Best VPNs for Raspberry Pi in 2026
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A Raspberry Pi can be especially vulnerable to attacks because its default settings don’t include strong network protections or firewalls, leaving your data exposed. This is particularly important if you’re using it for projects like home or personal servers or IoT devices.
A VPN is the simplest way to secure your Raspberry Pi and protect your data. Together with the Cybernews research team, I found that NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are the best options. Read on to discover why these VPNs stand out and how they can keep your Pi safe.
| NordVPN | Surfshark VPN | ExpressVPN | |
| ⭐ Rating: | |||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #1 out of #41 | #2 out of #41 | #4 out of #41 |
| 🖥️ Servers: | Thousands of servers in 224 locations | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| 📖 No logs policy: | No logs | No logs | No logs |
| 💵 Price: | From $3.49/month | From $2.49/month | From $2.49/month |
| 🔥 Coupons: | NordVPN coupon 75% OFF | Surfshark coupon 85% OFF | ExpressVPN coupon 80% OFF |
| 🔒 VPN protocols: | OpenVPN, NordLynx, NordWhisper | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, Dausos | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| 🍿 Streaming services: | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| 🖥️ Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| 📥 Simultaneous connections: | 10 | Unlimited | 14 |
| 💁🏻 Support: | Knowledge base, email, 24/7 live chat | Knowledge base, email, 24/7 live chat | Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat |
How to install a VPN on Raspberry Pi
Installing your chosen VPN on Raspberry Pi isn’t extremely difficult, but it may differ slightly from provider to provider. To help you out, we made this guide on how to install a VPN on your Raspberry Pi.
- Choose your VPN service. I recommend NordVPN, now 75% OFF.
- Purchase a subscription and create an account. Skip this step if you already have an account.
- Download your VPN Linux Client. It can be downloaded using the terminal or from the browser. Some providers have only OpenVPN configurations and no apps.
- Install the client using the terminal and update it to the latest version. You might need to reboot your device after this.
- Log in to the VPN using the terminal or the app interface (if your provider has one).
- Depending on your provider, enable/disable any features and configure any settings if there’s a need for that before you connect.
- Connect to a VPN server by using terminal commands for your provider.
- Explore the additional features your provider offers.
- You’re set and ready to use your Raspberry Pi safely.
If you need any help with setting up a VPN on your Raspberry Pi, you can always visit your provider’s help center or contact the support through live chat.
Why do I need a VPN for Raspberry Pi?
Raspberry Pi OS doesn’t add much security to your Pi device, especially regarding internet traffic encryption. And unless you’re using your Pi device for purposes that don’t require internet connectivity, securing it might be something you’ll want to do.
The main reason why encryption is so important is that the Raspberry Pi is commonly used in surveillance and security systems. The way it works is that the Raspberry Pi is used as a web gateway for transferring surveillance data from devices like cameras and automated locks to, for example, your phone.
If this data travels unencrypted, anyone with bad intent can access it and put your home’s security at risk. And while this is just one example of the dangers of unencrypted traffic roaming freely around the world, I’d say it’s pretty illustrative of the fact that you need a VPN for your Raspberry Pi.
Best VPNs for Raspberry Pi – detailed list
If you want to be sure about what you'll be getting with each VPN I recommend, I've got you. This list goes into the most important features that each provider has, all to help you decide. Give it a read.
- NordVPN – the best VPN for Raspberry Pi
- Surfshark – the best price/quality ratio
- ExpressVPN – a functional VPN for Raspberry Pi
- Proton VPN – transparent, privacy-focused VPN for Raspberry Pi
- IPVanish – an extra secure option for Raspberry Pi
1. NordVPN – overall best VPN for Raspberry Pi in 2026
| Servers/Countries: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Price: | $3.49/month |
| Raspberry Pi or Linux app: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
With a dedicated app, NordVPN is the best VPN for Raspberry Pi overall, which installs in just a few terminal commands. It’s lightweight and well-suited for home servers or any Pi project that requires secure network connections.
For projects that rely on fast connections, such as streaming camera feeds, remote SSH access, or fetching IoT data, NordVPN’s WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol delivers excellent speeds and low latency. Plus, AES-256 encryption ensures that all traffic remains secure and private.
NordVPN’s kill switch keeps your Raspberry Pi secure if the VPN drops, and obfuscated servers help access restricted networks. DNS-based Threat Protection filters harmful domains, and 24/7 support is available for setup or troubleshooting.
Read our NordVPN review to learn more.
2. Surfshark – most budget friendly option
| Servers/Countries: | 4,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Price: | From $2.49/month |
| Raspberry Pi or Linux app: | Yes |
| Current Deal | Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE |
Surfshark offers the best value VPN for Raspberry Pi, and with our exclusive coupon code “OFFCN”, you can get it at an even better price. Its Linux client is also easy to install and configure for any Pi setup running home automation, web servers, or IoT monitoring.
Despite the low cost, Surfshark ranks among the fastest VPNs, with stable connections for remote SSH, IoT data collection, or streaming from your Pi without delays. Security features like AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection help keep your Raspberry Pi’s traffic safe.
Extras like split tunneling, obfuscation, CleanWeb, and a kill switch help manage and protect Raspberry Pi projects. They’re useful for routing specific services, staying discreet on restrictive networks, blocking unwanted traffic, and preventing leaks if the VPN drops.
Consider reading our Surfshark VPN review or Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison for more details about this service.
3. ExpressVPN – ultimately secure VPN
| Servers/Countries: | Servers in 105 countries |
| Price: | From $2.49/month |
| Raspberry Pi or Linux app | Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 80% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE |
ExpressVPN is a reliable choice for Raspberry Pi users who need fast, secure remote access to personal services. It hides your IP address and protects traffic with AES-256 encryption. Plus, it uses secure hashing for account authentication.
Its Lightway protocol is built for quick connections and steady throughput, so bandwidth-heavy tasks, like serving media libraries, streaming a remote desktop, or running a small self-hosted app, stay responsive on Raspberry Pi. The client also supports standard VPN protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2) if you need them.
The ExpressVPN Linux client supports Raspberry Pi models with ARMv7 CPUs and later, running Raspberry Pi OS versions covered by Debian’s LTS. Setup is primarily command-line-based and more hands-on than desktop apps, but ExpressVPN’s comprehensive documentation and guides make tasks and troubleshooting a breeze.
Read more in our extensive ExpressVPN review or see which one wins in a NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.
4. Proton VPN – privacy-focused VPN for Raspberry Pi
| Servers/Countries: | 20,300+ servers in 148 countries |
| Price: | From $2.99/month |
| Raspberry Pi or Linux app: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Get up to 70% OFF Proton VPN |
Proton VPN is an excellent privacy-focused VPN for Raspberry Pi users who prioritize security. However, its Security Core servers can come at the cost of speed.
Your Pi gains AES-256 encryption, an audited no-logs policy, and a kill switch to secure connections if the VPN drops. It supports WireGuard and OpenVPN for fast, efficient, secure tunneling.
Its strong focus on privacy and security includes routing traffic through Secure Core servers, which adds extra protection but can reduce speed due to additional routing. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.
Read more in our full Proton VPN review or compare features in our NordVPN vs Proton VPN guide.
5. IPVanish – security taken to the next level
| Servers/Countries | 3,400+ servers in 112countries |
| Price: | from $2.19/month |
| Raspberry Pi or Linux app | No |
| Current deal: | Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish |
IPVanish is a solid VPN choice for Raspberry Pi users who want privacy without breaking the bank. It uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure all traffic and SHA-512 hashing to protect login credentials, keeping your Pi’s connections safe.
While testing, speeds were more than enough for tasks like syncing files or remotely accessing a personal cloud. For longer-distance connections, performance may vary, but WireGuard support helps maintain faster, more consistent speeds.
While IPVanish doesn’t have a native Linux app for Raspberry Pi, manual setup via OpenVPN is easy, and plenty of step-by-step guides make configuration manageable. Extra features, like encrypted file storage with SugarSync, can also complement Raspberry Pi projects that handle sensitive data.
Read our IPVanish review to learn more.
Best VPN for Raspberry Pi compared
| Brand | Rating | Price | Security features | No logs | Servers | Compatibility |
| NordVPN | $3.49/month | Ram-based servers, Kill Switch, Threat Protection, Dark Web Monitor, Meshnet, | Yes | 9,500 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | |
| Sufshark | $2.49/month | CleanWeb, IP rotator, Dedicated IP, Alternative ID, AES-256 encryption | Yes | 4,500 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | |
| ExpressVPN | $2.49/month | AES-256-GCM encryption, IP & DNS leak protection, Malware protection | Yes | Undisclosed | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | |
| Proton VPN | $2.99/month | Secure Core, NetShield, Kill Switch, Tor over VPN, Stealth protocol, AES-256/ChaCha20 encryption | Yes | 20,300 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | |
| IPvanish | $2.19/month | Kill switch, Forward secrecy for account authentication, WireGuard , Obfuscated servers, AES-256 encryption | Yes | 3,400 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
How we selected and tested these VPNs
When testing products, I use a rigorous VPN testing methodology to evaluate how each service performs on a Raspberry Pi. All VPNs were tested on a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ running the latest Raspberry Pi OS, looking at factors like security, speed, ease of use, and compatibility. Here are the features that I looked into when rating the providers
- Compatibility and ease of use (35%). The VPN needs to work on Linux and be easy to set up from the terminal. Clear instructions make a headless Pi much easier to manage.
- Security and privacy (30%). I look for AES‑256 encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy to keep traffic safe.
- Speed and stability (20%). Fast, reliable connections are essential when data is constantly moving, whether it’s streaming, automation, or monitoring sensors.
- Support and documentation (10%). 24/7 support and detailed guides help when you run into issues.
- Jurisdiction (5%). A privacy-friendly location ensures providers aren’t forced to log your activity.
What is Raspberry Pi?
Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer, a bit bigger than a credit card, capable of performing most tasks of a regular computing device. Its operating system is Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian), a Linux distribution optimized for the hardware, though it can also run other OSes like Ubuntu or even Windows.
Being so small, you wouldn’t think that it can do much, right? But while Raspberry Pi probably won’t allow you to use editing or animation software, it can do plenty of other things that regular computers can. You can easily code, play games, or simply browse the internet.
Raspberry Pi is also widely used as a web gateway for the internet of things (IoT). Because of its small size and easy portability, RasPi is especially convenient for, let’s say, setting up your wildlife watching website or home surveillance systems.
Is Raspberry Pi secure?
The answer depends on the context in which the Raspberry Pi is used.
Raspberry Pi is generally very secure as long as it is not connected to any kind of outside network. Hardware hacking is, by definition, only possible if a malicious hacker gets their physical hands on your device. I suspect you won’t be leaving your Pi out in the open, so the chances of it getting hacked are pretty low.
But if your Raspberry Pi is connected to outside networks, namely the internet, the security question changes completely. A threat actor has very easy means of hacking into your network and doing all kinds of stuff there, be it collecting the IoT data, your personal info, or anything else.
You may ask how to protect yourself from such wireless hacking attacks. The answer is very simple – you need a VPN. The good news is that the best VPNs have apps for Raspberry Pi, and installing them is pretty simple.
Can I use a free VPN with my Raspberry Pi?
There’s a saying about free services: if it’s free, the user is the product. Free VPN providers usually make their profit by selling user data to third parties, which is as far from good VPN service practice as it gets. With free VPN services, online anonymity and security go out the window.
So, to answer the question, I wouldn’t recommend using a free VPN with your Raspberry Pi. But, if you still want to try an unpaid option, Proton VPN has a free version, and an option to upgrade it for a very agreeable price.
Final verdict on Raspberry Pi VPNs
Raspberry Pi OS is not the most secure operating system. The lack of solid security is especially true if any outside networks, including any internet networks, have access to your device.
And the internet is not the most secure place on the planet. Whether you’re using your Pi as a web server for the IoT or doing any other work that requires internet access, your data is at risk.
Using a VPN is a great way to get rid of this risk and encrypt any incoming or outgoing traffic. Overall, for the best balance of speed, security, and ease of use, NordVPN is my top recommendation for Raspberry Pi users.
FAQ
Can you use Raspberry Pi as a server?
Yes, you can use your Raspberry Pi as a server in your local network or as a server on the internet. As it consumes little electricity and can be set up to work indefinitely, Pi is great for being a server. You can either use it to browse the web, play games, or as a gateway for the IoT.
Can NordVPN run on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, in fact, NordVPN is the best VPN for Raspberry Pi out there. It even has a dedicated version, created especially for Raspberry Pi, and setting it up on your mini computer friend is really simple.
Is Raspberry Pi powerful enough for a Minecraft server?
Yes, Raspberry Pi can be set up as a Minecraft server. The newest Pi versions have enough memory for a pretty powerful Minecraft server, so there should be no issues with hosting the game on it. And the best news is that you will have complete control over your Minecraft server.