Best free VPN for Linux in 2026
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Linux attracts privacy-minded users because it’s open source, transparent, and far less entangled in data harvesting than more popular platforms. But your OS alone can’t shield you from tracking, throttling, or insecure networks.
This is where a VPN becomes essential. The challenge is choosing the best free VPN for Linux. Many providers ignore Linux entirely, and some free services fund themselves through logging, ads, or selling your data to third parties. To ensure your data’s security, I recommend using a premium VPN with a free version, free trial, or money-back guarantee instead.
This approach delivers strong encryption, fast speeds, and reliable Linux support without compromise. Below are my top 6 free Linux VPNs you can use risk-free, each offering solid apps, modern security features, and everyday usability.
The best free VPNs for Linux – shortlist
- Proton VPN – best free VPN for Linux in 2026
- NordVPN – best free-trial Linux VPN
- 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
Best free Linux VPNs in 2026: detailed guide
The best VPNs for Linux have advanced security features, blazing-fast connection speeds, numerous servers, and strong encryption. As finding the right one is tricky, we’ve tested 41 VPNs and then selected only the 5 best free VPNs for Linux.
1. Proton VPN – overall best free VPN for Linux
| Free version: | ✅ Yes |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Servers/countries: | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries |
| Current deal: |
Get up to 70% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Linux in 2026. It offers a solid free plan with unlimited data, advanced security features, and no ads. The distros it supports include Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch.
To ensure your data’s security, Proton VPN uses AES-256 encryption and supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and its own Stealth protocol. It also includes a kill switch, offers open-source apps, and has an independently audited privacy policy.
As we found in our Proton VPN review, the provider shows no IP or DNS leaks and retains 78% of the original connection speed. The good speed result explains why I had no major lag or buffering issues while streaming Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. However, note that speed on the free plan may be slower.
If you upgrade, plans start from $2.99/month and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. There’s no free trial, as you can use the free plan to test the VPN’s capabilities.
2. NordVPN – best VPN for Linux with a free trial
| Free version: | ❌ No, but has a 3-day free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | 10 |
| Servers/countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Current deal: | Get 76% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best 3-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 to me from other VPNs for Linux. It uses solid AES 256-bit encryption with the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol. Additionally, if the VPN fails, which can happen on rare occasions, 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 seamlessly with NordVPN. In our tests, we couldn't find any streaming site that didn't.
NordVPN offers a 3-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for free for over a month. Besides, subscribing to its premium plan will cost you only $3.09/month.
3. Surfshark – excellent free VPN for Linux
| Free version: | ❌ No, but has a 7-day free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Servers/countries: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Current deal: | Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark set new expectations for Linux VPNs, being one of the first to implement a graphical user interface (GUI) for the OS. It is also very budget-friendly. You can save the most with the Surfshark discount code: OFFCN.
Our Surfshark VPN review showed that Surfshark has robust security and privacy features, including 100% RAM-based servers, the WireGuard protocol, AES 256-bit encryption, ChaCha20 ciphers, a kill switch, ad blocking, and MultiHop. It also 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 other streaming platforms. Besides, you can use Surfshark on as many devices as you want. It offers unlimited simultaneous device connections for an affordable price.
Surfshark does not offer a free plan, but it does have a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial, which is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Its prices start at $1.99/month.
4. IPVanish – powerful free-trial Linux VPN
| Free version: | ❌ No, but has a 7-day free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited |
| Servers/countries: | 3,200+ servers in 113 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. Additionally, the provider’s extensive online documentation makes installation as straightforward 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-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, my internet connection while streaming was never disturbed in my tests.
You can use IPVanish as a free Linux VPN for 30 days, taking advantage of its money-back guarantee on any yearly or two-year plan. You may choose a premium plan starting from $2.19/month.
5. ExpressVPN – free and solid VPN for Linux
| Free version: | ❌ No, but has a 7-day free trial |
| Simultaneous connections: | 14 |
| Severs/countries: | Servers in 105 countries |
| Current deal: |
Now up to 78% 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 has been 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, robust 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. This Linux VPN works on the 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 $2.79/month for ExpressVPN.
6. CyberGhost – free-trial VPN service for Linux
| Free version: | ❌ No, but has a 3-day free trial for Android and a 7-day free trial for iOS |
| Simultaneous connections: | 7 |
| Severs/countries: | Servers in 100 countries |
| Current deal: | Get 87% OFF CyberGhost + 2 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.
As we found in our CyberGhost review, the VPN is secure and uses advanced AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption to ensure your connection remains safe. It also features an automatic kill switch that operates flawlessly whenever the connection 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 also try CyberGhost's annual plan for free for 45 days, 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 $1.75/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 |
| Proton VPN | ✅ Yes, free version | ✅ Yes | 4 distros | 78% | 20,300 servers in 148 countries | 10 | $2.99/month | 30-day | |
| NordVPN | ✅ Yes, 3-day for Android | ✅ Yes | 9 distros | 90% | 9,500 servers in 149 locations | 10 | $3.09/month | 30-day | |
| Surfshark | ✅ Yes, 7-day | ✅ Yes | 3 distros | 93% | 4,500 servers in 100 locations | Unlimited | $1.99/month | 30-day | |
| IPVanish | ✅ Yes, 7-day | ❌ No | 6 distros | 80% | 3,200 servers in 113 locations | Unlimited | $2.19/month | 30-day | |
| ExpressVPN | ✅ Yes, 7-day | ✅ Yes | 6 distros | 77% | Servers in 105 locations | 14 | $2.79/month | 30-day | |
| CyberGhost | ✅ Yes, 3-day for Android and 7-day for iOS | ✅ Yes | 6 distros | 91% | 9,800 servers in 100 countries | 7 | $1.75/month | 45-day |
Free vs paid VPNs for Linux
Downloading a premium 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 advertisers. 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. Dishonest Linux VPNs lure you in with a free plan and then sell a premium plan, disguising themselves as a great provider. They typically have multiple limitations, including fewer security features, weaker encryption, and significantly slower connection speeds.
So, free and paid versions have their advantages. If you're looking for basic security for your online activities, consider a free VPN. Meanwhile, a premium VPN will provide advanced security and privacy features. Of course, you can try a premium VPN for free by using its free trial first.
How to download a free VPN for Linux
Downloading a free VPN for Linux is straightforward, but it could differ depending 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. I recommend Proton VPN for its excellent free version and outstanding security features
- 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/year 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, I don’t recommend using 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 plan, free trial, or money-back guarantee. The best free-trial Linux VPN for you depends on your needs.
Proton VPN is number one on my list. It’s fast, has advanced security features, and supports Linux – everything you need. You can use its free version or try a premium plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
FAQ
Is there a free Linux VPN?
Yes, there are numerous free Linux VPNs. However, I do not recommend using them because they may leak your sensitive data. Instead, I can guarantee that you'll get advanced security and privacy features with premium VPNs. Proton VPN is a premium provider that offers a limited free version.
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 – I recommend NordVPN. Once subscribed, follow NordVPN’s installation guide for Linux. Then, connect to a server through your terminal to use the VPN service. Alternatively, you can use Proton VPN’s free version, though it is limited.
What is the best free VPN for Linux in 2026?
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for Linux in 2026. Thanks to its advanced WireGuard protocol, Proton VPN is one of the fastest VPNs that I have tested. It works on all popular streaming platforms, uses AES-256 encryption, and has an audited no-logs policy.
Are free VPNs for Linux safe?
I do not recommend trusting and installing unknown or dodgy providers that might sell your data to advertisers or have malware in their code. For guaranteed security and privacy, you can use premium VPNs for Linux, such as Proton VPN. You can use its free version or 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service without commitment.
Which free VPN has a native Linux app?
Proton VPN has a native Linux app and a free version. It’s primarily a premium VPN provider known for strong privacy, open-source apps, and an audited no-logs policy. You can use its free plan or subscribe to a paid version and use its 30-day money-back guarantee.
