Why These VPNs Are a Great Fit for Void Linux

Void Linux is a rolling-release distro cherished by advanced users who appreciate its runit init system, the xbps package manager and the distro’s minimalistic ethos. You won’t find systemd here instead, everything runs on a lightweight init, making service scripts simpler. Common desktop environments include Xfce, LXQt, KDE Plasma and tiling WMs such as i3 or dwm. A Void user typically expects:

• A lean, modular setup with few dependencies.
• Straightforward service management via sv and shell-based configuration.
• A willingness to tinker—especially with networking and kernel modules.

Given these traits, the best VPN choices for Void Linux are:

• Mullvad VPN – offers a standalone CLI client and native WireGuard support. The client is distributed as a self-contained binary no systemd hooks required.
• ProtonVPN – provides a Python-based CLI that works on any init system. Easy to install via pip and integrates seamlessly with OpenVPN and WireGuard.
• IVPN – open-source client, strong privacy stance, and documentation for manual WireGuard/OpenVPN setup on non-systemd distros.

Comparison Table

Installing Configuring the Top Picks

Mullvad VPN

Mullvad provides a self-contained Linux client that works perfectly on Void without any systemd dependencies.

1) Download the latest Linux client from their website:

wget https://mullvad.net/download/app/mullvad-app-linux-64bit.tar.gz
tar xzf mullvad-app-linux-64bit.tar.gz
cd mullvad-app-linux-64bit
sudo ./install.sh

2) Enable the built-in kill switch and start the service:

# Enable Mullvad service via runit
sudo ln -s /etc/sv/mullvad /var/service/
# Check status
sv status mullvad
# Login and connect
mullvad account login
mullvad connect wireguard

By default, the kill switch is on. To verify or tweak settings:

mullvad status
mullvad config show

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN’s CLI is a Python package that installs cleanly on Void. You’ll need python3 and pip from XBPS, plus the openvpn or wireguard-tools packages.

1) Install dependencies:

sudo xbps-install -S python3 python3-pip openvpn wireguard-tools

2) Install ProtonVPN CLI:

pip3 install --user protonvpn-cli
# Ensure ~/.local/bin is in your PATH
export PATH=HOME/.local/bin:PATH

3) Initialize and login:

protonvpn-cli login your.protonvpn.email@provider.com
protonvpn-cli configure

During configuration, choose your preferred protocol (WireGuard or OpenVPN) and enable the kill switch. To connect:

protonvpn-cli connect --fastest
# or specify a country
protonvpn-cli connect US

IVPN (Bonus)

While IVPN provides Go-based binaries and scripts, you can also set it up manually using WireGuard:

sudo xbps-install -S wireguard-tools
ivpn-profile generate
# Copy config to /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf
sudo wg-quick up wg0

This approach fits right into runit simply create a service script in /etc/sv/wg0 to automate startup under runit.

Conclusion

For Void Linux, a distro that prizes simplicity and user-driven customization, Mullvad and ProtonVPN stand out thanks to their native, non-systemd–dependent CLIs, robust privacy policies and clear documentation. IVPN remains a solid third option for those preferring manual WireGuard/OpenVPN setups. Whichever you choose, you’ll get the performance and privacy that a rolling-release distro demands.