The Best Free VPNs for Linux 2025
Linux users can secure their internet activities for free with Proton VPN and Hide.Me.
/authors/mars-grove.png){kind=small}
/authors/steph-trejos-allaboutcookies-editor.jpg){kind=small}
Last updated Apr 17, 2025
Advertiser Disclosure
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
Close
Editorial Policy
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
- All About Cookies makes money when you click the links on our site to some of the products and offers that we mention. These partnerships do not influence our opinions or recommendations. Read more about how we make money.
- Partners are not able to review or request changes to our content except for compliance reasons.
- We aim to make sure everything on our site is up-to-date and accurate as of the publishing date, but we cannot guarantee we haven't missed something. It's your responsibility to double-check all information before making any decision. If you spot something that looks wrong, please let us know.
Close
/images/2022/10/20/vpn-logowordmark-black-purple-transparent-bg.png)
Stream from anywhere with 11,300+ high-speed servers
Best for headless setups
/images/2023/07/14/hide.me_hor_blue_crop.png)
Connecting to a server takes forever
View More
The best free VPNs for Linux include Proton VPN, which has a one of the best free plans available, and Hide.Me, which has a native command line app for Linux for a more lightweight experience. Both options are open-source and independently audited, giving valuable insight into their privacy protection.
In this article, we’ll solely focus on the free versions of the top Linux VPNs available, detailing their features for speed, location access, security, and privacy.
In this article
The best free VPNs for LinuxProton VPN: Best free plan
Hide.Me: Best command line app
FAQs
Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Linux
The best free VPNs for Linux
- Proton VPN: Best free plan
- Hide.Me: Best command line app
Top 2 free VPN services for Linux compared
| VPN | 
|
|
| Free version | Yes — Unlimited data, unlimited speeds, 314 servers | Yes — Unliited data, restricted speeds, 8 locations |
| Paid plan starting price | Starts at $4.49/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $2.69/mo (billed every two years) |
| Open source | ||
| Linux app type | Native GUI client | Native command line app |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review |
Get Hide.Me VPN Read Hide.Me Review |
How we test and rate VPNs
We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.
Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.
Proton VPN: Best free plan
Proton VPN
-
Stream from anywhere with 11,300+ high-speed servers
-
VPN Accelerator tech improves speeds by up to 400%
-
Block ads, trackers, and malicious scripts
Who it’s best for
Proton VPN is ideal for someone who wants a VPN with a native GUI app that offers a very generous free plan.
It offers seamless integration and support with Linux distros like Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora. While other distros have been reported to work with it, Proton doesn't offer official support for them at this time.
What we liked
Proton VPN’s free version offers strong security features, unlimited bandwidth, and great Linux support with easy-to-follow guides and even a GUI element. It has 314 high-speed free servers in 6 countries.
No matter where you're using Proton VPN, it impressed us with its privacy-centric features, like:
- Kill switch: A kill switch disconnects your device from the internet if your VPN connection drops.
- Secure VPN protocols: Proton supports fast and secure protocols like WireGuard, Smart, and Stealth.
- Open-source software: This boosts security as it allows public auditing, which makes it more trustworthy for VPN users.
- No-logs policy: Third-party companies have verified its strict no-logs policy, demonstrating its commitment to privacy.
- Swiss-based: Being based in Switzerland with stringent privacy laws and outside of the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes Alliances is a major plus.
/images/2024/02/02/best_free_vpns_for_linux_protonvpn_protocols_available_01.png)
What we didn’t like
We had connectivity issues with the IKEv2 protocol while testing Proton’s free VPN service. When the IKEv2 protocol was selected, we couldn’t connect to any VPN servers unless we disabled the kill switch first. This was quite frustrating since a kill switch ensures your data traffic is protected even when you lose your VPN connection.
Other key factors we weren’t too pleased about include:
- Poor server selection: You can’t choose specific countries for servers. The selection is automatic and can be limiting.
- Wait time between server changes: There's a wait of 85 seconds to change servers, which is a nuisance when you want to swap servers quickly.
- Limited advanced features: Features like Netshield, which blocks malware, ads, and trackers, as well as Secure Core servers, Tor access, P2P support, and streaming support, are reserved for paid premium plans.
/images/2024/02/02/best_free_vpns_for_linux_protonvpn_netherlands_server_connected_timer_02.png)
Proton VPN Free specs
| Price range | $4.49–$9.99/mo |
| Free version | Yes |
| Bandwidth limit | No — unlimited bandwidth |
| Number of servers | 314 free servers across 6 locations |
| Number of connected devices | 1 |
| VPN protocol | IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth (proprietary) |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review |
Hide.me: Best command line app
hide.me
-
Reasonable pricing, plus generous free tier
-
Independently reviewed no-logs policy
- Connecting to a server takes forever
Who it’s best for
Hide.Me is a great choice for Linux users who prefer a headless setup, since it works with a native command line app. You just download the project from Github, run the install script, and connect to VPN servers right from the command line.
What we liked
On top of Hide.me's simple Linux integration, we also find the VPN as a whole to be a good option, even when using its free plan.
One of the best parts for privacy-centric users is that the free plan doesn't require you to enter your credit card info or sign up at all. You can just install the program right from Github with nothing tying to you the transaction.
What we didn’t like
The main thing we didn't like about Hide.me's free plan is that it does limit your speeds. This will likely be fine for most things you're doing, but any more intense activities, like gaming or streaming, may be affected by this.
Hide.Me specs
| Price range | $2.69-$9.95/mo |
| Free version | Yes |
| Bandwidth limit | No — but limited speed |
| Number of servers | 8 locations |
| Number of connected devices | 1 |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, WireGuard |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | No |
| Learn more | Get Hide.Me VPN |
FAQs
Does Linux have a built-in VPN?
No, Linux doesn’t have a built-in VPN. A VPN keeps your online activities secure, whether for surfing the web, watching shows on Netflix, torrenting, or gaming. It’s especially a wise decision to use a VPN on unsecured networks.
Is there a 100% free VPN?
Yes, there are some VPNs available that offer free plans, though it's good to be cautious when choosing one, since often the trade off is for your data. Some good, security-centric VPNs like Proton VPN have a free plan which comes with some limitations, but could still be worth it for you.
Do I need a VPN for Linux?
No, getting a VPN for Linux isn't necessarily needed, though it's an extremely valuable and powerful tool to ensure your online activities are secure. Using a VPN encrypts your internet traffic and data while masking your true location.
Bottom line: The best free VPNs for Linux
The best free VPNs for Linux are Proton VPN due to its excellent security features and unlimited bandwidth and Hide.Me due to its lightweight headless setup support.
Although Surfshark, Private Internet Access, and NordVPN don’t offer free plans, they still remain robust VPNs for Linux due to their compatibility with a variety of Linux distros.
2 best free VPNs for Linux 2025
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
|
|
Starts at Free | Best free plan | Get Proton VPN |
|
|
Starts at $1.48/mo (billed every two years) | Best for headless setups | Get Hide.Me VPN |
/images/2023/05/12/privadovpn_horizontal_color.png)
PrivadoVPN
-
Affordable pricing and a free plan option
-
Fast speeds and unblocks Netflix
Author Details
/authors/mars-grove.png)
Mars is a California-based cybersecurity professional and writer currently pursuing a B.S. in Cybersecurity. With interests ranging from OSINT to ethical hacking and threat intelligence, Mars leverages his two years of writing experience to produce informative content on topics such as Internet guides and VPNs.
Related Articles
/images/2023/03/21/youtube-remote-control-smart-tv.jpg)
How To Change Your YouTube TV Location (And Bypass Content Restrictions)
Get a step-by-step by guide to changing your YouTube TV location, whether you're travelling or trying to catch out-of-market games.
/images/2023/04/11/cyberghost_vs._nordvpn.jpg)
NordVPN vs. CyberGhost 2025: Nord Has the Advantage
CyberGhost focuses on a lower price whereas NordVPN is feature-rich.
/images/2025/04/15/teenage_girl_filming_tiktok_video_of_herself_on_mobile_phone.jpg)
Worried about a TikTok Ban? Here’s How To Use TikTok with a VPN (Tested April 2025)
/images/2025/03/05/whoer_vpn_review.jpg)
Whoer VPN Review 2025: Why This Is a Risky VPN
/images/2025/01/27/best_vpns_for_privacy.jpg)
The Best VPNs for Privacy 2025
/images/2024/11/24/best_black_friday_software_deals.jpg)
Black Friday Software Deals 2025: Best Discounts On Cybersecurity Bundles
/images/2024/11/15/streaming_concept_selecting_a_show_from_hulu.png)
What Is Hulu’s Password-Sharing Ban? (And How To Access Your Account From Anywhere)
/images/2024/10/31/cyberghost_alternatives.png)
The Best CyberGhost Alternatives 2025