How to choose, use and configure a VPN in NuTyX (Tutorial)

Choosing the Right VPN for NuTyX

NuTyX is a niche, source-built Linux distribution aimed at power users who don’t mind compiling packages from scratch or installing pre-built “cards” (its own package format) via the cards package manager. It typically uses sysvinit (though you can opt for runit or OpenRC community editions) and doesn’t assume systemd is present. Its most common desktop environments are lightweight ones like Openbox, XFCE and Fluxbox, but you can roll your own window manager setup just as easily. All of this means a VPN solution for NuTyX should:

Provide a standalone, generic Linux installer or a simple tarball, rather than only .deb or .rpm packages.
Offer a robust CLI interface, since most NuTyX users configure network services via shell scripts or NetworkManager’s CLI.
Support both OpenVPN and WireGuard without requiring systemd-specific units.
Be straightforward to integrate with NuTyX’s cards workflow or manual extraction into /usr/local.

Based on those criteria, the leading candidates are:

Mullvad – Excellent WireGuard support, easy CLI, generic tarball.
ProtonVPN – Official CLI, supports OpenVPN amp WireGuard, Python-based installer.
NordVPN – Solid CLI script, generic Linux installer, strong protocol support.

Quick Comparison

VPN Service	Protocols	CLI Tool	Generic Installer	WireGuard Support	Link
Mullvad	WireGuard, OpenVPN	Yes (native `mullvad`)	Tarball	First-class	Mullvad
ProtonVPN	OpenVPN, WireGuard	Yes (Python CLI)	Python installer / pip	Official	ProtonVPN
NordVPN	OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard)	Yes (shell script)	Shell installer	NordLynx	NordVPN

Installation amp Configuration

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad provides a clean, standalone Linux client that works perfectly on NuTyX without extra dependencies. Recommended protocol: WireGuard.

1. Install required tools:

sudo cards install wireguard-tools openvpn curl unzip

2. Download Mullvad’s generic tarball:

curl -LO https://mullvad.net/downloads/mullvad-client-linux-x86_64.tar.gz

3. Extract and install:

tar xzf mullvad-client-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
cd mullvad-client-linux-
sudo ./install.sh

4. Log in and connect:

mullvad status                # check login
mullvad tunnel wireguard      # switch to WireGuard
mullvad connect               # connects to nearest server

5. To choose a specific location:

mullvad relay set location SE  # Sweden
mullvad connect

ProtonVPN

Proton’s Linux CLI is a Python package. It works on NuTyX once you have python3 and pip.

1. Install prerequisites:

sudo cards install python3 python3-pip openvpn wireguard-tools

2. Install the ProtonVPN CLI via pip:

pip3 install --user protonvpn-cli

3. Ensure your ~/.local/bin is in PATH, then initialise:

protonvpn init             # follow interactive prompts to enter Proton account

4. Connect using OpenVPN or WireGuard:

protonvpn c --sc            # Secure Core (OpenVPN)
protonvpn c --protocol wireguard  # WireGuard mode

NordVPN

NordVPN supplies a shell installer script that sets up its CLI tool. It doesn’t depend on systemd, so it’s NuTyX-friendly.

1. Install OpenVPN dependency:

sudo cards install openvpn

2. Download and run the official installer:

curl -sSL https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh  sh

3. Log in amp connect:

nordvpn login
nordvpn set technology nordlynx   # enable WireGuard variant
nordvpn connect                   # default country
nordvpn connect us                # specify country code

Conclusion

For a distro as hands-on as NuTyX, you need VPNs that play nicely with generic installers, open source tooling and CLI-based workflows. Mullvad stands out for pure WireGuard simplicity, ProtonVPN blends both protocols into a single Python utility, and NordVPN’s script installer supports NordLynx without systemd. Pick the one matching your workflow, and you’ll have your network traffic secured in minutes.

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