4 Best FREE VPN for Linux (2025)

Linux-based OS is always considered more secure against malware and viruses. But security is only one part of the picture. Even if your computer system is secured against various threats, you still need to protect your communications with the rest of the world. Like Windows, Mac, even Linux users are still subjected to intense surveillance and social tracking while browsing the Internet.

To secure your privacy, you need to use the best VPN for Linux-based operating systems tailored for your individual needs and circumstances.

After spending over 110 hours researching, I have reviewed 45+ Best FREE VPN for Linux options, including both free and paid choices. My well-researched and unbiased guide offers trusted insights, revealing the pros and cons of each. This comprehensive review may help you find the perfect VPN for Linux. Read the full article to discover exclusive features and verified recommendations. Read more…

Our Best Free VPN recommendation

Best FREE VPN for Linux: Top Picks!

	#1 Best Overall
VPN Provider	ExpressVPN	NordVPN	Surfshark	Proton VPN
Linux Distro Supported	Ubuntu 19.04, 18.04 and 16.04, Fedora 29, 30 and 31, Mint 19, Kali, CentOS 17, PoP, etc.	Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, RHEL, OpenSUSE, and CentOS	Ubuntu, Debian, Kali, Astra, Mint, Lubuntu, Kubuntu, MX, Parrot, Pop	Debian 10, Ubuntu 20.04 (LTS), Mint 20, MX Linux 19, Kali Linux, Fedora 31+, Archlinux/ Manjaro, etc.
GUI Client (CLI)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Number of servers	2000+	6400+	3200+	6200+
No. of Server Countries	105	111	100	100+
24/7 support	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Max connections	8	10	Unlimited	10
Our Review We rate VPNs based on factors such as Speed, User Experience, Bandwidth, Countries Supported, Pricing, No Log Policy etc.	Excellent – 9.8	Excellent – 9.7	Good – 9.6	Good – 9.5
Free trial VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but you must subscribe to the 1-month plan first.	30 days	30 days	30 days	30 days
Link	Try Free Now	Try Free Now	Try Free Now	Try Free Now

1) ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for Linux I have tried to browse the Internet safely. It allowed me to access music, social media websites, videos, and other content without limits. I particularly liked that this VPN does not log your IP address, browsing history, DNS queries, or traffic destinations, which helped me feel secure online.

This VPN offers online protection using leak proofing and encryption facilities. It helps you stay secure by hiding your IP address and encrypting your network data. This VPN for Linux provides 24/7 assistance via email as well as live chat.

It is one of the best VPNs for Linux that allows you to pay with Bitcoin. ExpressVPN encrypts user web traffic and masks IP addresses. It also helps you to hide your physical location. This Linux VPN service provider offers subscription plans for 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. This VPN offers a smart DNS service to unblock geo-restricted content.

Features:

• Connection Security: You can enjoy AES-256 encryption, ensuring strong protection across networks.
• Server Locations: It offers thousands of servers globally for seamless and unrestricted browsing. I benefitted from using its wide range of server options.
• Cross-Platform Support: It allows you to connect across multiple devices without any compatibility issues.
• Unlimited Bandwidth: You can enjoy unlimited bandwidth without restrictions, ideal for streaming and gaming.
• High-Speed Connectivity: You can experience ultra-fast connection speeds, optimized for lag-free performance.

Key Specs:

Server Network:	2000+ servers in 105 countries
Split Tunneling:	Yes
Data Allowance:	Unlimited
Torrenting:	Yes
Kill Switch:	Yes
No-logging policy:	Yes
Ip Addresses:	Dynamic
Simultaneous Connection:	8 devices
Free Trial:	30-Days Money-back Guarantee Check Now!

How to use ExpressVPN for Free:

• Start your risk-free ExpressVPN trial. You can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no costs.
• ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This VPN service provides flexible pricing plans making it an easy-to-use online privacy tool.

Get Free Now >>

30-Days Money-back Guarantee

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2) NordVPN

NordVPN is a superior choice VPN for Linux I reviewed. It does not track, collect, or share your data. It provides security by encrypting the data you send and receive. I particularly liked that it supports P2P sharing and helps you prevent ads and malware. In fact, it allows you to access many blocked sites with no hassle. This VPN for Linux offers plans for 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years.

Features:

• Multi-Device Support: You can connect multiple devices with a single account for better flexibility.
• Strict No-Logs Policy: It ensures no data logs are stored, providing complete anonymity. I could access the internet knowing my activity remained private.
• Global Server Coverage: It offers thousands of servers worldwide for fast, unrestricted access anywhere.
• Automatic Kill Switch: You can prevent data leaks by using the automatic kill switch feature.
• DNS Leak Protection: It protects your online identity by preventing DNS leaks during browsing.

Key Specs:

Server Network:	6400+ servers in 111 countries
Split Tunneling:	Yes
Data Allowance:	Unlimited
Torrenting:	Yes
Kill Switch:	Yes
No-logging policy:	Yes
Ip Addresses:	Static
Simultaneous Connection:	10 devices
Free Trial:	30-Days Money-back Guarantee Check Now!

How to use NordVPN for Free:

• Start your risk-free NordVPN trial. You can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no costs.
• NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. It also offers flexible pricing plans, which makes it an easy to use and valuable privacy tool.

Get Free Now >>

30-Days Money-back Guarantee

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3) Surfshark

Surfshark is a great option for Linux. During my analysis, it offered fast and secure Internet access. It helped me maintain privacy with tunneling protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Surfshark also ensured that my physical location stayed hidden and my sensitive data remained secure.

This VPN allows apps and websites to bypass the VPN blocks. You can protect your identity by hiding your real IP address. It does not log your WebRTC IP and also prevents DNS leaks. Surfshark is a Linux-supported VPN that allows P2P connection on specific servers. It is one of the best VPN services that can block unwanted websites without any hassle. It enables you to share your IP address with other people on the same server. It is one of the best VPNs for Linux, enabling you to bookmark your favorite locations for future use.

Features:

• CleanWeb Feature: It blocks ads, trackers, and malware for a safer browsing experience.
• Private DNS on Every Server: It ensures your internet activity is secure and private across all servers.
• MultiHop Feature: You can route your connection through multiple countries for added security. I benefitted from using this feature for extra protection while browsing.
• Camouflage Mode: It hides your VPN usage, making it undetectable even by your ISP.
• NoBorders Mode: You can access Surfshark even in restrictive regions with internet censorship.

Key Specs:

Server Network:	3200+ servers in 100 countries
Split Tunneling:	Yes
Data Allowance:	Unlimited
Torrenting:	Yes
Kill Switch:	Yes
No-logging policy:	Yes
Ip Addresses:	Static
Simultaneous Connection:	Unlimited
Free Trial:	30-Days Money-back Guarantee Check Now!

How to use Surfshark for Free:

• Start your risk-free trial of Surfshark. You can cancel your subscription at any time. There are no hidden costs.
• Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. It provides different plans for online privacy and protection.

Get Free Now >>

30-Days Money-back Guarantee

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4) Proton VPN

Proton VPN is a top-rated choice for protecting online privacy. I checked that it lets you browse anonymously, unblock websites, and encrypt Internet traffic. It offered me peace of mind by running on high-speed Swiss VPN servers that protected my privacy.

Features:

• Secure Core Servers: You can route traffic through multiple servers for enhanced privacy protection.
• No Data Limits: You can browse, stream, and download without worrying about bandwidth restrictions.
• Strict No-Logs Policy: It ensures complete anonymity, with no user data retained or tracked. I benefitted from using this to safeguard my online activities.
• Automatic Kill Switch: You can prevent accidental data exposure with the automatic kill switch feature.
• Perfect Forward Secrecy: It regularly changes encryption keys to ensure high-level data security.

Key Specs:

Server Network:	6200+ servers in 100+ countries
Split Tunneling:	Yes
Data Allowance:	Unlimited
Torrenting:	Yes
Kill Switch:	Yes
No-logging policy:	Yes
Ip Addresses:	Dynamic
Simultaneous Connection:	10 devices
Free Trial:	30-Days Money-back Guarantee Check Now!

How to use Proton VPN for Free:

• It offers a completely Free VPN that has 6200+ servers in 100 countries. Just register and start using

Get Free Now >>

30-Days Money-back Guarantee

How do I set up a VPN for Linux distros?

Installing a VPN on Linux could be challenging. None of the VPNs for Linux have a simple app with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) like you find on their Windows or Android VPN apps. Fortunately, they have distro-specific installation instructions easily available.

Ubuntu-based distributions are the most popular for Linux. Hence, we will install NordVPN for Ubuntu.

Step 1) Ensure you have curl installed.

Use the command

sudo snap install curl

Step 2) Install NordVPN,

Use this command to install NordVPN

sh <(curl -sSf https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh)

Note: The installation process will take 2-3 minutes, depending on your network speed

Step 3) Solve the access denied error (If occurs)

If you get the following error then Enter the command,and reboot the machine.

sudo usermod -aG nordvpn $USER

Step 4) Login into NordVPN using the command

1. nordvpn login

2. Enter your login credentials

Step 5) Connect to a VPN server

Use the following command to connect to a VPN server.

nordvpn connect

Step 6) To Logout use the command

nordvpn logout

Step 7) Check for the available server locations

Use the following command to check all the available server locations

man nordvpn

How Did We Choose Best FREE VPN for Linux?

At Guru99, we are committed to delivering accurate, relevant, and objective information through rigorous content creation and review processes. After spending over 110 hours researching and reviewing 45+ FREE VPN for Linux options, I have provided a well-researched guide, highlighting both free and paid choices. This comprehensive review reveals the pros and cons of each VPN, aiming to help you choose the right one. With numerous options available, it is important to focus on key factors that provide value and security.

• Security Features: We paid attention to encryption protocols, ensuring that data remains safe and secure.
• Performance: According to our research, it is essential to choose VPNs that provide fast speeds without interruptions.
• Compatibility: The VPN should be easy to install and perfectly compatible with all Linux distributions.
• No-Log Policy: It is best to avoid VPNs that store your data or log your online activity.

What makes the best Linux VPN?

Here are some important things you need to consider in the best Linux VPN:

The VPN service must have native Linux clients. Else you’ll not be able to use it with your distro. Having a mobile app is surely a plus that makes you secure even while traveling. A good VPN service will also offer a selection of servers across the world. It helps you connect to a server closest to you to have a good connection speed.

Another important attribute of a good VPN service is having a clear logging policy and giving exact details about their user’s records and the main purpose of such logging.

Like all network services, occasionally, your connection to the remote VPN may be disconnected. It must allow you to handle this type of scenario as many VPN services offer a kill switch feature that automatically blocks all outgoing network data to ensure your computer doesn’t send them over an unencrypted connection. Many VPN services offer a kill switch facility, an essential feature in a VPN service.

Can you get a free Linux VPN?

There are some free Linux VPNs that you can use. However, you need to remember that none of them fully support Linux. Thus, we recommend that you sign-up for a free NordVPN account on a different platform and then configure OpenVPN on Linux to use it.

The Linux OpenVPN client is free, and it’s available as either a stand-alone command-line app or as a set of packages that integrate with NetworkManager.

How to disguise VPN traffic as HTTPS traffic?

By default, OpenVPN uses UDP port 1194. Although, it can be run over TCP port 443 to emulate regular HTTPS traffic. This trick can be effective at disguising OpenVPN traffic in several situations. However, it may not hide you from more advanced deep packet inspection (DPI) techniques.

To use TCP port 443 in OpenVPN, both client-side and server-side should be configured, but most VPNs support TCP port 443. Your VPN provider may offer the OpenVPN config file (.ovpn) pre-configured for TCP port 443. If it doesn’t, you can create it yourself by performing the below steps:

Step 1) Edit the .ovpn file you want to use in any text editor, remove any existing settings, and add the lines:

Step 2) Remote server.address.com 443

Step 3) Proto TCP

Then save it. If in doubt, contact your VPN provider for advice, as it is possible that it uses custom settings, or not all of its servers support OpenVPN over TCP port 443.

» Check here our list of the Best Linux Distros

How do I set up an L2TP VPN connection in Linux?

Make sure your VPN provider supports L2TP/IPSec. If it does, it will help you get all the important connection details, including a shared secret, your username, and password. You need to install L2TP from the command line. After this, you can add a connection using the Linux Network Manager using the same steps as above.

How do I connect to a VPN automatically on Linux?

Most of the above-mentioned VPNs have dedicated Linux apps with an option to connect in the settings automatically. However, that depends on the app. If your VPN is manually configured, you can get it to run automatically depending on your protocol and using a third-party VPN app.

What can your ISP see if you don’t use a VPN for Linux?

If you have not taken steps to protect your Internet connection, your ISP will log every website you visit. This can be disastrous if you live in a country that wants to control your online activities. So, visiting the wrong website from the wrong country may result in legal trouble for you.

Even if the knowledge of where you go online doesn’t result in a threat to your life and liberty, it can still lead to some unpleasant stuff. Many countries need local ISPs to keep records of everything people do online for months or even years.

Verdict:

In this review, you got acquainted with some of the most popular VPNs for Linux. All of them come with their own set of features. To assist you in making a choice, here is my verdict.

• ExpressVPN offers a robust and secure network, with dynamic IP addresses and a customizable user experience across 2000+ servers.
• NordVPN excels in privacy, with a great no-logging policy and a top-notch smart DNS feature for content access.
• Surfshark is a cost-effective solution, allowing unlimited device connections while maintaining impressive security and performance standards.