Linux is a popular operating system among privacy and security enthusiasts thanks to its open source nature and customizability. However, even if you‘re running Linux, using a virtual private network (VPN) is still essential for protecting your data and anonymity online, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
While paid VPNs provide the best security and performance, free VPNs allow you to test out the basics before making a financial commitment. Free VPNs do come with limitations like data caps, slower speeds, and fewer features. But for casual browsing, a free VPN can still significantly boost your privacy compared to not using one at all.
To help you find the best free VPN for your Linux machine, we tested all the major free options in 2024. Here are our top recommendations:
1. Proton VPN
Best for: Unlimited data and top-notch security
Proton VPN is our pick for the best overall free VPN for Linux. The biggest reason is that Proton VPN offers unlimited data on its free plan, which is very rare. Most free VPNs cap your usage at 500 MB to 10 GB per month.
With Proton VPN, you can browse as much as you want for free, making it ideal for daily use. Just keep in mind that speeds may be slower than the paid plans, as free users have lower priority when the network is busy.
Proton VPN is also open source, which is a huge plus for security as it allows the code to be independently audited. Other great privacy features include a strict no-logs policy (verified in real-world court cases) and a kill switch to block traffic if the VPN disconnects.
Linux support is provided via the official Proton VPN Linux app, which works with most major distros including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and CentOS. The app‘s GUI is user-friendly but still lets you fine-tune settings like the VPN protocol. Speaking of protocols, Proton VPN supports WireGuard in addition to OpenVPN and IKEv2. WireGuard is the latest and greatest VPN protocol that offers an excellent balance of speed and security.
On the downside, you only get 3 server locations (USA, Netherlands, Japan) and medium speeds. Torrenting is not allowed and you can‘t unblock streaming services like Netflix. And though it‘s based in Switzerland which has strong privacy laws, that hasn‘t stopped Proton VPN from complying with Swiss court orders to block illegal content on foreign servers.
Despite those limitations, you won‘t find a better overall free VPN for daily use on Linux. But if you need more than 3 locations and want faster speeds for 4K streaming or large downloads, we recommend upgrading to one of Proton VPN‘s paid plans starting at just $3.99/month.
2. PrivadoVPN
Best for: Security and privacy
Another strong free VPN contender for Linux is PrivadoVPN. Its biggest selling point is privacy – even the name "Privado" means "private" in Spanish.
PrivadoVPN has a verified no-logs policy and is based in Switzerland. It supports the WireGuard protocol for fast, secure connections. The apps are open source and have been independently audited. PrivadoVPN even accepts anonymous payment methods like Bitcoin for maximum privacy (on paid plans).
Linux users can connect to PrivadoVPN using the official Linux app. Setup is simple and the user interface is beginner-friendly. The app supports Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, and more.
In terms of server network, PrivadoVPN offers an impressive 12 global locations on the free plan. These include servers in Europe, North America, and Asia. You‘ll get faster speeds than with Proton VPN thanks to the larger selection.
So what‘s the catch? PrivadoVPN limits free users to just 10 GB of data per month. That‘s enough for basic web browsing but not heavy streaming or torrenting.
The free plan also lacks advanced features like split tunneling, dedicated P2P servers, and obfuscation. Live chat support is limited to paying customers only.
At the end of the day, PrivadoVPN is an excellent choice if security and privacy are your top priorities. The 10 GB data allowance and 12 server locations are competitive with other free plans. And if you decide to upgrade, paid plans start at just $2.50/month.
Are free VPNs safe?
This is one of the most common questions we get asked. The answer is that it depends on the specific free VPN.
Sketchy free VPNs may actually undermine your security by logging your activity, injecting ads, or even stealing your bandwidth. Avoid any free VPN that seems too good to be true.
Stick with trusted providers like Proton VPN and PrivadoVPN that are transparent about how they make money and have strong no-logs policies. Ideally, the VPN should be open source and have undergone independent security audits.
Other free VPNs for Linux worth considering
Here are a few other reputable free VPN services that are compatible with Linux:
- Windscribe – 10 GB data per month and 10+ server locations
- Hide.me – 10 GB data per month and 5 server locations
- TunnelBear – 500 MB data per month and 40+ server locations
- Speedify – 2 GB data per month and 50+ server locations
Limitations of free VPNs
While using a free VPN is better than using no VPN at all, they do come with significant limitations compared to paid VPNs:
- Data caps and speed limits to manage bandwidth
- Fewer global server locations
- No access to streaming or P2P optimized servers
- Fewer security features and less-advanced encryption
- Limited customer support
- More crowded servers lead to slower speeds and more disconnections
- Some free VPNs may log your data or show you ads
If you‘re a heavy Internet user who values performance and security, a paid VPN is well worth the few dollars per month. But if you‘re a Linux user who just needs basic protection for light browsing, you can‘t go wrong with Proton VPN or PrivadoVPN.
Bottom Line
Linux users have solid free VPN options in 2024. Proton VPN is our top pick for its rare combination of unlimited data and strong security, making it ideal for daily browsing. PrivadoVPN comes in second with its larger server network and focus on privacy.
The main catch is that speeds can be slow and you likely won‘t be able to torrent or stream on a free plan. Free VPNs also typically limit you to just 1 device and lack 24/7 support.
Therefore, we generally recommend choosing a low-cost paid VPN for the best experience. Plans start at just a few bucks per month and provide plenty for data. But if you insist on going the free route, you can‘t go wrong with Proton VPN or PrivadoVPN on your Linux machine.
Ultimately, what matters most is that you use a trustworthy VPN whenever possible to safeguard your privacy online, especially on public Wi-Fi. A free VPN may have limitations, but it‘s far better than browsing unprotected.
