Best free VPN for Linux in 2024
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Using a VPN on your Linux device dramatically enhances your online security. There’s no excuse not to have one, even on a tight budget. After all, there are numerous free VPNs for Linux.
However, free VPNs are risky. Sketchy providers might sell your data, redirect you to malicious sites, or limit features. As such, you should subscribe to a premium plan if you can afford a few dollars a month.
Plus, most premium providers have a 7-day free trial and money-back guarantees, so you can use the best Linux VPNs for free – at least for a while.
Nonetheless, if you want to use a free Linux VPN to ensure you get every security feature you need, you can try our top 5 recommended free VPNs for Linux. We’ve listed the best ones for their security and privacy features, Linux app, unblocking geo-restricted content and streaming capabilities.
The best free VPNs for Linux – shortlist
- NordVPN – best free VPN for Linux in 2024
- Surfshark – fast free trial Linux VPN with GUI
- IPVanish – great free VPN with extensive Linux Support
- ExpressVPN – secure free Linux VPN with no data cap
- CyberGhost – longest free trial VPN for Linux
Free vs paid VPNs for Linux
Downloading a paid robust VPN is the safer choice. After all, companies need to make money. If a VPN doesn’t require a subscription, it may generate income in less favorable ways such as:
- Advertising. Some free Linux VPNs sell your browsing data to the highest bidder. Others plague your device with disruptive popups and browser redirects to get ad revenue.
- Malware. An untrustworthy VPN won’t protect you from malware that disrupts your online activities. It may also redirect you to dangerous sites or steal your credit card details.
- Limitations. Hoax Linux VPNs lure you in with a free plan and then sell a premium plan, disguising itself as a great provider. They usually have multiple limitations, like fewer security features, weaker encryption, and dramatically slower connection speeds.
So, free or paid versions have their advantages. If you seek basic security for your online activities, go for a free VPN. Meanwhile, paying a monthly fee for a VPN enables you with advanced security and privacy features. Of course, you can try a Premium VPN for free by using its free trial first.
Best free Linux VPNs in 2024: detailed guide
The best free VPNs for Linux have advanced security features, blazing-fast network speeds, numerous server locations, and the latest encryption technology. But finding the right one is tricky, so we’ve tested 41 VPNs and ranked these 5 free VPNs as the best for Linux.
1. NordVPN – best free-trial VPN for Linux
| Free version | No, but has a 7-day free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Servers/countries: | 6900+ servers in 113 countries |
| Current deal: | Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best 7-day free-trial VPN for Linux. Its Linux app supports both Debian and RPM. It also works on virtually every Linux distro including Ubuntu, Debian, Elementary OS, and Linux Mint.
NordVPN's advanced security and privacy features stand out from other VPNs for Linux. It uses solid AES 256-bit encryption with the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. Also, if the VPN fails, because on rare occasions it may happen, its kill switch feature stops all internet traffic and prevents your IP address from leaking.
NordVPN can easily handle large file downloads, gaming, and UHD streaming. Thanks to the SmartPlay feature – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Max all work with NordVPN. In our tests, we couldn't find any streaming site that didn't.
NordVPN offers 24/7 live customer support. NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for free for 37 days! Besides, subscribing to its premium plan will cost you only $2.99/month.
2. Surfshark – excellent free VPN for Linux
| Free version | No, but has a 7-day free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Servers/countries: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
| Current deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 4 months FREE |
Surfshark set new expectations for Linux VPNs, being one of the first to implement a graphical user interface (GUI) for the OS.
Surfshark has robust security and privacy features, including 100% RAM-based servers, WireGuard protocol, AES 256-bit encryption, ChaCha20 ciphers, a kill switch, ad blocking, and MultiHop.
That being said, Surfshark has an audited no-logs policy and can hide your IP address for secure and private browsing.
With Surfshark, you can freely stream Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, DAZN, Hotstar, YLE Areena, AbemaTV, and many others. Besides, you can use Surfshark on as many devices as you want. It offers unlimited simultaneous device connections for an affordable price.
Surfshark has no free plan, but has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial which is available on GooglePlay and Apple App store. Its prices start at $1.99/month.
3. IPVanish – powerful free trial Linux VPN
| Free version | No, but has a 7-day free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Servers/countries: | 2400+ servers in 100 countries |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish has extensive Linux support. It works on Ubuntu, Fedora, Kali Linux, Linux Mint, Lubuntu, and Pop!_OS. Also, the provider’s vast online documentation makes installation as easy as possible. But unlike Surfshark, there is no GUI.
IPVanish protects your data with advanced AES-256 encryption. There are multiple protocols to choose from, such as WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, SSTP, and OpenVPN, a favorite amongst Linux users. IPVanish also has an independently-audited no-traffic-logs policy, includes a kill switch feature, and ensures no DNS leaks.
IPVanish is ideal for streaming Netflix and unblocking other popular streaming services, like Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ESPN+, and more. With IPVanish, your internet experience for streaming will not be disturbed.
You can use IPVanish as a free Linux VPN for 30 days with its money-back guarantee on any yearly or two-year plan. You may choose a premium plan starting from $2.19/month.
4. ExpressVPN – free and solid VPN for Linux
| Free version: | No, but has a 7-day free trial |
| SImultaneous connections: | 8 |
| Severs/countries: | 3000+ in 105 countries |
| Current deal: | Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
ExpressVPN supports a variety of Linux distros including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Arch. It has extensive guides on installation, and it is audited multiple times.
ExpressVPN is known for its brilliant privacy and security. It has an audited no-logs policy. Plus, ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers, powerful tunneling protocols, like Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and AES-256 or ChaCha20/Poly1305 encryption.
ExpressVPN is perfect for bypassing geo-restrictions and provides various streaming opportunities. The Linux VPN works on most popular streaming sites, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Max. However, ExpressVPN’s servers handle streaming well with little to no buffering.
As long as you use the 30-day money-back guarantee – it doesn’t cost you anything to try it. When it comes to the 1-year plan, you’d pay $4.99/month for ExpressVPN.
5. CyberGhost – free-trial VPN service for Linux
| Based in: | No, but has a 3-day for Android and 7-day for iOS free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | 7 |
| Severs/countries: | 11500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Current deal: | Get 83% OFF CyberGhost + 4 months FREE |
If you’re an Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, Kali, CentOS, or PoP!_OS user – you should consider CyberGhost. CyberGhost uses powerful encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy for maximum Linux privacy.
CyberGhost is a secure VPN with advanced AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption to ensure your connection remains safe. It also has an automatic kill switch that works perfectly whenever the link to the server is lost. Moreover, CyberGhost doesn't log traffic data or connection logs.
In our tests, unblocking streaming platforms with CyberGhost, like Netflix or Disney+, went without any issues, and torrenting speeds were good. In addition, CyberGhost may be the only VPN that has specialized servers for gaming.
You can try CyberGhost's annual plan free for 45 days too, thanks to its money-back guarantee. Otherwise, CyberGhost is available for $12.99/month. If you get a two-year subscription, it will cost you $2.19/month.
Free VPNs for Linux comparison
| Brand | Rating | Free trial | Dedicated Linux app | Support for | Speed retention rate | Servers and countries | Simultaneous connections | Starting price | Money-back guarantee |
| NordVPN | Yes, 7-day | Yes | 9 distros | 90% | 6900 servers in 113 locations | 10 | $2.99/month | 30-day | |
| Surfshark | Yes, 7-day | Yes | 3 distros | 86% | 3200 servers in 100 locations | Unlimited | $1.99/month | 30-day | |
| IPVanish | Yes, 7-day | No | 6 distros | 80% | 2400 servers in 100 locations | Unlimited | $2.19/month | 30-day | |
| ExpressVPN | Yes, 7-day | No | 6 distros | 77% | Servers in 105 locations | 8 | $4.99/month | 30-day | |
| CyberGhost | Yes, 3-day for Android and 7-day for iOS | No | 6 distros | 86% | 11500 servers in 100 countries | 7 | $2.19/month | 45-day |
How we tested and selected free VPNs for Linux
We meticulously tested 41 free-trial Linux VPNs. We checked various metrics relevant to Linux. So, we selected the best VPNs based on security and privacy features, available free versions, and overall connection speed:
- Security and privacy. One of the main reasons to get a VPN is to secure your device and online activities. We looked for VPNs with the best security features like AES 256-bit encryption, advanced tunneling protocols like WireGuard, a no-logs policy, and kill switches.
- Linux Support. Many VPNs claim to support Linux devices, but this claim isn’t always valid. Some VPN apps work on limited Linux distros, lack live chat support, or have outdated apps. We only selected VPNs with top-quality Linux support.
- Privacy standards. No-log policies vary from provider to provider. When we test a VPN, we closely look at its privacy policy, security practices, and jurisdiction – so we know the VPN offers excellent user protection.
- Speed. There’s no point in connecting to a VPN if it slows down your connection and makes your internet unusable. We regularly check and compare providers’ upload and download speeds with our speed test tool. This way, we can find VPNs capable of downloading and streaming at lightning-fast speeds.
How to download a free VPN for Linux
Downloading a free VPN for Linux is straightforward, but it could be a few steps not to miss. It depends on your distro and the VPN provider you choose. Below are all the steps you should take:
- Open your terminal and go to your chosen VPN provider’s official website. We recommend NordVPN for its outstanding security features and streaming abilities
- Find its support documentation for Linux
- Look for download instructions specific to your distro
- Open the terminal and enter the commands provided by your free VPN provider
Free VPNs for Linux you should avoid
Some free VPNs cause more harm than good. If you do decide to use a free VPN for Linux, there are several providers you should avoid, including:
- Hola VPN. This VPN is known for installing spyware on users’ devices. It has also openly admitted to logging and selling personal data to third parties. On top of that, if you use the app, you’re consenting to your Linux being a part of a botnet.
- Psiphon VPN. Cybersecurity experts have claimed Psiphon VPN is infected with malware. Once this malware infects your device, it can steal your personal files and even take photos/videos with your camera.
- Faceless.Me. Even if this provider isn’t dangerous, its service is flawed and poor. It only has servers in three countries, has a 2GB data cap, doesn’t support streaming, and is outdated.
These are just a few of the free VPNs for Linux that are bad – there are a lot more. It’s far better to use a premium Linux VPN free trial.
Final thoughts
Overall, it’s best to avoid free VPNs as they tend to profit from malicious practices. If you decide to get a free VPN, you should do it with caution. Some free VPNs contain dangerous malware while others lack vital security features.
There are a lot of premium VPNs you can use for free – either with a free trial or a money-back guarantee. The best free trial Linux VPN for you depends on your needs.
NordVPN is number one on our list. It’s fast, has advanced security features, and extensive support for Linux – everything you need. It’s not free forever, but you can use its 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee. Overall, you can test NordVPN for free for 37 days.
FAQ
Is there a free Linux VPN?
Yes, there are numerous free Linux VPNs. However, we do not recommend using them because they may leak your sensitive data. Instead, we can guarantee that you get advanced security and privacy features with premium VPNs. You can always try NordVPN's free 7-day trial.
How to use a free VPN on Ubuntu?
The best and safest way to use a VPN on Ubuntu for free is to subscribe to a premium service – we recommend NordVPN. Once subscribed, follow NordVPN’s installation guide for Linux. Then, connect to a server through your terminal to use the VPN service.
What is the best free VPN for Linux?
NordVPN is the best free VPN for Linux. Thanks to its advanced and custom protocol NordLynx, NordVPN is the fastest VPN that we have tested. It works on nearly every streaming platform, uses AES-256 encryption, and has an audited no-logs policy.
Are free VPNs for Linux safe?
We do not recommend trusting and installing unknown or dodgy providers that might sell your data to advertisers or have malware in its code. For guaranteed security and privacy, you can use premium VPNs for Linux, such as NordVPN. You can use its 7-day free trial or 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service without commitment.
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