Published on: May 7, 2023 Updated 5 times since publishing
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : It’s not free, but ExpressVPN is the top VPN for Linux in 2026. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users, so you can try it out risk-free and get a full refund if it doesn’t suit your needs — no questions asked. ExpressVPN has both GUI and CLI options for Linux, supports a wide variety of Linux distros, and offers the fastest speeds on the market.
Finding a good free VPN for Linux is challenging — many VPNs don’t offer Linux support at all, and those that do often exclude it from their free plans. Even when a Linux app is available, it’s often lacking a graphical user interface (GUI) or has a limited number of distros. That’s why I usually avoid free VPNs for Linux — they tend to come with major compromises, like data caps, slower speeds, and weaker security features.
That said, I tested dozens of options and found a few free VPNs that actually work on Linux. These VPNs offer reliable performance, strong security, and decent Linux support, and some even work on popular distros like Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora.
My top pick is ExpressVPN. It may not have a free plan, but it’s without a doubt the best VPN for Linux in 2026. Plus, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best Free VPNs for Linux
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Linux in 2026
Basic 12-Months plan: $3.99 / month
1-month plan: $12.99 / month
ExpressVPN isn’t free, but it’s undoubtedly the best Linux VPN in 2026, and you can test it out risk-free by taking advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN supports a wide range of popular Linux distros, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and Mint.
- GUI on Linux
- Best speeds on Linux
- Powerful anonymity (IP Shuffle)
- Works with 100+ streaming sites
- No free plan
I think it’s great you can control the app with GUI and a CLI (command-line Interface). Although most Linux users are familiar with the terminal, having options is always a plus, and ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs that have a GUI.
I like how easy it is to set up and use ExpressVPN on Linux devices. The installation process is simple, and there are detailed step-by-step guides (in both written and video format) on ExpressVPN’s website if you need any help — it only took me about 5 minutes to get it all working.
It has a powerful privacy feature called IP Shuffle for more anonymity. Instead of assigning just one IP address per server, it uses a pool of several dozen called a swarm. Each time you visit a website, it randomly selects a different IP from that pool. So, even if you stick with the same VPN location, your IP changes from site to site, making it much harder for anyone to track you online.
The VPN also includes an Advanced Protection feature in its Linux app. It helps block phishing sites, malicious websites, as well as limits the data that third parties, such as advertisers, can collect about you. It is disabled by default, so you’ll need to enable it in the settings.
It’s also excellent for streaming and torrenting — most free VPNs don’t support either one. ExpressVPN can access 100+ streaming services, including different Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ libraries, as well as Hulu and BBC iPlayer, and it allows torrenting on all of its servers across 105 countries.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a free plan, but it’s my top Linux VPN in 2026. Its app can be controlled using a GUI or CLI, it supports all major Linux distros, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora, has lightning-fast speeds, and comes with strong privacy and security features. It also works with 100+ streaming sites and supports P2P on all servers.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Proton VPN — Best Free VPN for Linux With Unlimited Data
12-month plan: $3.49 / month
1-month plan: $4.99 / month
Proton VPN is one of the only top VPNs whose free plan provides unlimited data, which makes it a great choice for browsing and one of the best free VPNs on the market.
- Allows unlimited data
- GUI on Linux
- Open-source Linux app
- No P2P & streaming support
- Can’t choose your server
It’s the only free VPN that offers a full GUI app for Linux. I really like how easy it is to use — you won’t need to memorize any command lines. Just log in to your account, use the Quick Connect button to automatically connect to the best server for your location, and start browsing.
It’s compatible with a wide range of distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Mint, and Fedora. If you prefer the command line, there’s also a fully featured CLI app available, though you have to use an old version as the newest Linux app doesn’t support CLI.
I also appreciate that all of Proton VPN’s apps are open-source, so anyone can inspect its code for vulnerabilities.
Its free plan allows only 1 connection and has limited server locations in 5 countries (the US, Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Poland). You can’t choose your own country, as it automatically connects you to the fastest server available. Additionally, it doesn’t support streaming or torrenting. If these activities are important to you, I recommend using ExpressVPN instead.
Proton VPN’s paid plans include streaming and torrenting support, servers in 148 countries, and an excellent ad blocker.
Bottom Line:
Proton VPN is a great free Linux VPN for all online activities. It’s fast, secure, offers unlimited data, also has a GUI on its Linux app, and is compatible with popular Linux distros like Ubuntu, Debian, Mint, and Fedora. Its premium plans get you faster speeds and consistent streaming and torrenting support.
Read the full Proton VPN review
🥉3. Windscribe — Great Free VPN for Streaming on Linux
1-month plan: $9.00 / month
Build A Plan: $3.00 / month
Windscribe allows streaming on its free plan and works reliably with top streaming services, so it’s a good option if you need a Linux VPN for streaming content on Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime. Plus, the free plan gives you access to servers in 10+ countries, including the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong — which is more than what you’ll get with most free plans.
- Supports streaming
- Provides an ad blocker
- Offers split-tunneling
- Limited data (up to 10 GB)
- Only a 7-day refund option
Windscribe has great Linux support. Its Linux app features a GUI, and it’s compatible with major Linux distros such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and Arch. However, I still think ExpressVPN’s app is more user-friendly.
However, its free plan provides only up to 10 GB of data per month (2 GB by default and 10 GB if you verify your email address), which is enough for about 15 hours of streaming. That said, it’s the only free VPN on this list that allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can install it on all of your devices.
The VPN’s free plan on Linux includes R.O.B.E.R.T., its DNS-based ad blocker. It helps safeguard your privacy by blocking ads, trackers, and malicious content. It also supports split-tunneling, letting you choose which apps or websites go through the VPN and which don’t.
Windscribe’s premium plans get you unlimited data, more servers, and extra features.
Bottom Line:
Windscribe is a good free VPN for streaming on Linux — it consistently works with popular streaming services and has great speeds. Its free plan also provides access to 10+ server locations, allows unlimited simultaneous connections, and provides up to 10 GB of data per month. It also includes extra features such as a customizable ad blocker and split-tunneling.
Read the full Windscribe review
Bonus. hide.me — Minimalistic Free VPN With CLI app for Linux
12-month plan: $4.58 / month
1-month plan: $11.99 / month
hide.me only offers a CLI app for Linux, unlike ExpressVPN and Proton VPN, which both have GUI apps. However, it’s very easy to install. I also like that it doesn’t require an email to sign up. After installing, you simply enter a username and password, and you’re ready to connect. It’s also based on WireGuard, which is fast and very secure, and supports all Linux distros that allow manual VPN configuration.
- Allows unlimited data
- Split-tunneling is included
- Live chat is very helpful
- No GUI app
- No streaming or P2P support
Its free plan includes 7 server locations, too, including in the US, UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, which is more than most VPNs offer for free on Linux. With more locations, you’ll more easily find a nearby server to get better speeds.
I also appreciate that the free plan supports split-tunneling on Linux and offers unlimited data. That said, it doesn’t support streaming or torrenting on the free plan, and it limits speeds — so for those activities, I’d recommend ExpressVPN instead.
hide.me’s affordable plans provide streaming support, servers in 91 countries, and more.
Bottom Line:
hide.me is a simple, privacy-focused free VPN for Linux users who are comfortable with the command line. It’s easy to set up, doesn’t require an email, and offers decent features like split-tunneling and unlimited data. Just keep in mind its free plan doesn’t allow torrenting or streaming.
Quick Comparison Table
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I tested each VPN using our established testing methodology to find the best free options for Linux. I evaluated how well they worked in real-world daily use — checking for Linux compatibility, speed, and security. I also put them to the test with gaming, torrenting, and streaming to see how they perform under pressure. Below are the criteria I used to rank them and decide which ones made my list:
- I looked for a VPN with good Linux support. All the VPNs on this list have user-friendly GUI or CLI Linux apps and support many popular Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Mint, and Arch.
- I chose a VPN with a high data usage limit. Free VPNs often impose a cap on how much data you can use. I selected VPNs with generous data limits, allowing you to browse or stream without worrying too much about your data consumption. Most VPNs on my list offer unlimited data, and Windscribe provides up to 15 GB.
- I got a VPN with fast speeds. All VPNs will reduce your internet speeds due to the encryption process, and some free VPNs throttle your speeds. The VPNs on this list are all able to maintain very fast speeds — I had the fastest connections with ExpressVPN.
- I found a VPN with strong security. I recommend getting a VPN with industry-standard security features like 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a kill switch (drops your internet connection if you disconnect from the VPN).
- I picked a VPN that offers affordable premium plans. The VPNs listed here provide reasonably priced premium plans and deals, should you decide to upgrade from their free versions. Moreover, they all offer a money-back guarantee, allowing you to try out their services risk-free before making a long-term commitment.
Risks of Using a Free VPN
- Poor privacy and security. Many free VPNs lack essential privacy and security features, such as full leak protection, a no-logs policy, or a kill switch. This may expose your personal information to third parties like advertisers or your internet service provider (ISP).
- Exposure to Ads, Trackers, and Malware. To generate revenue, many free VPNs inject intrusive ads into your browsing experience or bundle apps with trackers and malicious software. This not only disrupts your privacy but also puts your devices at serious risk.
- Blacklisted IP addresses. Free VPNs don’t update their IPs as often as paid ones, so websites can spot and block you more easily.
Free vs. Paid VPNs for Linux
Linux isn’t as popular as Windows or macOS for desktop computers, so many free VPN providers don’t bother to develop anything more than a bare-bones Linux app — if they even have one at all. The free VPNs I discuss here all offer industry-standard security on their Linux apps to ensure that your data remains secure and your online activity isn’t compromised.
That said, free VPNs often lack more advanced features that paid VPNs all typically offer. Most free VPNs have throttled internet speeds, as well as monthly or weekly data caps. This is really frustrating for all sorts of online activities, including streaming, gaming, and safely downloading. Also, some let you connect to only a few of their servers, which can lead to server congestion, resulting in even slower speeds and less reliable connections.
For example, hide.me doesn’t have a data cap on its free plan and lets you connect to 7 server locations, but it only has a CLI app, so setting it up can be a hassle. On the other hand, Windscribe has a GUI app and lets you connect to 10+ server locations on its free plan, but it has a data cap that can go up to 15 GB/month.
Getting a premium VPN service is generally better for Linux users as you’ll get access to a large server network, top speeds, no data caps, and streaming and torrenting support, in addition to useful extras.
Free VPNs for Linux to Avoid
- Hola VPN. Hola VPN has a browser extension for Chromium browsers on Linux. However, it’s really dangerous, because it doesn’t have a typical server network — it assigns you an IP address from another user, and assigns your IP address to someone else. Someone could cause a lot of trouble for you by doing something illegal online while using your IP address.
- AceVPN. AceVPN lacks a lot of important security features, and the cumbersome manual setup process isn’t worth the effort (it doesn’t have dedicated apps for any operating system, Linux included).
- FinchVPN. FinchVPN’s website has a bare-bones home page, no information about the VPN service, and no way to contact anyone to inquire further.
- Tuxler VPN. Tuxler VPN functions much like Hola VPN, giving users each other’s IP addresses. Not only is it dangerous, but it also logs a lot of your data to sell to third parties.
- SuperVPN. SuperVPN records a lot of your personal information, like your IP address. It also suffered a data breach that exposed 133 GB worth of user data.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- Hotspot Shield. Hotspot Shield’s free plan allows unlimited data, maintains good speeds, and has strong security, but its Linux app is only available to paid users.
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear is a cute and user-friendly VPN. Its free plan allows unlimited device connections, and it lets free users access all of its 45+ server locations. That said, it has very limited support for Linux devices, and its free plan has a pretty restrictive data limit of 2 GB per month.
- Bitdefender VPN. Bitdefender VPN is quite decent in terms of security and speed, but it doesn’t support Linux and limits you to 200 MB per day, which isn’t sufficient for more than very limited basic browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any 100% free VPNs for Linux?
Yes, there are some pretty good free VPNs for Linux. My favorite is Proton VPN. It’s one of the few Linux VPNs with a GUI on top of a CLI app, and it supports a ton of Linux distros, including Ubuntu, Debian, Mint, and Fedora. It also has one of the best free plans on the market — it offers unlimited data, 5 server locations (in the US, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan), fast speeds, and high-end privacy and security features.
Does Linux have a built-in VPN?
No, but it’s easy to get a third-party VPN instead. I recommend ExpressVPN because it’s the overall best VPN in 2026 and has excellent Linux support — it has both GUI and CLI apps and is compatible with most popular Linux distros, like Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Arch. Additionally, it’s got the fastest speeds of any VPN on the market and strong privacy and security features.
Does Ubuntu have a free VPN?
No, Ubuntu doesn’t come with a free VPN. However, there are some free VPNs that support the Ubuntu Linux distro. Proton VPN is an especially good one — it has a GUI and a CLI app for Linux, is one of the only free VPNs with no data usage limits, provides 5 server locations (in the US, the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan), has very fast speeds for browsing, and comes with strong privacy and security features.
How do I install a VPN on Linux?
The easiest way to get a VPN on Linux is to install a VPN client. To do so, just follow these 3 simple steps:
- Step 1: Find a VPN that works on Linux. Make sure you check that it’s compatible with the specific Linux distro that you’re using. ExpressVPN is my favorite Linux VPN and supports the most popular distros like Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Mint.
- Step 2: Get the VPN. Purchase a subscription to your chosen provider and download its Linux app.
- Step 3: Install the VPN on your Linux device. Follow the tutorial on the provider’s website to set up the VPN. The process may be different for different Linux distros.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
