A VPN is an investment, but it’s a risk-free investment thanks to our generous money-back policy. Just subscribe to whichever plan you want. If your first month doesn’t convince you that Surfshark VPN is the best VPN for Linux, you can request a refund within those 30 days.
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Download a VPN for Linux
- Ubuntu app with a graphical user interface
- 10Gbit ports on every server
- Easy setup guide
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Download a VPN for all devices, including smart TV (e.g., Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung TV), Xbox or PlayStation, Oculus Quest 2, or even Raspberry Pi. Want to protect your whole home network at once? Set up a VPN on your router to do just that.
How to install a VPN on Linux
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Subscribe to Surfshark. Linux is free, but good VPNs aren’t.
- Open the terminal (CTRL+ALT+T in Ubuntu). As a Linux user, you already know more about this step than I ever will.
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Type in the following command:
curl -f https://downloads.surfshark.com/linux/debian-install.sh --output surfshark-install.sh #gets the installation script cat surfshark-install.sh #shows script's content sh surfshark-install.sh #installs surfshark
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Log in to the Surfshark app. Finally, all that effort in subscribing will pay off!
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Connect to a VPN server. Quick-connect will choose the fastest server, though you can manually choose to connect to any server you want.
- That’s it!
Using a commercial VPN isn’t exactly “hacking the Gibson” in terms of complexity.
After installing Surfshark, you can control it via the shiny new GUI. Still have questions? Check our other guides:
Setting up Surfshark VPN on Linux
https://support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/5067279648146-How-to-set-up-Surfshark-on-Linux
Setting up a manual Surfshark VPN connection on Linux
https://support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011051133-How-to-set-up-manual-OpenVPN-connection-using-Linux-Terminal
Setting up legacy version of Surfshark VPN on Linux
https://support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017418334-How-to-set-up-Surfshark-VPN-on-Linux-Legacy-version
System requirements for Linux VPN
| Supported distros | Supported desktop environments | Support init system | Supported architecture |
| Debian 11 or later Ubuntu 20.04 or later MINT 20 or later |
GNOME KDE XFCE |
systemd | AMD64 |
Give your Linux distro some VPN love
With a GUI for everyone
Feel free with the 30-day money-back guarantee
Benefits of a VPN on Linux
Give terminal some rest with a GUI
The new Surfshark Linux app comes with a genuine graphical user interface. Connect to the fastest or nearest server, browse the server list, mark favorite servers, and more without entering a single line into the terminal.
What’s more, you can seamlessly switch between OpenVPN (TCP or UDP) and WireGuard without the need to fiddle with any settings.
Stay in charge of your traffic
Linux keeps you in control of the processes on your device. This control ends where online begins.
To achieve internet privacy and security, you need to encrypt your traffic and route it via a trustworthy VPN server to obfuscate your IP address. With Surfshark as your VPN service, Linux becomes nearly as secure online as it is offline.
Stay private when streaming your favorite shows
Do cyberthreats concern you at all times? Using Surfshark, you’ll remain protected even when watching your favorite shows and movies.
Keep your VPN connection on to hide your traffic from the prying eyes of your internet service provider and ad brokers when streaming. Our 10Gbit servers around the world will ensure a throttle- and buffer-free experience.
Protect yourself online with Surfshark VPN for Linux
No-activity-logs policy
It doesn't make sense to get a VPN for privacy just to be tracked by the provider. That's why Surfshark VPN is dedicated to keeping no activity logs. Even better, our 100% RAM-only servers provide an additional security layer if someone tries to seize them.
Serious encryption
VPN encryption is key to making your internet traffic unreadable to spies. On that note, Surfshark uses the AES-256 encryption — the industry standard. It’s not only practically unbreakable but also really fast in execution.
Kill Switch for Linux
No more unexpected info leaks. Our Kill Switch for Linux ensures that no info leaves your computer if you accidentally disconnect from the app. By turning off the internet connection until you reconnect to a VPN server, Kill Switch will protect your data.
Unlimited devices
How many devices do you want to protect with a VPN? With Surfshark, that question is moot, as one account is enough to run the app simultaneously on multiple devices. Protect everything you can reach!
10Gbit VPN servers worldwide
Our servers are not only secure but also fast. To keep up with the growing bandwidth requirements and 5G, all of our 3200+ servers have 10Gbit ports and their own DNS.
Supporting WireGuard on Linux
The Surfshark app on Linux not only brings the convenience of a GUI but also the speed and security of WireGuard protocol.
Protect unlimited devices with Surfshark
When you subscribe to Surfshark VPN, you’re not getting a VPN for your single Linux computer. No, you’re getting a license allowing unlimited simultaneous connections — definitely enough to cover every device you own.
So, starting with your Linux machine, you can install a VPN app on your Android phone (after purging all the Google telemetry, naturally), your router, and your other Linux computers — the works.
Should I use a free VPN for Linux?
It’s best to avoid free VPNs for your PC. Unlike Linux, which is developed for free and doesn’t rely on physical infrastructure to operate, a VPN is reliant on servers and other infrastructure to operate. That takes money to set up and run — a lot of money considering that servers need to be spread around the world.
Premium VPNs fund that via subscriptions. A free Linux VPN may limit speed, data usage, and the number of servers and device connections to make you subscribe. They may also skimp out on security or even be purposefully made to harvest your data.
Audited and certified security
At Surfshark, we're committed to your online security and privacy. And while Surfshark VPN isn’t open-source like Linux, it has undergone numerous independent audits.
Warrant canary
We value transparency and privacy — here’s a canary to show that we've never had a data breach or shared users' private information. Read more on our warrant canary.
Deloitte audit
Deloitte has verified our server configuration, deployment process, VPN server configuration, API, SDN, and employees. You can check the report for yourself.
Experts recognize us
Tech Advisor Editors’ Choice 2024
Independent Advisor Best Value VPN 2023
Forbes Advisor Best VPN for Unlimited Connections 2023
VPN Solution of the Year at CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards 2022
FAQ
Do I need a VPN with Linux?
Yes, a Virtual Private Network is an online security staple for all devices and operating systems, Linux included. Sure, the danger of being hacked may be a bit lower than for your average Windows user. But areas where a Linux VPN can help you are still massive:
- A VPN obscures your traffic from your ISP or anyone else who’d like to spy on it. Instead of knowing what websites you’re visiting or that you’re streaming/gaming/sharing files, they’ll only see VPN traffic;
- Censorship and firewalls don’t care about your operating system and can affect even something as simple as your access to news or social media sites.
In fact, most of the points outlined here apply to Linux users as well.
Does Linux have a built-in VPN?
Many Linux distros have a built-in VPN capability via the Network Manager, but it’s not the same as having a VPN. It just means that you can potentially set up a VPN without a specific application.
However, you’ll:
- Still have to do it yourself;
- Still need to find a VPN server provider;
- Not have the easy-of-life and usability features of a commercial VPN.
Most users don’t have a spare VPN server laying around, especially one that would allow them to router their traffic via a different country. So, the potential capability exists, but it’s not nearly a full Linux VPN client package.
Does Ubuntu have a VPN?
Just like every operating system under the sun, Ubuntu has a built-in VPN capability. However, you still need to have access to a VPN server to make it work.
How do I enable a VPN on Linux?
For Surfshark VPN users on Ubuntu who would like to use the GUI app, here’s a short guide:
- Open the terminal (CTRL+ALT+T in Ubuntu).
- Type in the following command:
curl -f https://downloads.surfshark.com/linux/debian-install.sh --output surfshark-install.sh #gets the installation script cat surfshark-install.sh #shows script's content sh surfshark-install.sh #installs surfshark
- You are now ready to use your Linux VPN!
For users of the legacy app, we have an entire support guide dedicated to enabling a VPN on your Linux machine. However, the legacy app is now purely in maintenance mode, and any new features will be coming to the GUI app.
Which free VPN is best for Linux?
Good free VPNs don’t exist for Linux — or any other platform. Here’s why:
- Free VPNs have way fewer servers and countries they operate in;
- Free VPNs are slower than paid VPNs — usually as a way to make you buy the paid version;
- Free VPNs will bombard you with ads or sell your data for profit;
- Free VPNs don’t have the money or resources to keep their platforms up to security standards;
- Free VPNs usually leak data, don’t provide encryption, and often contain malware.
So you see, you’ll likely be paying for a free VPN one way or another, including handing over your data.
How can I connect to a VPN using the Linux Network Manager?
To connect to a VPN using something like the Linux Network Manager, you need to follow roughly these steps:
- Get your credentials: that means getting a VPN subscription (like Surfshark’s).
- Download configuration files: they will be necessary for the system to make a connection to the VPN server.
- Configure the Network Manager: as a Linux user, you’re born for this.
- Ensure your connection is successful: AKA connect for the first time.
For more in-depth information, read here.
How can I connect to a VPN using the Linux Terminal?
Feel the pathological need to have Linux Terminal involved in everything you do? We got you covered. Here’s the abstract:
- Get your credentials from the VPN you subscribed to.
- Download and install the OpenVPN package.
- Download configuration files from your VPN provider.
- Connect to the VPN via the dang terminal.
- Connect to a server.
For more details, look here.