Surfshark is the best VPN for Ubuntu, featuring a convenient GUI app, remarkable unblocking capabilities, and foolproof encryption.
If not Surfshark, try NordVPN for top-notch security, ExpressVPN for unmatchable speeds, Private Internet Access for a full-fledged GUI, and ProtonVPN for free geo-spoofing.
Top 3 VPNs for Ubuntu (October ,2024)
NordVPN offers a command-line interface with commands you’ll be familiar with in no time. It delivers fast and stable speeds with the Nordlynx protocol and lets Ubuntu users connect to DoubleVPN or P2P Specialty servers.
Surfshark features a dedicated Linux GUI that eliminates the need for terminal commands. It has cutting-edge features like Multi-hop, Static IPs, CleanWeb, P2P sharing and is the finest Ubuntu VPN for bypassing geographic restrictions.
ExpressVPN’s Linux client can be configured using the terminal commands or the browser extension. The Lightway protocol makes it the fastest Ubuntu VPN. Additionally, all of its servers accommodate P2P traffic and obfuscation.
While Ubuntu provides excellent localized security, there are many online threats to security and privacy that only a VPN can save you from. Luckily, a virtual private network can prevent the government, cybercriminals, and ISPs from tracking your online activities.
However, plenty of solid VPN clients for Windows and macOS fall behind their Linux counterparts due to clunky interfaces, constrained feature sets, and performance issues. This is why it can be challenging to find a good Ubuntu VPN.
Enhance Your Data Privacy & Stream Geo-Restricted Content With My Top Ubuntu VPNs
The following are the top highlights of my handpicked VPN services for Ubuntu:
- Surfshark: Best Overall VPN for Ubuntu With GUI
- NordVPN: Unbreakable Encryption on Ubuntu
- ExpressVPN: Fastest Speeds for Streaming & Torrenting on Ubuntu
- Private Internet Access: Most Feature-Rich VPN for Ubuntu With GUI
- ProtonVPN: P2P, Tor, & Streaming Servers on Ubuntu + GUI
The average speeds of each of these VPNs are measured using a 100 Mbps connection.
Best VPNs for Ubuntu: Comparisons and Detailed Reviews
I did the heavy lifting for you and assessed 15+ VPN providers based on their graphical user interface/command-line interface, Ubuntu-specific features, unlocking capabilities, connection speed, privacy, P2P support, and other pertinent criteria for Ubuntu.
Surfshark - Best Overall VPN for Ubuntu With GUI
| Location | Server Network | User Interface | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 3200+ in 100 countries | GUI | 86 Mbps | Show Offer |
Surfshark is the perfect budget VPN for Ubuntu newbies, thanks to its Linux GUI. It’s a significant improvement from the previous command-line-only interface.
Ubuntu users can now access features like MultiHop, Static IPs, CleanWeb, and other features previously exclusive to non-Linux OS.
It took me less than five minutes to install the Surfshark GUI on Ubuntu using the official instructions. The GUI is easy to navigate, and its dark mode goes well aesthetically with Ubuntu.
However, not all Surfshark features are present in the Ubuntu app, including Bypasser (split tunneling) and “Minimize upon startup” that Windows has.
In fact, PIA is the only Ubuntu VPN that offers split tunneling.
Surfshark also doesn’t have the IKEv2 as a protocol, which is available on macOS.
The absence of IKEv2 isn’t a dealbreaker because I could stream 4K content without buffering, thanks to an average of 86 Mbps download speed via the WireGuard protocol.
Speaking of streaming, it was a cakewalk to unblock the global streaming libraries of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer on Ubuntu, thanks to Surfshark’s 3200+ servers in 100 countries.
All these servers support P2P sharing with unlimited bandwidth, so you can effortlessly download files via the BitTorrent client of Ubuntu.
Surfshark understands that Ubuntu users cannot compromise security, so it secures your connection with an AES 256-bit encryption and abides by a no-logs policy. I recommend activating the VPN kill switch and auto-connect feature.
The most significant Surfshark selling point is that it’s the only VPN other than PIA with unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to utilize a single subscription across all devices in your household or workspace.
Grab these limited-time Surfshark discounts backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee to test it on Ubuntu.
Pros
- A user-friendly GUI with Multi-hop, Static IPs, and CleanWeb
- Infinite simultaneous connections
- 256-bit encryption with a kill switch and a no-logs policy
- 3200+ servers in 100 countries to unblock geo-restricted content
Cons
- Not the fastest VPN for Ubuntu
NordVPN - Unbreakable Encryption on Ubuntu
| Location | Server Network | User Interface | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 5300+ in 60 countries | Command-line | 92 Mbps | Show Offer |
Look no further than NordVPN if you desire an intuitive, highly secure, and cost-efficient Ubuntu VPN. Although it doesn’t offer a GUI app like Surfshark, it earns a special place on this list due to the simplicity of its command-line interface.
Installing the command line app isn’t too difficult, thanks to the easy-to-follow setup guide. I had no trouble configuring the VPN through the Linux app.
NordVPN even provides Ubuntu users advanced features like Meshnet (including traffic routing), custom DNS, and Threat Protection lite.
Some features that the NordVPN Linux client lacks include split tunneling, dark web monitor, trusted WiFi, invisibility on LAN, and remote access.
Fortunately, all the protocols are present, including TCP, UDP, and the proprietary NordLynx, which gave me an average of 92 Mbps download speed.
Plus, unblocking regional content on BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and France TV isn’t an issue because NordVPN has 5300+ servers in 60 countries.
You can connect to your preferred VPN server by typing “nordVPN connect (country name)” into the terminal window.
NordVPN also ensures top-grade security on Ubuntu with its impenetrable 256-bit encryption and no-logs policy. Surprisingly, I could also connect to the Double VPN specialty servers on Ubuntu by typing “nordvpn c double_vpn.”
If you’re into downloading torrents, type “nordvpn c p2p” to connect to the nearest P2P server. Similarly, if you stay in a heavily restricted region like China, type “nordvpn set obfuscate on” to activate obfuscation.
One NordVPN subscription can cover up to six simultaneous devices, and you can always connect with chat support if you run into any trouble.
Interested? Claim this steal deal on NordVPN to save more and enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Command-line interface with Meshnet, custom DNS, and Threat Protection Lite
- Buffer-free 4K streaming with the NordLynx protocol
- Join DoubleVPN and P2P Specialty servers on Ubuntu
- 5300+ servers in 60 countries for geo-spoofing
Cons
- Features like split tunneling, dark web monitor, trusted WiFi, invisibility on LAN, and remote access are lacking in Ubuntu
- Least country count
ExpressVPN - Fastest Speeds for Streaming & Torrenting on Ubuntu
| Location | Server Network | User Interface | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Virgin Islands | 3000+ in 94 countries | Command-line | 95 Mbps | Show Offer |
ExpressVPN is another superior Ubuntu VPN for anyone who wants blazing-fast speeds. It’s the fastest VPN I tested for Ubuntu, averaging 95 Mbps download speed, thanks to the Lightway protocol.
Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN doesn’t have a GUI app for Ubuntu, so it runs on the command line interface, which is a cinch to install via the terminal with these instructions.
The provider’s Ubuntu-compatible Linux client offers a character-driven UI managed by logical commands using minimal system resources.
It provides all the advanced features found on other operating systems, such as Threat Manager and Network Lock (kill switch). The only features that need to be added are port forwarding and split tunneling.
Additionally, it’s effortless to switch between the TCP and UDP variants of Lightway and OpenVPN protocols with commands like “expressvpn protocol lightway_tdp” or “expressvpn protocol udp.”
If you prefer switching VPN servers through a visual interface, install the ExpressVPN browser extension to get a GUI with basic functionality.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN is second to Surfshark regarding content unblocking, featuring 3000+ servers in 94 countries to stream foreign content on platforms like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, France TV, Disney Plus, and more.
I could seamlessly use these servers for torrenting on Deluge as they all facilitate P2P traffic.
Every server also has obfuscation enabled by default, making it the best Ubuntu VPN for China or Saudi Arabia. Additionally, I never have to worry about my security with ExpressVPN, as it secures my traffic through military-grade encryption and provides reliable IP/DNS leak protection.
The only downside is that ExpressVPN is the most expensive Ubuntu VPN and only allows for five connections at once.
Fortunately, you can save money using these exclusive discounts.
Pros
- Blazing-fast speeds for smooth torrenting and streaming via the Lightway protocol
- Command line interface + browser extension for GUI to switch servers
- Obfuscation and P2P supporting servers
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries
Cons
- No split tunneling or port forwarding on the Ubuntu client
- The costliest Ubuntu VPN
Private Internet Access - Most Feature-Rich Ubuntu VPN With GUI
| Location | Server Network | User Interface | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The United States | Unspecified | 64-bit GUI | 76 Mbps | Show Offer |
Private Internet Access is set apart from all other providers because it offers a 64-bit full-fledged GUI Ubuntu client. The download file comes in an unusual .run format rather than a typical DEB package, but installation is straightforward if you follow these instructions.
As you might anticipate from a full-fledged GUI client, Linux users can take advantage of all the features that Windows and macOS users take for granted. This includes VPN Kill Switch, PIA MACE (ad blocker), Automation, Split tunneling, MultiHop, and more.
PIA’s Linux client also has every feature and protocol, making it more feature-rich than Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN. So why is it ranked fourth?
Unfortunately, PIA gave me 76 Mbps of download speed.
That’s enough horsepower for about any online activity, but it still needs to catch up to the previously mentioned VPNs. Additionally, PIA is based in the USA (five eyes territory).
Despite this, it doesn’t store any logs of your activity and encrypts the traffic by AES-128/AES-256 bit encryption. I had zero issues streaming geo-restricted content on Hulu and BBC iPlayer, thanks to PIA’s massive server library across 84 countries.
Plus, all these servers support P2P traffic, making torrenting on Ubuntu a breeze. The most alluring part is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and can secure unlimited simultaneous devices.
Here’s a PIA deal to get the VPN at the best value and test it over a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- 64-bit full-fledged GUI for Ubuntu with the same features as Windows or macOS
- Advanced features like PIA MACE, Kill switch, Dedicated IP, split tunneling, automation, and multi-hop
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Unblock content on Hulu and BBC iPlayer with servers based in 84 countries
Cons
- Headquarters located in the five eyes territory
- Not as fast as ExpressVPN, Surfshark, or NordVPN
ProtonVPN - P2P, Tor, & Streaming Servers on Ubuntu + GUI
| Location | Server Network | User Interface | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 2914 servers in 64 countries | GUI | 73 Mbps | Show Offer |
ProtonVPN is another tempting VPN for Ubuntu users interested in secure streaming and torrenting since it offers easy access to P2P, Tor, and streaming servers.
The provider has a basic open-source GUI for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions with a setup guide, but its functionality is far inferior to that of Surfshark or PIA. It merely provides a quick settings menu with features like Secure Core, Netshield, and a permanent kill switch.
The ProtonVPN features I use on my Macbook, like VPN accelerator, alternative routing, moderate NAT, and LAN connections, are nowhere to be found in the Ubuntu GUI.
Plus, the Ubuntu GUI lacks WireGuard, IKEv2, and Stealth protocols, as it only operates on the OpenVPN protocol, which gave me an average of 73 Mbps download speed.
For privacy and security, the ProtonVPN Ubuntu client secures your connection via AES 256-bit encryption while maintaining a no-logs policy and DNS/IPv6 leak protection.
Additionally, its server network consists of 2,914 servers across 64 countries to access censored content. While connected to ProtonVPN, I downloaded several torrents on Ubuntu via Transmission.
Also, you can secure up to ten simultaneous devices with ProtonVPN.
Take advantage of these showstopper discounts to save more on a ProtonVPN subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Quick access to P2P, Tor, and Streaming servers
- GUI with Secure Core, Netshield, and a permanent kill switch
- AES 256 encryption + no-logs policy + DNS leak protection
- 2,914 servers in 64 countries for bypassing restrictions
Cons
- Advanced features missing in the Ubuntu GUI
- Only supports OpenVPN protocol resulting in the slowest speeds
How to Set up a VPN for Ubuntu?
You must run a few commands on the terminal to install a VPN connection on Ubuntu. Here’s the step-by-step guide to using the best VPN for Ubuntu, Surfshark:
- Buy the Surfshark subscription.
- Launch the terminal on Ubuntu. (Ctrl + Alt + T)
- Type in the following commands one by one:
curl -f https://downloads.surfshark.com/linux/debian-install.sh --output surfshark-install.sh
cat surfshark-install.sh
sh surfshark-install.sh
- The Surfshark GUI app is now installed on your Ubuntu.
- Launch the Surfshark GUI app via the Activities overview and log in with your credentials.
- Connect to your preferred server and enjoy the Surfshark experience on Ubuntu!
Can You Use a Free VPN With Ubuntu?
You could use a free VPN with Ubuntu, but free VPNs typically have limited bandwidth and are prone to speed throttling. Therefore, it’s better to stick with an affordable VPN service like Surfshark.
If you’re cash-strapped, consider the free version of ProtonVPN.
However, note that it has many limitations, like only three server locations and zero streaming/P2P servers.
So, it’s best to avoid the free version and invest in the premium plan for limitless secure streaming and torrenting. Fortunately, I’ve got a special deal on ProtonVPN’s premium plan to save your day.
Be In-Charge of Your Online Privacy Right Away!
Ubuntu and a VPN are a lethal combo to gain more control over your data privacy.
It allows anyone to hide data tracks from the government/ISPs, watch their favorite geo-blocked shows, or download torrents without being penalized.
Surfshark is undoubtedly the best VPN for Ubuntu because of its easy-to-navigate GUI, excellent content-unblocking capabilities, and unbreakable encryption.
So what are you waiting for? Try Surfshark for Ubuntu risk-free with these showstopper discounts backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
