Linux users enjoy greater control over their systems compared to mainstream desktop users. However, even with the greatest control, one doesn’t necessarily enjoy any level of privacy online, since your ISP can still see your connections, and public WiFi spots leave you open to local hackers.
Websites can still recognize your connections via IP address. A good VPN service adds an additional layer to create an encrypted connection between your Linux system and the service’s server.
Users may also hold misconceptions about what a particular service protects and what it collects. Thus, it is just as crucial for a service to have a good privacy policy as it is to have good technology.
There is another consideration for Linux users: how well the VPN actually works with Linux. A service may have an excellent mobile or Windows app but offer limited Linux support.
The following VPNs are worth considering based on Linux compatibility, privacy features, security controls, and everyday usability.
1. VPNGeek: Best For a Dedicated Linux Experience
VPNGeek is one of the best VPN for Linux on the market, as it provides its clients with a dedicated Linux client rather than forcing users to configure files manually. Among other things, VPNGeek supports Linux by offering the desktop version of the software as well as a command-line interface for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and RHEL.
This CLI can connect to the server, show the connection status, activate the kill switch, and automatically reconnect upon system startup. In other words, this software is perfect for regular desktop users as well as for those who enjoy using a terminal. By default, the software uses the WireGuard protocol but also supports OpenVPN.
It advertises audited no-logs policies, RAM-only servers, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, and a kill switch, plus servers in more than 60 countries with smart routing that automatically selects the fastest location.
2. Proton VPN: Best For Privacy-Focused Linux Users
Proton VPN is another strong option for Linux users who prioritize privacy. Its Linux application is designed for major distributions, and the service supports modern VPN protocols as well as privacy-oriented features.
One advantage of Proton VPN is that privacy is central to its wider product design rather than presented as an optional extra. Users can choose from different server locations, and a kill switch helps prevent traffic from leaving the protected connection if the VPN disconnects.
Linux users who value a broader ecosystem of security products may appreciate Proton VPN, though it’s worth reviewing current Linux requirements before subscribing.
3. Mullvad VPN: Best For Minimal Personal Data
Unlike other services, Mullvad is well known for offering an entirely new way to manage account credentials. Rather than a standard email-based account login, Mullvad gives you an account number to access its services.
Another very important reason Mullvad deserves inclusion on this list of the best VPNs is that it supports Linux. This service not only provides a Linux application but also allows manual configuration.
Mullvad also supports WireGuard and a kill switch, and its straightforward approach appeals to Linux users who want a service that takes privacy seriously without a complicated interface.
4. NordVPN: Best For a Broad Feature Set
NordVPN is a well-established commercial VPN that also supports Linux, making it particularly useful for users comfortable with command-line tools, since they can connect to and manage the service without a traditional graphical application.
The service supports modern VPN protocols and offers features designed to prevent accidental exposure when the connection is interrupted, along with a large selection of server locations for users who travel or need access to different regions.
Linux users should check which features are available through the Linux client rather than assuming that everything offered on Windows or mobile is also present, since Linux applications can differ substantially.
5. Surfshark: Best For Multiple Devices
Surfshark is yet another choice for Linux users seeking protection beyond their desktops, since its comprehensive package caters to multi-device needs and can be useful even when the entire household uses multiple devices, not just Linux.
Surfshark works on Linux and offers features like a kill switch and the latest protocols needed by anyone using a Linux system, as well as on smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
Privacy-focused users are advised to look into the specific details of what Surfshark can do on Linux compared to other OSs, because the software’s good reputation is irrelevant to what it can do on Linux.
6. ExpressVPN: Best For Straightforward Everyday Use
ExpressVPN has long offered Linux support and is another choice for users who want a mainstream VPN that works across multiple operating systems.
Its Linux application uses a command-line interface, which may appeal to experienced Linux users who prefer terminal-based controls. The service supports modern VPN protocols and includes a kill switch designed to prevent traffic from continuing outside the tunnel if it fails.
ExpressVPN suits people who want a familiar commercial provider without extensive manual configuration, though Linux users should confirm the features they want are available through the Linux client.
7. CyberGhost VPN: Best For a Large Server Selection
Another popular and well-known VPN service is CyberGhost, which is compatible with Linux and offers a vast global network for Linux users who travel frequently or wish to connect from various locations.
It also works well with OpenVPN on Linux and allows users to configure the VPN if they wish, which is a bonus for Linux users with some experience. As with other services on this list, distinguish between a provider’s overall feature set and what’s actually available on Linux, especially when comparing graphical apps on other platforms with Linux’s command-line approach.
Which VPN Should You Choose?
When it comes to Linux users, one must understand that there are significant differences between providers that offer a Linux client and those that actually integrate Linux into their services.
For users who value these kinds of features, VPNGeek will be a good choice thanks to its dedicated Linux client with graphical and command-line interfaces, support for WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, a kill switch and split tunneling, and an audited no-logs infrastructure.
If privacy is what you value most, Proton VPN and Mullvad will be your best choices, while other commercial solutions with Linux support include NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
The important thing to remember here is that, in either case, one should pay attention to the Linux-specific client, privacy policies, supported protocols, kill switch, leak protection, server coverage, and not just rely on the brand’s reputation, since the VPN is just one element of online privacy.