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Linux VPN Apps Now Match Desktop Standards
9 Nov
Summary
- Most major VPNs now offer full desktop apps for Linux.
- NordVPN boasts the fastest speeds and extensive distro support.
- Proton VPN emphasizes open-source privacy and Swiss jurisdiction.
For Linux users, the era of exclusively command-line VPNs has ended. Most major VPN providers now offer comprehensive desktop applications, bringing parity with Windows and Mac users. While support and features can still vary across Linux distributions, the availability of these graphical interfaces significantly enhances usability.
NordVPN is highlighted as the top overall choice, featuring an open-source app with official packages for numerous distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Raspberry Pi OS. It demonstrated impressive speeds with minimal data loss and includes advanced features such as a kill switch and Meshnet. Proton VPN follows closely, prioritizing open-source privacy with its Swiss base and offering robust features like Stealth protocol and split tunneling on paid plans.
Private Internet Access (PIA) is recognized for its extensive customization options, matching its Windows counterpart, and a strong no-logs policy backed by court cases. ExpressVPN offers the widest official distro support and is noted for being a lightweight application. Surfshark provides excellent value with unlimited device connections and strong streaming capabilities, though users should be mindful of its Flatpak version lacking a kill switch.
Beyond dedicated apps, Linux users can also configure VPNs through NetworkManager using OpenVPN and WireGuard configuration files, though this method forfeits app-specific features like kill switches. Free VPN options like Proton VPN's free tier and Windscribe are available but come with limitations, serving best as a backup solution.
