The best free VPN for Linux is Proton VPN Free. It has a native Linux app, no data cap, no ads and an audited no-logs policy. Windscribe Free is a good backup if you want more locations and can live with a 10 GB monthly cap. Cloudflare WARP is also free and unlimited, but it encrypts your traffic rather than hiding your location, so it isn’t a true privacy VPN.
Most “free VPN for Linux” lists are paid VPNs with a trial period. This guide covers only services with a free plan that doesn’t expire, and explains the limits and risks so you can choose well.
Last updated October 28, 2026. Free plan limits change often, so confirm the current terms on each provider’s site before you rely on them.
Best Free VPNs for Linux at a Glance
| VPN | Free data | Server locations | Linux support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN Free | Unlimited | A limited set of countries, assigned for you | Native app with a graphical interface | Best overall |
| Windscribe Free | 10 GB a month with a confirmed email (2 GB without) | About 10 to 11 countries | Linux app, with a kill switch labelled “Firewall” | More locations and more control |
| Cloudflare WARP | Unlimited | No country choice | Command-line client (warp-cli) | Encrypting traffic on public Wi-Fi |
Reviews disagree on exactly how many countries Proton’s free plan includes (between 3 and 10), so check Proton’s own page for the current number.
Free VPN vs Free Trial: What’s the Difference?
Paid VPNs such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark are good, but they aren’t free. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is a refund window, not a free plan. You still need a card, and you’re billed if you forget to cancel. A genuinely free VPN has a plan that costs nothing, with no card and no countdown. By that standard, the real list is short.
1. Proton VPN Free: Best Free VPN for Linux Overall
Proton VPN offers a free, open-source Linux app from the team behind Proton Mail. Setup is simple: create a free Proton account, install the Linux app, log in and click Quick Connect.
What you get: unlimited data, no ads, a no-logs policy that reviewers describe as independently audited, and open-source apps. Based in Switzerland. Security.org’s review highlights the audited no-logs policy and open-source apps.
The limits: one device at a time, servers in a limited set of countries that Proton assigns for you, medium speeds, and reviews say no streaming or torrenting on the free tier.
Good for: everyday browsing privacy and public Wi-Fi. Skip if: you need to pick a country or protect several devices at once.
2. Windscribe Free: Best for More Locations
Windscribe’s free plan gives you 10 GB a month once you confirm your email, and 2 GB if you don’t. It covers servers in about 10 to 11 countries, and reviewers note a kill switch (called “Firewall”) on Linux, Windows and Android. It also allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
The limit: 10 GB runs out fast if you stream, game or download a lot. When the cap is reached, the VPN stops until the next month.
Good for: light use across several devices. Skip if: you need unlimited data.
3. Cloudflare WARP: Free, but Not a Privacy VPN
WARP encrypts the traffic leaving your device and sends it through Cloudflare’s network. That helps on public Wi-Fi, but you can’t choose a country or change your apparent location, so it won’t get you around location blocks. Treat it as a free security layer, not an anonymity tool.
On Linux it uses a command-line client. After you install the package from Cloudflare’s Linux instructions, the first connection takes two commands:
warp-cli registration new
warp-cli connectTo confirm it works, open https://www.cloudflare.com/cdn-cgi/trace and look for warp=on. Cloudflare publishes privacy commitments for 1.1.1.1, so read them before you decide to trust it with your traffic.
Best Free VPN for Kali Linux
Kali is a Debian derivative, so the same options install the same way they do on Ubuntu or Mint. If you use Kali for security testing, check your VPN provider’s terms first. Some forbid using the service to test networks you don’t own.
Be Careful With Free VPN Configs From GitHub
You’ll find lists of shared servers, logins and OpenVPN files posted by strangers. Avoid them. A VPN routes all your traffic through someone else’s server, so you’re trusting whoever runs it with everything you send. Some lists are abandoned test servers, and others exist to intercept traffic. Stick to a provider with a real company, a published privacy policy and a track record, even on the free tier.
How to Check That Your VPN Is Working on Linux
- Check your IP address with an IP-lookup site before you connect, and again after. It should change (WARP changes it too, but you can’t pick the country).
- Run a DNS leak test while connected.
- Turn on the kill switch if the app has one.
- Keep the VPN app updated. Here’s why software updates matter.
Free vs Paid: When to Upgrade
Free plans are fine for everyday browsing privacy on public networks. Consider paying when you need more than one device at once, more server countries, faster speeds, or torrenting and streaming support. Don’t upgrade just because a listicle says so. Do it when a specific free-plan limit gets in your way.
What a VPN Does Not Do
A VPN hides your IP address from sites and your traffic from your network. It doesn’t stop trackers in your browser, protect you from phishing or hide who you are when you log in to accounts. For the difference between a VPN and a proxy, read our guide to proxy vs VPN. For stronger anonymity, see Tor Browser. Also use a password manager and limit tracking by managing cookies.
Free VPNs for Linux FAQ
Is there a truly free VPN for Linux?
Yes. Proton VPN’s free plan is free forever with unlimited data. Windscribe’s free plan has a 10 GB monthly cap. Cloudflare WARP is free and unlimited but isn’t a privacy VPN.
What is the best free VPN for Ubuntu?
Proton VPN Free, followed by Windscribe if you want more locations and can work within the data cap.
Does Proton VPN work on Linux Mint?
Mint is based on Ubuntu, so Proton’s Debian and Ubuntu packages are the usual route. Check Proton’s Linux download page for the current instructions.
Is it safe to use a free VPN on Linux?
It can be, if you choose a provider with a clear privacy policy and independent audits. Avoid anonymous free servers and random config files, because the VPN sees all your traffic.
Can I use a VPN from the command line?
Yes. Cloudflare WARP is controlled from the command line, and many VPN apps for Linux include a CLI. Check each provider’s Linux instructions.
Do I need a VPN on Linux?
Not always. A VPN helps on public Wi-Fi and hides your IP address from sites. It doesn’t replace updates, strong passwords or careful browsing.
Bottom Line
For Linux, the honest free list is short. Pick Proton VPN Free for most uses, Windscribe Free if you want more locations and can live with 10 GB a month, and Cloudflare WARP if you only want encrypted traffic. Be wary of any other “free” VPN that doesn’t publish who runs it and how it makes money.
Sources
- Proton VPN, Free VPN for Linux
- Security.org, Proton VPN review
- Windscribe, How much does it cost to use Windscribe?
- Cloudflare, WARP client on Linux
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