Best VPN for Linux in 2026: Native Apps & CLI Tools
Linux users deserve first-class VPN support — not an afterthought. These VPNs offer native Linux apps with full feature parity.
Top 5 VPNs for Linux
1. NordVPN — Best Linux App
Get NordVPN → | $2.99/month
NordVPN’s Linux CLI app supports NordLynx (WireGuard), auto-connect, kill switch, and Meshnet. Packages available for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, RHEL, openSUSE, and more.
# Install on Ubuntu/Debian
sh <(curl -sSf https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh)
nordvpn connect
2. Mullvad — Best Open-Source Linux VPN
Get Mullvad → | €5/month
Fully open-source GUI and CLI apps. WireGuard-first approach. Available as .deb and .rpm packages.
3. ProtonVPN — Best Free Linux VPN
Get ProtonVPN → | Free tier available
Open-source Linux app with GUI. Free tier has unlimited data. Supports WireGuard and OpenVPN.
4. PIA — Most Customizable
Get PIA → | $2.03/month
Open-source GUI app for Linux with full feature set including split tunneling, MACE ad blocker, and port forwarding.
5. Surfshark — Best Value
Get Surfshark → | $1.99/month
GUI app for Ubuntu/Debian/Mint. Unlimited connections. WireGuard support.
Linux VPN Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | Mullvad | ProtonVPN | PIA | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUI App | ❌ CLI | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| CLI App | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| WireGuard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Open Source | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Distros | 6+ | 3 | 4+ | 3 | 3 |
| Price | $2.99 | €5 | Free/$4.99 | $2.03 | $1.99 |
Manual WireGuard Setup (Any Distro)
If your VPN doesn’t have a native Linux app, you can use WireGuard directly:
sudo apt install wireguard
# Download config from your VPN provider
sudo cp wg0.conf /etc/wireguard/
sudo wg-quick up wg0
FAQ
Which Linux distro is best for VPN privacy?
Any mainstream distro works well. For maximum privacy, consider Tails (routes all traffic through Tor) or Qubes OS (compartmentalized security). For everyday use with a VPN, Ubuntu or Fedora are excellent.
Can I use a VPN on a Linux server?
Yes. WireGuard or OpenVPN can be installed on any Linux server. This is useful for protecting a VPS, self-hosted services, or creating your own VPN gateway.
Final Verdict
NordVPN offers the best Linux VPN experience with broad distro support and NordLynx speeds. For open-source purists, Mullvad and ProtonVPN are excellent choices.