Best VPN for Linux

Best VPN for Linux : A good VPN can hardly be overrated no matter what operating system you use. VPN is being used by more and more people for safer and more anonymous surfing on the web, and for access to foreign streaming services.

There are also many people who offer VPN services today. A small problem for Linux users is that they often start with a Windows operating system, then create a customized version for Mac OS.

However, there are also a good number of VPN services that work smoothly with various Linux operating systems. You just need to know which ones. Here we have highlighted the five VPN providers we believe have the best solutions for Linux.

How to review a VPN service for Linux

Some things you expect from a VPN in general, regardless of the operating system. Then there are also some things that must be in place especially for Linux users.

These are the factors we have had in mind, in the order mentioned, during our work to find the optimal VPN for Linux:

• Has the service developed its own app for Linux?
• How is the speed?
• Does the service meet all security requirements?
• Does it work well with streaming?
• How is the user support?
• Price!

The first point is about whether the service has even thought about Linux users when offering its product online. All have their own apps for installing on Windows. Mac and Android. They must also have an option for Linux (and it should work fine).

Good speed is essential. This is especially true when streaming or loading heavy programs. A VPN involves a detour for your internet traffic, and there will naturally be a delay. On less good VPN services this delay is a problem, but on those in the top tier it will hardly be registered.

Security is one of the most important things when it comes to VPN . As a minimum, the service should have high-quality encryption and a clearly stated policy that they themselves do not log the users’ traffic. This can be supported by other security functions.

Many people acquire a VPN to stream movies and TV shows from other countries. It must then be a VPN that offers good speed, that has servers deployed in the country in question and, not least, has the muscle to bypass blocking attempts from the streaming services.

Ideally, there should be no need for user support if the service is good and easy to understand. But there may be things that arise or there may be certain functions that seem difficult. Then it is good that there is a user support available at the exact time you need it . This applies if there is a problem specifically with Linux or if it is VPN in general.

The installation of VPN on Linux can sometimes be more complicated than the equivalent for Windows and Mac OS

In terms of price , there aren’t that many differences between the best VPN services. Per month, we don’t talk about that much anyway. Nevertheless, we cannot avoid also having to assess the relationship between price and performance from time to time.

Best VPN services for Linux users

Let’s go to the list of the best VPN services for Linux . We have made an assessment of the best VPN services on the market, and in particular highlighted conditions related to the Windows operating systems. With one of these, you have made a safe and qualified choice anyway.

NordVPN

NordVPN is known for its Nordlynx protocol. At the time, it was developed specifically with Linux in mind.

Conclusion

NordVPN is a particularly good choice for users of operating systems based on Linux. It is also easy to get started with using the app. NordVPN has guides and video instructions for different setups.

The procedure to get started with NordVPN for Linux is to choose a suitable subscription, install the app, and find a suitable server. The connection is made automatically.

You use the command line to bring up the list of servers. Here you can also switch between protocols. You can also let NordVPN automatically choose the best server at all times,

For optimal speed, NordVPN has deployed more than 5,400 servers in 59 countries.

They continuously upgrade their server network, constantly invest in improving software architecture and maintain a robust infrastructure. All of these are elements that contribute to fast connection and fast transfer of data.

That makes it one of the preferred services for streaming geo-blocked content. Tests show that NordVPN seamlessly transfers broadcasts from Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Showtime, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Sling TV

But for many, safety comes first. For NordVPN, the highest degree of encryption between your device and the VPN server is not enough. You have the option of choosing a double VPN, or VPN over VPN. Then the traffic goes through a further encrypted server before you are out on the net.

Among important additional functions we find the Kill Switch , an emergency switch in case the server crashes. In such situations, the VPN functions cease, and you will be seen if the internet connection is not interrupted at the same time. NordVPN is also excellent at blocking both ads and malware.

Based in Panama, they also have a zero-logging policy with credibility.

If you choose a two-year subscription to NordVPN, the price drops to $3.71 per month.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is often a small step ahead of its peers on the VPN front. They have also put in the right effort to also become popular with the Linux people. ExpressVPN is considered by many to be the best VPN service we have today, regardless of operating system.

Conclusion

Their app specially developed for Linux supports all major operating systems derived from it.

On their website they have detailed instructions on how to install the app. Here there are articles, user guides and videos specifically aimed at users of different Linix operating systems. If something goes wrong, they step in with customer service 24/7.

What really makes ExpressVPN great is the number of servers and the number of countries they are deployed in. You can actually choose from servers in 94 countries. This is useful for being able to stream content from channels in the country you are interested in. Many high-quality servers ensure the necessary speed and that you avoid interruptions.

In particular, ExpressVPN excels when streaming American Netflix. If you watch Netflix in the USA, you have a much larger selection than from Norway. At the same time, Netflix actively opposes attempts at streaming from foreign IP addresses. ExpressVPN is among the better when it comes to bypassing these attempts.

Also when it comes to security, ExpressVPN keeps up with the best and latest. The 256-bit AES encryption between your device and the VPN server is the same as that used by the US military. Other security features you get with their VPN for Linux are leak protection, P2P support, dynamic DNS, and the Network Lock firewall tool.

ExpressVPN states that they offer support for 32-bit and 64-bit Linux distros such as Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Raspbian (32-bit only), and Arch. Besides, they also have instructions for configuring Ubuntu Studio, Linux Mint, Kali and several others.

ExpressVPN costs a bit more than the other recommended services here, but it’s not that much.

Surfshark

Surfshark is a third VPN service that has really gone to great lengths to create an easy-to-use web service for Linux.

Conclusion

Surfshark are open that there is a little more control with the installation than it would be from Mac OS or Windows.

The tailor-made app is compatible with Ubuntu and Debian devices.

The step-by-step guide on the page is nevertheless quite clear. Should it stop you, they have customer service available around the clock.

You will also find a list of useful commands that you can use while browsing the VPN.

Surfshark’s server park consists of over 3,200 servers in 65 countries. That makes them one of the biggest VPN providers in the world.

Once you’re up and running, you’ll gain access to software that isn’t otherwise compatible with Linux.

Entertainment and information subject to geographical restrictions will also be available on the screen. This applies whether you want to watch NRK when you are on holiday abroad, or enjoy it with American entertainment platforms that are blocked for those who do not have a VPN.

Surfshark has little trouble breaking through the geographic blockade built by Netflix, Hulu, CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and more.Torrenting is also possible.

Regarding security, Surfshark also runs the industry-leading 256-bit AES encryption. It perfectly meets the needs of ordinary consumers. Included in the purchase you get a kill switch function against server failure, DNS leak protection and a special camouflage mode. The latter means that even your Internet provider does not see that you are hiding your traffic with a VPN.

Surfshark is located in the British Virgin Islands, and therefore cannot be required by local law to store information about its users. Therefore, they can guarantee a zero-logging policy.

Surfshark has relatively low prices. For a 24-month subscription, the price drops to $2.49 USD per month. The VPN can then be used on an unlimited number of devices in the household. The other services usually have a limit of 5 or 6 devices that can be used in a subscription.

That’s why you should use VPN for Linux

Linux users may feel a false sense of security as most malware is designed with Windows in mind. However, you are not immediately immune because you have Linux. A VPN will make you a much harder victim.

Surfing on open, public networks poses the greatest risk of hacker attacks and attempts to pry personal information from your computing device. VPN is the best tool to hide this, as you are then connecting to an external VPN server.

In other cases too, you leave traces when you travel on the Internet. This applies whether you use Windows, Mac OS or Linux.

We can start with your Internet provider. The pages you have visited, preferably six months ago, are stored here.

Secondly, all the pages you visit leave codes in your browser. That is why you are overloaded with advertisements for travel destinations you check out and other things Google or other marketers think you are interested in. Hypothetically, such information could just as well be used for personal monitoring as for marketing.

The other good reason to get a VPN is to use it to stream content from overseas senders. Much of this is geographically blocked. This also applies to Norwegian television. You cannot simply watch everything from NRK when you travel abroad.

It is rights considerations that are the basis for that. Programs that the channel or streaming service do not produce themselves, they have limited rights to. As a rule, they only apply to the relevant country they are sending to.

This actually also includes payment services. Norwegian Netflix has content that differs quite a bit from American Netflix. With a VPN, you will have access to a much more extensive program offering that benefits American users. You can also sign up for purely American services such as Hulu.

With a VPN, you can also find cheaper offers online than what is available to paying Norwegian consumers. In particular, you can get plane tickets cheaper by, for example, ordering from India.

Torrenting is also popular with VPN. Just be aware that there is a lot of copyrighted material illegally posted on a number of torrent sites.

Is there a free VPN for Linux?

You can make use of a VPN with a 30-day money back guarantee to use the VPN for free for a temporary period, No additional justification is required to claim such guarantees.

Otherwise, there are some VPN services that promote free use. These are often very deficient.

Before installing one, you should read the terms carefully, and also check if they have an app or user instructions for Linux users.

The terms should be read because some free services keep a separate log of your traffic which they sell to the “highest bidder”. That’s what they make money from, but this is also a purpose that goes against the intent of a VPN.

Secondly, most of the free services have a modest unmanaged server park that does not cover that many countries. It gives low speed, and makes streaming particularly difficult.

Some free services are a light variant of a paid service. The free version is then amputated in one way or another, such as that you get access to a limited amount of mb during the month, or access to only a fraction of the servers the service actually disposes of.

You’re unlikely to find up-to-date customer service on a free VPN service.

Most people find the free service unsatisfactory after a short period of use, and opt for a paid VPN. After all, the costs are not that great, and the level of frustration is significantly lower.

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