9 Best Free VPN for Linux in 2023
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Do you prefer Linux to other operating systems due to its built-in security, unmatched uptime, or open-source, free nature? If so, you may want to consider using a Virtual Private Networks (VPN) service that can speed up all your activities on the Internet and enhance your online security, offering you secure, seamless streaming from anywhere.
There are many VPNs that claim to work well for Linux; but when we tried them out, we found that many of them were prone to irritations like sluggish speed, extremely busy servers, and other unpredictable problems. If you are looking for the best free VPN for Linux, we’ve got you covered.
Having conducted trial runs on dozens of free VPNs for Linux, we identified 9 that we consider the most user-friendly and safe of the free Linux VPNs, and we will discuss each of them below.
However, before we start, you need to be aware that many free VPNs have serious drawbacks and limitations, exposing free users to security breaches, data caps, or simply providing an ineffective VPN connection. The best way to get access to a reputable free service is to use the following reputable VPN service providers for their free trial periods.
In a Hurry? Here Are the Best Free VPNs for Linux
- ExpressVPN: Best VPN service for Linux users, with the best speeds and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- NordVPN: Reliable VPN provider providing buffer-free access to popular streaming services.
- Surfshark: VPN service that offers unlimited simultaneous connections and a no-logging policy.
- CyberGhost: VPN provider with over 90 server locations in countries worldwide.
- Private Internet Access: VPN service offering unlimited data and port forwarding.
9 Best Free VPNs for Linux
Whichever Linux distros you choose, you’ll want to use a free VPN provider that offers quick installation, great security features, and top speeds.
We vetted over 40 services to help you access secure streaming and online access from any location.
1. ExpressVPN
Connections: Up to 5
Torrenting: Yes
Free Trial: 7 Days for Mobile
Money Back: 30 Days
Netflix: Yes
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Linux, with over 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide.
This premium VPN offers the fastest Internet connection, with no data cap, unlimited free bandwidth, and the ability to easily unblock streaming sites with buffer-free quality, such as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix libraries, and more.
This VPN has top security and privacy features, like an automatic Kill Switch, military-grade encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, and the assurance that they do not keep any user logs.
ExpressVPN has a Linux version that is the same as its versions for macOS and Windows, so it allows you access to its many server locations, giving you access to geo-restricted platforms and sites around the globe.
ExpressVPN provides you with a clear and easy, step-by-step guide to installation and it is compatible with Debian, Fedora, Linux, Ubuntu, Arch, Raspberry Pi, and CentOS. Manual installation is also possible or it can be run with extensions from Chrome or Firefox on your browser. You can also opt for manual setup via the Linux terminal or the Network Manager.
ExpressVPN offers live chat support, all day, every day, to address your difficulties and provide answers to all your questions.
Strangely, this VPN for Linux happens to be a premium paid VPN, so what is it doing on our list of best free VPN services?
Well, because you can try it out for 30 days and get all your money back if you are dissatisfied, we consider this VPN service as good as free.
- OpenVPN protocol
- Kill Switch
- Unlimited data
- 5 simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 live chat support
- No-logging policy
2. NordVPN
Connections: Up to 6
Torrenting: Yes
Free Trial: No
Money Back: 30 Days
Netflix: Yes
NordVPN is a great, low-cost VPN for Linux, with over 5,000 servers in 60 countries worldwide.
When it comes to streaming geo-restricted content, NordVPN is a great choice, with no data cap, unlimited bandwidth, and a proven record at unblocking sites like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
This VPN has a dedicated Linux app that is easy to install and use and offers great security features and VPN settings, like an ad blocker, anti-malware filter, automatic Kill Switch, AES 256-bit encryption, and a strict no-logging policy.
If you are trying to figure out the right VPN protocol to use, or how best to use this VPN for Linux, you can contact its support team, available 24/7 via live chat option.
If you need, you can also check out the NordVPN website for help on setting up and using the Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Elementary OS, and Debian Linux distributions, as well as setup guides for other operating systems.
You can connect your VPN using the Linux kernel Network Manager, or the Linux Terminal.
Since this VPN does not offer a completely free plan, you can essentially pretend it is free by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- No data cap
- Kill Switch
- NordLynx protocol
- 6 simultaneous connections
- 24/7 live chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No-logging policy
3. Surfshark
Connections: Unlimited
Torrenting: Yes
Free Trial: 7 Days (Mobile Only)
Money Back: 30 Days
Netflix: Yes
This low-cost, dependable VPN allows Linux users to use it for a month as a free VPN for Linux as it offers you a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
Surfshark has a command-line app that works with Linux distro as well as Debian and Ubuntu distros. Connections are speedy from any of their many server locations and Shurfshark is a great option if you want to stream content while you are away from home, as it can safely unblock platforms like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu.
A unique feature of Surfshark is that it places no limit on the number of device connections it allows on your account, so you can use it with your Linux system while anyone else in your family uses the same VPN account to connect to Mac, iOS, Android, Windows, or other devices.
When you use this free Linux VPN, you will also get access to unlimited torrenting and server switching, as well as no data cap.
Surfshark offers a 24/7 chat option to assist and help you any time you encounter difficulties.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No data cap
- OpenVPN protocol
- Affordable for Linux users
- 24/7 live-chat Linux support
4. CyberGhost
Connections: Up to 7
Torrenting: Yes
Free Trial: 24 Hours
Money Back: 45 Days
Netflix: Yes
CyberGhost is included on our list of best free VPN service options for Linux because it provides you with a free, unrestricted 24-hour test-run of its easy-to-use Linux app, in addition to offering users a free plan with its 45-day money-back guarantee.
This free Linux VPN offers a simple way to connect to Linux, with almost 7,500 servers spread across 90 countries, and no limits on bandwidth.
Because it has a large range of server types and locations, users have a huge range of possibilities when accessing geo-blocked content or streaming services, like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and many more.
The CyberGhost app supports Linux distros that include Linux Mint 20, Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, Kali, and PopOS, as well as Android and iOS operating systems; and users can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously to a single CyberGhost account.
When we tested CyberGhost’s VPN servers, we found that they were remarkably fast. Because of the quick connections, your streaming will not be subject to lag or load time, and it will be buffer-free on most servers.
CyberGhost’s impressive security features include AES 256-bit Encryption, which is equivalent to that used in the military. It also offers an Internet Kill Switch that acts to cut your connection in the event that your secure VPN connection is interrupted, ensuring that no one can access your information at any point. On top of these, CyberGhost assures Linux users that it does not keep any logs of your data.
The best Linux VPN in 2023
A good Linux VPN can be tricky to find. While plenty of the best VPN services have been around for over a decade, many big players still don’t offer GUIs on Linux. And, while Linux users are likely to be somewhat used to using software without an interface, have a quick and easy button to press is still a huge plus.
An essential tool for those looking to stay private and anonymous online, a VPN encrypt your traffic reroute it through servers of its own around the world. This also allows you to virtually relocate to access geo-restricted websites and streaming services.
As an increasing number of users switch to Linux for its security benefits, many VPN providers are ensuring that they support the platform, just like Windows and Mac. However, only a select few are really worth considering. In this guide we’ll introduce you to some of the best Linux VPN services.
1. Surfshark – The only Linux VPN with a GUI
Surfshark offers something not found anywhere else – a fully functioning GUI. With an intuitive interface, great privacy credentials and the fastest speeds we’ve ever tested, it’s top of the class here. And, at less than $2.50 a month, it’s incredible value, too.
2. ExpressVPN – Our #1 VPN is excellent on Linux
ExpressVPN provides just about everything (except a GUI). Linux users will appreciate how just about every extra feature is available on the OS, and great speeds and full P2P support means it’s super easy to get working for torrenting. The best bit? Test it for 30 days risk-free, and get three months FREE through Tom’s Guide.
3. NordVPN – Big name offers serious security
You’ll have heard of NordVPN, and for good reason. With great features and performance for Linux VPN users as well as a couple of interesting extra features, it’s well worth considering the big name to protect your Penguin.
What makes a great Linux VPN?
When you’re out shopping for a Linux VPN service, make sure you know what you want from your provider. If you want a GUI, Surfshark will be your only choice – and thankfully it’s a top-quality provider to boot. If you’re looking to stream geo-blocked content, ensure that your chosen provider can do the job.
Once you’ve identified your essentials, you need to make sure it has a transparent data logging policy. A good VPN service like our top picks Surfshark, ExpressVPN and NordVPN will clearly spell out the type of data it logs about its users, along with the retention period of all collection data.
Besides these, privacy advocates usually suggest sticking with services that offer a kill switch, which will automatically sever your connection to the Internet, instead of sending data over the unencrypted network, in case you get disconnected from the VPN service.
Our list of the best Linux VPNs available today
1. Surfshark
The only Linux VPN to offer a GUI
Number of servers: 3,200+ | Server locations: 100 | IP addresses: N/A | Maximum devices supported: Unlimited
We consider Surfshark the best Linux VPN on the market for a number of reasons, but there’s one that makes it the obvious choice – it’s the only VPN on the market that offers a fully functioning graphical user interface (GUI) on Linux.
Unlike all of its rivals, Linux users can quite simply install the application and use Surfshark just like they would on any other OS. Other providers require command-line control, and while most Linux users will be quite used to this, Surfshark’s ease of use is a godsend.
Just having a GUI isn’t the only reason it’s topping this list, though – if it wasn’t super secure and usable, we wouldn’t be recommending it.
Industry-standard AES-256 encryption keeps your traffic secure, while over 3,200 servers in 100 locations worldwide mean you’ll have a vast range of countries to connect to for whatever purpose you desire. Camouflage mode gives you VPN obfuscation, and CleanWeb blocks ads and malware.
In our latest Surfshark review, the Netherlands-based provider also delivered the fastest VPN connection speeds out of any provider we tested at 950Mbps when using WireGuard. That’s incredible performance.
While some features aren’t available on Linux – split tunneling is a big omission – Surfshark is incredible value and with unlimited simultaneous connections you’ll be able to cover any and all your devices, whatever OS they’re running.
Surfshark is the best Linux VPN today
With its powerful GUI, excellent connection speeds and comprehensive feature-set, Surfshark is untouchable as the best Linux VPN. And, it’s incredibly affordable – it’s available for less that $2.50 a month.
2. ExpressVPN
Seriously powerful, premium Linux VPN
Number of servers: 3,000+ | Server locations: 160 | Dedicated Linux client?: Yes | Maximum devices supported: 5