Best VPN for Linux in 2021

Last updated on May 11, 2021

Despite the operating system Linux’s prevalence in-home devices and technologies, not all security software is compatible with it. Without online security, your personal information is at risk, and your connection is not secure.

A good alternative, therefore, is to use a Virtual Private Network or VPN. VPNs are a piece of software users can sign up to online through many different providers, though not all will offer a VPN that is compatible for use with Linux.

However, by using a VPN that is compatible with Linux, users will ultimately protect themselves from online crime like identity theft. A VPN will encrypt all of a user’s data and change a computer’s IP address, giving users complete privacy. Plus, by changing an IP address with a VPN that is suitable for Linux, users will allow unlimited access to any content on the internet. So much of the content that is online nowadays is subject to geo-restrictions stopping people from watching or viewing content they want if they are abroad.

Our pick for Best VPN For Linux: ExpressVPN

Why Does A VPN Help With Linux?

VPNs are Virtual Private Networks. They are one of the simplest and most flexible ways to protect online information and open up access to content that, as previously mentioned, has been restricted for geographical reasons. They work using a host company that encrypts a user’s data and transmits that through a private network set up with one of the host company’s secure servers. The result is that a user is provided with a new, alternative IP address which gives the illusion of that user being in a different country. This is how so much geo-blocked content can be unlocked.

This is the aim of all VPNs regardless of what operating system a user employs. However, not all VPN providers offer VPN software that is compatible with all operating systems. For those that use Linux, we have listed a number below so that Linux users can reap the rewards of using a VPN just like anyone else using iOS or Android operating systems, for example.

Top 3 VPNs for Linux

We have listed our top three VPNs for Linux users that will protect a user’s privacy while also providing them with access to a great deal of restricted content. Linux is not the most commonly used operating software on the market so it’s important to find a provider that offers a VPN that works efficiently and effectively with it.

In addition to being compatible with Linux, VPN providers are only worth signing up to if they have the following features:

Military grade security – One of the best perks to using a VPN is the increased security that establishing one provides. However, not all providers employ the same security techniques, and not all are as effective as others. We like to see security methods that include the 256 AES Bit encryption technique which even the US government uses to protect itself against hackers and online criminals
Fast and quick Connections – Subscribers to a VPN service will only use that VPN if the provider is able to offer connections that are like for like to an otherwise ‘naked’ connection. Without a quick connection, users will experience freezing and buffering for a frustrating browsing session
Truly helpful customer service – Even the best VPN providers that offer software compatible with Linux will encounter trouble from time to time. To avoid those troubles, a company needs to have an excellent customer service department on hand that can help users quickly to resolve their issues.
An expansive server network – VPNs and VPN providers are the best when they have a large and wide server network that provide IP addresses from around the world, as well as guaranteed connections due to the vast amount of servers a provider has. In short, the more servers a VPN provider has, the better.
A strict no logs policy – VPN providers have the ability to keep tabs on what their users are doing online, which somewhat defeats the purpose of a VPN in the first place, given that users employ them to have a totally anonymous browsing session. Not all VPN providers maintain logs of their user’s online activity though, and those are the ones that make our list below.

#1: Express VPN

ExpressVPN often tops our charts of VPNs, regardless of what operating system a person uses. We rate it for its wide range of features and security capabilities. In addition to providing all the above essential requirements, we specifically like:

Multiple Protocols – Express VPN has multiple top of the line security protocols, and their software is compatible with every major operating system out there, including Linux. This means that even Linux users can expect total anonymity and privacy
Reliable connections – ExpressVPN’s quick and vast server network provides all users, regardless of whether they are using the less used Linux operating service of not, with a reliable connection whenever they want.
Simultaneous connections – Many of us use more than one device these days, yet still go online using all of them. Every one of those devices should use a VPN to protect the data that is transmitted and ExpressVPN allows users to do this with just one subscription plan.
Money Back Guarantee – We like to see a company that has confidence in its abilities. ExpressVPN demonstrates this confidence by providing a 30 day money back guarantee so Linux users can tell in that time whether the service is up to scratch for them or not.

Check out our full ExpressVPN review here.

#2: IPVanish

IPVanish comes in a close second to ExpressVPN, particularly when users have devices that run on Linux operating systems. While it too provides all of our essential features, it also stands out from the crowd for the following reasons

24 hour customer support – Even Linux users, who are less common than other users, will find that IPVanish’s support service invaluable when they have any problems. They are available 24/7 to answer any queries.
Money Back Guarantee – While not 30 days long, IPVanish also backs itself by providing users with the option to have the money back if they don’t like their service after 7 days.
Top of the range protocols – IPVanish offers 256 bit encryption as well as OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec protocols. The result is a safe and secure connection that Linux users can rely on to keep their data safe.
Quick speeds – IPVanish, when tested, only slows down a naked connection by 3% which is incredible and means that users will find establishing a VPN with IPVanish imperceptible to their everyday use.

#3: Hide My Ass

HideMyAss remains a popular VPN and it is compatible with Linux so it is definitely a good option for those that cannot get a connection with an ExpressVPN server or with IPVanish. The only thing that they let themselves down on is the fact that their customer service is not quick or responsive like IPVanish’s or ExpressVPN’s. They do have live chat like their competitors, but the response times are not quite as quick. However, they do provide:

Wide Network – HideMyAss has at least one server for a possible connection in a massive 151 countries. This means that Linux users can install this software and gain access to all the content that is available in one of those nations.
Large Network – Having a large network also ensures that Linux users can gain a connection whenever they want one with a VPN provider’s server.
Multiple connections – We like to see VPN providers that offer multiple connections as standard, which HideMyAss does. It means that Linux users with many devices, can have those devices secured under one subscription plan.

Why Do You Need A VPN For Linux

Disadvantages of Using Linux without a VPN:

There are so many disadvantages to using Linux without a VPN. The main disadvantage is that without one, a user’s browsing session is susceptible to online attack and hacking. This means that any sensitive data being transferred online can be seen by prying eyes. It is staggering what a hacker or online criminal can do when they build up a picture of a person’s online identity. Identity theft and the fraud that subsequently is committed is an ever-increasing occurrence that VPNs can help protect against.

Advantages of Using Linux with a VPN:

If you are a frequent traveler who likes to stream content from an online video service, you may be well versed in having content blocked as the country you are in does not allow it to be viewed. Using a VPN with Linux is a good way to get around this, however. It means that you are given the illusion of a new IP address for a country where that content you want is not blocked.

Are VPNs Legal To Use?

More often than not, VPNs are legal to have on your computer or device whatever country you are in. However, what can cause a certain amount of confusion is what you use a VPN for.

While the majority of us will definitely not use a VPN to commit fraudulent acts given the amount of anonymity they provide, we may inadvertently access content that has been blocked to us for legal reasons. This can very often be the case when traveling to another country with different laws. Content may be blocked there for licensing reasons, but it may also be blocked for a government’s censorship purposes. If a user is caught accessing content that is deemed illegal when using a VPN, they are subject to the same laws and punishment as a native citizen.

The Bottom Line

Given that Linux is a less commonly used operating system than others, it follows that there is not the wealth of security software that is on offer to others that is compatible with Linux. This means that users can often be at risk of online fraud and hacking if the security software they do use, is not up to scratch.

A VPN that is compatible with Linux, of which there are several listed above, is a good way of improving your security across the board due to the high encryption levels that are employed.

We like ExpressVPN among all others as it provides an excellent level of security while also offering the following features that make for the best VPN on the market.