Exherbo Linux is a source-based distribution tailored for the power user who isn’t afraid of compiling packages, tweaking USE flags and fine-tuning init scripts. Its package manager Paludis (invoked via paludis -S) lets you pull in any dependency from the tree, while its rolling-release model and overlay support ensure you’re always running the latest versions. Typical desktops range from KDE Plasma and GNOME to XFCE and Sway, and most Exherbo installs rely on OpenRC or systemd for service management. Given this technical backdrop, the ideal VPN for Exherbo will:

• Provide a native Linux CLI or open-source client (so you can integrate it into Paludis or build from source).
• Support modern protocols (WireGuard or OpenVPN) with minimal dependencies.
• Offer service-level integration (systemd or OpenRC) for persistent tunnels.

Below is a shortlist of providers that tick those boxes on Exherbo Linux.

Comparison of Top VPN Clients on Exherbo

1. Mullvad VPN: Installation Configuration

Mullvad’s open-source client works beautifully with Exherbo’s source-based workflow and offers both WireGuard and OpenVPN support. You’ll use Paludis to install dependencies, then deploy their official tarball.

Step 1: Install WireGuard tools and OpenResolv

sudo paludis -S net-vpn/wireguard-tools net-dns/openresolv

Step 2: Download and install the Mullvad client

wget https://mullvad.net/download/mullvad-vpn-linux.tar.gz
tar xzf mullvad-vpn-linux.tar.gz
cd mullvad-vpn-linux
sudo ./install.sh

Step 3: Enable and start the Mullvad daemon (using systemd)

sudo systemctl enable --now mullvad-daemon

Step 4: Authenticate and connect

mullvad login
mullvad connect

2. ProtonVPN: Installation Configuration

ProtonVPN’s CLI tool is written in Python and hosted on GitHub. It plays nicely with Exherbo once you’ve pulled in Python3, OpenVPN and pip.

Step 1: Pull in dependencies

sudo paludis -S dev-lang/python3 net-misc/openvpn dev-python/pip

Step 2: Clone and install the CLI

git clone https://github.com/ProtonVPN/linux-cli.git
cd linux-cli
python3 -m pip install --user .

Step 3: Initialise and connect

protonvpn init
protonvpn c -f

3. NordVPN: Installation Configuration

NordVPN provides a straightforward Bash installer. Although it’s packaged for Debian/Red Hat, the script works on Exherbo once you satisfy the OpenVPN dependency.

Step 1: Install OpenVPN

sudo paludis -S net-vpn/openvpn

Step 2: Download and run the NordVPN install script

wget https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh
chmod  x install.sh
sudo ./install.sh

Step 3: Login and start your tunnel

nordvpn login
nordvpn connect

With any of these three VPNs, you get rock-solid protocol support, CLI tools that can be grafted into Exherbo’s build-from-source ethos, and system services to ensure your connection persists across reboots. Happy tunnelling!