10 best VPN services for Linux in 2024

Why Do We Need VPNsfor Linux? And what is VPN software?

Installing a virtual private network allows Linux users to do the following:

1. Increase their internet security. Third parties not will be able to access your data because the best VPNs for Linux establish a safe connection, passing on all of your data in encrypted form.
2. Conceal your real location. Change your IP-address so that no one, not even your provider, will be able track which country you are from.
3. Enjoy anonymity. Your confidentiality is extremely important no matter which sites you visit. The best VPN programs offer 100% identity protection.
4. Access web-portals that are blocked in your region.
5. Increase your internet speed while surfing.
6. Download files from a network an unlimited number of times.

To enjoy these benefits and more, you should take a look at the top verified VPN services for Linux that we have provided below. This VPN review consists of the best programs of 2021 selected on the basis of their features and numerous user reviews. To answer the simple question of “what is the best VPN” – go on reading.

1st Place – Norton

Program Features

Norton VPN is exceedingly simple to use and has an intuitive interface. Checking your connection is as easy as taking a look at the world map. If you see a pin dropped in a certain location, then that is where your private network is based. The pin becomes virtual after a connection is established. Available tabs allow users to easily move between the VPN, the list servers and advertising tracker, and the lower half of the interface has a small VPN connection switch.

The VPN can automatically disable itself while working. This happens when the app detects an irregular connection, which means the confidentiality of your data could be at risk. Another big plus is the ad blocker, which blocks pesky ads from appearing on your screen.

Data Confidentiality

Norton hides your real IP-address from Internet providers, which allows you to visit any web resources in any country of the world. At the same time, it is important to remember that for Linux this VPN client does not have the ultra-reliable IPV6 data protection.

As a result, your personal information may be accessible to hackers and Internet scammers. Problems associated with the lack of IPV6 may arise when connecting to servers in any country outside the jurisdiction of the USA. We’ll take this moment to remind you that Norton is located in America and only provides total security when visiting sites whose servers located there.

Other Features of this VPN

When considering Norton, it’s worth bearing the following things in mind:

• The service is not compatible with Netflix;
• The connection speed varies depending on the location of your internet connection;
• For Linux Norton VPN is compatible with all modern browsers.

Telephone hotlines are available for those in need of urgent technical support, and users can reach out to get help 24/7.

Install Norton VPN

2nd Place – Nord

Confidentiality and Security

Nord has assembled the best VPN features on the market. It guarantees 100% data confidentiality with its complex algorithmic encryption, completely concealing your IP-address and providing reliable protection for your information from hacker attacks.

Safe surfing on the internet is assured through Nord’s built in CyberSec feature, which instantly recognizes and blocks harmful scripts. It also blocks pop-ups from appearing on your screen. For even more security, a DoubleVPN feature is also included, which encrypts your internet traffic two times after activation. This is particularly useful for people who use public Wi-Fi or torrents.

Key Specifications of Nord

NordVPN has a suite of distinctive features:

• No user activity logs – an audit was carried out in 2019 by Swiss company PricewaterhouseCoopers that established that Nord does not keep logs;
• Round the clock support – just click on the “chat” button to connect with a specialist;
• Compatibility with Netflix and others popular streaming services;
• Users get high speed and instant connections to servers.

Nord VPN is easy to install on both PCs and mobile devices. No matter the gadget or platform, the servers are extremely steady, which allows the program to work without interruption.

Install Nord VPN

3rd Place – Hide.ME

Security and Speed

The Hide.ME service works with advanced data encryption methods, including PPTP, OpenVPN and SoftEther protocols. These protocols will allow you to easily unblock prohibited sites and enjoy total anonymity.

Hide.ME does not keep any logs, either. All of your internet traffic will be encrypted with the AES-256 protocol. The program also allows you to make use of P2P to freely download torrent files.

Regarding connection speed, everything depends on how many things you are doing while surfing. The more things you’re doing, the slower your pages will load. That’s why we recommend temporarily pausing any downloads and keeping the number of open browser windows to a minimum in order to ensure adequate VPN speed.

Key Benefits of this VPN on Linux:

In addition to the abovementioned advantages, Hide.ME has several extra merits:

• Ability to connect up to 5 devices at once to a single account;
• Configuration of an alternate DNS;
• Easy-to-use on computers and portable devices;
• Unlimited swapping between different regions and servers;
• Simple and functional interface.

Tech support is always available to address any concerns or issues over online chat or via email.

4th Place – Surfshark VPN

Surfshark is also compatible with any computer system running Linux OS. Creating an account allows users to enjoy a private network with portable devices on Android /iOS as well.

Security and Confidentiality

Surfshark’s developers use advanced methods to protect user data, and the main tools in their kit are the OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols. For additional reliability, they have also included a private DNS and double VPN, which provides users with access to regionally blocked sites.

The MultiHop and Camouflage features also deserve a mention. MultiHop helps disguise your IP address, sweeping away traces with the help of complicated chains of best Linux VPN servers, and Camouflage hides the fact that you are using a VPN client for Linux. All of this is carried out to ensure total user security without the use of a single log or record.

Other Service Specifications

Surfshark often is recognized as one of the most rapidly developing virtual networks, and boasts some notable achievements despite its short history:

• over 3,200 servers in 65 countries around the world;
• An “emergency disconnect” feature, which instantly disconnects your computer from the network when the VPN-connection is interrupted – this guarantees that your data will not fall into the wrong hands;
• easy registration procedure with just an e-mail;
• compatibility with foreign streaming services (if you connect to the USA or an EU country).

Just like the majority of other top rated VPN services in this list, Surfshark guarantees a full refund within 30 days of purchase – just reach out to their technical support service.

Install Surfshark VPN

5th Place – Atlas

Atlas is also available as a trial version for users who want to try out the functionality before buying. Impressively, the test version allows Linux users to enjoy unlimited Internet traffic and 100% encryption for their data. That said, the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices to a single account only comes with paid versions of the software.

Confidentiality of Personal Data

Atlas VPN works with standard AES-256, IPSec and IKEv2 protocols. Thanks to these tools, the encryption provides reliable protection for all of your personal information. However, the provider does not hide the fact that it regularly collects information about users’ IP addresses, their applications, and which devices they use.

Atlas has stated that they use this data for marketing research, and all of the data it collects data are analyzed and sent to an archive. If you want your information to be permanently deleted, you can get in touch with their technical support team via email.

Speed and Torrents

The Atlas virtual network boasts both a high download speed for file and a fast page loading speed. Connections across European servers vary from 40% to 45% of the original speed. If you connect to American servers, however, your download speed will decrease to 35-40%. That said, these figures are still solid enough to allow for uninterrupted video streaming.

With Atlas, you can watch as much video content as you’d like with no restrictions on traffic volume. The service is also compatible with by many popular streaming sites such as Netflix, YouTube and Prime. Uninterrupted video streaming with respectable speed and in 4K format is available with both paid and free versions of the programs.

Torrents can be downloaded from any servers, but a premium account will be necessary for quick downloads. Download speeds average around 800 Kb/s.

Primary Benefits of a Private Network

The high market demand for the Atlas VPN is based in several features:

• Blocking of harmful sites, which prevents your device from getting infected with dangerous viruses;
• Active protection from data leaks thanks to DNS and IPv6;
• P2P applications can be used;
• Ability to connect to over 500 servers in over 20 countries.

As of this writing, the program only continues to improve over time. The developer plans to add Kill Switch and Multi-Hop features, which would boost the confidentiality of user data significantly.

6th Place – HMA

However, this is only a small sampling of the features this unique service offers, and you can get acquainted with the full list of benefits after purchasing one of three premium tariffs. The most affordable plan is the 3-year plan, where the monthly service cost is as low as $2.99. A free 7-day trial version is also available.

VPN Features

By purchasing a paid subscription with HMA, users get access to a whole suite of great functions: including:

• The ability to connect the software to up to 5 devices;
• Protection from Internet-scammers when using public networks;
• Unimpeded access to web-resources blocked by Internet providers;
• Confidentiality while surfing the web via advanced data encryption technology and masking of your real IP address;
• High-speed torrent downloads;
• Traffic protection with the help of encryption;
• Connectivity to more than 1,000 servers located in 190 countries around the world.

As a bonus, the program helps block phishing attacks and harmful web-portals. If you run into any trouble while using the client, you can always refer to HideMyAss technical support and open a ticket to get help.

Main Software Features

HMA offers several effective tools that will keep your surfing both hassle-free and safe:

1. IP Address Check. This feature allows you to select your digital footprint on the internet and monitor who has the ability to track your actual location.

2. Free proxy server that allows you to bypass blocked web portals. Available for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

3. DNS data leak checks – a tool that allows you to see whether or not third parties can track your site activity.

4. WebRTC Test This tool within VPN service notifies you of WebRTC technology in your browser (which requires a real IP address in order to function properly) and provides recommendations regarding how to disconnect from it.

Confidentiality and Security

HMA encrypts 100% of its users’ internet traffic with the help of 256-bit AES, assuring a military-grade level of security. Two extra functions provide even more protection – Kill Switch and Random IP.

Kill Switch instantly interrupts your Internet connection when the VPN signal is lost, which prevents your personal data from spilling out into the online space. Random IP can designate nearly any IP address, which makes tracking your actual location next to impossible.

In order to provide maximum security for its users’ data, HMA does not collect or keep any logs regarding their clients’ online activity. This one of the best VPN providers has stated the following on their website: The only data that the program records is data on established connections, instances of being uninstalled, and software glitches. We temporarily retain this information on our servers in order to improve the work of our VPN.

7th Place – Rus

The RUS service can be installed on most operating systems, including Linux. The VPN’s offerings are relatively inexpensive when compared to more popular solutions. Purchasing a yearly plan brings the monthly cost down to just 199 rubles.

Technical Specifications

Rus doesn’t offer the widest range of servers, totaling about 400 in just over 50 countries. This puts them far behind many of their competitors. However, these servers work quickly and do not experience interruptions.

Users can take advantage of this VPN to freely visit blocked sites, including popular streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube. In most cases, a user’s video streaming speed depends on the connection quality at nearby locations. Users can connect to Rus on up to 5 devices simultaneously.

Personal Data Protection

The VPN by RUS provides security to its clients with the help of advanced AES-256 encryption technology, as well as PPTP, LT2P, OpenVPN and IKeV2 protocols. As a result, users can rest assured that their personal information is firmly under lock and key.

Just like other providers, RUS uses DNS technology in order to prevent data leaks, as well as a Kill Switch that automatically disconnects your device from the internet when the VPN connection is interrupted. Rus also keeps no logs of user activity.

Other Features of the Service

Before using the VPN from Rus, potential buyers should take several key points into account:

• P2P traffic and torrents are permitted;
• The program’s interface is only available in Russian;
• No ad blocker;
• No available tools for identifying and neutralizing harmful software.

If a user is not completely satisfied with the VPN service for whatever reason, they can anticipate a full refund within thirty days of purchase. However, the refund only applies if the user’s total web traffic did not exceed 500 megabytes during that period. This is a notable drawback for Rus when compared to other good VPN services whose refund policies apply irrespective of how much internet traffic the client used.

8th Place – Hola

All of the internet signals are transferred across a peer-to-peer network with more than 180 million users who have provided access to their home internet connections in exchange for free use of the VPN.

That way, you can enjoy Hola completely free. You can also join this network by downloading and installing the program on your Linux device. Hola allows you to enjoy unlimited traffic and visit any sites you’d like, including those that are blocked in your country.

If you would rather not use a common network and have your IP address on display for all other network participants, you can take advantage of a paid “Premium” plan, which costs $3 a month with a 3-year subscription or $12 a month without a subscription plan.

Security Features

Because Hola uses client networks, all of the data on the network are generally accessible. With the free version, you cannot count on any encryption of your personal information.

This feature is only available with paid plans, which guarantees a connection that is protected by AES-256 encryption technology. On top of that, you can configure the VPN protocol however you’d like and select the encryption you’d like to use.

Stand-Out Features 

If you are planning on using Hola as your main VPN, you should take the following nuances into account:

• The program does not support torrenting;
• The program does not have an ad blocker;
• The program does not provide access to Netflix or other streaming services, as they automatically recognize the VPN even if you connect via server hosted in another country;
• due to the constant exchange of channels, DNS leaks happen regularly.

That’s why if security is a priority for you in your choice of VPN, Hola is not the best choice. We can only recommend this VPN service to users who want free unlimited access to foreign web portals and/or want to reduce their data consumption by using a PSP network.

9th Place – VPN Unlimited

VPN Unlimited also offers a mobile app along with solutions for all popular operating systems, and Linux is no exception. No free version of the software is currently available, but users can select from any one of four paid plans. The most cost-advantageous option is a lifetime license for $159.99, which is the first offering of its kind on the market.

Data Confidentiality

By default, VPN Unlimited utilizes the OpenVPN protocol, which provides fast and secure data transmission. The notable KeepSolidWise feature is also included, allowing the use of a TCP 443 port to further protect your internet traffic.

Other anti-leak protocols can be configured manually. According to KeepSolid, their software is a strong choice for users located in countries where the use of VPNs is meticulously blocked on a government level.

What other benefits does VPN Unlimited offer?

In addition to those discussed, this VPN service offers the following additional pluses:

• No data registration or logging regarding user activity;
• Technical support offered via email;
• Fast speeds even on remote servers, with the exception of American servers;
• Ability to pay in bitcoin.

Among VPN Unlimited’s drawbacks are the absence of live online support and the ability to only download torrents on separate VPN servers for devices on Linux. However, these minuses are more than compensated for when you consider the ability to quickly connect to popular streaming services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Install VPN Unlimited

10th Place – Panda VPN

No Bandwidth Restriction

If you use the free version, you will notice that the bandwidth is capped at a certain amount daily. With the premium package, you will enjoy no restriction on your bandwidth. 

One major shortcoming of several other VPNs is capping of bandwidth, even for paid users. With lots of servers to use, maxing out bandwidth will not be a problem. Panda breaks the barrier for you.

Guaranteed Protection and Confidentiality

Panda somewhat protects its users in a couple of ways. Apart for the AEC 256-bit protection, Panda offers uncompromising security. Each subscription works for up to five devices and they all have access to equal features. 

PandaVPN also comes with a special kill switch that works fully automated. If your internet disconnects while you are connected to the internet, your location and identity becomes known. With PandaVPN, there would be nothing like that. The kill switch triggers in case of any disconnection. It guarantees you 100% anonymity.

Install Panda VPN