10 Best VPNs for Linux of 2026

This list is for desktop and server Linux users who want a native client rather than hand-built configs, a kill switch that actually blocks leaks, and solid WireGuard support. We compared documented features, supported distros and published prices on each vendor's own Linux and pricing pages in November 2026. Rankozo weights value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%. Starting prices are the cheapest paid plan per month in USD, usually on the longest term. Five vendors showed only euro or zloty prices from our location, so their prices are marked pending.

1. 01Top value

   

   Proton VPN

   9.1/10

   Swiss VPN with a Linux GUI app and a separate CLI, plus a free plan.

   Price

   $3.49per month, billed $83.76 for 24 months

   Free plan; VPN Plus $3.49 per month on the 2-year plan, billed $83.76, then $83.88 a year; $9.99 month to month

   “VPN Plus $9.99 $3.49 /month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   9.2

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.8

   Best forUbuntu, Debian and Fedora users who want a graphical client with an always-on kill switch and port forwarding.

   Proton VPN ships two native Linux clients: a graphical app for Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora, and a command-line client that adds Arch. Proton's Linux page says both include DNS and IPv6 leak protection and run without sudo rights, and the GUI adds an always-on kill switch, port forwarding, NetShield DNS filtering, Secure Core multi-hop routing, custom DNS and full IPv6 support. Connections use WireGuard or OpenVPN, and Proton also publishes manual WireGuard and OpenVPN setups for distros its apps do not cover. That matters for Linux Mint, Pop!_OS and other Ubuntu derivatives, which Proton says may work but are not officially supported. On price, VPN Plus is $3.49 a month on the two-year plan, billed $83.76, then $83.88 every 12 months, and covers 10 devices. The free plan also runs on Linux, which makes it the easiest way to test the client on your own distro before paying. All paid plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee.

   • ✓Free plan works on Linux
   • ✓GUI and CLI cover desktops and terminals
   • ✓Renewal price is printed next to the deal

   • ✕Linux Mint is not officially supported
   • ✕Renewal at $83.88 a year roughly doubles the monthly cost
   • ✕Month-to-month Plus costs $9.99

   Linux apps:

   GUI and CLI

   Official distros:

   Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora; Arch for CLI

   Devices on Plus:

   10

   2-year Plus:

   $83.76, then $83.88 a year

   Bottom line: The best all-round Linux pick: a real GUI, a CLI, an always-on kill switch and a free plan to test it. Mint users should expect to rely on unofficial support.

   Visit protonvpn.com ↗

2. 02

   

   Private Internet Access

   8.9/10

   Budget VPN with an open-source Linux GUI that matches its Windows and Mac apps.

   Price

   $2.03per month on the 40-month plan

   $2.03 per month on the 3-year plus 4 months plan, then $81.20 every 3 years; $3.99 a month on 1 year; $11.95 month to month

   “3 Years + 4 Months EXTRA $ 2.03 /mo Autorenews at $81.20 every 3 years” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   8.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.6

   Best forLinux Mint and Ubuntu users who want the lowest long-term price and per-app routing.

   Private Internet Access is the cheapest way to get a full-featured Linux client. PIA says its Linux GUI has feature parity with its other desktop apps, and the spec list names WireGuard and OpenVPN, AES-128-GCM or AES-256-GCM on OpenVPN, ChaCha20 on WireGuard, and SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxies. The Advanced Kill Switch can still allow LAN traffic, which helps if you print or reach a NAS while connected, and split tunneling works by app, domain or IP. Supported systems are Ubuntu 20.04+ LTS, Linux Mint 20+, Debian 11+, Fedora 32+ and Arch, with ARM builds for Raspberry Pi. You can also drive everything from the terminal with piactl. Installation is a .run script rather than a repository, so updates are less automatic than with apt or dnf. The 40-month plan costs $2.03 a month and renews at $81.20 every three years, about $2.26 a month. A one-year plan costs $3.99 a month, and month to month is $11.95.

   • ✓Lowest verified paid price in this list
   • ✓Linux Mint 20+ is listed as supported
   • ✓Linux app source code is on GitHub

   • ✕No free plan
   • ✕Month-to-month price is $11.95
   • ✕Port forwarding is limited to select locations

   Linux apps:

   GUI and piactl CLI

   Supported distros:

   Ubuntu 20.04+, Mint 20+, Debian 11+, Fedora 32+, Arch

   Countries:

   113

   Long plan:

   $2.03 a month, renews at $81.20 every 3 years

   Bottom line: The value pick for Linux, with an explicit Mint listing and a low renewal rate. Skip it only if you need a free tier or a package repository.

   Visit privateinternetaccess.com ↗

3. 03

   

   Mullvad

   8.8/10

   Privacy-first Swedish VPN with signed apt and dnf repositories for Linux.

   Price

   $5.57per month, same rate on every term

   Flat €5 a month on any term, which Mullvad lists as equivalent to $5.57

   “€5 is equivalent to $5.57” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.8

   Features (35%)

   9.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.6

   Best forUsers who want a WireGuard-first client installed from an official repository at one flat price.

   Mullvad treats Linux as a first-class platform. Its download page gives copy-paste commands to add the signed Mullvad repository to apt or dnf, so the app updates with the rest of your system, and it offers .deb and .rpm files for x86_64 and ARM64. The listed minimums are Ubuntu 24.04+, Debian 12+ and Fedora 43+, so older LTS releases fall outside official support. Features on the Linux app include an advanced kill switch built on firewall integration with atomic operations, automatic WireGuard key rotation, multihop, Shadowsocks, obfuscation and split tunneling. Mullvad names a February 2026 security assessment by Leviathan and a November 2024 app audit by X41 D-Sec. If the app does not suit you, Mullvad also publishes configuration files for the official WireGuard tools. Pricing is one flat rate, €5 a month, which the site lists as $5.57, on one month, one year or longer. The trade-offs are a 5-device cap and no port forwarding.

   • ✓Repository installs update with the rest of the system
   • ✓Same price whether you pay monthly or yearly
   • ✓Recent third-party security assessment and app audit

   • ✕Up to 5 devices per account
   • ✕No port forwarding
   • ✕Prices are set in euros

   Linux packages:

   .deb and .rpm, x86_64 and ARM64

   Minimum versions:

   Ubuntu 24.04+, Debian 12+, Fedora 43+

   Devices:

   5

   Price:

   €5 a month on every term

   Bottom line: The cleanest install on Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora, with strong WireGuard tooling. It costs more per month than long-term deals and caps you at 5 devices.

   Visit mullvad.net ↗

4. 04

   

   Windscribe

   8.5/10

   Canadian VPN with a Linux GUI, a standalone CLI and a free 10 GB tier.

   Price

   $5.75per month, billed $69 a year

   Free plan with 10 GB a month after email confirmation; Pro $69 a year, about $5.75 a month; $9 month to month

   “Yearly Plan Billed $69 USD every 12 months $5.75 per month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.6

   Features (35%)

   8.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.2

   Best forPower users who want split tunneling by app, IP or hostname and the option to run their own WireGuard configs.

   Windscribe has the most tinkering room of any Linux client here. Its Linux page lists a GUI app for desktops and a standalone CLI that runs headless over SSH and can be scripted with cron or systemd. A firewall blocks traffic outside the tunnel, split tunneling works by app, IP and hostname, and custom DNS accepts DoH and DoT endpoints. Config-Only Mode lets the app drive your own WireGuard or OpenVPN configs with leak protection, and a proxy gateway can share the connection with consoles or TVs over HTTP or SOCKS5. Supported systems are Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/CentOS, Arch and openSUSE on AMD64, plus Debian/Ubuntu on ARM64. The free plan gives 2 GB a month, rising to 10 GB once you confirm an email. Pro costs $69 a year, about $5.75 a month, or $9 month to month, and opens locations in 69+ countries. There is no multi-year plan, so the price you see is the price you renew at.

   • ✓Free tier on Linux with no credit card
   • ✓No contract longer than one year
   • ✓Six protocols including WireGuard and Stealth

   • ✕Free data is 2 GB until you confirm an email
   • ✕Pro costs $9 month to month
   • ✕Fewer countries than the largest networks

   Linux apps:

   GUI and CLI

   Supported distros:

   Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/CentOS, Arch, openSUSE

   Free data:

   10 GB a month with a confirmed email

   Yearly Pro:

   $69

   Bottom line: The best fit for Linux users who want fine-grained routing and a free tier. The yearly price is fair, but there is no cheap multi-year deal.

   Visit windscribe.com ↗

5. 05

   

   IVPN

   8.3/10

   Gibraltar-based privacy VPN with open-source Linux CLI and GUI packages.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.8

   Features (35%)

   9.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.2

   Best forPrivacy-focused users who want an always-on firewall, multi-hop and repositories for many distros, including Mint.

   IVPN has the widest set of official Linux repositories in this list. Its Linux page gives apt instructions for Ubuntu, Debian and Linux Mint, dnf instructions for Fedora and CentOS, Alma and Rocky, AUR packages for Arch and Manjaro, Fedora Silverblue notes and a Snap. A base package provides the CLI and a separate package adds the GUI. Features include WireGuard or OpenVPN, quantum-resistant WireGuard connections, a schedule for automatic key and IP rotation, and a firewall kill switch you can set to on demand or always on, with protection against DNS, IPv6 and disconnection leaks. Multi-hop routes, split tunneling, trusted Wi-Fi rules, custom DNS with DoH, AntiTracker blocking and V2Ray or obfs4 for censored networks round it out. IVPN sells Standard, Plus and Pro Suite plans, but its pricing page renders prices with JavaScript, so we could not confirm USD figures and mark them pending. There is no free plan.

   • ✓Dedicated Linux Mint repository
   • ✓GUI or CLI from the same packages
   • ✓Protects against DNS, IPv6 and disconnection leaks

   • ✕Pricing page loads prices with JavaScript, so we could not confirm USD
   • ✕No free plan
   • ✕GUI needs the base package installed first

   Linux apps:

   CLI base package and GUI

   Distros:

   Ubuntu, Debian, Mint, Fedora, CentOS/Alma/Rocky, Arch, Silverblue

   Kernel:

   64-bit Linux 3.10+

   Plans:

   Standard, Plus and Pro Suite

   Bottom line: One of the most complete Linux feature sets, with an official Mint repository. Confirm the current price on the vendor page before buying.

   Visit ivpn.net ↗

6. 06

   

   NordVPN

   8.3/10

   Large VPN network with a Linux CLI, a newer GUI app and Meshnet.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.6

   Features (35%)

   9.0

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.6

   Best forLinux users who want a big server network, NordLynx and private device-to-device links with Meshnet.

   NordVPN's Linux client began as a command-line tool and now has a graphical app as well, and Nord says the Linux GUI source code is public. The download page lists .deb and .rpm packages for Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+, Fedora 43+, Linux Mint 21+ and Raspberry Pi OS, installed through a script or the Snap Store. Linux builds include post-quantum encryption, IP and DNS leak protection, and scam and phishing protection. Nord's Linux release notes, updated in October 2026, cover NordLynx, its WireGuard-based protocol, a Kill Switch that guards traffic while the app moves you to another server during maintenance, pause controls in the system tray, and Meshnet for private links and file sharing between your own devices. One account covers 10 devices. We could not confirm a USD price because the pricing page showed zloty from our location, so the price is marked pending. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies.

   • ✓Mint 21+ and Raspberry Pi OS listed as supported
   • ✓Regular Linux release notes
   • ✓30-day money-back guarantee

   • ✕Pricing showed only in zloty from our location
   • ✕No free plan
   • ✕Install script or Snap rather than a signed repo command on the page

   Linux apps:

   GUI and CLI

   Supported distros:

   Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+, Fedora 43+, Mint 21+, Raspberry Pi OS

   Devices:

   10

   Refunds:

   30 days

   Bottom line: A strong, actively maintained Linux client with Meshnet that others lack. Price it on the US site before buying, since renewals are higher than the deal.

   Visit nordvpn.com ↗

7. 07

   

   Surfshark

   8.3/10

   VPN with a Linux GUI app, unlimited devices and Snap, Flatpak and .deb packages.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.0

   Features (35%)

   8.4

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.6

   Best forHouseholds that run Linux alongside many other devices and want one account with no device cap.

   Surfshark offers a graphical Linux app through three channels: a .deb package, Snapcraft and Flathub. The choice matters, because Surfshark notes that its kill switch is available in the Snap and .deb packages but not in the Flatpak, so Linux users who want leak protection should avoid the Flathub build. The vendor says it tested the app on Debian 11 or higher, Ubuntu 20.04 or higher and Mint 20 or higher, with GNOME, KDE and XFCE desktops. Protocols include WireGuard with a post-quantum implementation, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Surfshark's own Dausos. Accounts allow unlimited simultaneous connections, and CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers and malicious sites. The network has more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries. Higher tiers add antivirus, breach alerts and Incogni data removal, which mainly matter on other platforms. The pricing page showed zloty from our location, so we mark the USD price pending. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies.

   • ✓No device limit
   • ✓Tested on GNOME, KDE and XFCE
   • ✓Mint 20+ listed as tested

   • ✕Kill switch is missing from the Flatpak
   • ✕Pricing showed only in zloty from our location
   • ✕No free plan

   Linux packages:

   .deb, Snap, Flatpak

   Tested distros:

   Debian 11+, Ubuntu 20.04+, Mint 20+

   Devices:

   Unlimited

   Servers:

   4,500+ in 100 countries

   Bottom line: A good GUI client for mixed households thanks to unlimited devices. Install the .deb or Snap build if you need the kill switch.

   Visit surfshark.com ↗

8. 08

   

   ExpressVPN

   8.1/10

   Premium VPN with a redesigned Linux GUI, Lightway and WireGuard.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.0

   Features (35%)

   8.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.8

   Best forUsers who want a polished Linux GUI on current distros and do not mind paying more.

   ExpressVPN rebuilt its Linux app with a card-based dashboard, a server map, favorites, a built-in speed test and Dedicated IP support. The Linux page lists Lightway, OpenVPN and WireGuard, with post-quantum protection on Lightway and WireGuard, plus an Internet Kill Switch, split tunneling and ad, tracker and malicious site filters. A reduced-dependency headless install targets Docker, containers and minimal servers, and an MCP server lets AI tools check the connection. The catch is version requirements: version 5.0 needs Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Debian 12, Fedora 39, Linux Mint 22, Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm 64-bit or current Arch, and older systems must upgrade first. Installation uses a .run file. ExpressVPN runs RAM-only servers in 113 countries and cites audits by PwC and Cure53. Subscriptions cover up to 14 devices depending on tier. The order page showed euros from our location, so we mark the USD price pending, and it is among the pricier services here.

   • ✓Supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Mint, Arch and Raspberry Pi OS
   • ✓RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure
   • ✓Up to 14 devices depending on tier

   • ✕Version 5.0 needs recent releases such as Ubuntu 24.04 and Mint 22
   • ✕Pricing showed only in euros from our location
   • ✕Installer is a .run file, not a repository

   Linux app:

   GUI, headless install option

   Minimum versions:

   Ubuntu 24.04, Debian 12, Fedora 39, Mint 22

   Countries:

   113

   Refunds:

   30 days for new subscribers

   Bottom line: The most polished Linux GUI on current distros, but expensive and strict about versions. Older Mint and Ubuntu installs need an upgrade first.

   Visit expressvpn.com ↗

9. 09

   

   AirVPN

   8.0/10

   Italian VPN run by activists, with the open-source Eddie client for Linux.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   8.0

   Features (35%)

   8.4

   Ease of use (25%)

   7.4

   Best forTechnical users who want OpenVPN and WireGuard control, Network Lock and censorship workarounds such as SSH, SSL and Tor tunnels.

   AirVPN's Linux client is Eddie, a GPLv3 wrapper for OpenVPN and WireGuard with a graphical UI and a CLI edition. Eddie offers packages for Debian and Ubuntu through its own apt repository, openSUSE, Fedora and CentOS, official AUR packages for Arch, and portable AppImage builds, on x64, x86, armv7 and aarch64. Network Lock provides leak prevention, though Eddie's own support notes say it is unavailable on some Linux systems, such as Fedora newer than 42. Censorship countermeasures include tunnels over SSH and SSL and direct Tor integration, and advanced users get full control over OpenVPN directives and custom routes. AirVPN's servers support both IPv4 and IPv6 tunnels and multiple entry IPs and ports, which helps on networks that block VPNs. Plans run from three days to three years, but the buy page lists euros only, so we mark the USD price pending. Residents of Italy are not allowed to use the service.

   • ✓Fully open-source client
   • ✓Short plans from three days
   • ✓Full control over OpenVPN directives and routes

   • ✕Prices are set in euros only
   • ✕Network Lock is unavailable on some Linux systems, such as Fedora newer than 42
   • ✕Interface is aimed at advanced users

   Linux client:

   Eddie GUI and CLI

   Architectures:

   x64, x86, armv7, aarch64

   Protocols:

   OpenVPN and WireGuard

   Shortest plan:

   Three days

   Bottom line: A transparent, highly configurable choice for experienced Linux users. Newcomers will find Proton VPN or PIA easier to set up.

   Visit airvpn.org ↗

10. 10

    

    CyberGhost

    7.3/10

    Mainstream VPN with a command-line app for Linux and a 45-day refund window.

    Price

    $2.19per month, billed $61.32 for the first term

    $2.19 per month on the 2-year plus 2 months plan, billed $61.32, then $61.32 a year; $6.99 a month on 6 months

    “2 Years + 2 Months, $ 2.19 /mo Billed $61.32 for first 2 years, then autorenews at $61.32 annually” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

    Free plan

    No

    Value (40%)

    8.0

    Features (35%)

    6.8

    Ease of use (25%)

    7.0

    Best forUsers comfortable in a terminal who want a low price and a long refund period.

    CyberGhost is the weakest Linux fit in this list, though it is cheap. Its Linux page describes a command-line app that connects to a chosen server location or to its specialized servers with a simple command; there is no graphical client. Supported systems are Debian 12 (Bookworm) and newer, Ubuntu 22.04 and newer, Fedora 34 and newer, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, on desktops, laptops, servers and virtual machines. Linux Mint is not named. CyberGhost says it runs RAM-only servers, but its Linux page does not mention WireGuard or a kill switch, which are the two features Linux buyers most often ask about, so check the support docs before committing. On price, the two-year plan with two extra months costs $2.19 a month, billed $61.32 for the first term and $61.32 a year after that, about $5.11 a month. A six-month plan is $6.99 a month. A 45-day money-back guarantee gives you time to test the CLI on your distro.

    • ✓Low two-year price
    • ✓Longest refund window in this list
    • ✓Supports RHEL clones such as AlmaLinux and Rocky

    • ✕No graphical Linux app
    • ✕Linux page does not list WireGuard or a kill switch
    • ✕Linux Mint is not listed

    Linux app:

    CLI only

    Supported distros:

    Debian 12+, Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 34+, AlmaLinux, Rocky

    2-year plan:

    $61.32, then $61.32 a year

    Refunds:

    45 days

    Bottom line: Fine for terminal users on a budget, but it lacks a Linux GUI and does not document a Linux kill switch. Most readers should pick PIA instead.

    Visit cyberghostvpn.com ↗

Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.