Finding the best VPNs for Linux can be challenging, as many VPN providers out there do not have dedicated Linux apps. And the reason is simple – most people who work on this OS are tech-savvy and are not the best target audience for many SaaS companies (which VPNs are). However, there are still a few good options available, and we’ll see the best ones in this article.
What is VPN?
VPN, or virtual private network, is a type of networking technology used to create a secure connection over a public network. VPNs use a combination of encryption and tunneling protocols to create a secure connection between two or more devices.
Why do Linux users stick with VPNs?
There are many reasons why Linux users might want to pay for a VPN, even though streaming is often cited as the primary reason. In reality, VPNs offer a wide range of benefits and can be used for everything from online gaming to browsing the web anonymously.
For Linux users, a VPN can provide an extra layer of security, particularly if they are using public Wi-Fi hotspots. Additionally, a VPN can allow users to access geo-restricted content that might not be available in their country – including social media and banned websites. Overall, VPNs provide a versatile and useful service for Linux users, and are certainly worth paying for.
How did we come up with this list of VPNs?
To come up with this list of VPNs, we took into account several factors – price, features, supported devices, speed, and security. In particular, we focused on those that had good support for Linux devices.
Best VPNs for Linux
PrivateVPN is one of the best performing VPNs on the market. It offers great speeds and military-grade security, making it a great choice for users who are looking for a reliable and affordable VPN for Linux service.
Additionally, PrivateVPN excels with torrenting and streaming, allowing users to access content from around the world without restrictions. With its 10 device simultaneous connection limit and 3-year, $72 plan (or $2.00 per month), PrivateVPN offers an excellent value for money.
NordVPN is another top-tier VPN for Linux. It comes with amazing speeds (the fastest on the market), and multi-layer security that allows it to be one of the most robust VPNs out there. NordVPN does a great job to protect your website traffic.
The starting price for accessing NordVPN is about $2.99, and you get 6 devices per account which is a good deal. Streaming-wise, it opens many services, but if you want to use it for torrenting – you may prefer other options.
If you’re looking for a great VPN app that won’t break the bank, Surfshark is definitely worth checking out. For just $1.99 a month on a two-year plan, you get access to a top-quality VPN service with great security, fast speeds, and support for streaming on multiple platforms.
Plus, one of the best things about Surfshark is that there’s no limit on the number of devices you can link to your account – so you can protect all your devices with just one subscription. If you’re looking for value for money, Surfshark is definitely one of the best options out there.
ProtonVPN is definitely worth considering for Linux users. It’s one of the few VPNs that offer a graphic user interface for Linux, and it also has a free version with unlimited traffic, albeit the free servers get congested quite often.
The paid version starts at $4.99 and gives you great security and high speeds. Streaming-wise, it’s not that great, but it’s still an amazing choice if you’re looking for a top VPN for Linux. Especially if you aren’t that great with CLI apps.
ExpressVPN is a very popular name in the VPN industry and is certainly among the best VPNs for Linux. While it doesn’t have a GUI for the most technical OS, it provides insane security which isn’t matched by almost anyone in the industry.
The cheapest plan (annual) starts at $6.67 and offers 5 devices per account, which is one of the most expensive and certainly the highest on our list. However, if you enjoy great security, fantastic streaming options, and good speeds – ExpressVPN is a top dog.
Private Internet Access, or PIA, has the largest server network in the US and across the world – over 30,000 servers. You can enjoy good speeds and high-level security when using it as your go-to VPN for Linux.
Price-wise, it’s also a good deal to use it – you can subscribe for just over $2 a month for the three-year plan. It’s a decent option for streaming, and a very solid option for torrenting and managing servers.
CyberGhost is a very solid VPN for Linux. It offers a generous package including a VPN, adblocker, and antivirus software, all for great prices. Security-wise, it is a fantastic app, and the offered speeds are also good.
While we cannot say it’s the best streaming VPN out there, you can open some services, but what makes it great is that you can subscribe for just $2.19 a month and have a 45-day money-back guarantee.
VPN for Linux FAQs
Configuring a VPN yourself requires some technical know-how and can be time-consuming. However, it does give you full control over your VPN settings, and you don’t have to worry about trusting a third party with your data.
Subscribing to a VPN service is the easiest way to get up and running with a VPN on Linux. You’ll generally just need to install an app and enter your login credentials. The downside is that you’re relying on the security of the VPN provider, and you may have to pay for the service.
- Security – VPNs offer a unique and unparalleled level of security for Linux users. By encrypting all traffic from your device to the internet, a VPN prevents any third-party from spying on or intercepting your data. This is especially important when torrenting or streaming copyrighted content, as you can be sure that your ISP will not be able to see what you’re doing.
- Bypassing censorship – VPNs can bypass government censorship and restrictions, ensuring you have access to the entire internet.