Why Certain VPNs Are Ideal for Trisquel GNU/Linux

Trisquel GNU/Linux is a fully libre distribution based on Debian’s package ecosystem and using APT/dpkg as its package manager. Out of the box you’ll find desktop environments like MATE or the lightweight LXDE in Trisquel Mini, plus the Abrowser web client. Typical Trisquel users value Software Freedom, stability and clear-cut, non-proprietary tooling. Snap and Flatpak are not included by default, so the best VPN solutions here deliver either native .deb packages in an APT repository or else rely on the standard openvpn and wireguard-tools packages.

Below you’ll see the VPN providers that fit those criteria. All support Debian/Ubuntu-style setups, offer open-source or auditable clients (or at least hand-editable configs), and integrate nicely into MATE or LXDE without resorting to proprietary snaps.

Comparison of Top VPN Providers for Trisquel

Detailed Installation Configuration

Proton VPN

Proton VPN maintains an open-source CLI tool (protonvpn-cli-ng) that works beautifully on Trisquel’s APT system. It also supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard under the hood.

1. Install prerequisites and Proton VPN client:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3-pip python3-setuptools openvpn wireguard-tools
pip3 install protonvpn-cli

2. Initialise and log in:

protonvpn init
# you will be prompted for your Proton VPN credentials and protocol preference

3. Connect to the fastest server:

protonvpn c --fastest

Alternatively, specify a country code:
protonvpn c --cc GB to connect to the best UK endpoint.

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad offers a libre GUI CLI packaged as a .deb, plus manual config sets for OpenVPN and WireGuard. On Trisquel you can add their repository or use the out-of-the-box tools.

Option A: Official APT repository

# Import Mullvad signing key
curl -fsSL https://mullvad.net/media/mullvad_code_signing_repo.asc 
   sudo apt-key add -
# Add the repository (use your distro codename in place of repro)
echo deb https://repo.mullvad.net/mullvad repro main 
   sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mullvad.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y mullvad-vpn
# Log in  connect
mullvad login
mullvad connect

Option B: Manual OpenVPN WireGuard (no repo)

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y openvpn wireguard-tools unzip
# Download and extract OpenVPN configs
wget https://mullvad.net/media/mullvad_net_specs/openvpn-configs.zip 
  -O mullvad-ovpn.zip
unzip mullvad-ovpn.zip -d ~/mullvad-ovpn
# Pick a .ovpn file (e.g., us-se-123.mullvad.net_udp.ovpn)
sudo openvpn --config ~/mullvad-ovpn/us-se-123.mullvad.net_udp.ovpn

For WireGuard:

# Fetch your WireGuard config
wget https://api.mullvad.net/wg-config/[YOUR_ACCOUNT]/wireguard.zip -O wg.zip
unzip wg.zip -d ~/mullvad-wg
# Bring up interface (assumes config at ~/mullvad-wg/mullvad.conf)
sudo cp ~/mullvad-wg/mullvad.conf /etc/wireguard/
sudo wg-quick up mullvad

IVPN

IVPN’s CLI (ivpn-cli) can be installed via their DEB or by direct download. Once installed, you authenticate and connect much like Mullvad’s client.

Basic steps:

# Download .deb from IVPN site and install
wget https://www.ivpn.net/download/linux/ivpn-cli-latest.deb 
  -O ivpn.deb
sudo apt install -f ./ivpn.deb
# Log in and connect
ivpn register      # first-time setup
ivpn connect --fast

Summary

For a freedom-focused distro like Trisquel, you’ll want VPN solutions that integrate via apt or standard openvpn / wireguard-tools packages, all without resorting to proprietary snaps. Proton VPN and Mullvad stand out thanks to their open-source CLI tools, seamless Debian packaging and support for both OpenVPN and WireGuard. IVPN and AzireVPN are solid alternatives too, especially if you’re comfortable fetching configs directly. Whichever you choose, your Trisquel system will remain pure-libre and secure behind a robust VPN tunnel.