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

Choosing the Right VPN for Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is beloved in the Linux community for its ultra-lightweight footprint, RAM-based operation and modular package format (.pet or Slackware .tgz). Its native Puppy Package Manager (PPM) handles these packages, and you’ll most often find desktop environments like JWM, Openbox or ROX running on kernels without systemd. That means any VPN solution must work without systemd services, stay resource-light and play nicely with BusyBox and SysV init. CLI tools or static binaries—rather than bulky GUI apps—are the way to go.

Given these constraints, the most suitable VPNs for Puppy Linux are those offering:

Stand-alone Linux binaries or simple OpenVPN/WireGuard configs
No dependency on systemd-based daemons
Minimal external dependencies (e.g. OpenSSL, OpenVPN or WireGuard kernel module)
Optional kill-switch scripts you can adapt with iptables

Below is a comparison of three top contenders that fit the Puppy Linux bill.

VPN Comparison Table

Provider	Protocol Support	CLI / Static Binary	WireGuard	Kill-Switch	Server Locations
Mullvad VPN	OpenVPN, WireGuard	Official static Linux binary	Yes	Built-in (CLI option)	~40 countries
ProtonVPN	OpenVPN	OpenVPN configs (no systemd)	Limited (beta)	Via iptables scripts	~60 countries
Windscribe	OpenVPN, IKEv2	OpenVPN configs	No	Via iptables scripts	~60 countries

Installation Configuration Guides

Below youll find step-by-step instructions for the three best picks. All commands assume you’re running as root or via sudo, and that you have Puppy’s Package Manager (PPM) handy to install openvpn, wireguard-tools or iptables.

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad provides a self-contained CLI binary—no systemd needed—and first-class support for WireGuard.

1) Install dependencies:

ppm update
ppm install openvpn wireguard-tools

2) Download and install the Mullvad CLI:

cd /tmp
wget https://dl.mullvad.net/download/app/mullvad-linux-all-releases.tgz
tar xzf mullvad-linux-all-releases.tgz
cp mullvad--linux--static/mullvad /usr/local/bin/
chmod  x /usr/local/bin/mullvad

3) Log in and connect (WireGuard by default):

mullvad account login    # follow instructions to paste your account key
mullvad connect           # connects using WireGuard
mullvad status            # check connection

4) Enable CLI kill-switch (blocks if VPN drops):

mullvad relay wireguard set option kill-switch on
mullvad relay wireguard apply

ProtonVPN (OpenVPN)

Since ProtonVPN’s official CLI depends on systemd, we’ll use raw OpenVPN configs and a simple iptables kill-switch instead.

1) Install OpenVPN:

ppm update
ppm install openvpn openssl iptables

2) Download ProtonVPN OpenVPN configurations:

cd ~
wget -O protonvpn-configs.zip https://api.protonvpn.ch/vpn/profiles?client=linux
unzip protonvpn-configs.zip -d protonvpn

3) Connect to a server (e.g. US-FREE#1):

cd ~/protonvpn
openvpn --config ProtonVPN_US-FREE#1_udp.ovpn

4) Simple iptables kill-switch (adjust interface):

# Clear rules
iptables -F
iptables -t nat -F
# Drop all outbound except on tun0 and lo
iptables -P OUTPUT DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -o lo -j ACCEPT
iptables -A OUTPUT -o tun0 -j ACCEPT
# Allow established
iptables -A INPUT -m conntrack --ctstate RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT

Windscribe (OpenVPN)

Windscribe doesn’t have a systemd-free binary, but their OpenVPN configs work perfectly on Puppy Linux.

1) Prerequisite:

ppm update
ppm install openvpn stunnel unzip iptables

2) Download Windscribe OpenVPN configs:

cd ~
wget https://assets.windscribe.com/windscribe-openvpn-configuration.zip
unzip windscribe-openvpn-configuration.zip -d windscribe

3) Create credentials file ~/.windscribe-auth.txt with:

your_windscribe_username
your_windscribe_password

4) Connect to a preferred server (e.g. US East UDP):

openvpn --config ~/windscribe/us-east.udp.ovpn 
        --auth-user-pass ~/.windscribe-auth.txt 
        --persist-key --persist-tun

5) (Optional) Repeat the same iptables kill-switch from the ProtonVPN section, adjusting tun0 if needed.

Conclusion

For Puppy Linux users, VPNs that ship static binaries or plain OpenVPN/WireGuard configs are a godsend. Mullvad tops the list with its turnkey static binary and built-in wireguard kill-switch. ProtonVPN and Windscribe follow closely with straightforward OpenVPN setups you can manage via iptables. Pick the one that fits your privacy needs, and keep your RAM-resident Puppy safely tunneled through encrypted servers.

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