If you’re a Linux user, you’ll quickly find that many big-name VPNs don’t cater to you. These five VPN services offer solid clients for Linux users that will keep you safe and private while online.

What to Look For With a VPN for Linux

A virtual private network (VPN) is an important tool for anybody who wants to stay anonymous online. Though they’re not perfect, they’ll do a lot to keep you out of the sight of marketers and anybody else that wants to track you, while also letting you do fun stuff like watch other countries’ Netflix libraries. Check out our guide on how VPNs work for more on all this.

There are plenty of VPN services to choose from, but Linux users will soon find that many of the best VPNs will not work on their systems. At best, they only offer a basic command-line interface, which can be quite clunky (looking at you, ExpressVPN and NordVPN).

That said, there are still plenty of VPNs that have apps for Linux users; they’re just not always the biggest names in the business. Over the years of reviewing different VPNs, I have figured out which VPNs work best on my Linux Mint system, and I have compiled them below.

Best Linux VPN Overall: Mullvad

My favorite pick for a Linux VPN is Mullvad, a small Swedish provider that impressed me when I put together my Mullvad review. It’s fast, easy to use, and I like its pricing scheme—no matter how long you sign up for, it always costs the same, 5 euros per month (about $5.50). It’s a nice change of pace for an industry where you feel you always need to calculate where to get the best deal.

The app is a pleasure to use. Like most of the entries on this list, it takes a no-frills approach and has just two buttons to control the whole thing, which, for simple software like a VPN, is really all you need. The worst thing I can say about it is that sometimes finding a specific VPN server can be a chore, but nobody else has fixed that issue, either.

As for Linux, I used Mullvad for months on my Mint machine and never had any issues. The app runs natively without any hiccups, and the installation was easy, too. It’s clear the team behind Mullvad cares about Team Penguin, and I recommend the service to anybody who uses Linux.

Best VPN for Linux Overall

Mullvad VPN

8/ 10

Mullvad is a solid service, offering speed, privacy, and a great app for Linux.

See at Mullvad

Fastest VPN for Linux: IVPN

Next is IVPN, another small independent provider. This app is just as simple to operate as Mullvad’s, but as you can read in my IVPN review, it offers slightly more frills in the form of a map. It makes it a good choice for anybody who likes a visual interface that’s still easy to use (read my NordVPN review for an example of the opposite).

On Linux, IVPN works like a charm. I had no issues with it whatsoever. It was installed quickly, and using it was simple. It also didn’t affect performance, and IVPN remains one of the fastest VPNs I’ve tested. I lost almost no speed even when connected to faraway locations, which is no mean feat considering how VPNs can slow down your internet speeds.

However, there is a small issue with IVPN, and that is its pricing model. At $60 per year, it’s roughly average for the VPN market, but it comes with the caveat that you can only connect up to two devices. This should be fine for most people, but itprevents you from sharing the subscription to defray costs. If you want a family VPN, IVPN may not be the best choice.

Fastest VPN for Linux

IVPN

8/ 10

A very fast VPN with a very nice Linux app.

See at IVPN

Best Linux VPN for Netflix: Proton VPN

If you mainly want a VPN to unblock Netflix as a Linux user, you may want to give Proton VPN a spin. Though primarily known as a privacy company offering secure email, I was pleased to find that Proton VPN did an amazing job as a streaming VPN, getting through to other countries’ Netflix libraries on almost every try.

The Linux app is very basic but gets the job done. As I describe in my Proton VPN review, the Linux and Windows apps seem to have been separated at birth: the Windows app is a riot of activity, while the Linux one is almost staid in comparison. However, unpolished does not mean it doesn’t work, and I’ve rarely had any issues with it.

Another selling point for Proton VPN is that it comes bundled with all of Proton’s other apps, which are all pretty solid (except maybe for Proton Drive, read why I’m switching to Proton for more on this). If you’re in the market for secure mail and a password manager as well as a VPN, Proton’s bundle is a good way to save money.

Best Linux VPN for Netflix

Proton VPN

8/ 10

Proton VPN is a fast and secure service, that comes with a strong reputation for privacy.

See at Proton

Best Double-Hop VPN for Linux: Mozilla VPN

Speaking of privacy-focused companies, Mozilla (of Firefox fame) also offers a VPN. It runs on the Mullvad network, offering the same speed and security as that service while having some features of its own.

These features include a nifty double-hop feature which can improve your privacy under certain circumstances, as well as a very nice app that works like a charm on Linux. While testing it for my Mozilla VPN review I had no issues at all, and it comes with the same one-button interface all my favorite VPNs have.

Mozilla VPN is also a good choice price-wise. At $60 per year, it won’t make any jaws drop, but it’s not too expensive either, considering you’re getting a fast and secure service with an excellent reputation.

Best Double-Hop VPN for Linux

Mozilla VPN

8/ 10

A fast VPN from the same company responsible for the Firefox browser.

Most Customizable Linux VPN: TorGuard

Finally, we have TorGuard, another independent VPN I like a lot because it is very customizable. Very few services let you tweak them as much as TorGuard does; it’s about as close as you can get to setting up your own VPN. This makes it perfect for Linux users, as we generally like to tinker with our software.

Interestingly enough, though, this doesn’t come as a cost to usability. As you can read in my TorGuard review, the service is pretty easy to use on the surface, with just a single button to switch it on and off. Once you start diving into menus it gets a little complicated, though, so you may want to stay on the surface unless you know what you’re doing.

Regarding cost, TorGuard is a steal at less than $35 per year. There are few VPNs at this price, even if you need to be careful when you use the service for torrenting. It’s a tinkerer’s dream, and the price is right.

Most Customizable Linux VPN

TorGuard

8/ 10

TorGuard offers a range of advanced features like custom scripts. The service ensures a low ping and latency while still offering great security.

See at TorGuard