can be easily upgraded with ExpressVPN, transforming it into your privacy guard.

Pricing

Selecting a plan that works best for you has never been easier. With ExpressVPN, you can choose between 1-month ($12.95), 6-month ($9.99/month), and 12-month ($6.67/month) plans. While this VPN is not the cheapest out there, it's worth the money, especially if you are willing to commit to a 12-month plan.

NordVPN

NordVPN is another top choice for the best VPN client for Linux, specifically recommended for those looking for a service that is ready to use in a single click. Not only will NordVPN protect your privacy, but it will also provide you with an encrypted tunnel for your online traffic. No one can see through this tunnel, making your data more secure than ever.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Competitive connection speeds
• Robust security features
• Stellar customer support

Cons

• The Linux client has no graphic interface
• The interface may feel overwhelming at times

Features

As one of the best VPN for Linux alternatives, NordVPN has a lot to offer, starting with some of the fastest speeds currently available. Then, the NordVPN app for Linux is regularly updated, so it will help you keep your security up to speed with the newest possible threats.

NordVPN also has one of the most efficient kill switch features in the industry — it was designed to block your device from accessing the internet outside the encrypted VPN tunnel in case of a connection drop. This way, you will be protected 100% of the time.

Pricing

NordVPN is another company that believes in transparent and straightforward pricing, which should be the standard for the best VPN for Linux users.

The 1-month plan is priced at $11.95/month, while the 1-year plan costs $4.92/month, enabling you to save 58% within a year. Lastly, the 2-year plan is priced at $3.67/month, allowing you to save 69% and making it the most affordable one in the long run. Note that both the 1-year and the 2-year plan are billed once a year or once every two years, respectively.

SurfShark

SurfShark is the best Linux VPN for tech enthusiasts offering a single subscription that covers all your devices. Not only will that protect your privacy across all your Linux machines, but it will also work seamlessly on the likes of Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, etc.

Pros

• Strict no-logs policy
• AES-256-GCM encryption
• Offers private DNS servers
• Unlimited device connections

Cons

• Vague privacy policy
• Static IP address

Features

Linux users are not as much in danger of being hacked as their Windows counterparts, but a VPN service is still recommended for everyone who wants an additional layer of security. As one of the best Linux VPN services, SurfShark can seamlessly protect you with the top AES-256-GCM encryption protocol.

We also applaud SurfShark’s unlimited device support, enabling all Linux VPN users to connect everything they want with a single subscription. This can save you money in the long run while at the same time keeping you safe throughout all platforms and devices.

Pricing

There is another reason why we decided to add SurfShark to our list of the best Linux VPN services — new user discounts. For example, the yearly plan is a two-year plan for all first-time users. If you decide to choose the highest tier, you will be paying $2.89/month or $69.36 at the time of purchase and won’t be billed again until the end of the second year of your contract. Note that the payment after the first two years will be renewed every year.

SurfShark also offers a 1-month plan priced at $12.95/month, and a 6-month plan priced at $6.49/month, billed $38.94 every six months.

CyberGhost

We continue with the best VPN for Linux for those looking for a service that offers a well-built split tunneling feature. CyberGhost's split tunneling is one of the best we had the pleasure to test, and we firmly believe that it can be of great help for those who want to use VPN on Linux or any other operating system for that matter.

Pros

• Well-built split tunneling
• Extensive server network that’s continuously growing
• OpenVPN protocol for the Linux app
• Customer support with fast response times

Cons

• The ad blocker could use some work
• Some users complain about overloaded servers

Features

Another thing that makes this one of the best if not the best VPN for Linux is the OpenVPN protocol for all users. This leads to enhanced security and top performance for everyone who prefers Linux. CyberGhost further comes with the WireGuard protocol, which offers all its users both state-of-the-art encryption, and better speeds.

CyberGhost also unlocks the entirety of the internet. With zero internet restrictions, you can gain unlimited access to most streaming platform libraries, as well as bypass any geo-restricted content.

Pricing

What also makes CyberGhost one of the best Linux VPN choices is its generous discount for first-time users if they go with the highest tier — that would be an incredible 84% off for the yearly plan. First-time users, therefore, will be billed $58.5 for the first two years, which equals $2.25/month + two free months. The price will stay the same, but you will be charged annually.

CyberGhost also offers a monthly plan, priced at $12.99/month, and a 6-month that costs $6.39/month, billed $38.34 every six months.

Hide.me

Having the title best VPN for Linux comes with a lot of responsibilities, and Hide.me handles those with ease. What is one of the fastest VPNs for Linux comes with both a free and a paid version, and it’s based on the WireGuard protocol. It’s also available as an open-source project on Github that will give you a better insight into how the product works.

Pros

• Above-average connection speeds
• Strict no-logs policy
• Advanced privacy features
• Fully-functional free plan

Cons

• Users report random app crashes
• Some streaming platforms can not be unlocked

Features

Hide.me might just be the best VPN for Linux users who are particularly privacy-cautious. The company has a strict zero-logs policy, which means that they are not storing any logs of your online activity. On the other hand, Hide.me also offers some of the most advanced privacy features such as Split Tunneling, IPv6 Support, Stealth Guard, Advanced IP Leak Protection, WireGuard®, and many more.

Pricing

The free version is one of the biggest reasons why Hide.me is among the best Linux VPN services. It’s fully functional and doesn’t require a credit card for activation. It comes with 10GB of monthly data traffic, five locations, and one connection.

Hide.me’s unlimited data traffic, 10 simultaneous connections, and 2,000 servers in 75 locations come with the vendor’s premium packages. At $12.95, the monthly plan is the most expensive choice. The 1-year plan will cost you $8.32/month, billed $99.95 every 12 months. Lastly, the 2-year plan comes with an exclusive deal. Priced at $4.99/month and billed $129.95 every 24 months, this plan includes two free months and 2TB of encrypted cloud storage.

VPN.ac

While VPN.ac only has a beta version of its Linux app, it's still one of the best Linux VPN services currently available. Note that beta means that it’s still being tested and optimized, but that won’t stop you from enjoying all the benefits that come from it as a Linux user.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Up to twelve simultaneous connections
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Smaller server network compared to alternatives
• Linux VPN client is still in beta

Features

At the time of writing, the app is in the beta stage and only available for Debian-based distros, tested with the latest Debian, Mint, Ubuntu distributions. That said, it is still among the best VPN for Linux Mint that we tested during our research. The service offers impressive speeds and unlimited bandwidth — something that all Linux Mint VPN users can benefit from.

VPN.ac may not be as popular as some other names on our list, but given the number of positive feedback from its users, it deserves a bigger following.

Pricing

Since it’s not among the most popular brands, VPN.ac offers more affordable pricing than the big industry names, meaning it might prove to be the best VPN for Linux for cost-conscious users. The 1-month plan is priced at $9/month. The cost keeps going down as we move up the tiers — the 3-month plan will set you back $8/month (billed $24 every three months), the 1-year plan is priced at $4.8/month (or $58 every twelve months), and the 2-year plan costs $3.75/month (you’ll be charged $90 every 24 months).

Ivacy VPN

Are you looking for the best VPN for Ubuntu that will not overwhelm your budget? Ivacy VPN may just fit the bill. The VPN service for Ubuntu is best known for its encrypted tunnel that will lead you to your desired websites while at the same time providing you with an extra layer of privacy and security. The service is constantly updated and now comes with both 64-bit and 32-bit support for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, Mint, and Arch Linux.

Pros

• Compatible with Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and CentOS
• High-speed P2P file sharing
• Affordable long-term plans
• 24/7 support to setup Ivacy VPN for Linux on a router

Cons

• No security/privacy audit
• Based in Singapore, a privacy-unfriendly jurisdiction

Features

A strong contender for the best VPN client for Linux title, Ivacy VPN uses specially optimized servers to enhance your P2P file sharing experience with high-speed delivery. It boasts over 3,500 servers in over 100 locations, allowing all its users to connect from anywhere in the world.

Same as with VPN.ac, Ivacy VPN is slowly building up its reputation among the world’s most private internet users. Ivacy VPN is among the most affordable VPN software for Linux that also comes with multiple essential and more advanced features. This means more features for less money.

Pricing

Ivacy VPN is the cheapest service on our list, with the most affordable plan priced at $2.45/month, billed $59 every 24 months. The 2-year plan also comes with an encrypted 2TB of cloud storage for free. What more could one ask from the best VPN for Linux?

If you are not looking for a long-term contract or simply can’t afford one, Ivacy VPN also offers a monthly plan that will set you back $9.95/month, and an annual plan that costs $3.66/month, billed at $33 every twelve months.

Ivacy VPN further has custom pricing for bulk purchases, and users looking for those should contact the vendor directly for more information.

How to Choose the Best VPN for Linux

We firmly believe that you will not make a mistake regardless of which VPN you choose from our list. That said, depending on your needs and budget, some of the Linux VPN software on our list may be better for you than the rest. All you have to do is follow our simple three-step guide, and you will choose the best service for you with ease.

Pros Over Cons

Even the world’s best VPN for Linux has weaknesses. What you need to do at this point is eliminate the platforms with the weaknesses you simply can’t tolerate. Whether it’s slower-than-average speeds, overwhelming interface, or not enough simultaneous device connections, make sure that the cons will not become an issue for you in the long run.

Highlight the Best Features

Every VPN service offers the basic set of features needed to do its job correctly. The difference is in the unique ones. The best VPN client for Linux that will be a perfect fit for you is the one that will offer you something that the rest can’t. And those are the features that you should be highlighting and focusing on during this step.

Define Your Budget

You are probably left with just a couple of choices once you have eliminated the services with the deal-breakers and those without the must-haves. This is where your budget comes in. Carefully define how much you are willing to spend on this service and compare the amount against the pricing plans of the VPNs you’re left with. This last step should leave you with the best VPN for Linux that perfectly matches your needs.