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

Choosing the Right VPN for PCLinuxOS

PCLinuxOS is a rolling-release distribution built around the RPM package format but managed through apt-rpm and its Synaptic front-end. You’ll commonly find desktops like KDE Plasma, Xfce and LXDE in its official spins, catering to users who appreciate a balance between visual polish and system control. As an IT specialist based in London, I’ve found that the ideal VPNs for PCLinuxOS share a few key traits:

Native or RPM-friendly packaging (so no forcing .deb conversions).
CLI tools or straightforward OpenVPN/WireGuard configurations.
Active Linux community support and clear documentation.

Given these parameters, the following VPN services stand out on PCLinuxOS:

Mullvad VPN – Simple, privacy-centric, uses OpenVPN/WireGuard config files directly.
ProtonVPN – Official CLI client (Python-based) or manual OpenVPN.
NordVPN – Official RPM installer with automatic repository updates.
Private Internet Access – Offers an RPM package and OpenVPN profiles.

Comparison Table

VPN Service	Protocols	Linux Packaging	Key Feature
Mullvad VPN	OpenVPN, WireGuard	Config files Flatpak option	Anonymous account IDs, GDPR-friendly
ProtonVPN	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	Python CLI via pip manual OpenVPN	Secure Core network, audited
NordVPN	OpenVPN, IKEv2, NordLynx (WireGuard fork)	Official RPM repo installer script	Automatic kill-switch, Onion over VPN
Private Internet Access	OpenVPN, WireGuard	RPM package manual config	P2P support, MACE ad-blocking

Installation Configuration

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad doesn’t offer an RPM client, but you can easily connect using OpenVPN or WireGuard.

1. Install OpenVPN and WireGuard tools:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install openvpn wireguard-tools

2. Log in to your Mullvad account, generate config files (ZIP includes .ovpn and .conf).

3. Unzip and connect:

unzip mullvad-config.zip -d ~/mullvad-config
sudo openvpn --config ~/mullvad-config/us-new-york-tcp.ovpn
# Or WireGuard
sudo wg-quick up ~/mullvad-config/us-nj-wg0.conf

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN provides a CLI tool that’s easy to install via pip on PCLinuxOS.

1. Ensure Python 3 and pip are installed:

sudo apt-get install python3 python3-pip

2. Install the official ProtonVPN CLI:

sudo pip3 install protonvpn-cli

3. Initialize and log in:

sudo protonvpn init
# Follow prompts to add your ProtonVPN credentials

4. Connect to a server:

sudo protonvpn connect --fastest
# Or specify a country: sudo protonvpn connect CH

NordVPN

NordVPN offers an RPM repository that integrates with PCLinuxOS’s apt-rpm system.

1. Download and install the repository script:

This script:

Adds the NordVPN repo to /etc/apt/sources.list.d/.
Installs the nordvpn package.

2. Log in and connect:

# Log in to your account (Opens browser for OAuth)
nordvpn login

# Connect to the nearest server:
nordvpn connect

# Or connect to a specific country/server:
nordvpn connect uk

3. Optional configuration tweaks:

nordvpn set killswitch on – Enable the kill switch globally.
nordvpn set dns 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 – Use custom DNS servers.

Conclusion

PCLinuxOS users benefit from VPN clients that either support RPM out of the box or rely on universal protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. Mullvad, ProtonVPN and NordVPN each cater to different needs—be it maximum privacy, integrated CLI tooling or seamless repository updates. Whichever route you choose, you’ll be up and running quickly, protected by an encrypted tunnel right from your Plasma or Xfce desktop.

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