Best VPN Solutions for Absolute Linux
Absolute Linux, being a lightweight Slackware derivative, is tailored for experienced users who appreciate simplicity and speed. It uses slackpkg (and the traditional pkgtools) for package management, relies on SysV init rather than systemd, and commonly ships with desktop environments such as IceWM, Xfce or the ROX-Filer combo. These technical choices mean any VPN client should:
- Support non-systemd environments (i.e. run via scripts or as a standalone binary).
- Integrate with OpenVPN or WireGuard—both available in Slackware’s repositories—without requiring large GUI dependencies.
- Offer a statically bundled binary or a simple tarball for installation.
Below are the VPNs best suited to this setup, along with their pros and cons specific to Absolute Linux.
Comparison of Top VPN Providers
| VPN Provider | Protocol Support | CLI Availability | Installation Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad VPN | WireGuard, OpenVPN | Yes (binary) | Tarball / Generic Linux binary |
| ProtonVPN | OpenVPN, WireGuard | Yes (Python CLI) | PIP / Source |
| Windscribe | OpenVPN, WireGuard | Yes (binary config files) | Zip of configs / Scripts |
Detailed Setup and Configuration
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad stands out for its simple, statically linked mullvad-vpn binary and excellent WireGuard support. All you need is the WireGuard kernel module and wireguard-tools from the Slackware repos.
1. Install prerequisites:
slackpkg update slackpkg install wireguard-tools curl tar
2. Download and extract Mullvad’s WireGuard configs:
curl -O https://mullvad.net/download/config/wireguard/latest/mullvad-wg.tar.gz tar xzf mullvad-wg.tar.gz -C /etc/wireguard/
3. Bring up a tunnel (e.g. for the “us-sea” server):
wg-quick up /etc/wireguard/mullvad_us_sea.conf
4. When done, tear it down with:
wg-quick down /etc/wireguard/mullvad_us_sea.conf
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN’s CLI tool is Python-based and works well on any distro with Python 3.6 . On Absolute Linux, use pip to install it globally or in a virtualenv.
1. Install OpenVPN and pip:
slackpkg update slackpkg install openvpn python3-pip
2. Install the ProtonVPN CLI:
pip3 install protonvpn-cli
3. Initialize the client (you’ll be prompted for credentials):
protonvpn init
4. Connect to the fastest server automatically:
protonvpn connect --fastest
5. To disconnect:
protonvpn disconnect
Windscribe
Windscribe offers both OpenVPN config bundles and a simple CLI wrapper. You can choose whichever suits your workflow.
1. Install OpenVPN and unzip:
slackpkg update slackpkg install openvpn unzip curl
2. Download the config archive:
curl -L -o windscribe-config.zip https://assets.windscribe.com/config/windscribe-linux.zip unzip windscribe-config.zip -d /etc/openvpn/windscribe
3. Connect to a server (e.g., Canada Toronto):
openvpn --config /etc/openvpn/windscribe/ca-toronto-tor-udp.ovpn
4. Authentication will be requested after use, simply Ctrl C to disconnect.
Wrapping Up
All three VPNs work smoothly on Absolute Linux’s Slackware base. If you value a turnkey, auto-updating WireGuard client, Mullvad is unbeatable. ProtonVPN’s Python CLI is a great choice for server selection and session management. And Windscribe remains a solid contender if you prefer manually tweaking OpenVPN configs. Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy anonymity and security without bending Absolute Linux to your will.
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