How to choose, use and configure a VPN in antiX (Guide)

Why These VPNs Shine on antiX

antiX is a Debian-stable derivative, SysV init–based and optimised for very modest hardware. It uses APT (apt-get and apt) as its package manager, and you’ll most often encounter lightweight window managers like IceWM, Fluxbox or JWM. Users of antiX tend to be tinkerers who want full control without systemd dependencies—so the ideal VPN must support OpenVPN or WireGuard via simple command-line tools, integrate cleanly with APT, and run under traditional init scripts.

In this context, the most suitable services are those offering native Debian packages or straightforward OpenVPN/WireGuard configurations, without requiring systemd or heavy GUI dependencies. We’ve selected the following:

Mullvad – excellent WireGuard support, CLI tool packaged for Debian, no systemd needed.
ProtonVPN – official Linux CLI client plus OpenVPN configs, supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN.
Private Internet Access – Debian repo with .deb, OpenVPN WireGuard, simple init script.
NordVPN – Debian package, CLI utility can fall back to OpenVPN if systemd isn’t available.
ExpressVPN – manual OpenVPN configs and Light CLI, works fine under SysV init.

Comparison Table

VPN	Server Locations	Protocols	Native Linux Client	Package Availability	Init System
Mullvad	40 countries	WireGuard, OpenVPN	Yes (CLI .deb)	Official APT repo	SysV, OpenRC, systemd
ProtonVPN	60 countries	WireGuard, OpenVPN	Yes (CLI Python)	PyPI manual .deb	SysV (works via CLI)
Private Internet Access	80 countries	WireGuard, OpenVPN	Yes (CLI .deb)	Official APT repo	SysV, systemd
NordVPN	60 countries	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN	Yes (CLI .deb)	Official APT repo	systemd preferred, OpenVPN fallback
ExpressVPN	90 countries	OpenVPN, Lightway	CLI (manual install)	Manual configs	SysV via OpenVPN

Top Picks: Installation Configuration

Mullvad

Mullvad’s official .deb supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN out of the box, and the CLI is perfect for antiX users. Follow these steps:

Add the Mullvad repository:

sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https ca-certificates gnupg
sudo wget -O /usr/share/keyrings/mullvad-archive-keyring.gpg 
  https://mullvad.net/download/deb/gpg
echo deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/mullvad-archive-keyring.gpg] 
  https://mullvad.net/download/deb/ stable main  
  sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mullvad.list

Update APT and install the client:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mullvad-vpn

mullvad account login [YOUR-ACCOUNT-NUMBER]
mullvad connect wireguard

You can switch servers with mullvad relay set location [country-code] and reconnect.

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN CLI is provided via PyPI and works nicely under antiX. You’ll need Python 3 and pip:

Install prerequisites:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install python3-pip python3-setuptools openvpn

Install the ProtonVPN CLI tool:

pip3 install protonvpn-cli

Initialize and log in:

sudo protonvpn init
# Follow prompts: enter ProtonVPN credentials and select default protocol

Connect to the fastest server:

sudo protonvpn connect --fastest

For WireGuard: enable it during init or edit ~/.pvpn/settings.toml and switch the protocol.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

PIA provides a lightweight CLI client and Debian repo. It works easily on antiX:

Add PIA’s APT repository:

wget -qO - https://install.privateinternetaccess.com/download/pia_public.gpg  sudo apt-key add -
echo deb https://repo.privateinternetaccess.com/debian focal main  
  sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pia.list

Update and install the client:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install pia-ui

Start PIA CLI, login and connect:

pia-client login [YOUR-USERNAME]
pia-client connect

Each of these VPNs can be scripted into your antiX startup scripts or launched manually. By sticking with APT, OpenVPN/WireGuard CLI utilities and SysV-friendly services, you’ll enjoy a rock-solid, systemd-free privacy setup on even the most modest of machines.

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