How to choose, use and configure a VPN in Redcore Linux (Comparison)

Why VPN Choice Matters on Redcore Linux

Redcore Linux takes the power of Gentoo’s Portage tree and marries it with prebuilt binaries, giving enthusiasts and intermediate users a rolling-release distro without the usual compile-from-scratch delays. It relies on emerge for package management, uses OpenRC as its init system and typically ships with KDE Plasma or Xfce out of the box (though you can slot in MATE or Cinnamon if you prefer). Many Redcore users enable USE flags for hardened toolchains, Python 3.11 or later, and media codecs, so any VPN client must play nicely with Portage’s dependencies and OpenRC scripts—systemd-only daemons won’t cut it.

Given these technical particulars, we’re looking for VPN providers offering:

Native Linux support (or easily portable binaries)
WireGuard/OpenVPN support without systemd dependencies
Clear CLI tools or straightforward shell scripts

Top VPN Providers for Redcore Linux

Provider	Protocols	Client Type	OpenRC-Friendly	Website
Mullvad	WireGuard, OpenVPN	Standalone Rust CLI	Yes	mullvad.net
ProtonVPN	WireGuard, OpenVPN	Python-based CLI	Yes	protonvpn.com
Private Internet Access	WireGuard, OpenVPN	Bash/Python scripts	Mostly (requires minor tweaks)	privateinternetaccess.com
NordVPN	NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN	Official Linux client	Limited (systemd-centric)	nordvpn.com
ExpressVPN	Lightway, OpenVPN	Official Linux client	Limited (systemd-centric)	expressvpn.com

Installation Configuration

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad offers a single static binary for Linux that runs without systemd. Perfect for Redcore’s OpenRC setup.

1. Install dependencies:

sudo emerge --ask net-vpn/openvpn net-dns/resolvconf curl

2. Download extract Mullvad CLI:

cd /opt
sudo curl -L -o mullvad-cli.tar.gz https://mullvad.net/download/app/linux/latest
sudo tar xzf mullvad-cli.tar.gz
sudo mv mullvad /usr/local/bin/
sudo chmod  x /usr/local/bin/mullvad

3. Authenticate and connect:

mullvad login YOUR-MULLVAD-ACCOUNT-NUMBER
mullvad connect wireguard
# or for OpenVPN:
mullvad connect openvpn germany

The CLI will handle keys, config files and routing. To run at boot, add to OpenRC:

sudo rc-update add mullvad default

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN’s official CLI is a Python package that works seamlessly on Portage-based distros. It installs to /usr/bin and supports both WireGuard and OpenVPN.

1. Install prerequisites:

sudo emerge --ask net-vpn/openvpn net-dns/resolvconf dev-lang/python:3.11 dev-python/pip

2. Install the CLI tool:

sudo pip install protonvpn-cli

3. Initialize and login:

protonvpn-cli init
# Follow prompts: import credentials, choose protocol preferences
protonvpn-cli connect --fastest

For WireGuard:

protonvpn-cli c --wg

No systemd? No problem. ProtonVPN CLI uses standard Python threads and OpenVPN/WireGuard under the hood. To automate at boot, wrap the connect command in an OpenRC service script under /etc/init.d/.

Private Internet Access (Optional)

If you already subscribe to PIA, it provides a shell script installer which can work with OpenRC. Just download their tarball, run the installer and tweak the service unit to an OpenRC script. Configuration is similar to the above: use piactl or openvpn with supplied .ovpn files.

With Mullvad and ProtonVPN, Redcore Linux users get privacy solutions tailored to Portage, OpenRC and hardened toolchains—no systemd hoops, just secure connectivity in your favourite KDE or Xfce environment.

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