You can also use a VPN service under Linux to ensure significantly more security on the internet. We’ll show you which free VPNs are available for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Co.
Free VPNs for Linux
Linux is one of the most secure operating systems compared to Windows and Mac. It is open source and receives regular updates to quickly close any security gaps that arise. But even Linux can’t do anything against some dangers on the Internet. At least not without some help.
You can download this help onto your Linux system in the form of a VPN. Why should you do that? If you surf the vastness of the Internet without a VPN, you reveal a lot of private data, such as your location. Country restrictions, bandwidth limitations from your providers and international price differences in online shops also limit you just as much as users of a Windows PC or a Mac.
Free VPN clients for Linux in 2024
Once you have set up a VPN on Linux, you no longer need to worry about all these problems. You hide your address and your private data online at all times, access various streaming services via foreign servers in order to bypass the providers’ country restrictions and book your next vacation at a significantly cheaper price abroad instead of resorting to the often overpriced German offers.
However, many of the well-known VPNs that are advertised on YouTube or other online sites, for example, cost you a monthly fee. But there are also some, mostly smaller, providers from whom you can get a VPN for free.
From some of these providers you can also download and use very special VPN clients for Linux for free. Since many of the paid VPN providers only offer one version for Windows, Mac and at most for iOS and Android, free VPNs are a grateful solution for many Linux users.
CyberGhost
- Free option: 45 day money back guarantee
- Free locations: All countries and server locations
- Bandwidth limitation: No bandwidth limitation
- Volume limitation: No volume limit
- Particularities: All functions can be used free of charge for 45 days
to offer
ProtonVPN
- Free option: Permanently free, without advertising
- Free locations: 3 countries (USA, Netherlands and Japan)
- Bandwidth limitation: No bandwidth limitation
- Volume limitation: No volume limit
- Particularities: Free version can only be used on one device
to offer
PrivacyVPN
- Free option: Permanently free, without advertising
- Free locations: 12 server locations (including USA)
- Bandwidth limitation: No bandwidth restrictions
- Volume limitation: 10GB per month
- Particularities: Full protection at full bandwidth, but with volume limitations
to offer
Our overview includes “real” free VPN services and VPN providers with trial period offers. You can easily use the former for free over a longer period of time, but usually with restrictions. The latter, on the other hand, promises you full functionality, but is limited in time. What is right for you depends on your usage.
1. CyberGhost VPN
pro.cyberghostvpn.com
pro.cyberghostvpn.com
9.6
9.6 out of 10 points
With a huge selection of servers and good speeds, CyberGhost is a convincing VPN service provider. Its use guarantees the highest level of security and anonymity on the web. Positive…
- Free option: 45 day money back guarantee
- Free locations: All countries and server locations
- Bandwidth limitation: No bandwidth limitation
- Volume limitation: No volume limit
- Particularities: All functions can be used free of charge for 45 days
You can try CyberGhost VPN for free for 45 days – with full functionality. Compared to the other services, there is a fee afterwards.
CyberGhost still deserves a mention because it supports a wide base of distributions. In addition, despite the lack of an app, the setup is extremely easy: create an account, download the installation script, run it, and you’re done. You can read exactly how this works here.
If you use your Linux computer as your main computer, first take a look at CyberGhost. If you are convinced of the service, it is worth switching to a paid version. You can get them for less than two euros a month.
If you have CyberGhost installed on your computer, it is very easy to use. Simply call “cybeghostvpn” with the appropriate parameters. There are plenty of them, so you can take them with you, for example “cyberghostvpn –streaming –country-code” a list of servers for video streaming. Choose your server – we’ll use Netflix USA as an example – and start “sudo cyberghostvpn –streaming ‘Netflix US’ –country-code US –connect” your VPN connection. This works with any service and use case, including changing the protocol from OpenVPN to Wireguard.
2. ProtonVPN
protonvpn.com
protonvpn.com
8.8
8.8 out of 10 points
Server selection and speeds make ProtonVPN a solid offering. The service is really convincing thanks to good software and the transparent Swiss company as…
- Free option: Permanently free, without advertising
- Free locations: 3 countries (USA, Netherlands and Japan)
- Bandwidth limitation: No bandwidth limitation
- Volume limitation: No volume limit
- Particularities: Free version can only be used on one device
ProtonVPN is exciting simply because the service offers free VPN access and does not limit the volume. However, you have to live with minor restrictions: you only get average speeds, you only have three countries to choose from and you would have to register in advance.
If the restrictions don’t bother you, ProtonVPN is the perfect free VPN service for Linux. Especially since the service comes with native apps for the largest distributions. This makes setup a breeze. All other Linux users can configure ProtonVPN via OpenVPN. This is a bit more complicated, but works perfectly.
3. PrivadoVPN
privadovpn.com
privadovpn.com
8.5
8.5 out of 10 points
PrivadoVPN meets the basic requirements that you can expect from software of this type. The speeds are okay, but not outstanding. The VPN offers access to international…
- Free option: Permanently free, without advertising
- Free locations: 12 server locations (including USA)
- Bandwidth limitation: No bandwidth restrictions
- Volume limitation: 10GB per month
- Particularities: Full protection at full bandwidth, but with volume limitations
PrivadoVPN offers you a free VPN service in the “Free” plan that also works on Linux. The only requirement is prior registration with the provider. Free access is limited to 10 GB of data transfer per month and 12 server locations. The bandwidth, on the other hand, is not throttled, so PrivadoVPN is definitely suitable for simple data traffic, but you will quickly reach its limits when streaming or other bandwidth-intensive applications.
There are no apps available for the common Linux versions. PrivadoVPN relies on OpenVPN, which is set up either via the command line or via the network manager. This should be easy for experienced Linux users, but beginners might find it a little more difficult. Setting up PrivadoVPN under Linux is described here.
Alternatives
There are a handful of other VPN services that you can use on Linux. You can find an overview in our detailed VPN comparison. In the individual tests of the respective services, we tell you which operating systems are supported. Otherwise, under Linux you can always use the services that support OpenVPN. The only requirement for this is that you have the OpenVPN client installed on your computer.
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