Why These VPNs Work Best on elementary OS

elementary OS is a sleek, Ubuntu-based distribution that prides itself on simplicity and elegance. Under the hood you’ll find APT/dpkg as the package manager and the Pantheon desktop environment, which favours GUI-first tools in its AppCenter but also gives you the full power of the terminal when you need it. Its typical user values strong design, ease of use and stability, yet many of us—especially IT professionals—aren’t shy of firing up a shell. When choosing a VPN, you want something that:

• Provides an official Debian/Ubuntu .deb package or a robust CLI tool.
• Plays nicely with NetworkManager (so you can manage connections in the System Settings).
• Offers modern protocols like WireGuard for performance or OpenVPN for compatibility.
• Has clear Linux installation instructions, minimal external dependencies and good documentation.

Based on those criteria, these VPNs stand out on elementary OS:

• NordVPN – Official .deb, NetworkManager plugin, native CLI.
• ProtonVPN – Official Linux CLI client, supports WireGuard and OpenVPN.
• Mullvad – Simple .deb installer, GUI CLI, WireGuard-first approach.
• Surfshark – Lightweight Linux app, .deb package, WireGuard support.
• Private Internet Access – Official Linux app, GUI (Qt), WireGuard support.

Quick Comparison

In-Depth: Installation Configuration

1. NordVPN

NordVPN offers a polished CLI and an official Debian package. It integrates with NetworkManager, so you can still manage connections via System Settings.

Installation steps:

# 1. Download and install NordVPN’s GPG key and repository
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y curl gpg
curl -sSL https://repo.nordvpn.com/gpg/nordvpn_public.asc  sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/nordvpn-archive-keyring.gpg

echo deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/nordvpn-archive-keyring.gpg]
[https://repo.nordvpn.com/deb/nordvpn/debian](https://repo.nordvpn.com/deb/nordvpn/debian) stable main
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nordvpn.list

# 2. Update and install the client

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y nordvpn 

Configuration usage:

# Log in to your account
nordvpn login

# Connect to a country (e.g., United Kingdom)

nordvpn connect United_Kingdom

# To enable the NM plugin

sudo apt install -y network-manager-nordvpn
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager 

Once set up, you’ll find “NordVPN” listed under Network Settings. To disconnect:

nordvpn disconnect

2. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN’s official client focuses on the command line and is easy to install from their repository. It supports both OpenVPN and WireGuard.

Installation steps:

# Add the ProtonVPN repository
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](https://repo.protonvpn.com/debian) stable main
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/protonvpn.list

# Install the CLI client

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y protonvpn 

Configuration usage:

# Initialize the CLI (you’ll be prompted for ProtonVPN credentials)
protonvpn init

# Connect using the fastest available server

protonvpn c --fastest

# Or specify a country code:

protonvpn c --cc GB

# To disconnect

protonvpn d 

3. Mullvad

Mullvad is a privacy-first provider with a straightforward Debian package and a native Qt GUI. It’s WireGuard-centric but also supports OpenVPN.

Installation steps:

# Download the latest .deb from Mullvad
wget https://mullvad.net/download/app/deb/latest -O mullvad.deb

# Install the package

sudo apt install -y ./mullvad.deb

# Clean up

rm mullvad.deb 

Configuration usage:

# Launch the GUI by searching “Mullvad” in Applications
# Or use the CLI:
mullvad status
mullvad connect
mullvad disconnect

Final Thoughts

Whether you crave the tight integration of NordVPN, the open security ethos of ProtonVPN or the no-nonsense simplicity of Mullvad, elementary OS users have robust options. All of the above work cleanly with APT and Pantheon, letting you protect your privacy without messing with the elegant simplicity that drew you to elementary OS in the first place.