How to choose, use and configure a VPN in Hanthana Linux (My opinion)

Best VPNs for Hanthana Linux: A Specialist’s Take

Hanthana Linux, a Fedora respin tailored for ease of use, leverages the DNF package manager to handle .rpm packages. Common desktop environments include Cinnamon, MATE and Xfce, making it a fit for users who appreciate traditional layouts with modern polish. With SELinux enabled by default and systemd under the hood, any VPN solution should integrate cleanly with NetworkManager and respect Fedora’s security policies.

Given these peculiarities, the most suitable VPNs for Hanthana Linux are those offering:

  • Official .rpm builds (installable via dnf)
  • NetworkManager plugins or CLI tools that auto-start on boot
  • Compatibility with SELinux and firewalld

After extensive testing, here are my top picks:

  1. ExpressVPN
  2. NordVPN
  3. ProtonVPN

Comparison Table

VPN Provider RPM Package NetworkManager Plugin CLI Tool SELinux Friendly Link
ExpressVPN Yes expressvpn Yes ExpressVPN on Linux
NordVPN Yes Yes nordvpn Yes NordVPN on Linux
ProtonVPN Yes Yes protonvpn Yes ProtonVPN on Linux
Mullvad Yes Yes mullvad Yes Mullvad on Linux

In-Depth: Installing Configuring the Top Choices

1. ExpressVPN

While ExpressVPN lacks a NetworkManager plugin, its dedicated CLI is robust and the RPM package integrates seamlessly with Hanthana’s DNF.

Installation:

# Download the RPM
curl -O https://www.expressvpn.works/clients/linux/expressvpn-3.0.0.10-1.x86_64.rpm

# Install via DNF (resolves dependencies)
sudo dnf install ./expressvpn-3.0.0.10-1.x86_64.rpm

Activation Usage:

# Activate with your activation code
expressvpn activate YOUR_ACTIVATION_CODE

# Connect to the fastest server
expressvpn connect

# Disconnect when done
expressvpn disconnect

# Enable auto-launch on startup
expressvpn autoconnect true

2. NordVPN

NordVPN provides both an RPM repo and a NetworkManager plugin, making it ideal for users who prefer GUI integration under Cinnamon or MATE’s applet.

Installation:

# Add NordVPN repo
sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo=https://repo.nordvpn.com/yum/nordvpn.repo

# Install the CLI and plugin
sudo dnf install nordvpn nordvpn-release networkmanager-nordvpn-gnome

Configuration First Run:

# Log in (opens browser)
nordvpn login

# Connect to the nearest country
nordvpn connect

# To use with NetworkManager applet, open Settings → Network → VPN → Add → NordVPN

Enable auto-connect on boot:

nordvpn set autoconnect on
nordvpn set killswitch on

3. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN’s official RPM package and protonvpn-cli tool deliver straightforward encryption, plus integration with Fedora’s firewall.

Installation:

# Add ProtonVPN repo
sudo rpm --import https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian/public_key.asc
sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/protonvpn.repo ltltEOF
[protonvpn]
name=ProtonVPN
baseurl=https://repo.protonvpn.com/fedora/stable
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian/public_key.asc
EOF

# Install ProtonVPN CLI
sudo dnf install protonvpn-cli

Initialization Connection:

# Initialize sessions (enter credentials)
protonvpn init

# List servers
protonvpn servers --free

# Connect to a server
protonvpn c US-FREE#1

# Disconnect
protonvpn d

You can also import ProtonVPN OpenVPN configs into NetworkManager for GUI connections under Cinnamon or Xfce.

Conclusion

For Hanthana Linux users, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and ProtonVPN all offer solid RPM-based installs, CLI tooling and compatibility with SELinux and firewalld. NordVPN stands out if you prefer NetworkManager integration, while ExpressVPN’s CLI simplicity and ProtonVPN’s open-source ethos make them excellent choices too. Whichever you choose, your Hanthana system will be up and running with top-tier encryption in minutes.

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