Best VPNs Tailored for SolydXK

SolydXK users value stability, security and a polished desktop experience on Debian’s solid foundation. With its APT-based package management, systemd init, and either Xfce (SolydX) or KDE Plasma (SolydK), you’ll want a VPN client that:

• Provides a native Debian repository or .deb package for easy apt-driven updates
• Offers a reliable kill switch and DNS leak protection under NetworkManager/systemd-networkd
• Integrates cleanly with the panel applets in Xfce or Plasma
• Caters to both home users and small-business setups that appreciate CLI and GUI clients

After trialling multiple services on SolydXK’s Linux 5.x kernel and its stable backports, three stand out as particularly suitable: Mullvad, ProtonVPN and NordVPN. All three supply a Debian repository or readily installable .deb, support OpenVPN and WireGuard, and integrate with systemd-based networking for a rock-solid secure tunnel.

Comparison Table

Installation Configuration Guides

1. Mullvad

Mullvad’s Debian repository makes it trivial on SolydXK. You’ll get both the GTK GUI for Xfce/KDE and the mullvad CLI tool.

Step-by-step:

# 1. Add Mullvad’s GPG key
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y gnupg2 curl
curl https://releases.mullvad.net/debian/mullvad_key.asc  sudo apt-key add -

# 2. Add the repo
echo deb https://releases.mullvad.net/debian stable main  sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mullvad.list

# 3. Install the client
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y mullvad-vpn

# 4. Start and enable systemd service
sudo systemctl enable --now mullvad-daemon

After installation, log in and connect:

# Authenticate with your Mullvad account number
mullvad account login ACCOUNT_NUMBER

# Connect automatically to the fastest server
mullvad connect

# Check status and kill-switch
mullvad status

2. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN provides an official APT repo and a Qt-based GUI that integrates smoothly with SolydXK’s panel. The CLI is handy for headless or tiling window setups.

# 1. Install key and repo
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y wget gnupg
wget -q -O - https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian/public_key.asc  sudo apt-key add -
echo deb https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian stable main  sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn.list

# 2. Install ProtonVPN client
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y protonvpn protonvpn-cli

# 3. Initialize and login
protonvpn-cli login your_protonvpn_username

To connect using the CLI:

# Quick connect to fastest server
protonvpn-cli c

# List available servers
protonvpn-cli s

# Enable kill switch
protonvpn-cli ks --on

3. NordVPN

NordVPN’s Linux client comes as a .deb with its own repository. It’s purely CLI-driven but excels in automation and scripting for advanced SolydXK users.

# 1. Download and install the .deb
wget -qO nordvpn.deb https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/nordvpn/debian/pool/main/nordvpn-release_1.0.0_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i nordvpn.deb

# 2. Update repositories and install
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y nordvpn

# 3. Login
nordvpn login

Basic usage:

# Connect to nearest server
nordvpn connect

# Use NordLynx for WireGuard-based speed
nordvpn set technology NordLynx

# Enable kill switch
nordvpn set killswitch on

# Verify status
nordvpn status

Any of these three VPNs will slot seamlessly into your SolydXK setup, whether you’re on Xfce or Plasma. With official repos, kill switches tied into systemd and first-class support for OpenVPN/WireGuard, you’ll maintain that rock-solid Debian stability while keeping your traffic private and secure.